Stokes Sounds Off: UPDATED: Current Apostolic Data

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Sunday, January 24, 2021

UPDATED: Current Apostolic Data

Hello again, everyone! As most of you are almost certainly aware, I have provided updates on the latest apostolic data (specifically relating to lifespan or tenure length milestones) roughly every seven weeks. Having last done so on (through utilizing two consolidated documents) on December 6, it is time to publish the first such update for this year. 

As with that last update, the first part contains updated data about the age and tenure length records for all 17 Church Presidents, information on the tenure length records for each of the 28 Presidents of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and information on the longest-serving First Presidencies, Quorums of the Twelve Apostles, and groups of all ordained apostles, which will be relevant for our current apostolic groups beginning next year.

And the second part shows the long-form and decimal ages for the members of the current First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the apostolic groups overall, in addition to the average ages of each group and apostolic nonagenarians (with 2 of the current 15 apostles being on that list, and the timing noted for when each of the other 13 apostles will join that list).

Hopefully this shared data will be of interest to you all, and again, I offer an open invitation to anyone who has any questions about those documents to ask them here. I will, of course, continue to monitor all Church news updates and temple developments, and will do my level best to bring word of those to you all as I become aware of all such reports.

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. 

32 comments:

  1. The Church News has today provided their latest edition of "In Case You Missed It", highlighting the top 9 developments that were covered within the last week:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-01-24/senior-leaders-covid-19-vaccines-april-general-conference-virtual-elder-bednar-byu-202517

    It should be noted that, aside from the renaming and relocation of the foreer Tooele Valley Utah Temple, other developments relating to the ministry of the apostles or the ongoing adustements from the Church due to COVID-19 meant that the other significant temple development this week (the release of the rendering and lcoation for the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple) was not mentioned. I look at that milestone as a personal highlight from my coverage this week, but can see why the Church News opted to highlight other major developments which were covered this week.

    My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and ongoing support.

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    Replies
    1. Tonight, an update was provided on the Richmond Virgnia Temple:

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/richmond-virginia-temple/

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  2. Hello again, everyone! The Newsroom and the Church News reported this morning on temple reopening updates which will be effective next Monday:

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-limited-reopening-temples

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-01-25/lds-temples-open-worldwide-phased-reopening-183918

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-01-25/temple-reopening-status-tracker-worldwide-199279

    According to that information, as previously announced, the Melbourne Australia temple transitions to phase 3 on that day, which will allow limited performance of ordinances for the dead on a scheduled basis.

    Meanwhile, the three temples in Alberta (Calgary, Cardston, and Edmonton), which had all dropped to phase 1 are set to return to phase 2, with the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple resuming phase 1 after being in a paused status, and the Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple being downgraded from phase 2 to phase 1. The articles all share different demographic and statistical information on this announcement.

    The Church News also noted that Sister Wendy W. Nelson has been asked to speak at the May commencement exercises for Utah Valley University, which will be conducted virtually:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-25/sister-nelson-speak-utah-valley-university-may-graduation-202618

    My thanks once to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello again, everyone! New updates have been provided on the Syracuse Utah and Bahia Blanca Argentina Temples:

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/syracuse-utah-temple/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/bahia-blanca-argentina-temple/

    I have taken the opportunity for the first time in a couple of months to update one of my many temple files, the one that shows the updated sections of my temple construction progress report, in what I hope will be the first of many such updates this year to information I have previously provided:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oHleA9sQhtjzA_zu35U3t9xtIg5xpoehMNyFfAQAntc/edit?usp=sharing

    As always, any information on any of the documents I provide is subject to confirmation or denial through official Church resources and announcements. Updates to other temple documents will be made as time and circumstances allow, and will be published accordingly here as I can make that happen. In the menatime, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Newsroom and the Church News have each shared 2 reports apiece covering a variety of topics. Those articles speak for themselves:

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/worldwide-youth-music-festival-to-highlight-2021-theme-a-great-work

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/temple-square-renovation-project-updates-january-2021

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-01-26/elder-gong-worldwide-devotional-young-adults-zoom-discussion-202636

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast/2021-01-26/scott-taylor-temples-pandemic-hope-202685

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Church New has shared the following additional reports:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-01-26/alabama-tornado-fultondale-missionaries-safe-202764

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-01-26/youth-young-men-women-president-lund-cordon-covid-19-202332

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-01-26/youth-music-festival-a-great-work-2021-theme-202721

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-26/missionary-work-gospel-jackson-ensign-college-devotional-friendship-love-christ-book-of-mormon-202726

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2021-01-26/beirut-lebanon-explosion-latter-day-saint-charities-202656

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello again, everyone! A slew of temple updates have been provided within the last 12 hours. Changes have been noted on the status of the Winnipeg Manitoba, Lima Peru Los Olivos, Alabang Philippines, Bentonville Arkansas, and Tokyo Japan Temples. Meanwhile, new photographs available for the Antofagasta Chile and Mendoza Argentina Temples could potentially provide clues about how soon full-scale construction can begin for both temples.

