Announcement
The Oslo Norway Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson during the April 2021 General Conference on April 4, 2021. It will become the first temple in Norway, marking a historic milestone for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the country. Norway is home to approximately 5,000 Church members organized into two stakes, with missionary work dating back to 1851, just one year after the Book of Mormon was first translated into Danish.
For generations, Norwegian Latter-day Saints have traveled to temples in neighboring countries such as Stockholm, Sweden, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Helsinki, Finland. Having a temple in Norway will make temple worship significantly more accessible for members throughout the country.
Current Status
The Oslo Norway Temple is currently in the planning and approval phase.
On May 1, 2023, the Church announced the temple site at the intersection of Smedsvingen and Ravnsborgveien in Hvalstad, just southwest of Oslo. The temple will be built on an 8-acre (3.2-hectare) property and will be a single-story building of approximately 10,800 square feet (1,003 square meters). Plans also include patron housing and arrival facilities. The official exterior rendering was released the same day.
Throughout 2025, the project has continued moving through Norway's local planning and approval process. Public information meetings have been held with neighboring residents, public hearings have taken place, and archaeological investigations have been scheduled as part of the development process. No groundbreaking date has yet been announced.
What to Watch for Next
The next major milestone will be the announcement of the temple's groundbreaking ceremony. Once approvals are complete, construction will begin with site preparation and foundation work, followed by the structural framework, exterior finishes, interior construction, landscaping, and eventually the announcement of public open house and temple dedication dates.
Nearest Operating Temple
Until the Oslo Norway Temple is completed, members in Norway generally attend the Stockholm Sweden Temple, Copenhagen Denmark Temple, or Helsinki Finland Temple, depending on where they live. Once dedicated, the Oslo Temple will eliminate the need for many members to travel internationally for temple worship and will become a spiritual center for Latter-day Saints throughout Norway.
Final Thoughts
The Oslo Norway Temple represents a historic milestone for The Church of Jesus Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scandinavia. As Norway's first temple, it reflects nearly two centuries of Church history in the country and the faith of generations of Norwegian Saints. While the project remains in the planning phase, the release of the temple rendering and continued progress through the approval process bring the day closer when sacred temple blessings will be available within Norway for the very first time.
Scott & Riah
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