LDS Church Announces Major Expansion with 55 New Missions and Temple Square Restructuring in 2026
Historic Missionary Expansion Reflects Global Growth
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the LDS Church, is experiencing significant organisational changes in 2026 as it continues its global expansion. The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is calling new mission presidents and their companions for 188 missions worldwide, including 55 newly created missions. This brings the total number of missions to 506 worldwide, marking one of the most substantial expansions in recent church history.
The creation of these new missions demonstrates the LDS Church’s growing presence across diverse geographical regions. In 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is creating 55 new missions, increasing the total to 506 worldwide. This expansion will lead to the establishment of mission headquarters in several countries, two U.S. states and one Canadian province for the first time. Countries receiving their first missions include Malawi, Senegal, Togo, Solomon Islands, and Greece, alongside new missions in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and U.S. states including Mississippi.
Temple Square Missionary Programme Restructured
In a significant operational shift, the LDS Church is transforming how missionaries serve at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is adjusting how sister missionaries serve at Temple Square to enhance the guest experience and increase missionary opportunities as the Church prepares for the anticipated Salt Lake Temple open house in 2027.
This transition is expected to be completed by July 2026 at which time the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission will be discontinued. However, sister missionaries will continue their important work at the iconic location. Sister missionaries will continue serving on Temple Square but will now be assigned to a surrounding mission, sharing their time between a teaching area and Temple Square. This approach mirrors successful models used at the 13 other temple visitors’ centres worldwide.
Continued Growth and Temple Dedications
The LDS Church’s expansion extends beyond missionary work to include temple construction and dedication. President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Burley Idaho Temple on Sunday, January 11, 2025 — his first temple dedication as Church president. Additional temple developments continue worldwide as part of the church’s ongoing building programme.
Significance for the Global Faith Community
These developments reflect the LDS Church’s commitment to expanding its reach whilst adapting its organisational structures to better serve members and visitors worldwide. The missionary expansion provides increased local presence in developing regions, whilst the Temple Square changes prepare the historic site for anticipated millions of visitors during the upcoming Salt Lake Temple celebration in 2027. For church members and observers alike, these changes signal continued institutional growth and evolving approaches to missionary work and community engagement in an increasingly connected world.