Church leaders opt to 'slow down' announcement of new Latter-day Saint temples — for now

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pausing new temple announcements.
President Dallin H. Oaks cited planning and construction phases as reasons for the pause.
The decision follows President Russell M. Nelson's death and his 200 temple announcements.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is slowing down its most recent surge of new temple announcements a week after the death of President Russell M. Nelson.

In the first general conference since the death of President Nelson, who announced 200 new temples during his presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks said no new temple announcements would be made at the conclusion of the 195th Semiannual General Conference Sunday at the Conference Center at Temple Square.

"He loved to announce new temples at the conclusion of each general conference, and we all rejoiced with him," President Oaks said of President Nelson. "However, with the large number of temples now in the very earliest phases of planning and construction, it is appropriate that we slow down the announcement of new temples.

"Therefore, with the approval of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, we will not announce any new temples at this conference," he added. "We will now move forward in providing the ordinances of the temple to members of the church throughout the world, including when and where to announce the construction of new temples."

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Back in April, President Nelson announced the 200th new temple during his presidency — an announcement that brought the total number of temples announced, under construction, under renovation or active to 382.

Temples are considered sacred buildings by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, different than meetinghouses where church members gather weekly for Sunday services, classes and other meetings, according to the church website.

Temples are "places specially set apart for sacred service and ceremonies" for church members, as well as on behalf of their deceased ancestors. They include marriage ceremonies that church members believe bind couples and families together for both time and eternity.

"Essential to our doctrine on the family is the temple," said President Oaks, the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "The ordinances received there enable us to return as eternal families to the presence of our Heavenly Father."

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