The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced plans to build a temple in Portland, Maine, marking a historic milestone as the first temple in the state and the 383rd temple announced worldwide.
The announcement was delivered during a Christmas devotional held Sunday, December 14, 2025, for members and friends of the Portland Maine Stake. Elder Allen D. Haynie, United States Northeast Area President, read the official statement from the Church’s First Presidency to those in attendance.
“We are pleased to announce the construction of a temple in Portland, Maine. The specific location and timing of the construction will be announced later. This is a reason for all of us to rejoice and thank God for such a significant blessing — one that will allow more frequent access to the ordinances, covenants, and power that can only be found in the house of the Lord.”
The First Presidency
With this announcement, the total number of temples that are operating, under construction or announced worldwide now stands at 383. The Portland temple will be the first such facility built in Maine, expanding access to temple worship for Latter-day Saints across the region.
As part of the announcement, Elder Haynie noted the unique nature of how the decision was shared, explaining that this was the first time a temple announcement had been delivered on location by a member of an Area Presidency rather than during a general conference.
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He said that “in a recent meeting of the First Presidency of the Church, a decision was made that, when directed by the First Presidency, the announcement of the construction of a new temple should be made on location by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or a member of an Area Presidency.” He added that, “such an announcement by a member of an Area Presidency has never occurred before. Tonight, will be the first.”
Church leaders previously addressed this updated approach to temple announcements during the October 2025 general conference. In the concluding session, President Dallin H. Oaks explained that the growing number of temples in early planning stages warranted a change in how and when announcements are made.
“With the large number of temples now in the very earliest phases of planning and construction, it is appropriate that we slow down the announcement of new temples. Therefore, with the approval of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, we will not announce any new temples at this conference. We will now move forward in providing the ordinances of the temple to members of the Church throughout the world, including when and where to announce the construction of temples.”
Elder Haynie later emphasized that the message did not signal an end to temple announcements, noting, “President Oaks did not say there would be no further announcements of new temples — only that the timing and location of future announcements would be determined later.” He encouraged those present “to prepare to enter a house of the Lord.”
Details regarding the temple’s site, design and construction timeline will be announced at a later date.
Originally reported by News Room.
