New Latter-day Saints temple to be built in southeast Valley, will be 8th in Arizona

Oct 8, 2024, 4:30 AM | Updated: 6:55 am

New LDS temple to be built in Queen Creek...

A view of the Salt Lake Temple, which is under renovation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is planning to build a new temple in Queen Creek, Arizona. (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Photo)

(Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Photo)

BY DAVID VEENSTRA

KTAR.com

PHOENIX – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is planning to build a new temple in Queen Creek.

Latter-day Saints President Russell M. Nelson announced the addition during the church’s October 2024 general conference.

The southeast Valley temple is one of 17 to built worldwide, per the announcement. The expansion plan brings the total of LDS temples that are either operating, announced or under construction to 367.

“Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace?” Nelson said. “Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord!”

How many LDS temples are in Arizona?

The LDS temple in Queen Creek will be the eighth in Arizona.

The state also has temples in Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Snowflake, Gila Valley and Tucson, and another in the works in Yuma.

The first Latter-day Saints arrived in Arizona in 1846, according to the church. LDS church members make up about 6% of Arizona’s population.

There are now close to 443,000 Latter-day Saints in Arizona who are dispersed around 925 congregations, according to the church.

Where will the other temples be built around the world?

Queen Creek is one of 17 locations selected for new temples. Here are the others:

Juchitán de Zaragoza, Mexico
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Medellín, Colombia
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Puerto Montt, Chile
Dublin, Ireland
Milan, Italy
Abuja, Nigeria
Kampala, Uganda
Maputo, Mozambique
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
El Paso, Texas
Huntsville, Alabama
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Summit, New Jersey
Price, Utah

Temple sites are widely considered the most sacred places of worship for members of the Latter-day Saints church.

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