In this time of economic meltdown, is this the time to be building new temples? Shouldn't the church take its own advice and hang onto that money, just in case?

Why wouldn't it be good to build, lower prices, and people wanting work it's a win win!

I don't it is the money that is important. During the time of Joseph Smith the Lord commanded him to build temples. One in Kirtland and one in Nauvoo, even though they were run out of town. I am sure at that time they didn't have any more money than they do now. The importance is that we obey the commandments, which includes following the prophet. I am sure the Church does not annouce that which they cannot provide. In the end I feel this will help those that are economicslly strapped. With temples near by, members can attend much more easily. Saving on gas, hotels, food, etc..

This is truly a blessing.

Until the last 15 years, the temples were never built in a time of outright prosperity. Members felt they needed the blessings more than the money.

Members in Italy today have to travel to Bern, Switzerland to visit their closest temple. For members in Milano (closest stake) that takes at least 4 hours (no traffic)and crossing of the Alps. Gotthard tunnel traffic is sometimes another 2 hour wait.

For members in Rome or further south the trip to Bern is at least 8 hours drive. It will be financially much easier for these peopel to attend with a temple in Rome.

these beautiful temples make me proud to be a member of the church. Most every building the church builds is done in a way to improve the beauty of the community as well as perform the purpose of why it was built. It has been my experience that the church's temples are less expensive to build than the large cathedrals that other churchs build. I heard Pres Hinckley say that we have really developed a skill where we can build our buildings to portray beauty but to also do it so they are very cost effective.

I'm thrilled about the new temples in all areas, especially Cordoba, Argentina. I served there as a missionary and my father opened Cordoba as a missionary in the 1930's. The Argentine members will make any sacrifices necessary to bring a temple to their area. And,to Elizabeth, anytime is the right time for temples, as the Lord always provides a way.

Since when is economic times a consideration for building temples? This is the Lord's work, not Thomas S. Monson's. The temples will be built on the Lord's timetable, not according to man's economic timetable. Besides, all the earth is the Lord's. He certainly can come up with the resources necessary to build as many temples as He wants at anytime.

Economic are a factor. Stop the lavish buildings and give the extra cash to the poor. Oh buy the way if you put a walmart next to the temple it would be a win win. I dot think god need to be worshiped in lavishness just a repectful building but not so gaudy and over the top; just look how jesus lived and that would give us a clue. Help the needy and unfortunate not just ourselves in trying to rationalize a perfect place of worship and the expense that goes along with it.

One, I really don't think the temples are lavish. Not compared to some of the homes and hotels I've seen. Well-built with quality materials, yes. Lavish, I don't agree.

Two, you can give a man a fish and get him through the day. But the one and only solution to poverty is teaching gospel principles. It has changed my life and I believe it can help anyone.

As Jesus said, "the poor will always be with us." Sometimes, it's just their cross to bear at that time in their lives (I've been poor). Other times, it is a result of a pattern of bad decision making.

I think the church is very generous with the poor. So much so that outside of Utah (where I live), we've become an easy mark for those who work harder at scamming money than just going out and getting a job.

Temple construction is vastly outpacing membership growth, which tells me that we are getting lazy.

Real growth can only be measured by the net gain in new stakes, not by counting new temples.

The illusion of growth created by new temples only makes it so we don't have to travel as far. Its about convenience.

How about we do both?? Help the poor and build a place to worship. I also feel anxious about the need to do more for the poor and find it helpful to just go out and do something - get involved and then I feel better.

In these troubled times we need Temples near the people more than ever.They are Houses of the Lord and need to be fitting places for His prescence.They are oasis of peace in a dangerous world, they are worth the sacrifice.

My husband and I are seniors. We have served four missions together but can no longer do so. Instead, we stay at home (a Canadian temple city) and serve the living and the dead in the temple here. We see young couples gain the strength to go on, to endure in the difficult calling to raise their families in these troubled times. We see older people serve with joy, when their contemporaries out of the church often have nothing to do but watch TV all day. We rejoice that the Lord has decided to extend these blessings to even more of his children. These wonderful temples bring life, eternal hope, and peace into the lives of all who enter--or those who just walk in the beautiful grounds. We are so grateful for this tender mercy of the Lord in our city, and are thrilled that it will be available to others in the world.

I think many of the comments are missing the point. We need temples to perform ordinances for our ancestors and with more temples thousands more people, living and dead are able to receive these ordinances. There are still many more ordinances to be performed in our temples and it's such a privilege to be able to participate in this great work.

Dean wants a Walmart next to the temple -- wants the church to help the poor. Dean needs to take homeless people into his own home and feed them for months on end (I've done it -- for years on end). Then he'd get a clue about poverty, its causes and its cures. You don't help people by giving them stuff. You help them by raising their vision and self worth. And nothing contributes more to that than what they learn by worthily entering the House of the Lord and partaking of the knowledge proffered there.

Taking temples closer to the people helps those in lesser circumstance obtain the blessings people in "Zion" can get by driving a few minutes without traveling for days at great sacrifice. The value of what they gain there far exceeds the value of termporal help they might gain if they were given goods instead. The cost of temples per person helped is peanuts by comparison, but the benefits are beyond measure.

Recently our high Council speaker reminded us of President Hinkley's comments 10 years ago about getting our financial house in order because bad times are coming. How many listened?

Then he said how many listen to the prophet and say "yes I believe HOWEVER" and others say "yes I belive "THERFORE".

Now the Prophet has said we need to build 5 more temples. Are we going to say "I hear HOWEVER under the financial conditions today we should not spend all this money" or "I hear THEREFORE I believes the Prophet and sustain him as I voted at the last conference."

If you are so concerned about the poor then increase your fast offerings, As President Kimble said "If you have the means pay 10 times your normal fast offerings".

How many give to the humaniarian fund?

Don't you understand the Temples are built by tithing and not by fast or humanitarian funds. As for me and my family we will follow the Prophet.