President Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church, delivers the closing address of the 191st Semiannual General Conference on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 3, in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. The prophet announced 13 new temples and the reconstruction of a 14th. Photo: Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to build 13 new temples and rebuild a 14th at its 191st Semiannual General Conference on Sunday, including a temple coming to the Heber Valley.
President Russell M. Nelson announced the church plans to build four new temples in the United States. That includes temples in the Heber Valley of Utah, Cody, Wyoming, Rexburg, Idaho and Fort Worth, Texas. It also plans to reconstruct the Provo Utah Temple.
Church leaders plan to construct more new temples in nine other countries: Taiwan, the Philippines, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile.
According to church officials, in his nearly four years as president of the church, President Nelson has announced 83 new temples.
President Nelson emphasized the importance of temple worship to Latter-day Saints.
“Please make time for the Lord in His holy house,” he admonished members. “Nothing will strengthen your spiritual foundation like temple service and temple worship. We thank all who are working on our new temples. They are being built all over the world.”
The Monrovia, Liberia temple represents that country’s first temple. Madagascar also will receive its first temple as a result of the announcement.
He also drew parallels between the work underway to restore and strengthen the foundation of the Salt Lake Temple and the work of the faithful to strengthen their own spiritual foundations. Earlier on Sunday, general conference featured a video of President Nelson speaking inside the Salt Lake Temple several months prior.
“Please believe me when I say that when your spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, you have no need to fear,” President Nelson said. “As you are true to your covenants made in the temple, you will be strengthened by His power.”
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