Hello again, everyone! While I was posting the COVID-19 updates from the Church on the threads of the previous post, breaking temple news was also reported by the Newsroom. The official rendering has been released and the groundbreaking has been set for the Auckland New Zealand Temple. The groundbreaking for New Zealand's next temple will occur on Saturday June 13, 2020. Elder Ian S. Ardern, the president of the Church's Pacific Area (who happens to be a native of New Zealand)the, will preside thereat. This brings the total number of groundbreakings scheduled between General Conference and the end of June to 4 so far.
The AUckland New Zealand Temple now becomes the fourth of those originally announced in October 2018 to have a groundbreaking within the last 18 months or less, and he timing for this event was sooner than I anticipated, since I had offered a general window of mid-to-late 2020 for that. But this news gives me hope that other temple groundbreakings (including perhaps the Orem and Taylorsville Utah Temples and at least 2 of the 3 most-recently-announced temples in Central America) could potentially have their groundbreakings prior to the annual July recess for the General Authorities of the Church. In the meantime, given the exterior rendering that has been released and what President Nelson said when he announced that temple's site less than a year ago (in mid-May 2019), I am anticipating the temple will take around 2-3 years to construct, which would mean its' construction could wrap up during late 2022-early 2023. But that estimate is subject to confirmation or denial by the Church based on the consistency and speed at which construction progresses.
This has been an exciting few days, and there will likely be much more to come. To the best of my ability, I wil attempt to stay on top of it all. 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.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Official Rendering Released and Groundbreaking Announced for the Auckland New Zealand Temple
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.
33 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.
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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! In addition to the announcement of the groundbreaking arrangements for the Auckland New Zealand Temple, a few more temple updates have been reported. Based on those updates, and upon further analysis on my part, I have completely updated the "Groundbreaking anticipated" section of my temple construction progress report, and have also revised the first 3 general completion estimates for those temples undergoing renovation. Just to reiterate, any such estimates are subject to confirmation, correction, or clarifaction through an official announcement from the First Presidency, so they are subject to change as more information comes to light. Here is the web address where the updates to that report (which are highlighted in red0 can be found:
ReplyDeletehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1_NjOQjruF_hn11NO04fVSNWAF-r2OuaSLMDTqQXWeXo/edit?usp=sharing
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! A breaking news update has just been reported via the Church Newsroom. I am reporting it in a comment rather than as a fresh post because every breaking update on the response to COVID-19 would require a separate post otherwise, and I don't presently have the time or capacity to make that happen. Effective immediately, all conferences, leadership and congregational meetings, and any and all Church activities have been suspended worldwide until further notice. Congregational leaders are being instructed to counsel up the ranks and determine how best to ensure the members over whom they have stewardship will be able to partake of the Sacrament at least once a month:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/gatherings-worldwide-temporarily-suspended
If and how this might impact the latest plan alteration for General Conference remains to be seen, but I will bring word of those updates ASAP after I learn of them. In the meantime, my thanks again to you all.
All church meetings are cancelled until further notice due to COVID19
ReplyDeleteHey, Chris! Thanks for stopping by to make sure we are all aware of that. I covered that development (including the web address of the official release) in a comment on this thread that I can see posted above your comment on my end. If that comment is not visible to you for any reason, please let me know about it. In the meantime, thanks for making sure we were all aware of this development. It's a wise move. I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteI'd just like to reiterate here that General Conference is anticipated to proceed with the adjustments announced yesterday, but if that changes, I am sure other arrangements will be made to disseminate the contents thereof to Church membership in some way, In the meantime, thanks again, Chris, and to all the rest of my readers for your continued interest and ongoing support.
DeleteHello again, everyone! The Church News and the Newsroom have both created repository "home pages" where the coverage on the ongoing response to the coronavirus can be found. You can find the collections of those articles at the following web addresses:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/category/coronavirus
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020
Also, both the Church News and the Newsroom have reported on how a missionary from Arizona who is serving in Texas has passed away:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-03-12/young-missionary-serving-texas-dies-following-brief-illness-177013
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/sister-missionary-passes-away-in-texas
I continue to monitor all Church news and temple updates and will bring word of those to you all as I become aware of them. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.
The Church has announced that all proxy temple work worldwide is currently on hold. Live ordinance work is still continuing in temples where government restrictions do not require a complete stop to temple activity.
ReplyDeleteDaniel, thanks for sharing that development. I found out about it and was formulating my comment on it (published below yours here) round about the same time you shared your comment.
