Hello again, everyone! As I have mentioned several different times in the recent past, when time and circumstances have allowed me to do so, I have continued to make an effort to research how best to improve the appearance, layout, and feel of this blog. Based on some of the things I have recently read online about how to do that, I have attempted a few different adjustments and fixes. Among them has been consolidating the amount of space on a screen is taken up by my blog. With the newest adjustments, none of you will have to scroll left or right on your screens to see the entire layout, which is now more compact.
In addition, I have updated the mission statement for this blog as found underneath the title thereof. I believe the tweaks better reflect my intentions, desires, focus, and purposes for which I determined the more specific focus should encompass shortly after starting the blog. Because my main goal has always been to create the best possible atmosphere in which any of you can feel free to express your thoughts to others and to myself about the content posted here or any other topic of interest in the Church, I have felt these latest adjustments are appropriate. But as always, if any of you find that anything in the layout, appearance, and overall accessibility for this blog is lacking in any respect, I hope in such cases each individual would let me know about that.
I have always felt that if what I present here and the way in which I present it is not working for everyone who visits, either occassionally, for the first time, or with regularity, then I am failing in my efforts to bring such news to you all in the very best, most effective, and inspiring manner, which I want to be very careful about. After all, I cannot continue to do what I do here on this blog without the continued interest and support of all my readers, especially those who take any time to comment in any respect. So I need your continued help and support to enable me to effectively do what I mean to do here. My hope is that as we continue to work together here in exchanging ideas on the many "great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God" which He "has revelead, that he does now reveal, and [all that] he will yet reveal" that these continued adjustments may serve my readers well in those ongoing exchanges.
For my part, I continue to monitor all major Church news developments and temple updates, and will do my level best to bring word of those to you all here as I become aware of such things. 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 comments are made in accordance 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.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Blog Fixes Attempted
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.
24 comments:
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.
I'd also like to remind all who comment here that I try to respond personally to each individual comment as I feel is appropriate. Such replies are not meant to end the conversation, but to acknowledge earnest feedback as it is submitted.
And in order to better preserve the spirit and pure intentions for which this blog was established, I also hereby request that anyone not commenting with a regular user name (particularly those whose comments appear under the "Unknown" or "Anonymous" monikers, give the rest of us a name to work with in addressing any replies. If such individuals do not wish to disclose their actual given names, a pseudonym or nickname would suffice.
Any comments made by individuals who opt to not give a name by which they can ber identified may, depending on the substance and tone of such comments, be subject to deletion as well. I would respectfully ask that all of us do all we can to keep the dialogue positive, polite, and without malice or ill-will. May the Lord bless us all in our discussion of these important matters.
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Hello again, everyone! You can review my coverage of the reports about the Frankfurt Germany Temple rededication in the thread previous to this one. In the interim, the Church's official Newsroom has provided another report on the apostolic ministry of President M. Russell Ballard and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to states in the North America Southeast Area, which included (as first relayed on the Church Growth Blog by a member in the area who attended) an impassioned plea from President Ballard for Latter-day Saints throughout the United States to pray for the welfare of this nation:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-ballard-concludes-ministry-in-new-england
My thanks once again to you all.
And here is a Church News article covering the same devotional:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2019-10-21/pray-for-the-united-states-its-leaders-and-its-family-president-ballard-pleads-164797
My thanks again to you all.
FYI, That should say the North America Northeast Area.
ReplyDeletetwinnumerouno, you are correct. Thanks for catching that. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
DeleteAnd Presiding Bishop Gerald Causse traveled to Arizona this weekend where he dedicated the newly-completed Gilbert Arizona Welfare and Self-Reliance Facility:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2019-10-21/gilbert-arizona-bishop-causse-family-services-164791
My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.
Meanwhile, a new chart reflecting changes in General Authorities and General Officers of the Church has also been published by the Church News:
ReplyDeleteOnce again, my thanks to you all.
Just now realized I forgot to share the web address for the relevant article:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2019-10-21/general-conference-october-2019-general-authority-seventies-164863
And the PDF copy of the actual chart can be found at the following web address:
https://media.thechurchnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/21143041/GAChart10-19.pdf
Once again, my thanks to you all.
