Shanghai People’s Republic of China Temple Temple Wiki

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Quick Facts

ANNOUNCED
5 April 2020

ANNOUNCED BY
President Russell M. Nelson

GROUNDBREAKING
TBA

GROUNDBREAKING PRESIDED BY
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DEDICATED
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DEDICATED BY
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DEDICATION ORDER
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LOCATION
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PHONE
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Additional Facts

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Description

History

Announcement

President Russell M. Nelson’s feelings were tender when he announced plans for the first temple in the Chinese Mainland on April 5, 2020. He said: “For more than two decades, temple-worthy members in the People’s Republic of China have attended the Hong Kong China Temple. But in July 2019, that temple was closed for long-planned and much-needed renovation. In Shanghai, a modest multipurpose meeting place will provide a way for Chinese members to continue to participate in ordinances of the temple—in the People’s Republic of China—for them and their ancestors.” The legal status of the Church in China requires expatriate and Chinese congregations to meet separately. As such, attendance at the Shanghai People’s Republic of China Temple will be limited to Chinese members who hold a valid recommend. President Nelson explained: “In an initial phase of facility use, entry will be by appointment only. The Shanghai Temple will not be a temple for tourists from other countries.”[1]“Prophet Announces Six New Temples at October 2020 General Conference.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 4 Oct. 2020, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2020-general-conference-temples.

The Shanghai People’s Republic of China Temple will be the first temple built in Mainland China and the second built in China, following the Hong Kong China Temple (1996).

The announcement comes as China continues to clamp down on religious freedom, and it shows the Chinese administration the support they enjoy, said Ying Fuk-tsang, an expert on Chinese Christians.

“As the Mormons have established good relations with the Chinese government, the announcement is by no means is an ill-considered move,” said Ying, director of the divinity school at the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Ying said that, according to existing laws, foreigners can still set up places for religious activities in China as long as they are approved by the Chinese government.[2]“Diplomacy seen in Mormons’ first temple in China.” Union of Catholic Asia News, 17 Apr. 2020, www.ucanews.com/news/diplomacy-seen-in-mormons-first-temple-in-china/87744. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

ANNOUNCED ORDER
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Date2020 04 05
ByRussell M. Nelson
RolePresident
ViaGeneral Conference

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Controversy

Within days of President Nelson’s announcement, the Shanghai Municipal Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau made multiple statements suggesting the project was not happening.

“Foreigners are not allowed to establish religious organizations or areas of religious activity within China’s borders” and “the news that the American Mormon Church announced that it is building a temple came only from the American side.” Later, the Shanghai organization repeated the statement about foreigners, insisting it “knew nothing about [the American Mormon Church … building a so-called ‘temple’ in Shanghai].” and then added the statement “wishful thinking, not based in reality,” according to an independent translation. Neither statement, however, indicates that the temple can’t or won’t be built.[3]“Plans for an LDS Temple in Shanghai May Have Hit an Obstacle.” The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Apr. 2020, www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/04/29/plans-an-lds-temple.

Regardless of the current outcome, history indicates that the Church has the patience to get the result it seeks. Responding to a question of when China would be open to missionaries in 1991, Elder Dallin Oaks said that “I state my belief that China is already ‘open’ – it is we who are closed … We must understand their way of thinking … observe their laws, and follow their example of patience.”[4]Griffiths, James. “This US church with expansion in its DNA wants to open a temple in China.” CNN, 10 June 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/06/06/asia/mormon-church-latter-day-saints-china-intl-hnk/index.html. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

A clarifying statement on the Church’s Chinese language website at the time indicated that the building would be more “like a clubhouse” to which only qualified members would have access. Such a design would likely make it possible for the facility to be up and running with little to no public notice or fanfare, and without drawing anger from local authorities.[5]“Diplomacy seen in Mormons’ first temple in China.” Union of Catholic Asia News, 17 Apr. 2020, www.ucanews.com/news/diplomacy-seen-in-mormons-first-temple-in-china/87744. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Details

Region

TEMPLES IN ASIA by country

Cambodia1Phnom Penh
China2Hong Kong · Shanghai
India1Bengaluru
Indonesia1Jakarta
Japan4Fukuoka · Okinawa · Osaka · Sapporo · Tokyo
Mongolia1Ulaanbaatar
Philippines14Alabang · Bacolod · Cagayan de Oro · Cebu City · Davao · Iloilo · Laoag · Manila · Naga · San Jose del Monte · Santiago · Tacloban City · Tuguegarao City · Urdaneta
Singapore1Singapore
South Korea1Seoul · Busan
Taiwan2Kaohsiung · Taipei
Thailand1Bangkok

Sources and Citations

References

References
↑1 “Prophet Announces Six New Temples at October 2020 General Conference.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org, 4 Oct. 2020, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2020-general-conference-temples.
↑2, ↑5 “Diplomacy seen in Mormons’ first temple in China.” Union of Catholic Asia News, 17 Apr. 2020, www.ucanews.com/news/diplomacy-seen-in-mormons-first-temple-in-china/87744. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.
↑3 “Plans for an LDS Temple in Shanghai May Have Hit an Obstacle.” The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Apr. 2020, www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/04/29/plans-an-lds-temple.
↑4 Griffiths, James. “This US church with expansion in its DNA wants to open a temple in China.” CNN, 10 June 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/06/06/asia/mormon-church-latter-day-saints-china-intl-hnk/index.html. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Last updated on: 10 October 2024