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SALT LAKE CITY — President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced three new temples in the Sunday morning session of General Conference.
Pres. Monson announced new temples to be built in Abidjan, Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire); Port-Au Prince, Haiti; and Bangkok, Thailand. The exact locations of the temples are yet to be determined and will be announced at a later time, according to the LDS Church.
“The process of determining needs and finding locations for additional temples is ongoing,” Pres. Monson said. “For we desire that as many members as possible have an opportunity to attend the temple without great sacrifice of time and resources. As we have done in the past, we will keep you informed as decisions are made in this regard.”
The Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple, the Port-Au Prince Haiti Temple, and Bangkok Thailand Temple will be the first in their respective countries. Members of the church in these areas were forced to travel more than 1,000 miles to find the nearest temple, with some members having to travel more than a day to get to the nearest temple.
The process of determining needs and finding locations for additional temples is ongoing. For we desire that as many members as possible have an opportunity to attend the temple without great sacrifice of time and resources. As we have done in the past, we will keep you informed as decisions are made in this regard.
–Pres. Thomas S. Monson
The three new temples are the first temples announced in two years and will be a part of 29 temples around the world announced or currently under construction. The LDS Church currently has 144 operating temples around the world.
Pres. Monson said five new temples are scheduled for dedication this year — Córdoba Argentina (May 17), Payson Utah (June 7), Trujillo Peru (June 21), Indianapolis Indiana (dedication, Aug. 23), Tijuana Mexico (Dec. 13).
He said the church anticipates rededicating two other temples this year after renovations are completed. One is scheduled — Mexico City Mexico (Sept. 13). The other rededication this year likely will be the Montreal Temple. The other temples under renovation are in Idaho Falls, Fiji, and Freiberg, Germany.
LDS members consider temples to be the “house of the Lord” and one of its most sacred places on earth.
Contributing: Tad Walch
