LDS Prophet Thomas S. Monson announces over social media four more temples to be built across the world

By Braden Clark

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Prophet Thomas S. Monson announced Sunday morning at 10 a.m. that there will be four more LDS temples to be built across the world.

Quito, Ecuador; Harare, Zimbabwe; Belem, Brazil; and Lima, Peru are the set locations for the new LDS temples, and will be the second temple built in Lima, Peru. This announcement will make seven new announced LDS temples outside the United States in the past year by the church.

Many of the LDS faith across the globe tuned in Sunday morning over YouTube, live television or on the LDS.org website to hear their leaders of the church in Salt Lake City, Utah on the church’s 187 General Conference.

“I’m so excited to hear Zimbabwe is getting its’ own temple! When I was there we never really got to go to the temple unless we left the country,” said Brigg Terry, who served a mission in the Zimbabwe, Harare Mission. “It’s going to be a real blessing for the people in Harare, and Zimbabwe.”

The first LDS temple was constructed in Kirtland, Ohio in 1836, and with the announcement of the new four it brings the total to 177 temples across the world.

“The LDS temples are very special for the LDS faith,” said Sister Amy Lewis, a LDS missionary who is serving in the St. George, Utah Mission. “Those who are given a temple recommend from their presiding bishop may enter the temples, and in the temples we perform many different and sacred ceremonies like marriage sealings, for example.”

As the announcement was made many of the LDS faith took to social media to share their opinion on the new temples.

“We’re getting a temple in Zimbabwe!! Finally!!! #LDSGeneralConference #Zimbabwe #temple,” said Ayanda-Rae Godi, a Zimbabwe native and Mormon, over Twitter.

“I wanted a Herriman, Utah temple,” said Jody Genessy, a Utah Jazz reporter, over Twitter.

These four temple locations will go through a ground dedication in the coming months, and begin construction as soon as possible.

“Our goal is to obtain celestial glory, and the choices we make will, in large part, determine whether or not we reach or goal,” said Monson in his conference talk. “The path we follow in this life leads to our destination in the next life, and may we choose to build up within ourselves great and powerful faith.”