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A By-the-Numbers Look at the 168 Temples Announced by President Nelson

Breakdowns include announcements by date and year; current status; and first, multiple and total temples in specific areas, countries, territories and states

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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Sister Wendy W. Nelson and Elder Kevin R. Duncan, General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan, are joined by residents in turning over the soil at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Heber Valley Utah Temple on Saturday, October 8, 2022. Photo by Scott G Winterton, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.

This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.

By Scott Taylor, Church News

With the 15 new temple locations he identified at the conclusion of the April 2024 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson has announced 168 temples in his six years as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

That means that of the Church’s 350 houses of the Lord that are dedicated, under construction or announced and in planning, President Nelson has announced 48% of that total.

And to put that 168-temples-in-six-years ratio in perspective, the Durban South Africa Temple — the Church’s 168th operating temple — was dedicated in February 2020, just four years ago and nearly 190 years after the Church’s organization on April 6, 1830, by the Prophet Joseph Smith.

That’s just one way to take a by-the-numbers look at the 168 temples President Nelson has announced. Temple totals and announcements by date, year and location are just some of the categories included below. All information is current as of April 14, and the continental designations are for North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

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President Russell M. Nelson announced 15 new locations for temples during the April 2024 general conference on Sunday, April 7, 2024. The locations are in: Uturoa, French Polynesia; Chihuahua, Mexico; Florianópolis, Brazil; Rosario, Argentina; Edinburgh, Scotland; Brisbane, Australia (south area); Victoria, British Columbia; Yuma, Arizona; Houston, Texas (south area); Des Moines, Iowa; Cincinnati, Ohio; Honolulu, Hawaii; West Jordan, Utah; Lehi, Utah; Maracaibo, Venezuela. Church News graphic.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.

For example, with more than eight months remaining this year and the October 2024 general conference still to come, President Nelson could announce more new temple locations in 2024. He made temple announcements in each of the 13 general conferences over the seven years since being set apart as President of the Church in January 2018, with all but one of the 168 he has identified having come in a conference session.

The 15 he announced on Sunday, April 7, marked the sixth time he has announced 15 more temples in one setting — all six since April 2021.

The most temples President Nelson has announced in a calendar year — 35 — has happened twice, in both 2022 and 2023. He could equal that total again in 2024 by announcing 20 temples between now and the end of the year.

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President Russell M. Nelson turns the first soil at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ephraim Utah Temple in Ephraim on Saturday, August 27, 2022. With President Nelson are his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, third from left, Gov. Spencer Cox, left, and his wife Abby Cox, second from left. Second from right is Elder Walter F. González, General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Zulma González. Photo by Spenser Heaps, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Announcing 20 temples is something President Nelson has done before — in fact, twice. He identified 20 new temples locations at both the April 2021 and October 2023 general conferences, with those two instances serving as the Church’s benchmark for the most new temple locations identified at one time.

So, add up the 35 temples announced both in 2022 and 2023, the 34 from the year before in 2021 and the 15 so far in 2024, and that totals 119 temples President Nelson has announced in three years time, from April 2021 to April 2024.

Of note: In April 1998 general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley announced plans to construct as many as 32 new temples, although he did not list specific locations. Throughout that year, the First Presidency announced the locations of 27 of those temples.

By Current Status

Of the 168 new temple locations President Nelson has announced, the breakdown in current status as of Sunday, April 14, (including the 15 announced locations) is:

  • 9 temples dedicated.
  • 2 temples scheduled for dedication.
  • 44 temples under construction.
  • 1 temple scheduled for groundbreaking.
  • 36 temples with site locations identified.
  • 76 announced temples in planning and design.

Every effort is made to construct temples in an expeditious manner. At times, various reasons may delay a temple’s completion and dedication.

