News
Photo: Jeff Taylor | The Winchester Star
Structural Framing Underway for the Winchester Virginia Temple
At the end of last month, a photographer for The Winchester Star captured a stunning rainbow over the rising steel frame for the Winchester Virginia Temple. Winchester is located at the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, approximately 72 miles northwest of Washington, DC. It is the oldest city west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has a rich history, including being the location of multiple major battles during the Civil War.
Photo: A.T. Hun
Structural Walls Rising for the Budapest Hungary Temple
Construction of the Budapest Hungary Temple has moved above ground, rising above the blanket of snow that covers the surrounding soil. Red formwork is being used for the cast-in-place concrete walls. Rough openings are visible in the concrete, indicating the locations of windows or doors. Construction of the temple began over six months ago at the beginning of the summer season.
Photo: Tom Cook
Pendant Light Shines in the Front Portico of the Cody Wyoming Temple
On the grounds of the Cody Wyoming Temple, black lamp posts have been installed next to the walkways that lead to the front entrance of the building. The cheek walls on either side of the front staircase have been faced with cladding to match the temple exterior, and a pendant light has been installed inside the front portico, which is always kept on. The temple beautifully harmonizes with the surrounding mountain scenery.
Photo: Aaron Nuffer
Patron Housing Slated for the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple
Signage has been posted at the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple, indicating plans for a patron housing facility to be constructed on site. The 6,988-square-foot temple serves members from all five stakes on the island and from surrounding isles, including Vieques and the US Virgin Islands. The temple was the third to be constructed in the Caribbean. It was dedicated three years ago in January 2023.
Photo: Robert A. Stancliffe
Fort Worth Texas Temple Under New Year Skies
The freshly clad exterior walls of the Fort Worth Texas Temple stand out beautifully against the clear blue skies of a new year. The light-gray stonework is complemented by gold accents, most notably the domed cupola, shingled roofs, and front entrance doors. Landscaping of the grounds is progressing, and craftsmen continue their work of finishing the interior. The temple has been under construction for over 26 months.
Photo: Mariama Kallon-Olayemi
Cupola Installed on the Freetown Sierra Leone Temple
Scaffolding has been removed from the central tower of the Freetown Sierra Leone Temple, which has been clad with a light-beige exterior stone and topped with a faceted dome cupola that stretches heavenward, terminating with a needle finial. Palm trees are being established along the front approach as major features of the landscaping. The gentle peaks of the surrounding mountains play backdrop to this beautiful house of the Lord.
Photo: Jeff Goebel
Installing the Basement Level for the Lone Mountain Nevada Temple
The beautiful rugged profile of Lone Mountain stands directly west of the Lone Mountain Nevada Temple site where reinforcing steel and concrete are being used to build the basement walls of the edifice. Corrugated steel panels has been stacked on site for the form deck that will be installed over the basement level. Heavy steel will be used to frame the superstructure of the building once the basement has been finished.
Photo: Isabel Margarita Durán
Outriggers Secured to the Santiago West Chile Temple
At the Santiago West Chile Temple construction site, bright yellow outriggers have been secured to the top of the tower and above the front facade. The cantilevered beams will be used as stable bases to support and lower work platforms, giving crews access to the exterior surfaces of the building. The accompanying photograph shows the progress of construction as seen from the observation area inside the visitors' trailer.
Photo: Mark Curry
Finish Work Progressing Inside the Modesto California Temple
Finish work is advancing inside the Modesto California Temple, with marble flooring in progress and stone being installed on the baptismal font. Millwork is being added around doorways and windows while light fixtures are hung throughout the interior. Scaffolding has been removed from the exterior of the building, and installation of roof shingles is nearing completion. Fencing, hardscape elements, and sidewalks are in various stages of placement on the grounds.
Photo: Richard Walton
Construction Fence Installed Around the Fairview Texas Temple Site
A chain-link construction fence has been erected around the Fairview Texas Temple site where installation of the utility infrastructure is getting underway. Preliminary work will be carried out before construction of the religious facility begins. A date for the start of construction has not yet been established. The temple has been designed to celebrate the natural environment of North Texas, including representations of local flowers in the art glass and stone exterior.
