More Tributes to President Monson

Hello again, everyone! The Church News has released additional tribute articles to President Monson, including this one, which summarized the way Elder Andersen remembered President Monson during the Seminar for New MTC & Visitor's Center Directors, this one focusing on the power of the last address he gave in General Conference, and this one, containing more reflections from his daughter Ann M. Dibb about how, even as his body and mind were failing, he found joy in serving others.

It amazes me that even at a time when he recognized his physical and mental capabilities were diminishing, the principles of reaching out to rescue that characterized his life continued until he had completely worn himself out in so doing. And by that, I mean simply that while others in that situation might be more inclined to sit back and wait for death, the principles that characterized President Monson remained in force until he literally wore out his body and mind to the degree where he passed away.

How grateful I am that he did not suffer long. Just think about it: On May 23 of last year, the Church announced he was stepping back from active service, and while many of his predecessors had failing health for years, the expectations President Monson set for himself, to the very end of his life allowed him to truly wear out his life in the service of others for the final 7.5 months or so that he lived. What a legacy for us to follow in our own lives. He lived as such, he died as such, and he has now returned to the Master to whom he devoted his entire life.

Thanks for taking time to read this. 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.

Thousands Pay Respects to President Monson During His Public Viewing

Hello again, everyone! I am posting at this hour to provide a look at the stories that have been published regarding the turnout so far for the public viewing of Church President Thomas S. Monson. In that regard, I wanted to pass along this article (from the Church News website), this report (from Mormon Newsroom) and this summary (from KSL's website). As always, it appears that the viewing has been well attended, and that many Church members are willing to do whatever it takes to pay their personal tributes to this wonderful man and prophet of God.

In that regard, I hope that while my wife and I are stuck at home with illness, my coverage of this event here on this blog will serve as an adequate tribute to the memory of our dear prophet. The viewing continues for the next six hours or so Utah time, and then tomorrow, of course, is the scheduled funeral service for President Monson. You can count on my bringing a report of that day's events to you tomorrow as they occur. So stay tuned for that.

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.

Significant Updates Reported on All Temples Likely to Be Completed Before the End of This Year

Hello again, everyone! I am back as promised with some significant updates on the status of all three temples that are likely to be completed before the end of this year. Notice that I said "completed" and not "dedicated." While the first two (Concepcion Chile and Barranquilla Colombia) will definitively be dedicated prior to the end of 2018, work may be completed on the Rome Italy Temple as well before this year ends, but there is a more than likely possibility that the actual dedication of this temple will not occur until the early months of 2019. That said, as I have previously noted, I have tentatively offered my optimistic view that, all going well, the Rome temple could be dedicated in mid-December of this year. But if the finishing touches on that temple are delayed in their completion, that would push it back.

That said, let's move on to specifics about the updates that have been reported for each of these temples. While the installation of lamp posts continues for the Concepcion Chile Temple, in addition to the planting of trees on temple grounds, the process of interior finish work is entering its' final stages.

Meanwhile, for the Barranquilla Colombia Temple, the decorative fencing has been completely installed, and the attention has turned to pouring concrete walkways while cladding is underway on patron housing.

And for the Rome Italy Temple, landscaping and interior work has continued. I also wanted to note that this temple seems to be having progress reported consistently enough that it gives me hope the Church could dedicate it before the end of this year, but that will largely depend on if and how consistently it continues to progress.

These are the updates, which I have been pleased to bring to you tonight. 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.