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By Deena Yellin
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church, announced plans recently for its first temple in New Jersey.
But the project proposed for Summit, in Union County, came as a surprise to local officials, who said they were never informed.
"At this time, the city has not received any information or plans for this project," Megan Trudell, a spokeswoman for Summit, said this week. "If any permits or applications are submitted for this project, they will be handled in the same manner as any other application submitted to the city."
Russell Nelson, the Latter-day Saints president, who is considered to be a prophet by his followers in the Salt Lake City-based church, announced plans last week to build 17 new temples around the world, including one in the Garden State. The news came during the church's general conference.
The historic Mormon Temple grounds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on April 4, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah
No further information was given about the Summit temple's expected size, cost or timeline. But it would be part of a global building boom that would bring the total number of Mormon temples worldwide to 367, the church website says.
In his sermon at the Salt Lake City conference, Nelson said, "Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so." The "blessings" that come from the temple will help prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord, the 100-year-old leader added.
Among the other locations where Nelson promised expansion were Milan, Italy; Abuju, Nigeria, and Huntsville, Alabama.
About 35,000 Latter-day Saints live in New Jersey in over 60 congregations — including Emerson and Englewood, the website says. But until now, the closest temples have been in Manhattan and Philadelphia.
"It's astounding to think that a centenarian leader would have such an enormous impact. During his tenure, he's doubled the number of temples," said David Howlett, a religion professor at Smith College in Massachusetts and the author of several books on the Mormon religion.
The spate of new temples aren't directly linked to the church's demographics, Howlett said. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now at about 17 million members worldwide, has seen slow if steady growth in the U.S., while experiencing a greater surge in Africa. But the church is taking a longer view, he said.
"There are temples proposed for places that don't necessarily have large Mormon populations. It's a strategy for the future," Howlett said, adding that the temples are being built in locations where Nelson sees a potential for growth.
The plan is also based on Nelson's sincere belief that people in all the new locations deserve access to a temple, he said.
The building spree is "an enormous investment," Howlett said. But it's one that the church has the funds to cover, as the movement has successfully managed its investments, amassing a net worth of over $200 billion.
Temples that Nelson announced at a conference in 2022 seem to be moving along.
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Russell Nelson sings during the 185th Semiannual General Conference of the Mormon Church on Oct. 3, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Construction of a 20,000-square-foot facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is scheduled to begin within four months and is expected to take two to four years, officials there told local media. And the Las Vegas City Council unanimously voted in July to approve a 70,000-square-foot temple.
Mormon temples are different from Latter-day Saints churches, where members typically gather for Sunday services and the general public is welcome. Only the most devout members are permitted to enter the temples, which are typically large and lavish structures where marriages and other important ceremonies take place.
Mormons are known for their strong belief in family, their tight-knit congregations and their bans on alcohol, coffee and same-sex relationships. They are also famous — or infamous — for their baptisms on behalf of the deceased.
Although the church used to permit polygamy, the practice was officially banned by the group in the early 20th century.
Mormons believe that Christ's church was restored through Joseph Smith, who founded the faith with five associates in 1830 and published the Book of Mormon.
The primary purpose of the temple is for the faithful members of the church to receive peace, inspiration and spiritual power as they enter into sacred agreements, Nelson said in his announcement. "Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find him in the temple. You will feel his mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions," he advised followers.
The Mormons first preached as missionaries in New Jersey in 1832, the church website says. By 1848 there were 21 congregations in the state. Many Mormon converts in New Jersey later joined the movement's westward trek to avoid persecution, the church says.
Utah, Idaho and Wyoming have among the largest Mormon communities, by statewide percentage. New Jersey has the smallest, with less than 0.4% of the population in the church, the WorldAtlas website says.
By Deena Yellin
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church, announced plans recently for its first temple in New Jersey.
But the project proposed for Summit, in Union County, came as a surprise to local officials, who said they were never informed.
"At this time, the city has not received any information or plans for this project," Megan Trudell, a spokeswoman for Summit, said this week. "If any permits or applications are submitted for this project, they will be handled in the same manner as any other application submitted to the city."
Russell Nelson, the Latter-day Saints president, who is considered to be a prophet by his followers in the Salt Lake City-based church, announced plans last week to build 17 new temples around the world, including one in the Garden State. The news came during the church's general conference.
The historic Mormon Temple grounds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on April 4, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah
No further information was given about the Summit temple's expected size, cost or timeline. But it would be part of a global building boom that would bring the total number of Mormon temples worldwide to 367, the church website says.
In his sermon at the Salt Lake City conference, Nelson said, "Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so." The "blessings" that come from the temple will help prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord, the 100-year-old leader added.
Among the other locations where Nelson promised expansion were Milan, Italy; Abuju, Nigeria, and Huntsville, Alabama.
Why put a Mormon temple in NJ?
About 35,000 Latter-day Saints live in New Jersey in over 60 congregations — including Emerson and Englewood, the website says. But until now, the closest temples have been in Manhattan and Philadelphia.
"It's astounding to think that a centenarian leader would have such an enormous impact. During his tenure, he's doubled the number of temples," said David Howlett, a religion professor at Smith College in Massachusetts and the author of several books on the Mormon religion.
The spate of new temples aren't directly linked to the church's demographics, Howlett said. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now at about 17 million members worldwide, has seen slow if steady growth in the U.S., while experiencing a greater surge in Africa. But the church is taking a longer view, he said.
"There are temples proposed for places that don't necessarily have large Mormon populations. It's a strategy for the future," Howlett said, adding that the temples are being built in locations where Nelson sees a potential for growth.
The plan is also based on Nelson's sincere belief that people in all the new locations deserve access to a temple, he said.
The building spree is "an enormous investment," Howlett said. But it's one that the church has the funds to cover, as the movement has successfully managed its investments, amassing a net worth of over $200 billion.
Temples that Nelson announced at a conference in 2022 seem to be moving along.
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Russell Nelson sings during the 185th Semiannual General Conference of the Mormon Church on Oct. 3, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Building spree
Construction of a 20,000-square-foot facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is scheduled to begin within four months and is expected to take two to four years, officials there told local media. And the Las Vegas City Council unanimously voted in July to approve a 70,000-square-foot temple.
Mormon temples are different from Latter-day Saints churches, where members typically gather for Sunday services and the general public is welcome. Only the most devout members are permitted to enter the temples, which are typically large and lavish structures where marriages and other important ceremonies take place.
Mormons are known for their strong belief in family, their tight-knit congregations and their bans on alcohol, coffee and same-sex relationships. They are also famous — or infamous — for their baptisms on behalf of the deceased.
Although the church used to permit polygamy, the practice was officially banned by the group in the early 20th century.
How did the Mormon Church start?
Mormons believe that Christ's church was restored through Joseph Smith, who founded the faith with five associates in 1830 and published the Book of Mormon.
The primary purpose of the temple is for the faithful members of the church to receive peace, inspiration and spiritual power as they enter into sacred agreements, Nelson said in his announcement. "Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find him in the temple. You will feel his mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions," he advised followers.
The Mormons first preached as missionaries in New Jersey in 1832, the church website says. By 1848 there were 21 congregations in the state. Many Mormon converts in New Jersey later joined the movement's westward trek to avoid persecution, the church says.
Utah, Idaho and Wyoming have among the largest Mormon communities, by statewide percentage. New Jersey has the smallest, with less than 0.4% of the population in the church, the WorldAtlas website says.
