Key Highlights
- Dallin H. Oaks announces the first new temple of his presidency outside General Conference.
- This marks a departure from Russell M. Nelson’s tradition of revealing new temple locations at each conference.
- The Portland, Maine, temple will be the first in the state and is announced by Allen D. Haynie during an area Christmas devotional.
- Oaks cites “large number of temples now in planning” as the reason for slowing down announcements.
New Temple Announcement in Portland, Maine
The first new temple under the leadership of Dallin H. Oaks has been announced outside of a General Conference for the first time since his appointment on October 14, 2025. This significant change from his predecessor Russell M. Nelson, who was known for revealing new temple locations during each conference, highlights a shift in how the church will share such news.
Traditions and Changes
During his nearly eight-year tenure as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), Russell M. Nelson made it a hallmark to announce new temple locations at every General Conference, often to enthusiastic reactions from members. His practice was seen not just as an update but also as a moment of celebration and anticipation for the faith.
However, Dallin H. Oaks has decided to slow down these announcements due to “the large number of temples now in the very earliest phases of planning and construction.” This decision reflects the current state of temple building within the church and aims to manage expectations more effectively.
First New Temple Outside General Conference
The first new temple under Oaks’ presidency was announced on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in Portland, Maine. This announcement came during a Christmas devotional held for members of the Portland Maine Stake and friends. General Authority Seventy Allen D.
Haynie, who is also the church’s Northeast Area president, made this significant revelation.
According to the announcement, this will be Maine’s first temple, marking an important milestone in the region’s religious landscape. The specific location and timing of construction have yet to be officially disclosed by the First Presidency but will be shared at a later date.
Historical Context
The decision to announce the new temple in Portland is also noteworthy as it breaks with tradition, marking the first time such an announcement has been made outside General Conference since the Ephraim Temple was named through a special broadcast from Manti. With this development, six U.S. states—Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia—are now either without existing or announced Latter-day Saint temples.
For Oaks to match Nelson’s record of 200 new temple announcements in his tenure would require a significant effort, given the current backlog of projects. Currently, with one temple down (in Maine), there are still 199 more to go to equal Nelson’s achievement.
Impact and Future Directions
The change in how new temples are announced may indicate broader strategic shifts within the LDS Church. While it is a departure from the past, it could also be seen as a pragmatic approach to managing the rapid expansion of temple construction. As more states and regions see the need for temples but face logistical challenges, such an approach might help balance demand with resource allocation.
For members of the church, this new policy represents a period of uncertainty regarding future temple announcements.
However, it also signifies a collaborative effort between church leadership to ensure that every new temple serves its community effectively and is built in a manner that respects both local needs and global priorities.
The announcement of the Portland, Maine, temple by General Authority Seventy Allen D. Haynie is just the beginning, and it sets the stage for what could be a significant period of change within the LDS Church’s temple expansion strategy under Oaks’ leadership.