During the opening moments of the 180th Semiannual General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to build five new temples. They are to be in Lisbon, Portugal; Indianapolis, Indiana; Urdaneta, Philippines; Hartford, Connecticut and Tijuana, Mexico.
President Monson said the ordinances performed in temples are vital to the Church members' salvation and to the salvation of their deceased loved one. "May we continue faithful in attending the temples, which are being built closer and closer to our members," he said.
President Monson noted that since General Conference last April, he has dedicated four new temples. "Accompanied by my counselors and other General Authorities, I have traveled to The Gila Valley, Arizona; to Vancouver, British Columbia; to Cebu City in the Philippines, and to Kuiv, Ukraine. The temples in each of these locations are magnificently beautiful. Each one is blessing the lives of our members and is an influence for good upon those not of our faith."
The evening prior to each temple dedication, we were privileged to view a cultural celebration, participated in by our young people and some of our not-so-young people. These events were generally held in large stadiums, although in Kiev we met in a beautiful palace. The dancing, singing, musical performances and the displays were excellent. I express my commendation and love to all who were involved.
"Each temple dedication was a spiritual feast. We felt the spirit of the Lord at all of them.
"Next month we will rededicate the Laie Hawaii Temple, one of our oldest temples, which has undergone extensive renovations during many months. We look forward to that sacred occasion."
The new temples will be the first for the Church in Portugal, Indiana, and Connecticut. The Urdaneta temple will be the Church's third in the Philippines and the Tijuana temple will be Mexico's 13th temple.
The Church has 134 operating temples, with another 23 — including the five announced today — announced or construction. — Sarah Jane Weaver