DeleteTHe situation continues to evolve, and the Church keeps providing updates as a result. But to all readers of this blog, I'd like to make a request by way of a reminder: It is easier for all of us to follow along with such developments when official sources for the information are shared along with the comments about the updates.
And for a personal blog like mine where official Church information is shared in an unofficial setting, I'd prefer it if my readers would help me ensure that all information shared can be verified in this way. I mean no offense to you, Daniel, or to anyone else who may read this request, but that would be a big help for general matters covered on this blog, and particularly relating to the evolving developments relating to COVID-19. My thanks to you, Daniel, and to all the rest of my readers who will help in this regard to ensure that official information can be verified by official sources as this and other developments occur. Thanks again.
Oh no sweat, I should have copied a link from the Church Newsroom.
DeleteIt's not a problem this go-round, since my comment sharing the news with the source provided that, but will be good to keep in mind as situations continue to change things. Thanks, Daniel, for your cooperation on this matter.
DeleteHello again, everyone! As COVID-19 continues to evolve worldwid3e, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have come to another difficult but necessary decision, this one relating to temple work. The following adjustments will go into effect on March 16, 2020:
ReplyDeleteIn places where government restrictions are in effect, all work will be suspended for the time being. In places that do not have full restrictions, appointment-only arrangements will be made for husband-and-wife and child-to-parents sealing and living initiatory and endowment ordinances, with proxy ordiannces temporarily halted. And all patron housing will also be temporarily closed.
These adjustments will enable the vulnerable older members of the Church to not run the risk of potential exposure to COVID-19. You can find more details on this in the following articles:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/temporary-adjustments-temple-worship
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-13/coronavirus-covid-19-temples-close-worldwide-177054
Now, I know that the idea of all proxy temple work coming to a halt worldwide is not one that any of us enjoy hearing. And there may be concern about the work for the dead coming to a temporary halt on such a global scale. But something I observed on the Church Growth Blog a few days ago bears reiterating here:
In the early days of the Church (the events for which we will be celebrating the bicentennial anniversary this April) he Saints in Jackson County were commanded to build a temple there before they were forced to leave their homes and established communities due to ongoiong persecution by the citizenry that was essentially also sanctioned by the government at that time.
As a result of that persecution, the Saiints were unable to get very far with the temple. Although some members of the Quorum of the Twelve, accompanied by some companions, later came back to fulfill the next part of the Lord's instructions to lay the cornerstones for that temple's foundation at the previously-appointed time, as the Saints later settled in what would be known as the city of Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation in which the Lord excused the Saints from the instruction to finish the temple, because their ability to do so was compromised by circumstances beyond their control.
As it is, the entire Church and the work to redeem the dead now has to come to a temporary halt to protect the vulnerable populations of the Church membership who are most ssusceptible to CCOVID-19. While the situation is far from ideal, I am one who fully believes that, just as the Lord accepted the intent and efforts made by the Saints to build the Jackson County temple when they were unable to actually formally complete that instruction, that the Lord will similarly now accept the desire of the worldwide Saints to redeem the dead in place of the actual act of temple worship.
And, as further observed by L. Chris Jones in a recent comment on the LDS Church Growth Blog, this scenario offers all of us more of an opportunity to participate in indexing, which can still be a great way to help redeem the dead while we are unable to do the work in temples due to COVID-19.
For myself, I am grateful for this latest development, as it shows the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taking active measures to protect the membersto hip of the Church, especially those who are vulnerable in terms of COVID-19. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.
Also, on another note, the Church News additionally reported that the first of 8 new Book of Mormon videos have been released today:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-03-13/book-of-mormon-videos-first-new-videos-8-released-today-177080
My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.
James, I just wanted to express, again, my continuous gratitude for all the time you spend updating us with Church News. In these times of uncertainty and anxiety, it's nice to have a reliable resource to refer to. Thank you for spreading awareness. And for finding ways to remain positive and optimistic. You are a light, James.
ReplyDeleteIt's my honor and privilege to do so. Due to my life circumstances, I learned very quickly that pessimism is pointless poison, while optimism enables outstanding opportunities.