    In conjunction with the update on thee Winnipeg Manitoba Temple, the open house and dedication for it had been anticipated to occur in the final quarter of last year. With the dedication postponed due to COVID-19, governmental and medical protocol apparently delayed the completion of that temple. The new report on that temple now indicates that construction has finally wrapped up.

    The last update on the Tokyo Japan Temple noted that construction on it was nearing completion. The new report today notes that the renovation process is complete, and that opening dates would be announced when large public gatherings are deemed to be safe.

    That being said, for any who are interested, the updates on the aforementioned temples can be found on the following web pages:

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/winnipeg-manitoba-temple/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/lima-peru-los-olivos-temple/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/alabang-philippines-temple/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/bentonville-arkansas-temple/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/antofagasta-chile-temple/photographs/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/mendoza-argentina-temple/photographs/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/tokyo-japan-temple/

    My thanks once again to you all for your continued interest and onoging support.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at the weeky BYU-Idaho Devotional from a remote location in Salt Lake City. The Church News has provided the following report on that:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-01-27/elder-cook-byu-idaho-savior-sunny-side-of-the-street-joy-202621

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. The Church News has also provided two articles covering instruction given to Seminary and Institute teachers from Relief Society General President Sister Jean B. Bingham, a member of the Church Board of Education, who also serves on the Executive Committee of the Boards. Additionally, Elder Paul V. Johnson, a General Authority Seventy who serves as the Commissioner of the Church Education System, also offered remarks. And three others who have administrative roles in the Church Educational System participated in a panel discussion on the recent and upcoming changes for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-27/sister-bingham-seminary-and-institute-teachers-spiritual-meat-202790

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-27/seminaries-and-institutes-gather-israel-come-follow-me-202792

      Thanks again, everyone!

      Delete
    3. And the Church News has shared the inspiring story of how a family affected by theft was inspired to provide a much-needed food pantry service in their community:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-27/free-food-locker-menlo-park-california-theft-202813

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    4. Tonight, a new update on the Moses Lake Washington Temple indicates that delays were encountered getting the necessary government approvals for the project. As a result of that, efforts were halted for a time while the issues were resolved. Having since obtained the necessary approvals, construction is now resuming:

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/moses-lake-washington-temple/

      As a direct result of this slight delay, the completion estimate for that temple has likewise been adjusted, and it has been placed further down on the construction queue, where it now sits in between the Bentonville Arkansas and Red Cliffs Utah Temples. The completion estimate was adjusted from late 2022-early 2023 to a yet-to-be-determined time-frame in 2023.

      And thus we see that the queue of temples under construction remains very much in flux, and that this could be the first of many temples to be adjusted further up or down the queue this year, depending on the progress (or the lack thereof) on any of the temples now under construction.

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    5. The Seminaries broadcast mentioned above is a big one, the second segment, 'Panel Discussion' highlights changes announced in2019 and gives some detail on what they have done to make that happen since, along with the newer things announced in December.

      Also announces some new things at headquarters that are coming about as a result of the pandemic going forward, and a new resource that will bring together a handbook on teaching and learning and the Teaching in the Saviors Way booklet to bring all teaching in the Church together on at least the common things between Seminaries, etc., and the Sunday teaching at church. The page for all of it with links to the breakout segments is near the top of the Church News article you referenced. It is under Seminary > Talks for Teacher > 2021 in Gospel Library

      Delete
    6. Jim Anderson, thanks for providing that additional analysis on the broadcast in question. It is amazing that the Church is continuing to make important progress and changes in the midst of COVID-19. It sounds as though the pandemic presented the Lord with an opportunity to inspire changes in normal Church operations that might not have been possible had the pandemic not occurred.

