The following updates are excerpted from the Church Newsroom. Each includes a link to read the full article. 

Open House Commences for Red Cliffs Utah Temple

The open house for the new Red Cliffs Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is underway in St. George, Utah.

Journalists gathered at the house of the Lord for a news conference and tour on Monday, January 29, 2024. Participants included Elder Hugo E. Martinez, General Authority Seventy and First Counselor, Utah Area Presidency; Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt, General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director, Priesthood and Family Department and the Temple Department; and Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor, Young Women General Presidency.

“We talked about Jesus Christ and the purpose of temples and as we toured with the wonderful media that accompanied us today, the Holy Spirit could be felt,” said Elder Martinez.

“That was the first thing I felt that was true when the missionaries were teaching us. So having that feeling that that was true, that’s what I wanted. I always wanted an eternal family, and I knew that I could only get it at the temple,” added Nuria Martinez, wife of Elder Martinez.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

Ground Broken for Knoxville Tennessee Temple

Ground has been broken for the Knoxville Tennessee Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Shayne M. Bowen, First Counselor in the North American Southeast Area Presidency, presided at the event on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

“We are all sons and daughters of God — He loves us and wants us all to come home,” said Elder Bowen.

While speaking to guests, interfaith leaders, representatives of local government and community and Church members in attendance, he said: “The temple is different than a chapel. It’s not where we have weekly meetings. It’s an opportunity that we have to go to the house of the Lord literally and to make covenants with Him.”

“God is bringing His work to His people so that we can enter in and worship in the holy temple, receive the saving ordinances that will allow us to return home and live in His presence as families forever. There’s nothing better than that,” he said.

During the dedicatory prayer, Elder Bowen expressed gratitude for Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. “We are eternally grateful that through Thy plan of salvation and exaltation, with Jesus Christ at the center of Thy plan, each one of us has a clear path through Thy temples, to come home, back into Thy presence,” he prayed.

Elder Bowen also expressed gratitude for this latest house of the Lord in Tennessee.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

Two New Temple Sites in Peru

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the locations of new houses of the Lord in Cusco and Iquitos, Peru.

Cusco Peru Temple

The Cusco Peru Temple will be built a 2.48-acre site located at Avenida Arcopata 452 Cusco, Cusco, Peru. Plans call for a building of approximately 9,950 square feet.

Church President Russell M. Nelson announced the temple during the Church’s general conference in April 2022.

“Do those things that will increase your positive spiritual momentum, that will keep you moving forward through whatever challenges and opportunities come,” he said before announcing 17 new temples, including the Cusco Temple.

Cusco is in southeastern Peru, nestled near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountains.

Iquitos Peru Temple

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.