Hello again, everyone! With the planned groundbreaking for the Belem Brazil Temple set for Saturday August 17 (15 days from now), I have been anxiously awaiting confirmation on the arrangements and the release of the artist's rendering. The wait is finally over. The First Presidency has today confirmed those arrangements, and released the rendering for that temple. From that released information, I cannot tell exactly how big the temple might be, but I imagine on the day of the groundbreaking, if not before, those specifics will be provided.
And barring anything unexpected, I would anticipate that construction of the temple will take between 2-3 years to complete. So I'd like to offer late 2021-early 2022 as a preliminary general estimate for that temple's completion. Based on what all we learn about the temple between now and that groundbreaking, or on the day of the groundbreaking itself, there may be a need to adjust that estimate. If that was the only temple news I had to share today, I'd be content enough therewith.
But there are a few other updates on additional temples which I wanted to share as well, so let's get right into those. At the Pocatello Idaho Temple, while the work of pouring the temple's foundation and footings continues, decorative concrete blocks have arrived on-site for the retaining walls around the temple. If the work on the Pocatello Idaho Temple continues at the same pace it has lately progressed, then I think it very likely that the temple's general completion estimate might be pushed up from late 2021-early 2022 to mid-to-late 2021. But time will tell.
In addition to these developments, early this morning, I was also advised that the Church had purchased land in Moses Lake Washington that may be used for the temple announced in that city by President Nelson last April. Of course, nothing is official in that respect until an announcement from the First Presidency confirms it, but it is an interesting tidbit. And given that a new stake center has been built to house the Okinawa Japan Stake, some speculation points to the idea that the land on which the former stake center sat could potentially be used for the temple in that city. But I have nothing more than speculation on that at this time,which is something someone else suggested, not my own idea.
Either way, if nothing else, I anticipate that at least 2 other temples might possibly also have a groundbreaking between now and the weekend of the October General Conference, but I have nothing more than my own theories in that respect at this time, and nothing more definitive for the moment. Rest assured, however, that I will continue to monitor all Church news and temple developments, and will do my best to pass word of those along to you all as I become aware of it.
That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such feedback is in compliance with the established guidelines. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added content, please feel free to subscribe. 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, August 2, 2019
BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Groundbreaking Ceremony Confirmed for the Belem Brazil Temple; Artist's Rendering Released
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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In addition to my life-long love for the subjects which I cover in the posts of this blog, I have long held the belief that we can disagree without becoming disagreeable. Differences of opinion are natural, while being disagreeable in expressing those differences is not. And in that sense, I have no desire to close the door on anyone who earnestly desires to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on subjects covered in the posts on this blog.
At the same time, however, I recognize that we live in a time when incivility, discourtesy, unkindness, and even cyber-bullying has regrettably become part of online interactions. With that in mind, while anyone who wishes can comment on anything if they choose to do so, I hereby reserve the right to immediately delete any comments which are critical, unkind, lack civility, or promote prodcuts, services, and values contrary to either the Church, or to the rules of online etiquette.
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Hello again, everyone! The latest edition of "This Week on Social" has been published by the Church News. This week, “This Week on Social” shared posts from the following Church leaders: Church President Russell M. Nelson; Acting President M. Russell Ballard and Elders Jeffrey R. Holland, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and Sister Becky Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency.
ReplyDeleteYou can find a summary of those posts at the following web address:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2019-08-02/this-week-on-social-president-nelson-heartbreak-50418
Meanwhile, the latest edition of “Latter-day Saints Around the World” featured stories from the following locations:
2 stories from the Philippines; Cambodia; Colombia; Mexico; Japan; Guatemala; and Indonesia. You can find the summaries of those stories (and particular links to each individual one) at the following web address:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/latter-day-saints-around-the-world-country-newsroom-websites-august-2-2019.
My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.
The Church News has also recently published an article that takes an in-depth look at what goes into preparing for, producing, and performing in the Hill Cumorah Pageant:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2019-08-02/hill-cumorah-pageant-book-of-mormon-christ-joseph-smith-50411
My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteJames:
ReplyDeleteHow are you?
It's very encouraging news that you share.
And to think that when I met the Church in 1990, in Santiago, Chile, it would have been impossible to imagine so many temples built and announced, or to have progress.
That is supposed to have brought temples closer so that the baptized can attend and do their genealogy and thereby strengthen their faith and testimony.
Although my thinking always has Chile in mind, and despite all the discontinued neighborhoods and stakes, that does not mean that more temples are missing for the farthest places.
It is a shame that there will be no Temples on Sundays in the afternoon, but I understand that it is because it is a Sabbath and family.
It catches my attention to see that there are some temples that do not carry the angel Moroni, it is a symbol of the Church, you know why it is not in all the temples?