Celebrating the New Year on the Island Nation of Kiribati
Because of its location just west of the International Date Line, the first nation to celebrate the new year is the Pacific island nation of Kiribati where the Tarawa Kiribati Temple is under construction. Colorful lights are strung through trees and over streets. The concrete foundation for the temple was completed before the end of the year, and the work of installing the prefabricated modules is expected to begin in the next few weeks.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
2025 Temple Milestones: Nine Dedications and One Rededication
The year of 2025 ended with 211 dedicated temples, 62 temples under construction, and 110 announced temples for a total of 383 temples. During the year, 16 new temples were announced, construction began for 20 temples, and 9 temples were dedicated in Auckland, New Zealand; Nairobi, Kenya; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Syracuse, Utah; Antofagasta, Chile; Farmington, New Mexico; Elko, Nevada; Grand Junction, Colorado; and Bahía Blanca, Argentina. The Toronto Ontario Temple was also rededicated.
Photo: John Hoffman
Interior Renovations Progressing at the Orlando Florida Temple
Construction equipment and materials are staged in the northwest parking lot of the Orlando Florida Temple where extensive renovations of the interior are progressing. Florida's first temple was announced in February 1990 and constructed in the Orlando suburb of Windermere. Known as the "Theme Park Capital," Orlando attracts millions of tourists annually, boasts over 100 lakes, and was once the hub of the state's citrus industry.
Photo: Mike Harris
Second-Story Floor Slab Poured for the Lethbridge Alberta Temple
With the structural walls in place for the ground floor of the Lethbridge Alberta Temple, the floor slab for the second story has been poured, and the concrete is curing under yellow-and-green-striped tarps. Concrete forms and reinforcing steel bar are staged on site, ready to be used for building the second-story exterior walls. The temple is rising across the street from a massive sports facility that houses an aquatics centre, fitness centre, two ice arenas, and a curling club.
Photo: Victor Loza
Adding the Portico Panels to the Querétaro Mexico Temple
A flatbed trailer on the grounds of the Querétaro Mexico Temple holds a precast concrete panel that will soon be hung over the opening for the temple's main entrance doors. The front portico is the last section of the main body of the building to be clad. Work will then progress toward the tower. Four ball-shaped pinnacles have been added to the parapet, which will coordinate with the metal finial planned for the top of the tower.
Photo: Jenn Walker
Exterior Cladding Progress at the Teton River Idaho Temple
The north face of the Teton River Idaho Temple continues to be covered with granite panels, changing the color of the exterior from a dark brown to a cool gray. On the west side of the building, the structural frame for the front portico has been installed. Located just three-and-a-half miles north of the Rexburg Idaho Temple, the 100,000-square-foot edifice will relieve demands on the city's heavily attended first temple.
Photo: Jonathan Hughes
A Tale of Two Temples in Anchorage, Alaska
The first reconstructed temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was dedicated in Nauvoo, Illinois, on June 27, 2002. Since that time, other temples have been reconstructed, but the Anchorage Alaska Temple represents another first. It is the first temple to be reconstructed as a new building while the original building remained operational on site. Dedicated in 1999, the Anchorage Alaska Temple continues to operate at the southeast corner of the property from Tuesday through Saturday while the new building is constructed.
Photo: Isaí Alvarado Castañeda
Setting Sun Casts a Glow Over the Torreón Mexico Temple
The setting sun illuminates the rugged mountains west of the city of Gomez Palacio, casting a golden glow across the valley and catching the edges of the Torreón Mexico Temple. Construction of the edifice is in the final stages with the most notable absent elements being the art glass and cupola for the tower. The temple was recently featured in a news article published by the local media outlet Reporte Laguna.
Photo: Riley Phillips
The Morning Breaks at the Montpelier Idaho Temple
The sun begins to rise on a crisp winter morning at the Montpelier Idaho Temple, coloring the sky in vibrant orange and purple hues. A work trailer sits in the newly paved and striped parking lot, as finish work progresses on the interior of the beautifully lit house of the Lord. Mild weather conditions allowed landscaping to be carried out late into the fall. Construction has been underway for the past 30 months.
Photo: Edmund Saksak
Celebrating Family Day in the Island Nation of Vanuatu
In the beautiful island nation of Vanuatu, Family Day is celebrated each year on December 26—the day after Christmas. Places of work and education are closed to provide residents a day to give thanks and spend time with family. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the building of the Port Vila Vanuatu Temple is also a reason for families to celebrate. The metallic spire was recently installed atop the tower.
