Church Presidents
Since the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830, there have been 17 men who have served as president. During their tenure, they may announce the construction of new temples or preside at temple groundbreakings or dedications.
Tenure Statistics
Following are the number of temples announced, commenced, or dedicated during the tenure of each Church president.
| President | Tenure | Announcements | Groundbreakings | Dedications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Smith | 14 years 2 months 21 days | 5 temples | 3 temples | 1 temple |
| Brigham Young | 29 years 8 months 2 days | 4 temples | 4 temples | 2 temples |
| John Taylor | 6 years 9 months 15 days | 1 temple | ||
| Wilford Woodruff | 9 years 4 months 25 days | 2 temples | ||
| Lorenzo Snow | 3 years 0 months 27 days | |||
| Joseph F. Smith | 17 years 1 months 2 days | 2 temples | 2 temples | |
| Heber J. Grant | 26 years 5 months 21 days | 3 temples | 2 temples | 3 temples |
| George Albert Smith | 5 years 10 months 14 days | 1 temple | ||
| David O. McKay | 18 years 9 months 9 days | 7 temples | 8 temples | 5 temples |
| Joseph Fielding Smith | 2 years 5 months 10 days | 2 temples | ||
| Harold B. Lee | 1 years 5 months 19 days | |||
| Spencer W. Kimball | 11 years 10 months 6 days | 31 temples | 25 temples | 21 temples |
| Ezra Taft Benson | 8 years 6 months 20 days | 9 temples | 10 temples | 9 temples |
| Howard W. Hunter | 0 years 8 months 28 days | 3 temples | 1 temple | 2 temples |
| Gordon B. Hinckley | 12 years 10 months 15 days | 79 temples* | 81 temples | 77 temples |
| Thomas S. Monson | 9 years 10 months 28 days | 45 temples | 37 temples | 35 temples |
| Russell M. Nelson | 6 years 11 months 3 days | 185 temples | 83 temples | 43 temples |
*Includes the announcement of the Harrison New York Temple, which was suspended shortly after the dedication of the Manhattan New York Temple.
Presiding Statistics
Following are the number of temples commenced, dedicated, or rededicated with a Church president as the presiding authority, either during his time as president or as an apostle.
| President | Groundbreakings | Dedications | Rededications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Smith | 1 temple | ||
| Brigham Young | 3 temples | ||
| John Taylor | 1 temple | ||
| Wilford Woodruff | 2 temples (1 as an apostle) | ||
| Lorenzo Snow | |||
| Joseph F. Smith | |||
| Heber J. Grant | 1 temple | 3 temples | |
| George Albert Smith | 1 temple | ||
| David O. McKay | 4 temples | 5 temples | |
| Joseph Fielding Smith | 2 temples | ||
| Harold B. Lee | |||
| Spencer W. Kimball | 6 temples | 4 temples | 4 temples |
| Ezra Taft Benson | 2 temples | 2 temples | |
| Howard W. Hunter | 2 temples | ||
| Gordon B. Hinckley | 20 temples (11 as an apostle) | 85 temples (22 as an apostle) | 13 temples (6 as an apostle) |
| Thomas S. Monson | 5 temples (3 as an apostle) | 21 temples (7 as an apostle) | 5 temples |
| Russell M. Nelson | 4 temples (2 as an apostle) | 4 temples (1 as an apostle) | 4 temples (2 as an apostle) |