The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be building eight new temples, church President Russell M. Nelson announced Sunday afternoon.
The temples will be (in order of announcement):
- Bahía Blanca, Argentina
- Tallahassee, Florida
- Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Benin City, Nigeria
- Syracuse, Utah
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
The Shanghai temple will be the first in the People's Republic of China, and Dubai will be the first in the Middle East region.
READ: Latter-day Saint church announces plans to build 8 new temples, including two in Utah
Nelson said the Dubai temple announcement is "in response to their gracious invitation, which we gratefully acknowledge."
In the Sunday afternoon General Conference session, Nelson also addressed the significance of the Shanghai temple, adding that it will not affect the legal status of the church in China, nor will the church be sending proslyting missionaries to the country.
Nelson's full statement on the topic:
"Context for the plan for Shanghai is very important. For more than two decades, temple worthy members in the People’s Republic of China have attended the Hong Kong China Temple. But in July 2019, that temple was closed for long planned and much needed renovation.
"In Shanghai, a modest multipurpose meeting place will provide a way for Chinese members to continue to participate in ordinances of the temple—in the People’s Republic of China—for them and their ancestors.
"In every country, this Church teaches its members to honor, obey and sustain the law. We teach the importance of the family, of being good parents, and exemplary citizens. Because we respect the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, the Church does not send proselyting missionaries there; nor will we do so now.
"Expatriate and Chinese congregations will continue to meet separately. The Church’s legal status there remains unchanged. In an initial phase of facility use, entry will be by appointment only. The Shanghai Temple will not be a temple for tourists from other countries."
