Stokes Sounds Off: 04/02/18

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Monday, April 2, 2018

Apology for Not Posting Latest Apostolic Statistics

Hello again, everyone! As some of you might recall, I indicated prior to General Conference that I would be waiting until General Conference Sunday to post an update on the latest apostolic statistics so that I could take the information about new apostles into account when getting that update done.

As you also probably know, I did not wind up following through on that promise. Things have been a little crazy lately, and with all of the General Conference developments that needed to be more of a priority to report on this blog, that never wound up occurring. I will do my level best to get that report up on this blog next Sunday.

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.

Yet Another Theory About the Layout of the General Women's Session Next October

Hello again, everyone! As most of you might recall, I have offered a couple of different theories over the last little while regarding how the layout of the Women's Session might change based on the fact that that sessi on will now be held two hours following the Saturday Afternoon Session of General Conference every October.

To recap those theories, I first offered my opinion that we might hear from a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during that session in addition to whichever member of the First Presidency was assigned to speak that night.

Then, I later offered my new theory that the Church president and one of his counselors (which would rotate) will be speaking during that session along with the auxiliary presidency members. That theory was based on another theory that the length of the Women's Session would be extended to 1 hour and 45 minutes, to match the length of the Priesthood Session. But we subsequently learned that the Priesthood Session was only scheduled to be 90 minutes in length, which, by extension, would be the length of the Women's Session as well.

But during this weekend's Priesthood Session, it wound up lasting around 2 hours, and if the same thing occurs in October, the Women's Session will wind up being half an hour longer than anticipated.

This brings me to the newest theory I have. Whether or not a member of the Quorum of the Twelve is asked to speak during that session (the jury is still out on that), I now believe that the Women's Session will involve addresses from all members of the First Presidency, which would match what has traditionally occurred for the Priesthood Session.

And that, in turn, would eliminate the need to find another time in one of the other sessions during which any members of the First Presidency that do not speak during the Women's Session could give an additional address (as the counselors in the First Presidency usually speak at least twice, while one of them also leads the Sustaining of Church leaders).

It will be interesting to see what happens in that regard. And whatever does occur, you can count on my reporting it here. 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.

Progress Reported on the Renovation Process for the Raleigh North Carolina Temple

Hello again, everyone! Either just prior to or during the General Conference weekend, I became aware of an update that has been provided on the renovation process for the Raleigh North Carolina Temple. The newest information I have found indicates that plywood panels are being attached to the temple's exterior.

While there have not been any other temple updates to report at this time. it is worth noting that, although it has not been confirmed, there is reason to believe that the exterior looks of both the Baton Rouge Louisiana and Asuncion Paraguay Temples will be the same as that for the Memphis Tennessee, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, and Raleigh North Carolina Temples.

As I have previously noted, it appears that all temples originally dedicated in the late 1990s-early 2000s have been and will be given the same overhaul in their exterior appearances. That said, if local styles dictate otherwise, that will be a factor into such changes in the future.

Whatever might occur in terms of ongoing temple developments, rest assured that I am keeping my eyes open for all such updates, and I will be sure to pass those along as I am able to going forward. 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.