Key Takeaways:
- The Bacolod Philippines Temple will have an open house from April 16 to May 2, 2026, and will be dedicated on May 31, 2026.
- The San José California Temple will be renamed as the Sunnyvale California Temple.
- Preliminary work will begin on the Fairview Texas Temple, with no groundbreaking or construction dates set yet.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has over 900,000 members in the Philippines and nearly 730,000 members in California.
- Temples are sacred structures where faithful members participate in ceremonies that unite families forever.
Introduction to the Bacolod Philippines Temple
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the dates for the open house and dedication of the Bacolod Philippines Temple. A media day will be held on April 13, 2026, and invited guests will tour the temple on April 14-15. The public is invited to attend an open house from April 16 to May 2, excluding Sundays. This will be a great opportunity for people to visit the temple and learn more about the Church and its teachings. The temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson in October 2019, and its construction is a significant milestone for the Church in the Philippines.
The Significance of the Bacolod Philippines Temple
The Bacolod Philippines Temple is one of two temples in the Philippines to be dedicated in May 2026, with the Davao Philippines Temple being dedicated on May 3. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside at the dedication of the Bacolod temple, which will be broadcast to all units in the temple district. The Philippines is home to nearly 900,000 Latter-day Saints, and the temple will serve as a sacred space for them to participate in ceremonies and ordinances. As President Nelson said, "As the Church grows, more temples will be built so that more families can have access to that greatest of all blessings, that of eternal life." The temple is a symbol of the Church’s commitment to its members in the Philippines and its desire to provide them with opportunities for spiritual growth and development.
The Renaming of the San José California Temple
In other news, the First Presidency has announced that the San José California Temple will be renamed as the Sunnyvale California Temple. The temple will be built on a 4.73-acre site in Sunnyvale, California, and will feature a single-story 30,000 square-foot temple and an accompanying distribution center. California is home to nearly 730,000 members of the Church, and the Sunnyvale temple will be one of 12 temples operating, under construction, or announced in the state. The renaming of the temple reflects the Church’s desire to accurately reflect the location and identity of the temple, and to provide a clear and concise name that will be easy for members and non-members to remember.
Preliminary Work on the Fairview Texas Temple
Preliminary infrastructure work will begin soon on the eight-acre Church-owned property in Fairview, Texas, where a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be built. While dates for a groundbreaking service or the start of building construction have not been set, the Church is grateful for the cooperation of the Town of Fairview as it moves forward with the permitting process. The Fairview Texas Temple will be a significant addition to the Church’s presence in Texas, and will provide a sacred space for members to participate in ceremonies and ordinances. The Church is committed to working with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the temple is built in a way that is respectful of the community and the environment.
The Purpose of Temples
Temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses, or chapels, in that they are sacred structures where faithful members participate in ceremonies that unite families forever. While all are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at local meetinghouses, temples are reserved for members who have made certain covenants and commitments to the Church. The primary purpose of temples is to provide a space for members to participate in sacred ordinances, such as baptisms, confirmations, and sealings, which are essential to the Church’s doctrine and teachings. As such, temples play a vital role in the spiritual lives of Church members, and are a source of comfort, peace, and joy for those who worship there.