A hug from Chile
Omar Valenzuela Escobar
Santiago de Chile
Hello, Omar, and thank you for taking time to comment. I am okay. I had one of my wisdom teeth removed on Tuesday, so I am in recovery from that. When President Nelson and all of the other living apostles were together in Rome Italy for the dedication of the temple in that city in March, President Nelson observed that the Church had only 19 operating temples in 1981. In conjunction with that statement, the Church News observed the significance that within the first year of President Nelson's prophetic administration, he had announced exactly as many new temples (19) as the total number of temples operating in 1981. By the end of this year, the total number of operating temples will have risen to 167. And that is primarily because Presidents Spencer W. Kimball and Gordon B. Hinckley were tempkle-building prophets who dramatically increased the number of operating temples during their administrations. With President Nelson having announced a total of 27 temples within his first 3 General Conferences as the Lord's prophet, he has already left quite a mark on the temple-building program of the Church, and there is still much more to come.
ReplyDeleteI have particularly heard that President Nelson is increasing the number of temples in a methodical and sensible way. I have mentioned before that the 8 new temples he announced in April of this year built slightly on the 7 temples he announced in April of 2018. So since he announced 12 temples last October, I have estimated he may announce 14-16 more in a couple of months during the October General Conference.
Previous Church Presidents have focused on getting as many members of the Church as possible to be within 200 miles of their assigned temple. If that continues to be a focus, there is much more to be done. But if the goal is halved (to 100 miles) or waurtered (to 50 miles), then there will be even more need for temples in many places in the near future.
James:
DeleteI'm glad you're better, how are you wife?
Thank you for such a clear explanation on the progress, construction and goals of the temples.
It is special to see that temples are being built closer and hopefully the baptized would understand it that way, attending and doing the ordinances for their ancestors.
In each general conference, what I most expect are the temple announcements.
Receive a hug from Chile
Hello, Omar. Thank you for taking time to comment, and for your expressions of concern for my wife and myself. Having the wisdom tooth extracted did help me feel a llitle better. But I am stil dealing with other health issues. I have headaches all day every day, and those have been particularly bad lately. And this time of year always brings struggles for me with my asthma and allergies.
DeleteBut no matter what I am dealing with, I am still in general much better off than my sweet wife. She still continues to deal with excessive fatigue, and that has limited her somewhat in what she is able to do every day. And the really frustrating thing for us in relation to her health is that none of her doctors seem to be able to figure out what is going on with her. Numerous tests have been run, and treatments have been attempted, none of which have been successful in any way. I really wish we were able to find more answers in regard to her health.
But speaking of our ongoing difficulties, that reminds me of something I may not have shared with you before, Omar. In July of 2015, the Ensign magazine published an article I had submitted to them in which I shared one of many lessons I have learned from my life-long health issues. If you are interested in reading that article, you can find it at the following web address:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/07/young-adults/christ-has-felt-my-pain?lang=eng
Again, thanks for your expressions of concern in our behalf. It has not been easy, but He never said it would be: He only said it would be worth it. And thankfully, our present ongoing difficulties have served to bring us closer to the Savior.
I am also glad to hear that my explanation about temple construction has proven to be helpful to you. I am glad to see that temple construction has picked up as much as it has. It took the Church 167 years to dedicate the first 50 temples of the Church. It took just over 3 more years for the Church to have 100 operating temples. And in 2016, the Church had 150 operating temples. As of October 2018, there were a total of over 200 temples in any phase. And I am glad to see the total number of temples increasing the way it has.
DeleteI too am grateful to see so many new temples being built. One of my biggest current regrets is that, because of the health issues my wife and I have continued to deal with, it has been quite a while since my wife and I have been able to attend the temple. I also look forward to General Conference every six months because of the anticipation that new temples may be announced. And given that President Nelson has announced 27 temples during his first 3 General Conferences as Church President, we are sure to also see more temples announced in General Conference in two months.
If President Nelson continues to announce temples the way he has, it may not be long before the Church has 300 temples in any phase. I look forward to seeing what's next in temple construction and announcements. In the meantime, Omar, my thanks again to you for taking time to comment.
James
DeleteI'm glad you're better and also, your wife, you always look very lively, happy and positive and that helps a lot.
It is an example to see how much you dedicate to delivering updated and truthful information, thanks for that.
I will read that message you mention about your story and I tell you.
It is wonderful to see how the work has progressed more over the years, especially the Temples.
Un abrazo
Omar Valenzuela E
Santiago de Chile
Omar, thank you for this additional comment. I learned very early in life that having a negative attitude or perspective won't improve what I'm dealing with: it will only make things worse. I have had a lifelong love for tracking important Church developments and temple updates, and am grateful to have this blog as a way to share such things with all who ware interested.
DeleteWe are living in unprecedented times when the Church is doing so much good, and where everything is starting to occur at a much swifter pace. And the best is yet to come, of that I am absolutely certain. In the meantime, Omar, thank you so much for taking time to comment.
