An aerial photo of the Idaho Falls Temple
SALT LAKE CITY (KSL.com) – President Russell M. Nelson spoke at the 191st Annual General Meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during Sunday afternoon for another 20 temples around the world – including one in Burley, in Helena, Montana, in Casper Wyoming and one in Smithfield, Utah.
The 96-year-old church leader announces that the church intends to build temples in the following places:
- Burley, Idaho
- Helena, Montana
- Casper, Wyoming
- Smithfield, Utah
- Grand Junction, Colorado
- Farmington, New Mexico
- Eugene, Oregon
- Elko, Nevada
- Yorba Linda, California
- Oslo, Norway
- Brussels, Belgium
- Vienna, Austria
- Kumasi, Ghana
- Bhena, Mozambique
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Cali, Colombia
- Queretaro, Mexico
- Torreon, Mexico
The Burley Temple would be the 7th temple built, announced or under construction in Idaho.
Since becoming Church leader in 2018, President Nelson has announced the construction of 69 new temples. The Church of Jesus Christ now has 251 temples announced, under construction or in operation.
The 20 new temples are the second most famous at one time in the history of the church, and the most since then President Gordon B. Hinckley announced 32 temples at the 1998 general conference. President Hinckley did not list specific sites at the time, as he began plans to unveil a ‘smaller temple’ that would bring temple work to previously unforeseen areas of the world.
The sacred temples of the last days have been closed in part or over the past year due to COVID-19, but the planning, construction, and dedication of temples have continued. Elder David A. Bednar of the Church Quorum of 12 Apostles told the Church News last week that 21 temples worldwide had been demolished in 2020, including temples in the Beehive State in Layton, Orem, Taylorsville and a second temple in St. George. Two more temples – the Deseret Peak Temple in Tooele and the Syracuse, Utah Temple – will provide land for construction this summer.
“There were, of course, construction disruptions due to the pandemic,” Bednar said. ‘But relatively few of these temples are behind schedule. And I find it absolutely miraculous. That all over the world, with all the different construction conditions in which we find ourselves, the construction of the temples has progressed in such a remarkable way. ”
President Nelson also thanked church members Sunday for their ‘patience and dedicated service during this changing and challenging period’ of COVID-19.
“I pray that your desire to worship and serve in the temple will burn brighter than ever,” he said.
Regarding the return to temples after the pandemic, and with the vaccination rates in much of the United States (and Utah), President Nelson said the reopening dates have yet to be determined.
“Your temple will open when local governments allow it,” he said. ‘When the presence of COVID-19 in your area is within safe limits, your temple will be reopened. Do everything you can to bring down COVID numbers in your area so you can increase temple chances.
In the meantime, keep your temple covenants and blessings in your mind and heart. Stay true to the covenants you have made. ”
Temples are unique buildings for Latter-day Saints, unlike meeting houses where members usually meet weekly for meetings and midweek for various activities. Instead, temples are reserved for members of the church who recommend access to sacred rituals such as weddings forever, known as temple sayings, for individuals and on behalf of deceased family members.
“Temples are an important part of restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness,” President Nelson said. “The ordinances of the temple fill our lives with power and strength – available in no other way. We thank God for these blessings. ”