In the October 2024 General Conference (See Link), it was announced that during the last six months, the Church has dedicated or rededicated nine temples in five countries. Additionally, between now and the end of the year, the Church will dedicate five more.
President Russell M. Nelson then announced plans to construct 17 more temples. The 17 newly announced temples added to the 15 that were announced in April of 2024 makes 32 temples announced so far in 2024. It’s the 4th time in as many years that President Nelson has announced 30 plus temples in a single year.
President Nelson asks us: “My dear brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.”
There may be some who question why is this happening? To those who ask why, President Nelson gives the following answer: “Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? 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!”
I can’t think of a more exciting event to look forward to! We have been counseled to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. We have been asked to make our discipleship our highest priority. I think we would all agree that we live in a world filled with dizzying distractions. I’m sure you, like me, appreciate any and all help navigating through the distractions of mortal life.
Our Prophet promises us that regular worship in the temple will help us. He promises us that “As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world. We experience the pure love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in great abundance! We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world.”
We have been promised the best is yet to come. I hope each one of us, regardless of where we are in our journey, will take the time to reflect on what is happening right before us and do everything we can to make the blessings of the temple available to us as well as our ancestors. We are so fortunate to be a witness of this great work and have front row seats to the miracles that are happening each week.
Let’s not let this opportunity slip by, let’s do all we can to participate in this great work, let’s be a force for good, demonstrating to others just where our hearts really are.
– Doug Nielsen, Director, Sandy Granite FamilySearch Center