When people notice how frequently The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces new temples in different countries, cultures, and continents, a natural question arises: Why do Mormons build temples all over the world? The Church already has chapels for weekly worship, so why invest so much time, resources, and effort into constructing temples in so many places?
For Latter-day Saints, temples are not optional buildings, decorative monuments, or symbols of religious success. They are essential houses of worship where sacred ordinances and covenants are performed—ordinances members believe are necessary for salvation and eternal life. Because of this belief, access to temples is deeply important.
As the Church grows globally, Latter-day Saints believe it would be unjust for only a small portion of God’s children to have access to temple blessings. Building temples worldwide reflects a conviction that God’s love, mercy, and saving power are meant for all people, not limited by geography, language, culture, or economic condition.
Understanding why Mormons build temples all over the world requires understanding how they view salvation, equality, family, revelation, and the mission of Jesus Christ to bless all humanity.
Temples and the Global Nature of the Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global church. Members live in nearly every nation, speak hundreds of languages, and come from diverse cultural backgrounds. From its earliest days, the Church understood itself as a worldwide movement rather than a regional one.
As membership has grown outside of North America, the need for temples has grown alongside it. In earlier decades, members in many countries had to travel long distances—sometimes across continents—to attend a temple. This often required significant financial sacrifice, time away from family, and complex travel arrangements.
Latter-day Saints believe that as God’s work spreads throughout the earth, access to temple ordinances should spread as well. Building temples around the world is a way to bring sacred worship closer to God’s children wherever they live.
Equal Access to Sacred Ordinances
A core belief of Latter-day Saints is that God is no respecter of persons. He does not value one nationality, culture, or language above another. Everyone is equal before Him.
Temples allow members everywhere to participate in the same ordinances and covenants. Whether a member lives in Africa, Asia, South America, Europe, or a small island nation, the ordinances performed in temples are the same. This reinforces unity, equality, and shared faith across the global Church.
Removing Barriers
By building temples closer to where members live, the Church removes many barriers to worship. Long-distance travel can be expensive, physically demanding, and impractical—especially for the elderly, the poor, or families with limited resources.
Local temples make regular participation possible. Members can attend more often, serve more consistently, and feel more connected to sacred worship. For Latter-day Saints, this is not a matter of convenience alone, but of fairness and compassion.
What Makes Temples So Important?
To understand why temples are built worldwide, it is important to understand why temples matter at all in Latter-day Saint belief.
Temples are not simply places for sermons or public gatherings. They are places where eternal ordinances are performed—ordinances that Latter-day Saints believe are required for salvation and exaltation.
These ordinances include baptism for the dead, confirmation, endowment, and sealing ordinances that unite families eternally. Because these ordinances are considered essential, access to temples becomes a spiritual necessity rather than a luxury.
Latter-day Saints believe God would not restrict essential ordinances to a small geographic area. If God desires the salvation of all His children, temples must eventually be available to all.
Biblical and Prophetic Foundations
Latter-day Saints believe temple worship is not a modern invention but part of God’s pattern throughout history.
In the Bible, God commanded the construction of sacred spaces such as the tabernacle and the temple in Jerusalem. These were places where God’s presence was symbolically recognized and where covenant worship occurred.
Prophets in the Old Testament spoke of a future time when the Lord’s house would be established and people from all nations would come to it. Latter-day Saints believe these prophecies point to a global expansion of temple worship.
Temples in the Latter Days
Latter-day Saints believe they are living in the “latter days,” a period when God’s work would spread to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Modern prophets direct temple construction through prayer and revelation, determining where temples are needed most.
From this perspective, the rapid increase in temples worldwide is not random growth, but the fulfillment of prophetic expectation.
Revelation and Temple Locations
Temple locations are not chosen casually. Latter-day Saints believe Church leaders seek divine guidance when deciding where to build temples. Practical considerations such as membership density, travel distance, and future growth are weighed carefully.
However, members also believe spiritual revelation plays a central role. Temples are built where God knows they will bless His children most effectively.
This belief helps explain why temples are sometimes announced in areas where membership is still relatively small. Latter-day Saints believe temples can help strengthen faith, encourage commitment, and prepare regions for future growth.
