Hello again, everyone! As many of you might be aware, I have been looking for (and having difficulty finding) confirmation that the Alabang Philippines Temple groundbreaking occurred today as scheduled. In my latest perusal of the available information, I happened to look on the Church Temples site. On the page for the Alabang Philippines Temple, an update at the top of that parge drew my attention. The status was as follows: "Preparing for groundbreaking ceremony; site cleared; groundbreaking scheduled for 6 June 2020."
Although that update has not officially been confirmed through the Philippines Newsroom or the main Newsroom, the Church temples site has been known to have official information that has been or will soon be verified through the proper official channels. Therefore, I am pleased to pass along to you all the news that the groundbreaking for that temple will take place one week after that of the Layton Utah temple, and one week before the previously-scheduled groundbreaking for the Auckland New Zealand Temple. That update supercedes any previous information I have provided on this matter here.
Insofar as I am aware, the last time there were 3 consecutive temple groundbreakings on 3 consecutive weekends was during the Hinckley-era buiilding boom of the late 1990s-early 2000s. So it looks as though the end of May through the beginning of June will be chock-full of temple events to cover on this blog. I continue to monitor all such updates and will be sure to pass word of those along to you all 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.
Monday, May 4, 2020
BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Groundbreaking for Alabang Philippines Temple Postponed
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.
21 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.
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I was about to let you know I found the same information. It came from Elder Schmutz (Area President) in a comment on a video message the area presidency posted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-Philippines FB page.
ReplyDeleteScott, if you have the web address where Elder Schmutz's comment can be found, would you be able to post that here? Since Elder Schmutz is the Area President who will preside at that groundbreaking, his word on the matter can constitute official confirmation by the Church about this change. Thanks for providing that second more official witness to this fact.
DeleteNever mind. I found it. For those interested, the comment in question can be found attached to this video:
Deletehttps://www.facebook.com/churchofjesuschristph/videos/892720431192590
In the comments section, someone by the name of Mark Shelton made the inquiry around 5 hours ago, with a comment by Elder Schmutz in response (which was posted roughly an hour after that query). Elder Schmutz indicated that the delay of the groundbreaking was a result of the First Presidency's request, and that, pending government approval, it is anticipated to occur on the first Saturday in June. That statement by Elder Schmutz constitutes official word, so that has now been confirmed.
The one unknown in all of this, aside from whether the government will approve the plans for the groundbreaking to go forward on the new date, is whether or not Elder D. Todd Christofferson will still be sent to preside at that groundbreaking. If, for whatever reason, that does not happen, I could see the Brethren asking Elder Schmutz to fill that assignment, since he will be released as president of that area effective August 1 and will be reassigned to serve as President of the North America Southwest Area.
It is nice to have this information officially confirmed. My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, evryone! The Church News recently published an article about the latest volume in the Joseph Smith Papers Project, which will be made available to the public later this year:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/history-revisited/2020-05-04/joseph-smith-papers-documents-volume-10-nauvoo-john-c-bennett-plural-marriage-183040
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! The Church News and the Newsroom both shared reports this morning on the residential community the Church is planning to build around the area of the Tooele Valley Utah Temple:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/residential-community-near-tooele-valley-utah-temple
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-05-05/tooele-valley-utah-temple-residential-community-183090
The Church News has also provided a look at the new "Walk with Christ" e-mail series:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-05/walk-with-christ-10-email-series-initiative-183117
Additionally, another update has been provided on the Salt Lake Temple:
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/salt-lake-temple/
My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.
And the Church News also recently reported the creation of a new section for that periodical. The new series of articles that will be published in coming days, weeks, and months will focus on the topic of "Women and the Priesthood." In last October's Women's Session of General Conference, President Nelson spoke about the "Spiritual Treasures", doctrinal truths about women and the priesthood. I will be sure to pass along the latest additions to that series as I become aware of them. In the meantime, I am providing the web addresses for both the Church News article about the new seriees, and for President Nelson's remarks from that session:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-05/church-news-series-women-priesthood-power-183136
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/36nelson?lang=eng
My thanks once again to you all.
See ksl.com for update on the proposed community plan from the church surrounding the Toole temple site.
ReplyDeleteCuriosity question, Chris: Is the information in that update any different from the information found in the Church News and Newsroom stories to which I shared the web address in my comment posted here at 12:29 PM today? Thanks.
