Interesting wording in article about President Eyring minstering to Puerto Rican Saints

Hello, everyone! Though there have been several new Church news articles published today that are important and are very worthy of a blog post devoted to discussion and summary on this blog, because I have had quite a bit more health issues to battle in the last week, particularly in the last couple of days (nothing to be concerned about, just a bit more overwhelming than usual), my energy and ability to do such a post is lacking for now. I hope that changes tomorrow, and that today was just a product of my body not knowing how to react after a fairly good night's sleep (which followed several restless nights, on some of which I was not able to sleep at all). If that's all that has made today slightly more difficult than usual, then I should be back to normal tomorrow, especially if I am able to sleep well again.

Anyways, one thing I did want to note is that  an article about how President Eyring has been ministering to Puerto Rican Saints in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the wording of a sentence in the article indicated that President Eyring would play a "key role" during General Conference.

That could mean any number of things, especially in light of what I posted about a day or two ago, that President Monson would not be speaking at, or even attending, General Conference. Perhaps all that was meant by that interesting statement was that President Eyring would be the one presiding at all General Conference sessions, and that he would be recognized as doing so in every General Conference Session. As I noted almost six months ago, the Church News's summary article of General Conference last April had stated that President Eyring presided at 3 of the 6 General Conference sessions, even though that was not stated by the one conducting the session or subsequently in the Conference Summary provided in the May Ensign devoted to General Conference. If that happens, it would indeed constitute a "key role".

But it could also mean that, in the absence of President Monson, President Eyring, with his advice and consent, will either deliver a message in President Monson's behalf, or that he will be the one to make any announcements about temples and/or any new policies or practices of the Church.

Maybe this isn't something I should be analyzing or speculating about. After all, we will know one way or another what is meant by that statement in just over two weeks. In fact, we could have this question settled 48 hours from now. After all, the General Women's Session will be held at 6:00 PM MDT Saturday, and if, at the beginning of that session, the one conducting mentions that he is presiding, we will know that is probably what was meant. But I do think it could mean that President Eyring will be filling some responsibilities that have traditionally been taken care of by President Monson, which would include announcing any new temples or any new policies or practices of the Church.

I did want to mention another possibility that occurred to me. If my memory serves me correctly, sometime after the Manifesto and Revelation on the Priesthood were accepted, each of those documents were added to the next edition of the Doctrine & Covenants. I have often felt that the time would come when the Church will officially canonize "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and "The Living Christ--The Testimony of the Apostles". It could be that, since President Eyring will likely conduct the Sustaining of Church Officers" during General Conference, since he has led out in that every October since becoming President Monson's First Counselor, that something like that will be part of it.

I have given my thoughts on this. What do you all think about the interesting way that statement was worded? I look forward to hearing what you have to say, and, as always, I welcome anyone who would like to comment to do so. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time, and until my next post (which will hopefully be done tomorrow, and which may be the best opportunity to do that update on the latest Church news), I wish you all the best.

Minor Construction Update for the Durban South Africa Temple

Hello again, everyone! I am back, this time to provide a brief update that has been noted for the Durban South Africa Temple. I am figuring out how to word this for inclusion on my temple construction report, but wanted to share the latest with each of you right away.

While work continues on the baptistry and the temple utility components, the temple grounds are being backfilled, while the exterior of the temple is being waterproofed. In the meantime, the basement floor of the missionary housing facility is nearing completion, and work continues on all electrical and mechanical systems of the temple. Foam insulation continues to be added, piles are being sunk, and palm trees are going in throughout the temple grounds.

It was good to hear the progress that has been made on this temple. This is the first update we have had on this temple in the last month. I also continue to hope for additional temple news every day. Whatever happens on that front going forward, you can count on my sharing that with you as soon as I can after learning of it.

That does it for this update. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time, and until my next post, I wish you all the best.

Changes made to Church magazine editor/adviser

Hello, everyone! It took me quite a bit longer than I had hoped, but I finally was able to find the PDF version of the October 2017 Ensign, and in that magazine, changes were noted to the group of people that serve as editors & advisers to all four Church publications. Here is a complete list of those who were listed as serving when the September magazines were published, the list of those who will oversee magazine publications going forward, and a list of what has changed. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts. In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord be with and bless each one of you until my next post. Until that time, I wish you all the best.

September 2017:

Editor: Joseph W. Sitati

Assistant Editors: Randall K. Bennett, Carol F. McConkie

Advisers: Brian K. Ashton, Bonnie H. Cordon, Legrand R. Curtis Jr, Sharon Eubank, Christoffel Golden, Douglas D. Holmes, Erich W. Kopschke, Larry R. Lawrence

October 2017

Editor: Hugo E. Martinez

Assistant Editors: Randall K. Bennett, Carol F. McConkie

Advisers: Brian K. Ashton, Bonnie H. Cordon, Legrand R. Curtis Jr., Edward Dube, Sharon Eubank, Donald L. Hallstrom, Douglas D. Holmes, Erich W. Kopischke

Released as Editor: Joseph W. Sitati

Called as Editor: Hugo E. Martinez

Released as advisers: Chistoffel Golden, Larry R. Lawrence

Called as advisers: Edward Dube, Donald L. Hallstrom

NOTE: As previously noted, Elder Golden was released due to his new assignment serving in an area presidency, and it is anticipated that Elder Lawrence will be released and granted emeritus status during the next General Conference. It was also previously noted that Elders Dube and Hallstrom were serving at Church headquarters, though Elder Dube's assignment(s) had been unknown. It is good to at least have this information about one assignment he is filling.