President Nelson announces 15 new temples to close conference

During Sunday’s afternoon session of the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced that 15 more temples will be built across the world.

The temples will be built in the following locations:

• Retalhuleu, Guatemala
• Iquitos, Peru
• Teresina, Brazil
• Natal, Brazil
• Tuguegarao City, Philippines
• Iloilo, Philippines
• Jakarta, Indonesia
• Hamburg, Germany
• Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
• San Jose, California
• Bakersfield, California
• Springfield, Missouri
• Winchester, Virginia
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

In April 2022, 17 new temples were announced by President Nelson. In October, 18 more temples were announced, bringing the church to 300 temples that were announced, under construction or in operation at the end of 2022.

With the temples announced Sunday, the church’s current grand total in 2023 is 315 temples that have been announced, are under construction or are in operation.

Twitter reactions to the new temples announced

Many people reacted to the temple announcements at the end of the April 2023 conference. Here’s a sampling:

Here’s what we know about the new temples’ locations

Retalhuleu, Guatemala: This temple will be the fifth in the country, and will be located in Retalhueleu, which has a population of 90,000. Guatemala is home to 287,000 Latter-day Saints and 440 congregations.

Iquitos, Peru: As the seventh temple in the country, this temple will be built in northeast Peru, along the Amazon River. Peru is home to 630,000 Latter-day Saints, with Iquitos as one of the most populous cities.

Teresina, Brazil: The Teresina temple will add to the 18 temples already announced, under construction and operating in the country and will be located in the northern part of Brazil. President Nelson has called Brazil “a part of the heart of the church.” It’s home to 1.5 million Latter-day Saints.

Natal, Brazil: Located in the Rio Grande de Norte state of Brazil, this temple will be located in the capital and largest city in the state. Prior to the Teresina Brazil Temple and the Natal Brazil Temple announcements, there were 18 temples announced, in construction or operating in the country.

Tuguegarao City, Philippines: The city of Tuguegarao is the capital of Cagayan province, on the island of Luzon. There were 10 temples announced, in construction or operating in the Philippines prior to Sunday’s announcement of two additional temples.

Iloilo, Philippines: More than 850,000 Latter-day Saints call the Philippines home. There were 10 temples announced, in construction or operating in the Philippines prior to Sunday’s announcement of two additional temples.

Jakarta, Indonesia: As the first temple in Indonesia, the Jakarta Indonesia Temple will be located in the capital and largest city, home to 7,500 Latter-day Saints and just north of the most populated island in the world, Java.

Hamburg, Germany: Germany is home to 40,000 Latter-day Saints. The temple in Hamburg will be the third temple in the country.

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada: This temple will be located in the southern border of the western province of Alberta, and the 10th in the country. Canada is home to 200,000 Latter-day Saints.

San Jose, California: As the third-largest city in California, San Jose is located near San Francisco Bay. California has 730,000 members and 10 temples announced, in construction or operating before Sunday’s announcement.

Bakersfield, California: There are 400,000 people living in Bakersfield, northwest of Los Angeles. California has 730,000 members and 10 temples announced, in construction or operating before Sunday’s announcement.

Springfield, Missouri: Springfield is near the southern border of Missouri. More than 75,000 Latter-day Saints live there and this will be the third temple in Missouri.

Winchester, Virginia: Located in the northwest part of Virginia, less than 100 miles from Washington, D.C., this temple will be the second in the state — which is home to 97,000 Latter-day Saints.

Charlotte, North Carolina: There are 900,000 residents living in Charlotte, making it the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The city will hold the state’s second temple.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania’s state capital will be home to the third temple in the state, which has 52,000 Latter-day Saints.