I have also heard that part of President Nelson's intentions to visit 5 Latin American nations in 9 days between the end of this month and the beginning of August may be to scout out a few additional temple prospects. If that turns out to be the case, then perhaps some of the places he visits will have temples officially announced in General Conference in two months.
ReplyDeleteAnd we have seen him in between General Conferencees doing everything he can to clear the queue. Between October of last year and April of this year, the Church broke ground for 4 new temples. And between the April and October General Conferences of this year, the Church will have broken ground for at least 5 others. So temple construction continues to move forward, and I am grateful that we now have confirmation of the groundbreaking arrangements and artist's rendering for the Belem Brazil Temple.
I know that a lot of people would like the temple to be open on Sunday. I worked at the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple for just over 6 years. And during that time, when we would have a quarterly training, we were often able to come in on Sunday to do that training because no patrons would be there then. There will surely come a time in the future when the temples may need to be open around-the-clock, including on Sundays and on some holidays, but for the moment, it is good that the temples of the Church also have a day of rest on Sunday.
As to the last part of your comment, the reasons for why some temples do not have angel Moroni statues vary somewhat. In some parts of the world, political conditions do not allow the inclusion of such a statue. There are also some nations of the world where the citizens thereof are impoverished, so for the Church to have statues on temples in those places would send the wrong message in economic respects. And in still other nations, building code regulations do not allow statues. The following webpage has some temple trivia information, and there is a specific section on angel Moroni statues:
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/library/facts/
In the section on angel Moroni statues, there are 15 temples mentioned by name which do not have statues. And researching information via the internet on each of those temples may shed better light on your question of why some temples do not have them than what I have offered here. So I'd refer you to that information for specific details on your final question.
In the menatime, I thank you, Omar, as always, for taking time to comment here. I always appreciate hearing from you.
James:
ReplyDeleteThank you for making the motives so clear that Angel Moroni is not always in the Temples, even though it is only a hallmark of the place, what matters most is its interior, and what can be done for the living and for all of our ancestors
You were a temple worker for many years, congratulations, I always wanted to be, but it didn't happen, I know what it means to work there for the great work that is done.
I was referring to the open Sunday because it is a good Sabbath activity, I understand that there are more things to do, and that time is very scarce.
Years ago on Friday the temple was open late at night and I attended a session, that helped those who could not in the day, were followed and not missing.
A hug from Santiago de Chile
Omar, thank you for this additional comment as well. It is interesting to see how temples are designed. I am reminded of the account shared about the design and construction of the original Nauvoo Temple. The Prophet Joseph Smith told the architect working on the temple that he envisioned round windows for that temple. The architect tried to talk Brother Joseph out of that idea, saying it had not commonly been done.
DeleteBut the Prophet insisted that the vision the Lord had given him of that temple involved round windows. So the architect was sent to Europe to study buildings that had round windows, and he adapted the techinique used for those windows to create similar windows for the original Nauvoo Temple. And the architect indicated to Brother Joseph later on that he was glad the Prophet had convinced him on the subject of the windows.
I don't quite know what the process today is for choosing a design for temples, but I am reasonably confident that our prophets still have a lot of input in those designs. So I can definitely see the prophetic nature of some temple designs, especially for areas where building requirements differ, or where local conditions or styles are factored into temple designs. And I am grateful to see that process continuing today with the designs of temples that are currently being built or those that will soon begin construction.
Not only was I a temple worker for many years: my service in the temple actually led to my wife and me meeting and gett6ing married, and we continued to serve for quite a while both before and after we got married. I know that some of my most treasured memories of my service involved my opportunity to help future missionaries, soon-to-be-married couples, and foreign language patrons. Although I am only fluent in Engish and studied French for 3 years in High School, when my shift leaders needed assistance for foreign-language patrons, I became the go-to person to help with those patrons. And by the end of my temple service, I had received or prepared to receive patrons in 12 different languages. I do miss serving in the temple sometimes, but am grateful i have so many fond memories of my service there.
I know that the time may come in the future when some temples will need to be open on Sundays, and that there may also be times coming in the future when the temples will be open all day every day, since the scriptures about the Second Coming note that as one of the signs of the times, but I am not sure how soon those adjusted schedules may be needed. One thing I do know is that the Brethren have recommended involvement in family history efforts as a good temple-related Sabbath Day activity. And from what I have read and heard, it sounds as though more people are doing family history now than ever before. And that is wonderful.
I also know that different temples around the world have different opearating schedules. I worked two shifts at the temple for that six-year period: one was on Thursday afternoons, and the other was on Friday evenings and nights. I know that in some areas of the world, the hours of operation for temples may be more limited based on needs and circumstances. Thank you for sharing your additional experiences with attending the temple, and also for taking time to comment. I always appreciate hearing from you.