2005
Dedications Bring Operating Temples Worldwide to 122
October 2005


“Dedications Bring Operating Temples Worldwide to 122,” Ensign, Oct. 2005, 74

Dedications Bring Operating Temples Worldwide to 122

With the recent dedications of the San Antonio Texas, Aba Nigeria, and Newport Beach California Temples, the total number of operating temples around the world has now reached 122.

Since President Gordon B. Hinckley was called to lead the Church in 1995, the Lord has directed temple construction in a way few expected. In the last 10 years, 84 temples have been announced or dedicated—nearly double the 47 temples dedicated in the previous 118 years.

President Hinckley has said that the temple is a place where we can learn more about life after death and the purpose of this life.

“Every temple that this Church has built has in effect stood as a monument to our belief in the immortality of the human soul, that this phase of mortal life through which we pass is part of a continuous upward climb, so to speak, and that as certain as there is life here, there will be life there,” he said. “That is our firm belief. It comes about through the Atonement of the Savior, and the temple becomes … the bridge from this life to the next” (“Inspirational Thoughts,” Ensign, Apr. 2002, 4).

The 122 operating temples include the Apia Samoa Temple, which was rededicated on September 4, 2005, after the original structure was destroyed by fire in 2003. An additional nine temples are under construction or have been announced.

Temples by the Numbers

1877

Year the St. George Utah Temple was dedicated, the oldest currently operating temple.

16

Temples dedicated in the following 100 years, ending with the São Paulo Brazil Temple in 1978.

26

Temples dedicated during the 1980s, the most in any decade until 2000—including the 25 dedicated in the 1990s.

34

Temples dedicated in 2000, the most in any year.

4

Temples dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley in an eight-day period from June 11–18, 2000, the most ever in that time span.

6

Countries with at least one dedicated temple in 1978.

40

Countries with at least one dedicated or announced temple in 2005.

40

Years the Salt Lake Temple was under construction.

4

Calendar years since 1980 during which no temple was dedicated: 1982, 1988, 1991, and 1992.

26

Years between the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple and the Laie Hawaii Temple, the longest span between dedications among currently operating temples.

4

Times two temples have been dedicated on the same day since the small temple building program was announced.

253,015

Square footage (23,500 m2) of the Salt Lake Temple (including annex), the largest temple in the Church.

280

Height, in feet (85 m), of the Washington D.C. Temple, the tallest in the Church.