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Groundbreaking ceremonies for three temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took place on August 23, 2025. This marks only the fifth time in the organization’s history that ground has been broken for three temples on the same day.
The Tampa Florida Temple ceremony was led by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. During his dedicatory prayer, Elder Andersen said, “We ask that Thou might bless this land and this sacred house once constructed, that it might be a light and strength to the Latter-day Saints and to all the community. Let our friends and neighbors feel Thy Spirit and increase their faith in Thy Son as they sense what has come to this place.” Elder Brook P. Hales of the Seventy conducted the event.
The Tampa Florida Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson during the April 2022 general conference. At that time, President Nelson stated, “Positive spiritual momentum increases as we worship in the temple and grow in our understanding of the magnificent breadth and depth of the blessings we receive there.” The first congregation of Latter-day Saints in Florida was organized in 1897. Currently, there are over 176,000 members across nearly 280 congregations in Florida. Other temples at various stages include Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tallahassee.
In Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, Africa Central Area President, presided at a separate groundbreaking ceremony for another new temple. He addressed those gathered by saying, "... I testify to you, my brothers and sisters, that something special happens when the house of the Lord is built in a place. The powers of heaven are manifested in the sacred ordinances performed in the temple, and the Republic of Congo will never be the same again, because everywhere temples are built, the influence of the devil diminishes and the light of Christ is elevated." The Brazzaville Republic of the Congo Temple is both announced and under construction as a first for that country; previously announced or existing temples nearby include locations such as Kinshasa (dedicated 2019) as well as Lubumbashi (under construction), Kananga and Mbuji-Mayi.
The return of members baptized abroad led to formal church organization efforts in Brazzaville during the 1980s; by 1992 an official district had been created after visits from then-Elder Russell M. Nelson and Elder Richard G. Scott. Today nearly 14,000 members meet in about 40 congregations throughout Congo.
For Vancouver Washington Temple’s groundbreaking ceremony, Elder Mark A. Bragg (General Authority Seventy) presided over proceedings. He commented: “A temple is truly the house of the Lord, a holy protection from the world where sacred ordinances of the gospel are performed by and for the living and in behalf of our ancestors, because we know that we live after this life and can return to live with our Heavenly Father.” President Nelson had announced plans for this temple during October 2023 general conference.
This location will become Washington state’s sixth operating or planned temple alongside others situated at Columbia River, Moses Lake, Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma. Early Latter-day Saint involvement with railroad building brought many to Washington beginning with Northern Pacific Oregon Short Line projects during late nineteenth century; membership increased further following major infrastructure projects like Grand Coulee Dam’s completion around World War II era—by now more than 282,000 members participate across over 470 congregations statewide.
Elder Bragg added: “A house of the Lord brings hope, light, joy, and eternal life through our Savior Jesus Christ,” concluding with his testimony: “I testify that he lives and that His love is eternal.”
Previous occasions where three temples’ groundbreakings occurred simultaneously include August 17 (2024) for Santiago West Chile/Londrina Brazil/Austin Texas; May 4 (2019) for Yigo Guam/Praia Cape Verde/San Juan Puerto Rico; March 13 (1999) for Oaxaca Mexico/Nashville Tennessee/Kona Hawaii; May 29 (1999) for Veracruz Mexico/Adelaide Australia/Louisville Kentucky.
Temples serve multiple purposes within Latter-day Saint religious practice including worship services focused on experiencing peace or God’s love; learning doctrinal principles regarding God’s plan; making covenants with God individually or as married couples; uniting families through religious rites considered binding beyond mortal life.
