The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the site for a new temple in Greenville, South Carolina, on May 29, 2026.
This will be the state's second temple.
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The single-story, 18,850-square-foot temple will be built on an 8.8-acre property.
The site is located south of the intersection of Independence Boulevard, Ponders Road, and Roper Mountain Road.
Growth and Strategic Shift
The new temple joins the Columbia South Carolina Temple, dedicated in 1999, to serve the state's growing membership.
Church data shows 47,000 Latter-day Saints in South Carolina across about 90 congregations.
The announcement reflects a strategic shift under President Dallin H. Oaks, the 18th prophet-president. During the October 2025 general conference, President Oaks addressed the pace of temple projects.
"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," he said.
This shift follows the administration of President Russell M. Nelson, who passed away at age 101 on September 27, 2025.
Since 2018, President Nelson had announced plans for 200 new temples.
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"He loved to announce new temples at the conclusion of each general conference, and we all rejoiced with him," President Oaks said.
The church is now adjusting its approach by revealing new construction plans directly to local members rather than during global conferences.
"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 new temples," President Oaks stated.
This localized method was further detailed during a January interview at the dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple.
"The best place to announce a temple is in that temple district," President Oaks said.
Under this directive, the First Presidency has revealed three other recent temples during regional gatherings.
Elder Juan Pablo Villar announced a temple for Otavalo, Ecuador, on May 14, 2026. Elder Hugo E.
Martinez announced the seventh temple for Washington state in Marysville on April 19, 2026. Elder Allen D.
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Haynie announced the first temple for Maine on December 14, 2025.