Hello again, everyone! I am back again now to share a few more reports from both the Newsroom and the Church News website. First of all, sad news today regarding the passing of another missionary. The elder in question was nearing the final months of his service. He is from Kinshasa, but was serving in the Mbuji-Mayi mission. You can find more information on this through the following Newsroom and CHurch News articles:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/missionary-passes-away-democratic-republic-congo
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-10-22/missionary-death-democratic-republic-congol-lds-164945
Additionally, members of the Young Men and Young Women General Presidencies sat down with the Church News recently to talk about what Churchwide youth around the world can expect when the minor changes to their curriculum go into effect next year (which was, as previously noted on this blog, a minor adjustment originally announced by Young Men General President Stephen W. Owen during the most recent General Conference):
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-10-22/missionary-death-democratic-republic-congol-lds-164945
As always, my thanks again to you all.
Sorry. Apparently, in my last comment, I erroneously duplicated the web address for the Church News story on the missionary death instead of including the web address for the article about the Young Men and Young Women General Presidencies' insights about the changes to the youth curriculum. The correct web address follows:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-10-22/tabernacle-christmas-concert-guest-artist-tickets-164293
And the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square has noted initial ticket and broadcast information for their 2019 Christmas Concert. They also noted that Choir leadership will be announcing the special guest artist for that concert just after 9:00 AM on Friday, with the announcement coming on KSL radio. For more details, see the following article:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-10-22/tabernacle-christmas-concert-guest-artist-tickets-164293
My thanks once again to you all.
You duplicated the concert ticket webpage rather than provide the General YM/YW link. Here it is: https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-10-22/come-follow-me-youth-2020-164277
DeleteA couple pieces of information from the article: the 2020 curriculum for Individuals ave Families and Sunday School, along with the 2020 Curriculum Instructions are now available on the Gospel Library app. The YM/YW curriculum will become available each quarter.
Deletecoachodeeps, thank you for taking time to make both of these comments. I believe that I notedthe mistake to which you referred in a self-reply I posted at 3:21 PM just above your first comment in this sub-thread, which was posted at 9:55 PM, but I appreciate you making sure I knew about the mistake.
DeleteYou are also correct in what you reported about the content of the article. The information about the altered youth curriculum was detailed by Young Men General President Stephen W. Owen during his Saturday Morning Session address from this last General Conference, and anyone interested in my analysis about that blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment can read it at the following web address:
https://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com/2019/10/slight-adjustment-made-to-aaronic.html
I had noted in the article that the lesson material for youth as outlined by Brother Owen in that talk would be made available quarterly (as stated in that article), but I had not been aware that the 2020 curriculum materials were now available on the Gospel Library app. But the fact that they are makes sense, since individual units will soon be distributing the manuals for next year to all who need a copy. I appreciate the information, and would like to thank you, coachodeeps, for taking time to comment.
The 3:21 content you made had the wrong link. It shows the same link twice. Look closely.
DeleteThanks, coachodeeps. I can't believe I made the same mistake twice. Chalk it up to my continuing to not feel well. I appreciate your patience in this matter. Thank you for letting me know.
DeleteYou can find the text of the prayer offered by Elder Uchtdorf on Sunday to rededicate the Frankfurt Germany Temple at the following web address:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2019-10-22/frankfurt-germany-temple-dedicatory-prayer-elder-uchtdorf-164872
My thanks once again to you all.
An exciting development has been reported today by the Church News. Prior to the sudden 2015 passing of Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who found out he had terminal cancer not long before it took his life, the first volume of his biography, highlighting the period from his birth to his early apostolic years, had been authored and published by Elder Perry's son, Lee. Lee had also been able to share with his father a majority of the content in the second volume of that biography prior to his passing. The Church News therefore noted today that that second volume was now available to the public.
ReplyDeleteAs part of the article, Lee and his father's (second wife and) widow, Barbara D. Perry, sat down with the Church News to discuss Elder Perry's apostolic ministry, his marriage to Barbara, how worried they (and he) had been about his ability to fill his 2005 assignment from President Hinckley in the Europe Area, and even more so in relation to his desire to speak in the April 2015 General Conference, which would turn out to be his final apostolic testimony.
But, as they further detailed, this second part of his biography also notes the many examples of faith demonstrated by Elder Perry and by those with whom he met around the world as he carried out his apostolic ministry. You can read more about all of that in the following article:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2019-10-23/salt-lake-city-elder-perry-biography-lds-163975
My thanks once again to you all.
Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency and director of Latter-day Saint Charities, and Sister Becky Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, are currently traveling through the Pacific Area. The Church's official Newsroom shared the following report highlighting how their visit to Papua New Guinea coincided with the Church assisting with the donation of hospital beds to Port Moresby General Hospital. During that same visit, Sisters Eubank and Craven also noted that the Saints are very excited about the Port Moresby Temple, which was announced at the beginning of this month by President Nelson. Here is the web address for that article:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-assists-hospital-bed-donation-papua-new-guinea
Once again, my continued and ongoing thanks to you all.
