The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on April 6 that another temple would be built in Flagstaff.
President Russell M. Nelson announced that a new temple would be built in Flagstaff during the church’s April 2025 general conference. He announced a total of 15 new temples at the conference.
“We are grateful to the Lord for the acceleration of temple-building in recent years,” said the prophet, who has announced 200 temples since he became president in 2018.
The Flagstaff Temple will be the ninth in the state once completed. It is also the third new temple announced in a year, with temples being planned for Queen Creek and Yuma.
There are approximately 450,000 Latter-day Saints in the state, according to the LDS church.
Here’s what to know about the new temples recently announced in Arizona and around the world.
What new LDS temples were announced?
In addition to the new temple in Flagstaff, the church announced 14 others around the world.
- Reynosa, Mexico
- Chorrillos, Peru
- Rivera, Uruguay
- Campo Grande, Brazil
- Porto, Portugal
- Uyo, Nigeria
- San Jose del Monte, Philippines
- Nouméa, New Caledonia
- Liverpool, Australia
- Caldwell, Idaho
- Rapid City, South Dakota
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Spanish Fork, Utah
Flagstaff temple is 3rd new temple announced
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Oct. 6, 2024, that it would build a new temple in Queen Creek. The church’s website indicates it is still in the planning stages. Its potential location has not been announced.
Prior to that, in April 2024, Nelson announced a temple would be built in Yuma. There is also no new information, including a location for the temple or a groundbreaking date, about this temple, according to the church website.
How many LDS temples are in Arizona?
After the Flagstaff, Yuma and Queen Creek temples are built, there will be nine temples in the state.
- Flagstaff Arizona Temple
- Gila Valley Arizona Temple
- Gilbert Arizona Temple
- Mesa Arizona Temple
- Phoenix Arizona Temple
- Snowflake Arizona Temple
- Tucson Arizona Temple
- Queen Creek Arizona Temple
- Yuma Arizona Temple
LDS Church has long history in Arizona
The LDS Church has a long and storied history in Arizona, with the first settlers entering Mesa in 1877, according to the church.
In 1927, construction on an LDS temple in Mesa was complete. The temple took eight years to build. Prior to that, the closest temple was in St. George, and for 50 years, members of the LDS church would make the trek there to worship.
The second LDS temple in Arizona was built in Snowflake in the early 2000s. In the years since, temples were built in Gilbert, Gila Valley, Phoenix and Tucson.