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President Russell M. Nelson speaks prior to giving the dedicatory prayer at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Heber Valley Utah Temple on Saturday, October 8, 2022. Photo by Scott G Winterton, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.
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By Date of Announcement

President Nelson has announced temples on 14 different occasions — all but one coming in a general conference setting. The sole exception came when he announced a temple for Ephraim, Utah, on May 1, 2021, at the same time announcing plans to preserve through renovation the “pioneer craftsmanship, artwork and character” of the Manti Utah Temple.

Also, of the 13 times President Nelson has announced new temple locations in general conference, 12 have been at the conclusion of the Sunday afternoon session in the 13 conferences he has presided over since becoming President of the Church. Again, the exception? He announced eight new temples during the Saturday evening women’s session of the October 2019 general conference.

Here are the dates he has announced new temple locations ordered by the number of temples announced at once:

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The Ashton family and the Moore family from the Moses Lake Washington Stake wander the grounds of the new Moses Lake Washington Temple after taking family photos in the late afternoon sunlight in Moses Lake, Washington, Friday, September 15, 2023. Photo by Brian Nicholson, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.

By Year

The breakdown by year of new temple locations President Nelson has announced over the past six years:

  • 35 — in 2022
  • 35 — in 2023
  • 34 — in 2021
  • 19 — in 2018
  • 16 — in 2019
  • 15 — in 2024 (as of April 7)
  • 14 — in 2020

By Geographic Location

The breakdown by geographic location — the United States and remaining continental areas — of new temple locations President Nelson has announced:

  • 60 — United States
  • 30 — South America
  • 21 — Asia
  • 21 — North America (besides U.S.)
  • 17 — Africa
  • 10 — Oceania/Pacific
  • 9 — Europe

By Nation

A list of the nations where President Nelson has announced at least four new temple locations:

  • 60 — United States
  • 13 — Brazil
  • 12 — Mexico
  • 9 — Philippines
  • 5 — Argentina
  • 5 — Peru
  • 4 — Guatemala
  • 4 — Nigeria
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Attendees leave the Richmond Virginia Temple dedication in Richmond on Sunday, May 7, 2023. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Countries, Territories and States with a First Temple

Of the new temple locations announced by President Nelson, 25 are the first in 26 different countries or territories and another 4 the first in U.S. states:

  • American Samoa
  • Angola
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Cambodia
  • Cape Verde
  • Guam
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Liberia
  • Madagascar
  • Mongolia
  • Mozambique
  • Nicaragua
  • Norway
  • Papua New Guinea
  • People’s Republic of China
  • Puerto Rico
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Russia
  • Scotland
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Vanuatu

States with a First Temple

  • Arkansas
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Virginia
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The Bentonville Arkansas Temple at sunset in Bentonville, Arkansas, on Thursday, September 14, 2023. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.

A Closer Look by States, Countries and Territories

Following is an area-by-area breakdown of new temple locations announced by President Nelson, with a look at the status and numbers of the temples in that specific area.

In the listings of temples by state, country and territory, the following key is used for each temple location:

  • * — First temple in state, country or territory
  • /D — Dedicated
  • /SD — Scheduled for dedication
  • /C — Under construction
  • /SG — Scheduled for groundbreaking
  • /L — Site location identified
  • /P — Announced and in planning

United States — 60 New Temples

Current Status

  • 8 — Dedicated
  • 3 — Scheduled for dedication
  • 18 — Under construction
  • 1 — Scheduled for groundbreaking
  • 15 — With site location
  • 15 — Announced and in planning
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Visitors walk outside the Red Cliffs Utah Temple prior to the first dedication session in St. George, Utah, on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Photo by Scott G Winterton, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.

States with New Temples

  • 26 — Total
  • 4 — With a first temple
  • 12 — With multiple temples

States with Most New Temples

  • 12 — Utah
  • 5 — California
  • 5 — Texas
  • 3 — Florida
  • 3 — Idaho
  • 3 — Virginia
  • 3 — Washington
  • 2 — 8 states
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Latter-day Saints depart the Helena Montana Temple between dedication sessions on Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Helena, Montana. Photo by Colter Peterson, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.

