The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues its ambitious global temple-building initiative, marked by a wave of significant developments across multiple continents in recent months. From groundbreaking ceremonies to dedications and open houses, temple construction has accelerated throughout 2025, reflecting the Church’s commitment to making sacred worship more accessible to its global membership.
May Highlights:
On May 17, members of the Latter-day Saint community gathered in Natal, Brazil, for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Natal Brazil Temple. This event marked a key milestone in the expansion of temple access in South America.
Just a day later, on May 18, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles formally dedicated the Nairobi Kenya Temple. The temple, which began its open house earlier in April, now stands as a spiritual cornerstone for Latter-day Saints in East Africa.
Earlier in May, the Antofagasta Chile Temple opened its doors to the public, inviting visitors to tour the sacred edifice before its official dedication. Additional groundbreaking events were announced for Lagos, Nigeria — the country’s second temple — and for Singapore, marking a new chapter in the Church’s growth in Southeast Asia.
In the United States, the open house for the Syracuse Utah Temple began on May 7, offering the public an opportunity to view the interior of the temple prior to its dedication. Additionally, a rendering of the Colorado Springs Colorado Temple was released on May 5, giving members and the public a visual representation of the forthcoming structure.
April Developments:
The Church provided an update on the ongoing renovation of Temple Square in Salt Lake City on April 29. Meanwhile, April also saw groundbreaking ceremonies for the Lethbridge Alberta Temple in Canada and the announcement of the location for the Eket Nigeria Temple. The Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple also commenced its open house.
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Auckland New Zealand Temple on Palm Sunday, April 13, following an open house earlier in the month. Further announcements included dedication and open house dates for temples in South America, Nevada, and Colorado.
During the April 2025 General Conference, Church President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct 15 new temples worldwide, continuing a trend of rapid expansion.
March and Earlier Updates:
Significant activity also took place in March, including the rededication of the Toronto Ontario Temple by President Jeffrey R. Holland on March 23. Groundbreaking ceremonies occurred for the Birmingham England Temple, Antananarivo Madagascar Temple, and Cali Colombia Temple. Preparatory work also began on the Vancouver Washington Temple site.
February featured updates on Temple Square renovations and new temple locations in Mexico and the Philippines. Open houses were held for temples in Toronto, Auckland, and Syracuse, with renderings released for upcoming temples in Utah and other regions.
From January through March, multiple temple groundbreakings took place, including in Tacloban City, Philippines, and further announcements were made for temples across Africa, the Pacific, and Latin America.
As the Church continues to expand its global footprint, these sacred structures play a central role in the spiritual lives of Latter-day Saints, enabling members worldwide to participate in ordinances and covenants central to their faith.
