Vague and ambiguous temple announcements

[I Have Questions]

After slamming the brakes on temple announcements since Nelsonism morphed into Oaksism, the Church slipped out a non-Conference temple announcement.

At a Christmas devotional held for Latter-day Saints and friends of the Portland Maine Stake on Sunday, December 14, 2025, Elder Allen D. Haynie, United States Northeast Area President, read an announcement from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of a temple to be built in Portland, Maine.

"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

You’ll notice that it’s not the announcement of a new temple, it’s the announcement of an intention. Much like the announcement of an intention to build a temple in Russia (how’s that going?). So what’s the real purpose behind these type of things? Is it to try and arrest a dwindling of active membership? An attempt at driving donations from an underperforming region? A need for good news?

[drumdude]

If they’re just buying the land for investment purposes they can issue a cursory temple announcement like this to make it seem more kosher. No one will care if it never gets built.

[I Have Questions]

If they’re just buying the land for investment purposes they can issue a cursory temple announcement like this to make it seem more kosher. No one will care if it never gets built.

But it seems this temple announcement, much like the Russia temple announcement, has been made before any land has been acquired. Maybe that’s not right. Maybe the land has been acquired but they don’t want to disclose the exact location for fear of a local uprising against it. In which case, why make the announcement at all until the process is much further advanced?