2019
201 Temples!
March 2019

“201 Temples!” New Era, Mar. 2019, 21.

201 Temples!

Here are a few facts about the building of temples at this exciting time.

201

As of January 2019, there were 201 temples that are announced, operating, under construction, or being renovated.

  • 12 under construction

  • 11 being renovated

  • 28 announced

  • 150 operating

12 in 1 Day

On October 7, 2018, President Nelson set a record for the most new temples announced on one day—12. The previous record was set in 1981 when 9 temples were announced during the April general conference.

These are the temples that were announced:

  • Mendoza, Argentina

  • Salvador, Brazil

  • Yuba City, California

  • Phnom Penh, Cambodia

  • Praia, Cape Verde

  • Yigo, Guam

  • Puebla, Mexico

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Lagos, Nigeria

  • Davao, Philippines

  • San Juan, Puerto Rico

  • Washington County, Utah

The previous record was set in 1981 when 9 temples were announced during the April general conference.

Last Year

The Jordan River Utah Temple

Jordan River Temple

  • Rededicated on May 20, 2018. It was first dedicated in November 1981.

  • It’s a busy temple, serving 66 stakes.

  • The temple is 149,476 square feet. Two and a half football fields could fit inside it!

  • From the rededication: “We rededicate ourselves and our hearts as we rededicate this holy temple by the power of the holy priesthood of God.”

The Concepción Chile Temple

Concepción Chile Temple

  • Dedicated October 28, 2018.

  • It’s the second temple in Chile.

  • Motifs of the Chilean national flower, the copihue, are found in art glass panels, flooring, and railing details.

  • There are 10 missions in Chile and 590,124 members.

  • From the dedication: “We dedicate the structure from the depth of its foundation to the height of its steeple, that it may withstand the forces of nature and the ravages of time.”

The Barranquilla Colombia Temple

Barranquilla Colombia Temple

  • Dedicated on December 9, 2018. 

  • It’s the second temple in Colombia.

  • The temple is on a hill overlooking the Magdalena River, the largest river in Colombia.

  • There are five missions in Colombia and 200,512 members.

  • In 1975, Elder James E. Faust, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, envisioned temples covering South America: “I wondered if some of the [Colombians] might not admire the fine craftsmanship in the [temple] and compare it with the quality of the workmanship in the walls of the sacred buildings of their forbears, still standing in … South America.”1

Next Month

The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple

  • Will be dedicated on April 14, 2019.

  • The fourth temple in Africa.

  • There are three missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and 57,714 Members.

  • The Church was only officially recognized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1986.

  • Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “The African people have touched my heart because of their determination and diligence to stay in the Lord’s territory. Even in adverse circumstances in life, those who accept the invitation to come unto Christ become a light to the world.”2