The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has unveiled exciting developments regarding its temples in Modesto, California; Apia, Samoa; and Hamburg, Germany. These announcements highlight the church’s commitment to providing sacred spaces for its members to engage in essential religious ordinances.
President Dallin H. Oaks emphasized the central role of temples in the church’s doctrine, stating, “The ordinances received there enable us to return as eternal families to the presence of our Heavenly Father.” This underscores the spiritual significance of these structures in the lives of Latter-day Saints.
The Modesto California Temple: A New Sacred Space
The Modesto California Temple is set to open its doors to the public with an open house beginning on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. This event will include a media day, followed by tours for invited guests on October 14 and 15. The general public is invited to attend from October 16 through October 31, excluding Sundays.
The dedication ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 22, 2026presided over by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The dedicatory session will be broadcast to all congregations within the Modesto California Temple district, allowing members to participate in this significant event.
California is home to nearly 730,000 Latter-day Saints, who meet in around 1,000 congregations. The Modesto California Temple will join other dedicated temples in the state, including those in Feather River, Fresno, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Oakland, Redlands, Sacramento, and Yorba Linda. The San Diego California Temple is scheduled for rededication on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
The Apia Samoa Temple: A Journey of Renewal
The Apia Samoa Temple will undergo extensive renovations beginning December 23, 2026. During this period, members from the temple district are encouraged to attend other nearby temples as their circumstances permit. Those wishing to receive their own ordinances should contact a temple in the surrounding area to make the necessary arrangements.
With over 90,000 members of the Church residing in Samoa, meeting in around 170 congregations, the Apia Samoa Temple holds a special place in the hearts of many. Originally dedicated in 1983, the temple was rebuilt and rededicated in 2005 following a fire that destroyed the original structure. The upcoming renovations will ensure that this sacred space continues to serve the spiritual needs of the community.
The Savai’i Samoa Temple, announced in 2026, will further expand the church’s presence in the region, providing additional opportunities for members to participate in temple ordinances.
The Hamburg Germany Temple: A New Addition to Europe
The Hamburg Germany Temple will be constructed on a 1.4-acre site located at Wartenau 20, Hamburg, Germany. This will be the third temple in the country, joining the Frankfurt Germany Temple and Freiberg Germany Temple, both dedicated in the 1980s. The Hamburg Germany Temple was announced in 2026.
Germany is home to more than 40,000 members of the Church, who meet in nearly 150 congregations. The new temple will provide a sacred space for these members to engage in essential religious ordinances, reinforcing the church’s commitment to its European community.
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are distinct from meetinghouses or chapels where members gather for Sunday worship services. A temple is considered a house of the Lordwhere the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors, and other ceremonies that allow families to be united for eternity.
