Dubai United Arab Emirates Temple Wiki

On April 5, 2020, at the 190th Annual General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct the Dubai United Arab Emirates Temple—the first temple in the Middle East. Since the country’s founding in 1971, it has exercised exemplary tolerance and religious tolerance. “The plan for a temple in Dubai comes in response to their gracious invitation, which we gratefully acknowledge,” said President Nelson. The temple comes in answer to many prayers. It will serve the members of two stakes in the Gulf States and of smaller congregations located throughout a vast region including parts of the Middle East, Northern Africa, Eastern Europe, and Western Asia.^[1]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Prophet Announces Eight New Temples at General Conference,” 5 Apr. 2020.

Elder David A. Bednar, who oversees Church affairs in the Middle East Africa North Area said: “We are grateful to the government officials of the United Arab Emirates who have welcomed us so warmly into their country.” Commenting on the singularity of the announcement, he added: “Only the Spirit of the Lord could have brought about such a mighty miracle. The presence of a temple in Dubai will be a great blessing in the lives of our Church members.”^[2]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Church Announces Plans to Construct a Temple in United Arab Emirates,” 5 Apr. 2020.