And the Church News has additionally provided an article honoring the missionary serving in the DR Congo who recently passed away, including from his former mission president, Alfred Kyungu, who was sustained for the second (or third) time as an area seventy during the most recent General Conference:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-10-23/democratic-republic-congo-missionary-death-elder-mwanken-165118
My thanks once again to you all.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recenlty returned to England, which was his field of labor as a young missionary for the Church, and to which he has returned repeatedly in his 12-year apostolic ministry. The Church News shared the following report of an address he gave on religious freedom at Oxford University:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2019-10-23/england-university-elder-cook-religious-liberty-165016
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! Two important Church news items have been covered by both the Newsroom and the Church News website. So let's talk about those developments. Firstly, today, while in Salt Lake City for other obligations, Cuba's ambassador to the United States requested and was granted the opportunity to pay a courtesy call to the First Presidency. The Newsroom and Church News describe the elements of the dialogue held during that meeting:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-cuba-ambassador-2019
https://thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2019-10-24/first-presidency-welcomes-cubas-us-ambassador-to-temple-square-165138
Additionally, with the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple set to open for one week to the public beginning this Saturday, the Newsroom and the Church News have both shared coverage on the open house, including highlighting the changes, alterations, and updates which have been made, and the hours during which the tours will be offered. The article also reiterates that the one-session private rededication for that temple, which is set for Sunday November 17, will be presided over by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Read more in the following articles:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/baton-rouge-louisiana-temple-opens-doors-to-the-public
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2019-10-24/baton-rouge-temple-open-house-165237
Additionally, I also have other temple updates to share as well, but will reserve those for another comment later today. In the meantime, my thanks again to you all.
As I mentioned in my comment above, I have quite a few new temple updates to report. Just a note here before I pass those along: If I happen to reiterate information shared in a previous update, I apologize. My goal is to make sure I have covered everything.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, let's get right into those. First, at the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple, the exterior lighting is fully operational, and finish work on the temple's interior is now nearing completion. I am hopeful that the next couple of weeks, we will have an open house and dedication announcement for that temple. Time will tell, but it seems to be a safe conjecture at this point.
In the meantime, at the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple, the temple exterior is currently being sheathed, several trees have been planted, and curbing and lamp posts have been installed. And at the Pocatello Idaho Temple, structural framing is underway.
Another update has been reported on the Belem Brazil Temple as well, where construction facilities have been erected, and grading and site excavation continues. Additionally, as I mentioned at the beginning of this year, information I had recevied indicated that full-scale work on the Bangkok Thailand Temple proper would not be able to begin until roughly a year of preparatory work was completed on the site. It now appears we may be getting closer to the point where that will be the case. New information on that temple indicates that pile foundations are being built, and that footings are now being poured.
I continue to monitor all Church news and temple updates, and will be sure to pass word of such developments along to you all as I become aware of such things. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.
The Newsroom published an article a short while ago providing more detail on the aforementioned address by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles which was given at Oxford University:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.mormonnewsroom.org.uk/article/religious-freedom-and-public-morality-must-be-centre-stage-elder-cook-counsels
And a full transcript of his remarks has been provided as well:
https://www.mormonnewsroom.org.uk/multimedia/file/Elder-Quentin-L.-Cook---Transcript---The-Impact-of-Religious-Freedom-on-Public-Morality.pdf
As some of you may also be aware, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square announced in April the appointment of Brother Joseph Peeples to serve as the newest part-time organist to accompany the Choir (including during General Conference weeked) and perform in daily recitals:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-04-15/new-organist-joins-tabernacle-choir-at-temple-square-3195
This brought the number of full- and part-time organists for the Choir to 3 each. But it has been somewhat common for the Choir to only have 2 part-time organists. Within the last week, new information has indicated that Sister Bonnie Goodliffe, who has been a part-time organist for the Choir for the last 4 decades, is preparing to retire and has been appointed an organist emeritus, where she may still occassionally perform recitals as her time and circumstances allow. The Church News has paid tribute to Sister Goodliffe's storied and history-making career in the following article:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-04-15/new-organist-joins-tabernacle-choir-at-temple-square-3195
Once again, my thanks to you all.
I have got to double-check things before I post them. I inintentionally duplicated the article about how Brother Peeples was appointed as an organist. This is the actual correct article paying tribute to Sister Goodliffe:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2019-10-24/temple-square-organist-bonnie-goodliffe-164427
Again, my ongoing and continued thanks to you all.
*unintentionally. Sorry for all my recent errors.
Delete