Mormons Expect to Meet Temple Goal
The Mormon Church plans to meet, and perhaps exceed, its goal of building 100 temples by the end of the century, Apostle M. Russell Ballard told the church’s recent semiannual conference.
At the same meeting, the church’s president, Gordon B. Hinckley, condemned the practice of polygamy among schismatic groups.
“I wish to state categorically that this church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy,” Hinckley said. “Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this church.”
The church officially abandoned polygamy in 1890, but the practice continues among some groups in Utah, and a recent high-profile case there has rekindled debate on the subject.
Hinckley’s sermon also denounced homosexuality as a sinful violation of “God-sanctioned marriage.”
The Mormons now have 53 temples around the world. The major expansion program was announced in April by Hinckley. Most of the new temples will be smaller than previous structures.
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