Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed Friday that it wants to build its first temple in France on property on the outskirts of Paris.
The church issued a statement Friday saying church President Thomas S. Monson made the announcement now because French newspapers are already reporting the church's desire to build at Le Chesnay, near Versailles.
Usually plans for new temples are announced during general conference, after local government building approvals and property acquisition have been secured. The government approval process for the French temple site is still under way.
Church spokesman Scott Trotter said that the church has been working for many months with local officials. He said more details will be given later.
The church has tried several times previously to find a suitable site for a French temple, but none were finalized. Currently French members of the church travel to temples in neighboring European countries.