      Throughout these first 3 years of his prophetic administration, President Nelson has demonstrated a willingness to discern what is needful, and what needs to change in order to meet the needs of a growing Church. For a long time now, I think Church members worldwide have become accustomed to a typical status quo in so many respects, and all of these changes, simple and profound as they are, are having a lasting impact during this pandemic, and will in many ways continue to change the way the Church approaches so many things going forward. I look forward to seeing what's next. In the meantime, thanks, Jim Anderson, for taking time to comment. I always appreciate hearing from you.

      Delete
  7. Hello again, everyone! The Newsroom and the Church News have shared reports on how the Church is helping vulnerable women and children who have been, are being, or will yet be in a variety of crisis situations:

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/donations-childrens-justice-center-ywca-january-2021

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-28/latter-day-saint-charities-donation-cjc-ywca-utah-women-children-abuse-202889

    The Newsroom and the Church News have also reported on a donation given by Latter-day Saint Charities to needy families in St. Louis Missouri:

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/latter-day-saint-charities-provides-40-000-pounds-of-food-to-st--louis-area-families

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-28/latter-day-saint-charities-donates-food-urban-league-st-louis-missouri-202947

    The president and directors of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square recently discussed how the pandemic has impacted the Choir, and how the subsequent changes may lead to different approaches in the fulfillment of the Choir’s purpose once normal Choir functions are help to resume:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-28/tabernacle-choir-temple-square-pandemic-concerts-202895

    The Church News has additionally shared coverage on the release of a new Church video featuring the story of a Church member who was stopped from carrying out a planned suicide through an encouter with someone who, at just the right moment, said something to change his mind:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-28/new-church-video-suicide-finding-christ-baptism-202923

    Additionally, new updates have been noted on the construction status for the San Juan Puerto Rico, Layton Utah, Lima Peru Los Olivos, and Davao Philippines Temples. Full-scale construction has begun on the latter of those listed (Davao), which leaves 8 temples in the queue of those for which ground has been broken but full-scale efforts have not yet begun.
    I'll share those updates in a minute, but wanted to first note that another change has been made in the queue of temples currently under construction. Given the relatively more significant progress that has been made on the Brasilia Brazil Temple in comparison to its counterparts which are anticipated to be completed in 2023, that temple has been moved up in the queue of those under construction to now being situated behind the Auckland New Zealand and ahead of the Puebla Mexico Temple.

    I am certain there will be many more shifts in that queue of temples anticipated to be completed in 2023 and beyond as progress is made on some temples more than others. That being said, here are the updates on the other temples I mentioned:

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/san-juan-puerto-rico-temple/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/layton-utah-temple/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/lima-peru-los-olivos-temple/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/brasilia-brazil-temple/

    https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/davao-philippines-temple/

    I have also been able to confirm that, with few exceptions where COVID-19 is well controlled or where smaller-scale events make it safe to do so, the Church may be looking at delaying the bulk of temple dedications or rededications until August or September of this year. So that is something I will be considering when making adjustments to my previously-offered thoughts on the potential time-frames for temple events for the coming years. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Church News featured a link to the LDS Living podcast which recently featured Church News editor Sister Sarah Jane Weaver

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-28/sarah-jane-weaver-amplifying-a-prophets-voice-all-in-podcast-lds-living-202979

      https://www.ldsliving.com/pages/allin-e115-transcript

      The Church News also detailed how COVID-19 has temporarily derailed a project that provides homeless individuals a place to have a shower, along with a hot meal and some company:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-28/showers-homeless-california-latter-day-saint-pandemic-202738

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. Meanwhile, the Newsroom has reported on the death of yet another of the Church's young missionaries:

      https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/young-missionary-dies-haiti

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    3. The Church News has covered the aforementioned report on the latest missionary to pass away while actively serving:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-01-28/young-missionary-dies-haiti-port-au-prince-mission-202995

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    4. Additional updates have been provided on the order and general completion estimates for temples anticipated to be completed sometime in 2023. Rather than trying to outline those changes, I am instead providing the links to the construction status page of the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site, and the latest updates as reflected in my temple construction progress report:

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/construction/

      https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_NjOQjruF_hn11NO04fVSNWAF-r2OuaSLMDTqQXWeXo/edit?usp=sharing

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  8. Hello again, everyone! The Church News has provided the biographies of six additional couples who will assume leadership of temples around the world beginning in August of this year:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2021-01-29/new-temple-presidents-payson-utah-boston-massachusetts-denver-colorado-202599

    Among those whose calls were announced today are 1 current area seventy; 1 former area seventy who currently serves as a temple sealer; 1 former area seventy who currently serves as a stake temple and family history consultant; 1 current counselor in the presidency of the same temple for which he will assume oversight; 1 current temple sealer who previously served as both a mission president and MTC president; and 1 current temple sealer who also serves as a stake patriarch. Each of the new temple leaders announced today have also served separately and as couples in a wide range of other calleds in the Church.

