Dubai United Arab Emirates Temple
On April 5, 2020, at the 190th Annual General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct the Dubai United Arab Emirates Temple—the first temple in the Middle East.
"The plan for a temple in Dubai comes in response to their gracious invitation, which we gratefully acknowledge," said President Nelson.[1] The temple “will serve thousands of Latter-day Saints living in two stakes in the Gulf States and a number of member districts in the Middle East, northern Africa, eastern Europe, and western Asia. This historic temple announcement is a direct answer to fervent prayers offered by Church members over many years.[2]
Since the country's founding in 1971, The United Arab Emirates “has been an example of tolerance and religious inclusion.”[3] Elder David A. Bednar, who oversees Church affairs in the Middle East Africa North Area said: "We are grateful to the government officials of the United Arab Emirates who have welcomed us so warmly into their country." Commenting on the singularity of the announcement, he added: "Only the Spirit of the Lord could have brought about such a mighty miracle. The presence of a temple in Dubai will be a great blessing in the lives of our Church members.”[4]
The first self-standing Church meetinghouse in the Middle East was dedicated by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in 2013. The new temple will be built in District 2020, the future legacy site of Expo 2020 Dubai, after that worldwide event concludes. The site will include both a meetinghouse and a temple.[5]
External Links
- Official Dubai United Arab Emirates Temple page
- Dubai United Arab Emirates Temple page
- What is the Purpose of the Temple
- What Are Temples?
- Church News, “Inside Church Headquarters: The location, design and construction of Latter-day Saint temples
- Church Newsroom, “Latter-day Saints Rejoice in Dubai Temple Announcement
