Key Highlights
- Dallin H. Oaks breaks with tradition by not announcing new temples at General Conference.
- Oaks cites the “large number of temples in planning and construction” as a reason to slow down announcements.
- The first new temple announced during Oaks’ presidency is built in Portland, Maine.
- This marks the first time an announcement was made outside General Conference since 1968.
New Temple Announcement Breaks Tradition for Mormon Leaders
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made a significant shift in how it announces new temple locations, marking a departure from the long-standing practices established by its former leaders. On December 14, 2025, Dallin H. Oaks, the newly appointed prophet-president of the church, announced that the first new temple under his leadership would be constructed in Portland, Maine.
Oaks’ Shift in Temple Announcement Strategy
During his address at the October General Conference, Oaks noted a change in how he plans to proceed with temple announcements. He cited the “large number of temples now in the very earliest phases of planning and construction” as justification for slowing down the announcement process. According to Oaks, it is more appropriate that church leaders move forward with determining when and where new temples will be announced.
This departure from tradition was evident at a Christmas devotional held on December 14, 2025, in Portland, Maine.
General Authority Seventy Allen D. Haynie, the church’s Northeast Area President, made an unprecedented announcement of the temple’s construction during this event. Haynie read a letter from the First Presidency, stating that “the announcement of the construction of a new temple should be made on location by an apostle or a member of an area presidency.” This move represents a significant shift in how the church typically handles such announcements.
Historical Context and Significance
The first new temple announced under Oaks’ leadership stands as a notable departure from Russell M. Nelson, his predecessor, who made it a hallmark of his tenure to reveal new temple locations at each General Conference. Nelson’s eight-year presidency saw the announcement of 200 new temples, more than half of the church’s existing or planned temples.
The announcement in Portland, Maine, marks the first time an announcement has been made outside of General Conference since 1968, when central Utah’s Ephraim Temple was named during a special broadcast from Manti. This move underscores the significant changes occurring within the church’s leadership and administration under Oaks.
Future Implications
The decision to slow down temple announcements could have broader implications for the church’s expansion strategy and its approach to managing resources. By reducing the frequency of new temple announcements, the church may be signaling a focus on completing existing projects before embarking on new ones. This shift in strategy is likely to affect how members plan their spiritual journeys and manage their travel to these sacred sites.
As Dallin H.
Oaks navigates his new role as prophet-president, this change in temple announcement practices may signal broader changes within the church’s administrative structure and its approach to managing its global expansion efforts.
The Salt Lake Tribune, a major news publication in Utah, covers these developments closely to ensure that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are informed about significant changes within their faith. For more updates on this and other stories shaping the Mormon community, subscribe to our newsletters or visit our website.