    As a result of today’s announcement, I have made corresponding adjustments to my list of temples for which a new president has been or may be called:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MpJO3ESKh0h0fvU93GcYOn1M6dIFmY7QnJ67sIeij_A/edit?usp=sharing

    The Church News continues the coverage of President Nelson’s 3-year prophetic administration with an article from its editor, Sister Sarah Jane Weaver, listing ten lessons that can be learned from the leadership of Church President Russell M. Nelson:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-01-29/president-nelson-leadership-10-lesson-sarah-jane-weaver-202786

    New changes have been made for the Church’s Family History Library’s webpage on familysearch.org:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-01-29/family-history-library-new-website-familysearch-203010

    Details on how to find episodes of the Church News podcast through the Church News app have also been shared:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-01-29/church-news-app-update-podcast-subscribe-202516

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The latest edition of "This Week on Social" was published around 3 hours ago:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-29/social-bingham-ballard-youth-young-adults-hugs-scripture-strength-2021-ministering-203058

      Content was highlighted from the following general leaders: the following apostles of the Church: From the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Acting President M. Russell Ballard and Elders Quentin L. Cook and Gerrit W. Gong; Relief Society General President Sister Jean B. Bingham; Sisters Michelle D. Craig and Rebecca L. (Becky) Craven, the respective First and Second Counselors in the Young Women General Presidency; and Primary General President Sister Joy D. Jones.

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  9. On this Saturday, the Church News has provided the text of the message that will be delivered by Brother Lloyd Newell tomorrow during the hybrid choir broadcast that utilizes a new message each week spliced between prior performances done by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square each week in conjunction with the "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-01-30/music-and-the-spoken-word-trying-a-little-harder-to-be-a-little-better-ardeth-kapp-202714

    Additionally, the Church News has shared the biographies of 16 more new couples who will begin serving as mission leaders in July:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2021-01-30/new-mission-presidents-brazil-nebraska-ghana-washington-dc-202580

    The latest list of new leaders includes: 1 current female General Officer of the Church (Sister Lisa L. Harkness, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, whose release from that assignment is likely in April, and whose husband is currently serving in a bishopric); 1 current area seventy (Rene Romay, who will almost certainly be released in April as well); 3 current stake presidents; 6 former stake presidents; 1 former counselor in a stake presidency; 1 former stake high councilman; 1 current MTC branch presidency counselor; and 1 current branch presidency counselor who serves as both a sealer and a temple ordinance worker. As has been the case with the other sets of biographies for new mission leaders in the past, each of those whose biographies were shared today have served individually and as married couples in a wide range of Church assignments. My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Updates have been reported today on the status of the Pocatello Idaho and Moses Lake Washington Temples:

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/pocatello-idaho-temple/

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/moses-lake-washington-temple/

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  10. On this Sabbath morning, the Church News has provided another summary of coverage by highlighting 9 of the top developments this week ICYMI (In Case You Missed It):

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-01-31/week-in-review-elder-cook-byu-seminary-training-temples-podcast-203045

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For the first time in quite a while, a new update has been noted on the status of the Yigo Guam Temple:

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/yigo-guam-temple/

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  11. On this Monday, the Church News and the Newsroom have provided the usual weekly updates on the reopening status for temples around the world:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-02-01/lds-temples-open-worldwide-phased-reopening-183918

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-02-01/temple-reopening-status-tracker-worldwide-199279

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-limited-reopening-temples

    The highlihts of this week's announced reopenings, which will go into effect next Monday (February 8) include the confirmation that the Adelaide and Perth Australia and Suva Fiji Temples will reopen on that day under phase 3, which allows proxy ordinance work to resuem on a scaled-down basis, while still prioritizing ordiances for the living. It was also confirmed that the Melbourne Australia Temple, as previously announced, is open today for phase 3.

    Additionally, the Montreal Quebec Temple, which paused its' reopening after having reached phase 2, which allows the performance of all living ordinances in priority order, will reopen again next week, but under phase 1, which involves living husband-to-wife sealings, with limited guests allowed.

