Conglomoration of Church news

The Church News this weekend ran an article about Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, newly called in April as the Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency. It was very good to read that article. Click here to read that article. I was especially anxious to read about her because she is the daughter of Elder Harold G. Hillam, who at one time served as a General Authority Seventy.

Another reason I had for wanting to get to know a bit more than I do about Sister Cordon is that, if my calculations are correct, she will be the featured speaking representative of the new Primary General Presidency at the General Women's Session of October General Conference. I suppose there is a possibility that they might just have the three female auxiliary presidents speak at the Women's Session because they haven't spoken together in that meeting since the first one was held in April 2014.

Of the two scenarios, though, I think I will stick with my prediction that Sister Cordon will be the only representative of the Primary to speak at the General Women's Meeting, since it is more than likely that the new Primary General President, Joy D. Jones, will be asked to give her first talk during General Conference during either the Saturday or Sunday Morning Sessions of the October General Conference.

In other news, Francis M. Gibbons, who served for 16 years as secretary to the First Presidency during the tenures of the presidencies of Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball and (for a few months) Ezra Taft Benson, and then served as a general authority seventy for , died in his sleep at the age of 95.

One interesting thing I learned from reading Brother Gibbons' obituary was that after his release as a general authority (he was only released during his lifetime, though the article now describes him as an emeritus General Authority Seventy), he served as patriarch at large to the Church, and in this capacity, he particularly gave patriarchal blessings at Church headquarters to those individuals who lived outside the boundaries of any stakes.

To read an overview of this remarkable man's life, please click here.

In the meantime, Francis M. Gibbons, who served for 16 years as secretary to the First Presidency during the tenures of the presidencies of Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball and (for a few months) Ezra Taft Benson, and then served as a general authority seventy for , died in his sleep at the age of 95.

One interesting thing I learned from reading Brother Gibbons' obituary was that after his release as a general authority (he was only released during his lifetime, though the article now describes him as an emeritus General Authority Seventy), he served as patriarch at large to the Church, and in this capacity, he particularly gave patriarchal blessings at Church headquarters to those individuals who lived outside the boundaries of any stakes.

To read an overview of this remarkable man's life, please click here.

In the meantime, during their recent tour of Europe, the Tabernacle Choir recreated the 1955 photo of a tour the choir took in Europe. It was great to read about that experience. For the full story, click here.

Steven W. Owen, Young Men General President, recently spoke to Boy Scouts and their leaders at a yearly retreat. For an account of what transpired there, please click here.

Elder Patrick Kearon, who serves as president of the Church's Europe Area, issued a statement recently expressing condolences and support to and urged others to pray for all those affected by the French cargo truck tragedy. To read what he said, click here.

The Church recently  updated the Spanish version of the scriptures to fix translation errors and to implement changes made to English scriptures and incorporate them into the Spanish standard works. To read about what was done with that translation, please click here. Thanks to you all for your interest and support.

And finally, Devin G. Durrant, First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, spoke to BYU graduates and their families this week on the importance of listening to the right voice. For a full account of his remarks, click here.

Thanks to you all for your readership and interest.