DeleteHello again, everyone! The Newsroom and the Church News have provided the following additional reports within the last several hours:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/relief-society-in-action-may-5-2020
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/relief-society-provides-handmade-masks-mozambique
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/relief-society-members-respond-covid-19-pandemic
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/relief-society-sew-and-serve-group-donates-masks
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-helps-repatriate-argentine-citizens-during-covid-19-pandemic
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-05/charity-susan-w-tanner-devotional-byu-hawaii-183112
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-05/mothers-day-church-leaders-inspiration-gratitude-183031
My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has provided the following additional updates:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-05-06/covid-19-returned-missionaries-unexpected-blessings-hope-companionship-revelation-serve-182535
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-05-06/coronavirus-elder-christofferson-single-members-belonging-families-183259
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! The Church News and the Newsroom provided a new video shared by President Nelson in which he addresses how, when, and in what manner worship in Church services and the temple may resume:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-05-06/coronavirus-president-nelson-video-resume-church-gatherings-183310
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-nelson-addresses-efforts-for-reintegration-of-church-worship-and-activities
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone!Earlier this morning, the First Presidency announced what they are calling a "phased reopening" of some temples. The temples in question are based in Idaho, Utah, Germany, and Sweden. The first phase for these temples will involve performing living sealing ordinances while ensuring the appropriate COVID-19 guidelines in those locations are followed. The next phase will involve opening some temples for living ordinances only (including initiatory and endowment). Phase 3 will involve those temples and others being open for all ordinances with appropriate restrictions. And phase 4 will see all temples open for normal operation. The duration of each phase, the trasition from one phase to another, and which temples will enter each phase at any given time will be determined as regulations and recommendations permit. For more on this news, see the releasd articles from the Newsroom and the Church News at the following web addresses:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-limited-reopening-temples
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-05-07/temples-reopening-17-coronavirus-first-presidency-announcement-europe-us-183402
The Newsroom has also provided a look at how the Church is reintegrating as a result of COVID-19 restrictions being eased in many locations:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update
And the Church News has provided a new video entitlted: "ProjectProtect: The 5 million mask miracle":
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-06/5-million-masks-video-projectprotect-relief-society-183360
A new series from the Maxwell Institute is helping readers see the Book of Mormon through new eyes:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-07/maxwell-institute-book-of-mormon-brief-theological-introductions-183308
And the new members of the Young Men General Presidency who were sustained in General Conference last month have answered 5 questions as they commence their ministry together:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-05-07/new-young-men-general-presidency-children-and-youth-program-covid-19-183385]
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! Updates have been provided on the Winnipeg Manitoba, Belem Brazil, and Taylorsville Utah Temples:
ReplyDeletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/winnipeg-manitoba-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/belem-brazil-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/taylorsville-utah-temple/
Based on the new update for the Taylorsville Utah Temple, it appears the groundbreaking for that temple could precede the groundbreaking for the Orem Utah Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
And the Church News continues their series of articles about newly-called leaders. The latest such article introduces Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, who has a special connection to Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-05-07/elder-jeremy-r-jaggi-new-general-authority-seventy-2020-april-joy-family-182749
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! The Newsroom has reported on a Latter-day Saint leader in the Washington D.C. area who particpated in today's "National Day of Prayer":
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-of-jesus-christ-represented-national-day-prayer
Thanks again, everyone!
Hello again, everyone! The Church News and the Newsroom are reporting on an official statement made by Daniel Woodruff, a Church spokesman, in repminding us all about the protocol that should prevail when it comes to dropping off missionaries or picking up those who are returning:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/missionary-travel-guidelines-covid-19
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-05-08/missionary-travel-guidelines-2020-coronavirus-183505
The Church News also provides a look at the brand new Mother's Day video released this year:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-08/mothers-day-church-video-you-are-enough-183500
And the Church News has also provided a look at how the Church's new symol, introduced by President Nelson, should and should not be used in the prpper manner:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-05-08/new-church-symbol-purpose-use-significance-183392
My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.
Hello again, everyone! The latest edition of “This Week on Social” has been published:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-08/social-media-sanctuary-faith-home-covid-projectprotect-temples-183565
The latest installment in that ongoing series featured the following general Church leaders: Church President Russell M. Nelson and his Second Counselor, President Henry B. Eyring; Elders David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, and Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Relief Society General President Sister Jean B. Bingham; and Primary General President Sister Joy D. Jones.
Meanwhile, FamilySearch has started to feature live social media events, which is anticipated to have a profound impact on the program going forward:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-05-08/covid-19-familysearch-livestreams-social-media-facebook-instagram-183470
And although the Newsroom previously covered this development, the Church News has a deeper look at the Church member who participated in the recent National Day of Prayer in Washington D.C. this week:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2020-05-08/latter-day-saints-national-day-of-prayer-pandemic-relief-183546
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! Updates have been reported on 3 temples in the United States, namely: Richmond Virginia, Tooele Valley Utah, and St. George Utah:
ReplyDeletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/richmond-virginia-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/tooele-valley-utah-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/st.-george-utah-temple/
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the female readers of this blog! In honor of this Mother’s Day, the official Newsroom for the Church has featured a special edition of “This Week on Social”, which could be entitled “This Mother’s Day on Social”:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-leaders-celebrate-%E2%80%98our-heavenly-parents-adult-daughters-on-mother-s-day
The Mother’s Day Newsroom iteration featured posts from the following general leaders of the Church:
Church President Russell M. Nelson; Elders D. Todd Christofferson and Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and Young Women General President Sister Bonnie H. Cordon and her First Counselor, Sister Michelle D. Craig.
The Church News previously shared quotes from every currently-living apostle about mothers and Mother’s Day:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-05/mothers-day-church-leaders-inspiration-gratitude-183031
The Newsroom also provided a look at how the Church and the Cambodian government, through online video conferences, are continuing to coordinate and assist in the humanitarian efforts in that nation during COVID-19:
https://news-kh.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-and-cambodian-government-leaders-meet-on-zoom-to-continue-partnership-on-humanitarian-activities
My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.
The Church News shared most of the same posts noted above (with the exception of the one by Sister Craig) in their own report called "This Mother's Day on Social":
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-10/mothers-day-social-media-posts-president-nelson-elder-rasband-christofferson-183610
And Elder Tad R. Callister, an emeritus General Authority Seventy and former Sunday School General President, shared some insights on how not always knowing or having answers on some questions is part of the Lord's plan:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-05-10/elder-callister-faith-answers-questions-truth-183057
My thanks once again to you all.
After reanalyzing the available sources and data pertaining to the Tooele Valley and Washington County Utah Temples, it now seems likely that arrangements for the groundbreaking of the latter may be announced before those for the former, so I have switched them on my temple construction progress report. In the meantime, I am continuing to work as I can on half a dozen other projects or so as well. Thanks again, everyone!
ReplyDelete