    Additionally, 6 temples in Latin America have been paused in their reopening status due to COVID-19, including 3 in Mexico (Guadalajara, Hermosillo Sonora, and Monterrey) 2 in Peru (Arequipa and Lima) and the Manaus Brazil Temple. The Guadalajara and Monterrey Mexico Temples had been in phase 1 prior to being in the paused status, with the other 4 being in phase 2. The above articles from the Church News and the Newsroom have noted different statistical data about the reopenings.

    Additionally, both the Church News and the Newsroom have highlighted the announcement of the last 6 of the total 13 keynote speakers who will be featured at the virtual RootsTech Connect conference next month:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-02-01/rootstech-connect-keynote-speakers-astrid-tuminez-bless4-tita-203015

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/rootstech-connect-announces-final-lineup-keynote-speakers

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. In view of the ongoing turbulence and discord of our present day, the Church News has shared a new Church video, which features Church members talking about the sources they turn to for truth, which are interspersed with portions of a General Conference talk given on truth by President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, during the October 2018 General Conference:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-02-01/in-search-of-truth-video-president-oaks-201164

      Meanwhile, the Newsroom has additionally reported on a donation from the Church to the mayor of San Pedro Sula Honduras to assist in the recovery efforts from the recent hurriicanes that have struck that Central American nation:

      https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/donations-made-to-those-affected-by-hurricanes-in-honduras

      Elder Jose Bernardo Hernandez, an Area Seventy who presided over last September's groundbreaking for the temple in that city, represented the Church in presenting that donation.

      In addition, updates have been provided on the construction status of four more temples, namely Quito Ecuador, Feather River California, Moses Lake Washington, and Columus Ohio:

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/quito-ecuador-temple/

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/feather-river-california-temple/

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/moses-lake-washington-temple/

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/columbus-ohio-temple/

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. A few days ago, in the comment threads of this very post, I referenced the Newsroom article published about the "English Connect" program. The Church News has this afternoon provided their own coverage on that development:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2021-02-01/english-connect-courses-combine-self-reliance-language-learning-203126

      Also, during RootsTech Connect, which is set to be held virtually later this month, youth and young adults in the Church are being invited to join a #QuestforConnection:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-02-01/rootstech-youth-young-adults-event-quest-for-connection-203117

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    3. Almost forgot to note that the Newsroom has noted the commencement of the next planned phase for the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple and surrounding facilities and gorunds:

      https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-office-building-plaza-renovation

      Again, this update is part of the larger plan detailed by President Nelson and other leaders in mid-April 2 years ago. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  12. So far today, there have been no new updates from the Newsroom or on the status of temples currently under construction or undergoing renovation. But there have been two new updates from the Church News. I'm not sure how new this may be, but the Church is now taking further action to assist members worldwide who deal with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. That is being done through a Church program called "Life Help". In addition to the Church members who are also mental health professionals working with the initiative, Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis, a General Authority Seventy who also serves as Second Counselor in the North America Southeast Area Presidency, has been asked to oversee the Life Help Iniitiative for the Church. In conunction with that development, the following Church News reports have been shared:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast/2021-02-02/anxiety-life-help-resource-elder-aidukaitis-carol-costley-203173

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-02-02/anxiety-church-experience-life-help-resources-podcast-203102

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Bishop L. Todd Budge, who was called as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric during General Conference 4 months ago, spoke at the BYU-Provo devotional this morning, where he focused his remarks on the topic of repetence:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-02-02/how-god-requires-individuals-to-be-broke-not-broken-byu-bishop-budge-203202

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. And updates have been provided for the Saratoga Springs Utah and St. George Utah Temples:

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/saratoga-springs-utah-temple/

      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/st.-george-utah-temple/

      My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  13. On this Wednesday, the Newsroom and the Church News have noted the food donation from the Church and its' humanitarian partners to Native American communities and families in need. The group receiving the donation has been impacted signficiantly through COVID-19, which has had a significantly more severe impact on non-white racial and ethnic groups:

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-distributes-food-native-americans-during-pandemic

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-02-03/fort-hall-reservation-food-distribution-pandemic-203222

    The Newsroom also reports on a donation given by Latter-day Saint Charities in partnership with Convoys of Hope to help feed hungry children:

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/30-million-meals

    Additionally, the Church News has reported a summary of how FamilySearch has grown in 2020:

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-02-03/familysearch-growth-2020-family-history-covid-19-pandemic-203220

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete

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.