Photo: Luciana Bortolotti Ramires
Christmastime at the Londrina Brazil Temple
In celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, a star-topped Christmas tree that glows green at night was installed at a major intersection near the Londrina Brazil Temple. The temple itself—another reminder of Jesus Christ—is also lit at night. Brazil will soon be home to 24 temples. Of that number, there are 11 dedicated, 4 under construction, and 9 in the planning stages. The temple in Londrina has been under construction for over 16 months.
Photo: R Scott Smith Jr
Exterior of the Knoxville Tennessee Temple Nearly Finished
The final pieces of stone cladding are being secured to the exterior walls of the Knoxville Tennessee Temple. Last month, the metal-clad cupola was installed atop the tower and then capped with a ball and spire finial. Permanent fencing has been installed behind the temporary chain-link fence, and plantings are continuing on the grounds. The handsome building stands in the town of Farragut on the western edge of Knox County.
Photo: Christy Hinkson
A Look Through the Southwest Fence at the Neiafu Tonga Temple
Plants are thriving in the flowerbeds along the southwest fence line of the Neiafu Tonga Temple site. The concrete surface next to the fence will serve as a parking area for patrons, connecting to the main entrance plaza. Art glass has been installed in the steeple but has not yet been added to the main floor windows. The front doorway and transom window opening will remain boarded until construction draws closer to completion.
Entrance Approach Taking Shape at the Ribeirão Preto Brazil Temple
The terraced approach to the main entrance of the Ribeirão Preto Brazil Temple is taking shape, featuring a series of staircases separated by landings. The main terrace has a planting bed where the concrete base for the monument sign has been installed. Palms trees are planted on either side of the approach and around the temple. Parking will be established on the other three sides of the building and planted with shade trees.
Photo: Gainesville Virginia Stake
Treats for the Winchester Virginia Temple Construction Workers
The temple construction missionaries at the Winchester Virginia Temple are seeking the help of service-oriented souls who would like to provide treats for the hard-working crews on site. The plan is to pass out a goodie each week on Wednesday—be it a chocolate chip cookie, a savory snack, a healthy fruit cup, or some other tasty treat. If you would like to express your appreciation for the workers' efforts, please contact the missionaries by email at jean.howe@missionary.org.
Photo: Russell Hans
A Beautiful New Landmark in the Sunflower State
As the first temple constructed in the Sunflower State, the design of the Wichita Kansas Temple honors the agricultural roots of the region with representations of sunflowers and wheat stalks found in the art glass, window headers, and throughout the interior. The exterior of the building has been completed, and work is well advanced on the interior and on the grounds. Construction has been underway for over 15 months.
Photo: Brent R.
Pre-Groundbreaking Construction Progress at the Lehi Utah Temple Site
Earthworks are advancing at the Lehi Utah Temple site where utility lines have been connected, topsoil has been removed, shotcrete shoring has been applied for a future retaining structure, soil has been rough graded, and early excavations for the foundations of the temple and meetinghouse have been carried out. These preliminary construction activities are being executed ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony, which has not yet been announced.
Photo: Giova Fonseca
Managua Nicaragua Temple in Final Stages of Construction
Standing on gentle rise next to a major highway, the Managua Nicaragua Temple is a highly visible reminder of the love of God for His children. Construction of the sacred structure, which began just over three years ago, is nearly finished. Once it is dedicated, six of the seven countries in Central America will have temples in operation. The seventh country is Belize where members belong to the Cobán Guatemala Temple district.
Photo: Esther Posala
Looking Forward to the Completion of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple
Church members are eagerly anticipating the completion of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple, which is a dazzling sight at night in the village of Tafuna. A temple was first announced for the United States territory in 1977 to serve the vast region of the South Pacific. However, it was later determined that three temples would be constructed in the region instead of one and that the temple announced for American Samoa would be constructed in the independent country of Western Samoa (now known as Samoa). The other two temples constructed were located in Tonga and French Polynesia (Tahiti).
Photo: Templo de Cali, Colombia Facebook page
Attaching a Vapor Barrier to the Cali Colombia Temple
A vapor barrier is being applied to the concrete structural walls of the Cali Colombia Temple, starting at the rear of the building and moving toward the front. The shiny sheeting helps to prevent moisture from passing through the walls and creating any mold or water damage. Across the street, crews are setting rebar for the foundation of the ancillary building where underground utility supply lines have been set in place.