DeleteSharing information and knowledge relating to news about the Church provides me with the ability to speak positively regarding the latest developments relating to the very faith with which I have come through those challenges. I am grateful for the chance to do so. I am also grateful for all of my regular readers who comment on those developments, including yourself. Thanks for your latest comment. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
Further COVID-19 coverage has been provided:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/category/coronavirus
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020
On the Newsroom, updated information will be current as of the timestamp noted by the development in question. THe latest updates, in summary, relate to the rehearsals and performances for the Choir and Orchestra at Temple Squere and the Bells at Temple Square, the postponnement of the next RootsTech London gathering until next year, Church facilities and buildings in Salt Lake, and other informaiton that has changed or will be updated in the coming hours and days as more is known.
I have been hoping to keep track of and relay it all, but it's more than I can handle on my own. So for the time being, I will refer you all back to those home pages to which I listed the addresses above, and only worry about unique developments, including breaking news, over the weekend. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! There have been two important COVID-19 updates which have come to light that I wanted to mention here because they are slightly extraordinary. Firstly, in light of the updated regulations that have been implemented here in Utah as a result of the work done by the governor's task force, the Church News, also based here in Utah due to proximity to Church headquarters, has provided a look at the updated information:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-03-12/coronavirus-utah-church-members-gatherings-176927
And the Church History Department has provided a look back at an article written about "the freeze" which occurred in Ghana in 1989 as a result of governmental restrictions on religion:
https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/you-cant-close-my-heart-ghanaian-saints-and-the-freeze?lang=eng
I cannot say for certain, but I imagine that in most places where traveling to and holding worship services in large groups is prohibited, Melchizedek Priesthood bearers in affected areas would be authorized to administer the Sacrament to their families, and for those families that have either Aaronic Priesthood or no priesthood bearers at all, ministering brothers who are sufficiently well enough to do so could bring the Sacrament to those homes.
I alos happen to know in my own stake that our stake president will be meeting individually with each ward bishop this Sunday to determine what would be best for their congregations. That may also b the case in the coming week or two with other individual congregations and congregational group leaders at various levels.
So that is another piece of evidence indicating there is no need for widespread fear, panic, or worry. All of us can and will be safe as we follow the reocmmendations of medical professionals, local, state, and national governmental leaders, and the rank-and-file leaders of all religions worldwide.
The Lord has said, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." So preparation is wise and prudent. At the same time, wisdom, good judgement, and sound logic and reasoning are necessary as well. So I'd reiterate to my readers: Based on what is and is not currently known about COVID-19, there does not need to be a run on the grocery store and panicked procurement of mass quantities of staples. Doing that in particular will leave nothing essential for those for whom an actual need for such staples exist. There are those who will feed on paranoia, sensationalism, and fear, but that should not apply to those of our faith who are engaged in the practice of following general and local Church leaders and who honor the advice of duly-elected politicians and well-educated and well-informed medical professionals. We can get through this time of crisis if we remember that the world has gone through worse, that Church leaders are acting on spiritual inspiration, and that government and educational leaders and professionals are working with medical experts to determine what is best to be done.
In the interim, on a personal note, part of the reason I am not going to devote as much time to future updates as they come is because I have projects I'll be working on for this blog that need to be a focus to give you all something aside from COVID-19 to think about.
That said, I thank you all for your continued interest and ongoing support, especially in terms of the dialogue that has been taking place about things I have shared here and the evolving COVID-19 situation. I appreciate your continued interest and ongoing support.
One of the unique developments to which I referred above is that the Church has carried on with the previously-arranged Church History Symposium. President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, was not only a brilliant lawyer and jurist, and not only a former BYU-Provo President, but also has been a well-versed scholar in Latter-day Saint history. He was the featured speaker at the CHurch History Symposium earlier today, where he discussed the scholarly research he had done for published works he wrote about various aspects of the life and ministry of Joseph Smith. Here is the symmary of his remarks at that symposium:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-oaks-writing-about-joseph-smith-summary
The transcript of his full remarks is also available:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/dallin-h-oaks-2020-church-history-symposium-transcript
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello sgain, everyone! The following additional Church news updates have been reported:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/history-revisited/2020-03-14/happy-fulfilling-life-cannon-guidelines-gerry-avant-history-seventy-176613
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-14/coronavirus-covid-19-temples-closed-worldwide-177156
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020#temple
And I have made a few updates to my temple construction progress report, both in terms of construction updates and in several tweaks to information about the 31 remaining temples which have not yet had a groundbreaking set (which includes 9 for which a groundbreaking is anticipated, 4 for which a site has been officially announced, 2 for which an official announcement is pending, and 16 others which have not yet had anything official announced. You can find those updates in the following document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_NjOQjruF_hn11NO04fVSNWAF-r2OuaSLMDTqQXWeXo/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks again, everyone, for your continued interest and ongoing support.
