The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has shared exciting updates for three temples across the globe: the location of the Ulaanbaatar Mongolia Temple and groundbreaking dates for the Kumasi Ghana and Cape Town South Africa Temples. These announcements reflect the Church’s continuing efforts to bring the blessings of the temple closer to Latter-day Saints everywhere.
Mongolia’s First Temple: A Landmark Moment
The Ulaanbaatar Mongolia Temple will be the first of its kind in the country, a profound milestone for the, according to Church statistics, more than 12,500 Latter-day Saints who gather in nearly 25 congregations. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 18,850 square feet, accompanied by a patron housing facility and a meetinghouse.
The sacred structure will rise on nearly 11 acres in the capital city at Naadamchid Road, Khan Uul, 8 Khoroo. An artist’s rendering has been released, though a groundbreaking date has yet to be announced.
The history of the Church in Mongolia is still relatively young, but its growth has been remarkable. Senior missionaries first arrived in 1992, shortly after the nation transitioned to a democratic government. Because open proselytizing was initially restricted, they taught university and high school classes while holding private meetings for those interested in learning about the restored gospel.
In February 1993, the first baptisms were performed, and by January 1994, the first congregation had been organized. Only a year later, the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission was officially established. From those humble beginnings, the Church has steadily expanded, with local leadership now overseeing congregations spread throughout the country.
President Russell M. Nelson’s announcement of a temple in October 2023 was met with deep joy and anticipation, marking the fulfillment of a long-held dream for Mongolian Saints.
Kumasi, Ghana: A Church Deeply Rooted
In West Africa, the groundbreaking for the Kumasi Ghana Temple will take place on October 18, 2025, under the direction of Elder Isaac K. Morrison, Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency. First announced in April 2021, this temple will become the second in the nation, joining the Accra Ghana Temple, which was dedicated in 2004.
The story of the Church in Ghana began decades before missionaries were officially sent. In the 1960s, Ghanaians came across Church literature and petitioned for missionaries, showing remarkable faith and initiative. It was not until after the 1978 revelation on the priesthood that missionaries arrived, and the first 125 baptisms were performed that December in Cape Coast.
Among the early converts were J. W. “Billy” Johnson and Raphael Abraham Frank Mensah, whose faith helped anchor the Church during its early years. Since then, the Church in Ghana has flourished. Today, Church statistics report more than 113,000 members worship in nearly 400 congregations, supported by six missions and a Missionary Training Center in Tema, which has become a hub for preparing missionaries across West Africa.
The Accra Temple has long served as a gathering place for Latter-day Saints in Ghana, but the growth of the Church has made a second temple essential. Kumasi, as a major city and regional center, is a natural location. The new temple will bless families who otherwise face long travel distances, expanding opportunities for worship and covenants.
Cape Town, South Africa: A Storied Past and Future Temple
The Cape Town South Africa Temple will hold its groundbreaking on October 25, 2025, with Elder Carlos A. Godoy, Africa South Area President, presiding. Like Kumasi, it was announced in April 2021 and will be the third temple in South Africa.
The Church’s history in South Africa stretches back to 1852, when Brigham Young first called missionaries to preach in the Cape of Good Hope. Within a few years, six branches were established. Yet many of the early converts emigrated, which hindered local growth.
Missionary work continued in fits and starts, challenged at times by restrictive laws, racial segregation, and social upheaval. Despite these obstacles, the Church endured. Over time, it found a firm footing, and today South Africa is home to more than 74,000 members in nearly 200 congregations.
The new temple in Cape Town reflects both the endurance of that early seed of faith and the vibrancy of the modern Church. It will join other South African temples in Johannesburg and Durban, reducing the distance members must travel to participate in temple ordinances.
For Latter-day Saints in Cape Town and surrounding areas, the groundbreaking marks not just the start of construction but the continuation of a story nearly two centuries in the making.
Why Temples Matter
Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ are distinct from meetinghouses or chapels where Sunday worship services are held. They are considered houses of the Lord, sacred spaces set apart for ordinances and covenants that bind families together for eternity. Within their walls, members seek divine guidance, draw closer to Jesus Christ, and experience peace that transcends worldly burdens.
For the Saints in Mongolia, Ghana, and South Africa, the prospect of new temples is deeply personal. It represents not only access to sacred ordinances but also the recognition of faith that has been nurtured through years of perseverance. These houses of the Lord will stand as symbols of the maturity of local branches, stakes, and families who have long labored to build the Church in their nations.
Looking Ahead
As Mongolia prepares for its first temple, Ghana anticipates the Kumasi groundbreaking, and South Africa looks forward to Cape Town’s sacred foundation, the global Church continues to expand in both geography and depth. For Latter-day Saints in each of these regions, the announcement of a temple is not simply about a building—it is about promises fulfilled, futures envisioned, and faith strengthened across generations.
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
It’s auwsome to see the Lord’s Church spreading across the World and with the blessings it brings. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ,we teach the doctrine of Jesus because we have HIS authority to do so. I joined in 1968