2 New Mormon Temples Planned as Rituals Rise

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will build two more temples in Utah to accommodate an increasing number of members practicing the church’s most sacred rituals.

Members performed a record 32 million temple ceremonies in 2004, church President Gordon B. Hinckley said during the opening session of the faith’s 175th semiannual general conference.

The Mormon church has 122 temples in 37 countries around the world. Of those, 72 have been built in 21 countries during the 10 years that Hinckley has been at the helm of the church.