Cover image: The recently completed Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
With so many temples in various stages of construction around the world, here is a page for all of this week’s updates:
Ground Is Broken for Lethbridge Alberta Temple
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with community representatives in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, to break ground for a new temple. More than 550 guests attended the groundbreaking event, including 100 community, interfaith, government, business and Indigenous leaders.
Elder Randall K. Bennett, General Authority Seventy and president of the North America Central Area, presided at the ceremony. “My prayer today is that no matter how close or how far away you live, you’ll be intentional about scheduling time to be in the temple,” said Elder Bennett. “I promise you it will change your life.”
Area Seventy Elder David C. Stewart emphasized, “The temple is for everyone. The grounds will be open to the public, and you can come at any time; sit on the grounds in the middle of a chaotic world. You can take a few minutes and talk to your God. Spend a few minutes in contemplation and private meditation.”
Elder Stewart spoke of the blessing of having a temple in Lethbridge for Latter-day Saints. He shared a story of his friend Tim Hamilton, who uses a mechanical wheelchair. When Hamilton learned a temple would be built in Lethbridge, he said, “That’s a big deal for someone like me. It’s hard for me to get to the nearest temple in Cardston [Alberta]. A HandiBus will not pick me up in Lethbridge and take me to Cardston, but a HandiBus will pick me up and take me to West Lethbridge and come back and get me.”
General Authority Seventy Elder James E. Evanson said, “We should never lose sight of what the Lord is doing now as He is making his temples more accessible and accelerating the pace at which temples are being built, … making it easier for everyone to become spiritually refined.”
To read more about the Lethbridge Alberta Temple, CLICK HERE.
Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple Open House Begins
An open house is underway for the recently completed Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As a start to the open house events, a media day for the Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire Temple is being held today, Monday, April 28, 2025. Invited guests will tour the temple on Tuesday, April 29, and Wednesday, April 30, 2025. A public open house will run from Thursday, May 1, through Saturday, May 17, excluding Sunday. All are welcome to attend this unique opportunity.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple in a single session on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The dedicatory session will be broadcast live to all units in the temple district.
“Without a doubt, the temple is truly the house of the Lord. This Temple is God’s answer to countless prayers offered in faith by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It marks the end of long road trips to the Accra, Ghana Temple. The temple is the shining symbol of divine light and knowledge. It is a sacred place of learning, and comfort where the soul is strengthened and can find peace and joy in the Lord,” said Alfred Kyungu, President of the Africa West Area, attending the news conference.
To read more about the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, CLICK HERE.
News for Temples in New Zealand and Texas
Wellington New Zealand Temple
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the Wellington New Zealand Temple.
The groundbreaking services for the Wellington New Zealand Temple will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency, will preside at the event.
As previously announced, the temple will be built on a 3.35-acre site located near Okowai Road and Whitford Brown Avenue, Aotea, Porirua, New Zealand. Plans call for a two-story temple of approximately 14,900 square feet and an ancillary building with arrival facilities and patron housing.
Church President Russell M. Nelson announced this temple during the April 2022 general conference.
He said then: “I plead with you to counter worldly ways by focusing on the eternal blessings of the temple. Your time there brings blessings for eternity.”
The Wellington New Zealand Temple will be the third in the nation, joining the historic Hamilton New Zealand Temple, the first house of the Lord built in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Auckland New Zealand Temple, dedicated by Elder Patrick Kearon on April 13, 2025.
The first New Zealand converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were baptized in 1853. Shortly afterward, missionary work began, including among the native Māori people. The first congregation in New Zealand was organized in 1855.
Today, New Zealand is home to nearly 120,000 Latter-day Saints in about 220 congregations.
McKinney Texas Temple Will Be Known as the Fairview Texas Temple
The First Presidency announced on April 28, 2025, that the McKinney Texas Temple will be renamed the Fairview Texas Temple.
To read more about these temples in New Zealand and Texas, CLICK HERE.
