LDS Church breaks ground for three new temples in Florida, Congo and Washington

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints marked a rare milestone over the weekend, breaking ground for three temples on the same day.

On Saturday, Aug. 23, ceremonies were held for the Tampa Florida, Brazzaville Republic of the Congo and Vancouver Washington temples. It is only the fifth time in Church history that three temples have begun construction on the same day.

Tampa Florida Temple

In Tampa, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided over the groundbreaking. He offered a dedicatory prayer for the site, asking that the temple become “a light and strength” to the community.

The temple was first announced in 2022, and will be the fifth in Florida, where more than 176,000 Latter-day Saints live in nearly 280 congregations.

Brazzaville Republic of the Congo Temple

Across the Atlantic, Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, president of the Africa Central Area, led the ceremony for the Brazzaville Republic of the Congo Temple.

It is the first temple in the country, which is home to nearly 14,000 members.

Mutombo said the temple would bring spiritual strength to the nation, adding that “everywhere temples are built, the influence of the devil diminishes, and the light of Christ is elevated.”

Vancouver Washington Temple

In Vancouver, Washington, Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy, presided at the groundbreaking.

It will be the sixth temple in the state, where more than 282,000 Latter-day Saints now worship in more than 470 congregations.

The Church says temples are distinct from weekly meetinghouses, serving as sacred places where members participate in ordinances and make covenants they believe unite families across generations.

The Church currently operates or has announced 350 temples worldwide.