Hello again, everyone! The following additional articles have been reported from the Church News:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-03-14/black-latter-day-saints-church-history-museum-african-177146
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-03-14/missionary-dies-samoa-sierra-leone-177204
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-03-14/coronavirus-covid-19-suspended-church-meetings-sacrament-handbook-177066
And the final update I have includes a video message of hope and reassurance from our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, who, as a formerly practicing physician himself, is uniquely suited to understand what is happening, and has felt impressed to provide comfort and reassurance through social media:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-03-14/president-nelson-shares-hopeful-message-as-covid-19-outbreak-continues-177210
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! The Newsroom has covered a couple of the developments I mentioned in my comment above:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/young-missionary-dies-in-sierra-leone
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-nelson-message-covid-19
And the Newsroom's homepages for COVID-19 coverage will now feature President Nelson's message prominently at the top:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020
Again, I am very grateful for the prophet's message at this time. The counsel, recommendations, and reassurances he has provided are timely. I gratefully continue to sustain President Nelson as the only man authorized to speak for the Lord today, and I know that as we follow his counsel and advice, especially regarding COVID-19, we will be blessed to get through this situation in a remarkable way. Thanks again, everyone!
Also, because the number of temples whose normal operation has changed or will change in an ongoing response to COVID-19, the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site is featuring a special temporary page that will be updated during this time:
ReplyDeletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/news/closures/
Thanks again, everyone!
Hello again, everyone! The Church News today shared the biographies for 8 more new mission leader couples who will begin their service this July:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2020-03-15/read-about-these-8-new-mission-leaders-who-were-called-to-serve-around-the-world-176576
Among those who are listed this go-round are 1 former area seventy (who, coincidentally, is replacing another former area seventy in that assignment); an area welfare office advisor, and many others who have served in a wide range of callings both locally and regionally.
And a new video has been released by the Church in conjunction with President Nelson's invitation that he issued last month for all of us to consider the question: "How do you Hear Him?" The video is well worthy of your time, and is very thought-provoking:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-03-15/video-hearhim-church-lds-distractions-177239
Other than these updates, there have not currently been any temple updates reported, and, more importantly, no new information thus far today on further Church changes due to COVID-19. I continue to work as I can on the references for my General Conference predictions, and hope to have the latest revision published here within the next day or two. In the meantime, I will monitor all other developments and pass them along to you all as I become aware of them. My thanks once again for your continued interest and ongoing support.
Hello again, everyone! With today being Monday March 16, all temples here in Utah have closed their doors fully for the next two weeks in compliance with the recommendations of the governor's COVID-19 task force. Above and beyond that, however, the following additional report has been shared by the Newsroom:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/covid-19-impact-missionary-service
The gist of that article is that temporary adjustments have been made to the missionary program as the world continues to deal with COVID-19. The missionary recommendation and call process will continue as it has, with the Brethren, in issuing the call, presenting specific recommendations for those who are heading into each field of labor. Young missionaries impacted by health issues and the Church's senior missionaries may be released. Missionaries who are beginning their service may, depending on their assignments, be temporarily reassigned to other missions if they are not able to get to their assigned regions due to travel restrictions. For young missionary elders serving in the United States and Canada who would have ordinarly completed their missionary service on or before September 1, 2020, they might be released from their missionary service after a period of 21 months (instead of the traditional 24). And some current missionaries may temporarily be reassigned.
The Church News provided further context into these adjustments:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2020-03-16/lds-mormon-missionaries-coronavirus-removal-shorten-time-service-177342
The Church News also provided some good news about a Honduran sister missionary who had been reported kidnapped in Guatemala:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2020-03-16/lds-mormon-missionaries-coronavirus-removal-shorten-time-service-177342
And Church News staff member Scott Taylor provides a look at the lesson he learned from 3 young girls he met while covering the Durban South Africa Temple last month:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-03-16/durban-south-africa-temple-dedication-3-girls-young-women-scott-taylor-176541
Some other articles I failed to mention yesterd are similarly worthy of your time and attention. One of those allowed the Church News editor, Sister Sarah Jane weaver, to explain how her father's funeral was handled in the midst of COVID-19:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-03-15/coronavirus-covid-19-sarah-jane-weaver-father-funeral-177269
Two other articles cover how previously- and currently-suspended worship services Churchwide have provided a different kind of experience for Church members worldwide:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-03-14/coronavirus-covid-19-suspended-church-meetings-sacrament-handbook-177066
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-03-15/coronavirus-covid-19-sunday-home-centered-church-worship-177279
My thanks once again to you all.