By State

North America (Other than the U.S.) — 21 New Temples

Temple Status

  • 1 — Dedicated
  • 2 — Scheduled for dedication
  • 6 — Under construction
  • 5 — With site location
  • 7 — Announced and in planning
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This map of the area surrounding Mexico City shows the locations of the current operating temple in Mexico City, the construction site of a temple in Puebla, and five additional cities where temples will be built. President Russell M. Nelson announced 18 new temple locations, including four in the Mexico City area, during the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2022 general conference on Sunday, October 2, 2022. Graphic courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.
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Countries/Territories with Temples

  • 6 — Total
  • 2 — With a first temple
  • 3 — With multiple temples

Countries with Most New Temples

  • 12 – Mexico
  • 4 – Guatemala
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Exterior rendering of the Cobán Guatemala Temple.2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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By Country/Territory

South America — 30 New Temples

Temple Status

  • 1 — Scheduled for dedication
  • 5 — Under construction
  • 15 — With site location
  • 9 — Announced and in planning
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Elder Benjamín de Hoyos, a South America area and regional Church leader, and his wife, Evelia, stand next to rendering of the planned Salta Argentina Temple at the groundbreaking ceremony of the temple on Wednesday, November 4, 2020. The Salta Argentina Temple was announced in April 2018 by Church President Russell M. Nelson and will be the third temple in Argentina. 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Countries with Temples

  • 7 — Total
  • 5 — With multiple temples

Countries with Most New Temples

  • 13 – Brazil
  • 5 – Argentina
  • 5 – Peru
  • 3 – Chile
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Elder Juan Pablo Villar (center), his wife Carola (right) and Elder Luis Zapata (left) use their shovels to break ground for the Antofagasta Chile Temple on Friday, November 27, 2020. 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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By Country

Europe — 9 New Temples

Temple Status

  • 5 — With site location
  • 4 — Announced and in planning
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Exterior rendering of the Birmingham England Temple.2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Countries with Temples

  • 9 — Total
  • 6 — With a first temple

By Country

Africa — 17 New Temples

Temple Status

  • 1 — Dedicated
  • 2 — Under construction
  • 5 — With site location
  • 9 — Announced and in planning
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Missionaries and Church members walk toward the Praia Cape Verde Temple prior to its dedication on Sunday, June 19, 2022. Photo by Scott G Winterton, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.
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Countries with Temples

  • 11 — Total
  • 7 — With a first temple
  • 3 — With multiple temples

Countries with Most New Temples

  • 4 – Nigeria
  • 3 – Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • 2 – Ghana
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Primary children turn soil during the groundbreaking for the Lubumbashi Temple in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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By Country

Asia — 21 New Temples

Temple Status

  • 2 — Dedicated
  • 5 — Under construction
  • 5 — With site location
  • 9 — Announced and in planning
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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shows an artist rendering of the Phnom Penh Cambodia temple during a devotional in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 19, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Countries/Territories with Temples

  • 12 — Total
  • 8 — With a first temple
  • 2 — With multiple temples

Countries with Most New Temples

  • 9 – Philippines
  • 2 – Japan
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The sun sets on the eve of the Yigo Guam Temple dedication in Yigo, Guam, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.
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By Country/Territory

Oceania/Pacific — 10 New Temples

Temple Status

  • 5 — Under construction
  • 3 — With site location
  • 2 — Announced and in planning
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The Auckland New Zealand Temple, under construction in early 2024. Photo by Lindsay Dil, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.

Countries/Territories with Temples

  • 9 — Total
  • 4 — With a first temple
  • 1 — With multiple temples

Country with Most New Temples

  • 2 — New Zealand
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Elder Peter F. Meurs and Sister Maxine Meurs (back row, left) with leaders, youth and young adults who walked the Kokoda Trail from Popondetta to Port Moresby (about 96km over mountains) to attend the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple groundbreaking. The group completed the challenging walk in four days.2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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By Country/Territory

Copyright 2024 Deseret News Publishing Company.

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