Hello again, everyone! I am coming to you in the early morning hours of April 20 in order to briefly pass along additional Church News articles that have been published within the last 24 hours and are well worth reading. Let's dive right in and talk about those.
First of all, with all else that has gone on, I hadn't realized that the privately-scheduled rededication for the Houston Texas Temple by President M. Russell Ballard will be occurring this upcoming Sunday. This article was released in advance of that event.
Next, the Church News ran a comparison between London England and Nairobi Kenya, describing how their differences and similarities played into the significance of President Nelson visiting both cities this last week.
The Church News also continues its' series of articles about those who were called to leadership positions during General Conference earlier this month. In introducing Elder Steven R. Bangerter, an article described how his personal and professional interactions with people of other faiths has uniquely prepared him for his service as a General Authority who will be given assignments to minister in various areas of the world to people of this and other faiths.
From Sarah Jane Weaver, who is now the editor of the Church News, comes an article highlighting the international ministry of presidents of the Church.Another article shares information about a new website which will allow prospective senior missionaries a more effective way to find assignments that match their unique circumstances and needs.
For any of my readers who may be working with the young men in your wards and stakes, the Church News shared some insights into how the Church's newly reemphasized focus on ministering can be effectively implemented for the teacher- and priest-age young men who are assigned to minister alongside their Melchizedek Priesthood counterparts.
And finally, Sarah Jane Weaver brings us another article highlighting President Nelson's ministry among Church members in India. The article not only highlights the story I shared earlier about how President Nelson wound up announcing a temple for Bengaluru and his announced hope of being able to come back to India and preside over dedicatory services for that temple (which I fully believe the Lord will honor), but also shared some comments from Sister Nelson.
Sister Nelson noted that, since her husband was ordained and set apart as Church President in January, the man she greets at the end of each work day is not the same man who bid her goodbye that morning, and that she has seen years literally fall off of him as he has been out on this tour, mingling with and addressing Church members. She particularly stated that during those addresses, he appeared as vigorous as if he were 63 or 73, and not 93.
With that in mind, while the length of President Nelson's life is up to the Lord, it will not in any way surprise me if President Nelson is still living and actively leading the Church six years from now, at which time President Nelson will be 3 months and 2 weeks or so short of marking his 100th birthday. In so saying, I recognize that President Monson had expressed a wish to dedicate the Star Valley Wyoming Temple, since "there's good fishing up there", and by the time of its' dedication, he was in declining health.
The Lord knows the times and seasons of His prophets, and when their tenures end is entirely in His hands. That said, with the comments I have heard from others, and with what I have observed in reports of his ministry, I will say that President Nelson's career as a heart surgeon has likely helped him figure out what to do to remain healthy and vigorous, and when we add that to the sustaining influence with which the Lord blesses His prophet, however long President Nelson lives, I am sure he will be as active as he can be for as long as he is able to do so.
The one other comment I would like to make on this article is something Elder Holland said that, to me, demonstrates the gift of seership is active in the Quorum of the Twelve as well. The article quotes Elder Holland as saying to the Saints in India: "You can't imagine what is going to happen in India: Your loftiest dreams will be painfully shortsighted."
I have heard from a few sources that President Nelson's choice of President Oaks as a counselor in the First Presidency and of Elder Holland as the apostolic companion for this world tour may be his way of giving these Brethren who may one day be Church president themselves experiences that will uniquely prepare them, and I concur with that assessment.
I hope that these thoughts and article links have been helpful to some of you. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
Friday, April 20, 2018
Miscellaneous Church News Items
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
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