And the Church News and Newsroom have both provided updates indicating how COVID-19 will impact Church Historical Sites:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-03-16/coronavirus-covid-19-church-historic-sites-closed-177391
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020#historic-sites
My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.
Hello again, everyone! The Church News and the Newsroom both reported this evening on some additional temple closures, with the Newsroom providing FAQs about these changes as well:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-14/coronavirus-covid-19-temples-closed-worldwide-frequently-asked-questions-177156
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020#temple
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/faq-covid-19-temple-adjustments
My thanks once again to you all.
And the Newsroom has also posted a new article about President Nelson's latest invitation, in which he asked the world to answer the question: "How do you 'Hear Him'?
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/hear-him
Thanks again, everyone!
Hello again, everyone! The Church News has released the following additional articles:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/history-revisited/2020-03-17/relief-society-anniversary-history-worlwide-women-176759
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-03-17/devotionals-byu-idaho-hawaii-ldsbc-live-stream-how-to-watch-177495
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-03-17/coronavirus-covid-19-missionaries-mtc-changes-sydney-walker-177181
And in the continuing wake of the spread of COVID-19, the Church, through its' official Newsroom, has provided two crucial COVID-19 updates relating to the missions and temples of the Church:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020#missionary-work
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020#temple
I continue to monitor all developments on this front, including temple updates, and will bring word of those to you all here as I become aware of such things. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.
Here are three more Church News stories which were updated today:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2020-03-17/lds-mormon-missionaries-philippines-coronavirus-return-home-reassigned-lockdown-177517
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-14/coronavirus-covid-19-temples-closed-worldwide-frequently-asked-questions-177156
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-03-17/covid-19-coronavirus-ldsbc-devotional-nelson-177513
Thanks again, everyone!
And additional updates have been provided by the Church News and the Newsroom as follows:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-03-17/byu-devotional-elder-gerard-trust-the-lord-177593
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-03-17/update-coronavirus-latter-day-saints-utah-177566
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020#welfare-self-reliance
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/latter-day-saints-provide-disaster-relief-to-tennessee-tornado-victims
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! Around 2-3 hours ago, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck northern Utah and the Salt Lake Valley, with aftershocks spreading into Tooele and Utah Counties. The Salt Lake Temple, closed for its seismic upgrades and other renovations, was struck, with the angel Moroni losing his trumpet on the top of the Salt Lake Temple. Some of the temple's decorative stonework in the same area as the statue was also knocked out of place. My wife and I slept through the aftershocks, but I was woken a short time after by a breaking news update from KSL. All crew members working on the Salt Lake Temple project have been reported safe, but have been sent home for the day. For more on the damage to the Salt Lake Temple, please see the following article:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/salt-lake-temple-utah-earthquake
To borrow an oft-used phrase from the Book of Mormon, and thus we see that the prophet's inspiration to close the Salt Lake Temple and strengthen it for earthquakes at this time is truly inspired. At the moment, rumors are flying around that there will be other more severe magnitude quakes coming, so KSL reports had to set the record straight on that.
In the meantime, just know that all is well, and that at this point, there are not anticipated to be any significant delays to the renovation for the Salt Lake Temple. May the Lord bless and keep us all as we continue to deal with COVID-19 and the other natural disasters that are occurring.
Additional information specifically on the Salt Lake Temple can be found at the following web address:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-18/utah-earthquake-salt-lake-city-temple-angel-moroni-177657
On an unrelated note, I have been able, over the last couple of days, to make real progress with the references for my General Conference predictions, so I anticipate being able to post the updated version here before the end of this week. In the meantime, my thanks again to you all.
A few more Church news updates have been reported, which speak for themselves:
ReplyDeletehttps://news-nz.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/latter-day-saint-charities-makes-significant-donation-to-kangaroo-island-residents
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020#temple
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-14/coronavirus-covid-19-temples-closed-worldwide-frequently-asked-questions-177156
https://www.thechurchnews.com/history-revisited/2020-03-18/joseph-smith-president-oaks-church-history-symposium-177135
My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.
An additional update has been provided by the Church on their response to COVID-19, this one pertaining to the Church's distribution centers around the world:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020#distribution-stores
Thanks again, everyone!