Temples and Cultural Diversity
One striking feature of modern temples is how they reflect local cultures while maintaining sacred symbolism. Temples in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe often incorporate architectural elements inspired by local history and environment.
This reflects a belief that God’s work does not erase culture but sanctifies it. Temples are meant to feel sacred and familiar to the people they serve.
By building temples around the world, the Church affirms that no culture is secondary in God’s plan.
Temples Strengthen Families Worldwide
Family is central to Latter-day Saint belief. Members believe families can be united eternally through temple ordinances. Building temples worldwide allows families everywhere to participate in these ordinances without separation by distance or circumstance.
Parents, children, grandparents, and ancestors are all included in this vision. Temples become places where generations are connected across time and space.
For many members, having a temple nearby transforms family worship and strengthens spiritual commitment within the home.
Proxy Ordinances and Global Temple Building
Another important reason temples are built worldwide is the belief in proxy ordinances for the dead. Latter-day Saints believe millions of people lived and died without the opportunity to receive essential ordinances.
Temples allow members to perform ordinances on behalf of deceased individuals, offering them the opportunity to accept or reject those ordinances in the spirit world.
Because this work is global in scope—covering all of humanity—temples must also be global. The worldwide distribution of temples reflects a belief that God’s plan includes every human soul.
Temples as Centers of Peace
Many Latter-day Saints describe temples as places of peace and refuge. In a world filled with conflict, stress, and noise, temples offer quiet spaces for reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal.
As temples are built worldwide, more people gain access to these spaces of calm and spiritual clarity. Members often report that temple worship helps them cope with personal challenges, make important decisions, and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Impact Beyond Church Members
Even those who never enter a temple often benefit from its presence. Temples frequently inspire humanitarian service, community involvement, and moral influence.
Local communities may experience increased charitable activity, educational initiatives, and service projects associated with nearby temples. In this way, temple building often blesses broader society.
Addressing the Idea of Wealth and Display
A common misunderstanding is that temples are built as displays of wealth or prestige. Latter-day Saints strongly reject this idea.
Temples are funded by voluntary donations, not by profit or commercial activity. Members believe their contributions are acts of faith rather than investments in status.
Temples are not built to impress the world, but to serve the faithful and extend God’s blessings.
Why Not Just One Temple Per Country?
Some wonder why multiple temples are built in the same country or even in the same city. The answer lies in accessibility.
As membership grows, a single temple may not be sufficient to serve all members. Long wait times, limited availability, and travel difficulties can make participation challenging.
Building additional temples ensures that sacred worship remains accessible, orderly, and meaningful.
Temples and Missionary Work
While temples are not missionary centers in the traditional sense, their presence often sparks curiosity and conversation. People notice temples and ask questions about their purpose.
This curiosity creates opportunities for dialogue and understanding. In this way, temples quietly support the Church’s missionary mission by encouraging learning rather than persuasion.
Temples and Long-Term Vision
Temple construction reflects long-term thinking. Temples are built to serve future generations, not just current members.
Latter-day Saints believe God’s plan spans eternity. Building temples worldwide reflects confidence in the future growth of faith, families, and covenant worship.
Why This Belief Matters
The global construction of temples reveals how Latter-day Saints view God’s plan. It is expansive, inclusive, patient, and deeply personal.
God’s blessings are not meant for a select group or a single region. They are meant for all His children, wherever they live.
Temples represent access, hope, equality, and eternal purpose.
A Global Vision of Jesus Christ’s Mission
Latter-day Saints believe Jesus Christ is the Savior of the whole world, not just one culture or nation. Building temples worldwide reflects this belief.
Temples testify that Christ’s atonement applies to everyone—past, present, and future. They stand as symbols of God’s reach to every corner of the earth.
An Invitation
Latter-day Saints invite others to learn about temples, attend open houses, ask questions, and explore official Church resources.
They believe understanding grows through respect and sincere inquiry, and that God’s plan for humanity is broader and more loving than many imagine.
Sources
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Gospel Topics: Temples
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org
The Church News – Temple Announcements and Dedications
https://www.thechurchnews.com
Doctrine and Covenants Central
https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org
Scripture Central
https://scripturecentral.org