Thanks to members of the church worldwide and ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org for providing these updates. Please Note: It is possible that progress has been made on temples not included in this article that we have not been made aware of. If you have updates (including pictures or video) about a temple near you, feel free to send it to calledtoshare (at) ldsdaily.com.
Ornamental Fencing for the Pocatello Idaho Temple
Image Courtesy of Rick SatterfieldSince the end of July, fence installers have been dropping black posts around the perimeter of the Pocatello Idaho Temple site for the ornamental fencing that will enclose the grounds. Forms have been removed from the planter boxes in the north plaza and stakes have been placed to guide the installation of future elements. Granite cladding continues on the upper walls of the east and south sides of the temple as well as around the base of the tower. Due to its complexity, work on sheathing and cladding the steeple may not wrap up until the winter months. Relive the past 17 months of construction in a 10-minute highlights video.
Celebrating Safety at the Urdaneta Philippines Temple
Image Courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – PhillippinesOn August 8, 2020, the construction team at the Urdaneta Philippines Temple celebrated 1,000,000 accident-free man-hours. A representative from the Department of Labor and Employment attended the event and expressed his gratitude to everyone for maintaining high standards of health and safety at the construction site. The temple and accommodation center have been under construction for the past year and a half. In that time, the concrete body of the two-story temple has been built.
Progress on Layton Utah Temple Foundation
Image Courtesy of Marshall ThompsonConcrete footings continue to be poured to support the three-story Layton Utah Temple. At the northwest corner of the excavation, the first forms have been set for the foundation walls that will house the basement of the building. Layton was named in 1885 for Christopher Layton, an English convert to the Church who emigrated to the United States, joined the Mormon Battalion, and founded the cities of Kaysville, Utah; Layton, Utah; and Thatcher, Arizona.
Soft Landscaping Planted at the Vernal Utah Temple
Image Courtesy of David PetersFresh sod, brightly colored flowers, and evenly spaced trees have brought life to the hard landscaping elements of concrete, brick, and asphalt composing the expanded parking lot of the Vernal Utah Temple. The former tabernacle is looking more beautiful than ever, and patrons are thrilled to have an on-site parking option with plenty of available spaces. The temple just entered Phase 2 of reopening.
Columbus Ohio Temple Closes for Extensive Renovation
Image Courtesy of Michael ProvardAt the conclusion of ordinance work on Saturday, August 15, the Columbus Ohio Temple closed for a major renovation project that will last approximately two years. During the three weeks that the temple was open under Phase 2, well over 100 people were given the opportunity to attend the temple for the first time. The renovation will alter the interior and exterior of the temple in a similar fashion to recent renovations in Memphis, Oklahoma City, Raleigh, and Baton Rouge but with some distinct differences.
Devin is a graduate of Brigham Young University where he studied English and Business Management. He is a writer, photographer, movie-fanatic, and a lover of street tacos. He served his mission in Tokyo, Japan.
