Hello again, everyone! We have breaking temple news this morning that I was not anticipating. In a stunning single announcement, the Church has officially released the exterior renderings for 4 US temples, as a clear sign of what the plans might be for the Church for the remainder of this year. In addition to the Newsroom release, these updates were detailed by the Church News shortly after the Newsroom release was published.
The renderings in question are for the Yorba Linda California Temple (for which the location and preliminary information were announced in mid-July) the Grand Junction Colorado and Burley Idaho Temples (for which the site locations and preliminary details were confirmed in mid-to-late June), and the Elko Nevada Temple (for which the site location and preliminary details were confirmed in mid-June.
The Elko temple incorporates similar exterior design elements comparable to the Casper Wyoming and Helena Montana Temples, so I anticipate that it will also be built using modular components, and that construction on that temple will take 12-15 generally (around 13 specifically) once construction begins. The Grand Junction Coloard Temple is of a similar size and design to the Bentonville Arkansas Temple, so I assume that the construction period for the Grand Junction temple will be identical to Bentonville.
The Yorba Linda California Temple incorporates similar designs as temples of similar sizes (particularly it reminds me a lot of the McAllen Texas Temple), so given its' projected size of 30,000 square feet, I anticipate the construction time-frame will be similar to those temples. And at an anticipated 38,600 square feet, the Burley Idaho Temple appears to be similar to temples of around the same size and design.
Others more qualified than I am to do so are invited to provide additional context into the designs of the newest temples. In the meantime, it will be interesting to see what happens with US temple groundbreakings for the rest of this year. The order in which any of these temples could have groundbreakings may be hard to determine. There is also the fact that the details of each of these 4 temples have been announced gradually, unlike the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple, which had a name, location, details, and rendering released all at once.
If I had to venture a guess, Elko would probably be first, given the quick approvals obtained for the similarly-designed Casper and Helena Temples. Willamette Valley Oregon could be next, followed by Grand Junction Colorado, Burley Idaho, and Yorba Linda California. And that's just US temples. We also have more than a few international ones that could very well be interspersed with each of the 5 US temples.
I will be taking time this weekend to reevaulate my previously-offered thoughts about temples for which a groundbreaking is anticipated, and I also will hopefully have my updated predictions for General Conference posted early next week, if not sooner. I continue to monitor all Church news and temple updates and will be sure to pass word of those along to you all as I become aware thereof.
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.
Hello again, everyone! The Church News has provided one other update today:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-09-17/elder-neil-l-andersen-reflections-joseph-smith-church-historic-sites-eastern-united-states-225755
My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has provided two additional updates, which speak for themselves:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-09-17/church-music-festival-children-testimonies-savior-225714
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2021-09-17/germany-belgium-netherlands-flood-victims-225906
Additionally, the latest edition of "This Week on Social" has been published:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-09-17/social-media-church-leaders-atonement-ballard-uchtdorf-225898
In the latest installment of the ongoing series, the featured content this week wts provided by the following general leaders of the Church: Acting President M. Russell Ballard and Elders Jeffrey R. Hollad, Dieter F. Uchtdorf (two of Elder Uchtdorf's posts were shared this week), David A. Bednar, Neil L. Andersen, Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson, Dale G. Renlund, and Ulisses Soares, all of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Relief Society General President Sister Jean B. Bingham and her First Counselor, Sister Sharon Eubank; Sister Rebecca L. (Becky) Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency; Primary General President Sister Camille N. Johnson; and Brother Milton Camargo, First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency.
My thanks once again to you all.
What are your thoughts regarding Moroni statues. Do you think we will see any of the currently announced temples receive one. My thought would be maybe Ephraim and that's it.
ReplyDeleteScott, I've thought recently about how the trend of temple construction has shifted away from using the angel Moroni in most cases. Over time, the symbolism of the angel Moroni, along with the significance thereof, has largely been lost to the world. I have heard a number of reports lately that indicate the Church may be wanting to completely phase out the usage of the angel Moroni, if only because the usage of a golden figure that is not the Savior may be confusing to some. Given the Church's ongoing efforts to correct the usage of the Church's name, I imagine they'll mostly want to avoid even the possibility of confusion or misunderstanding. What was once a key symbol of the Church has been replaced. With a renewed focus on the correct name (and the central role) of the Savior, it occurs to me to wonder if there is a way that future temple plans might include a place either on the grounds or somewhere prominent within the temple itself, the Christus statue could be installed as the new norm going forward. That might not happen, but it's an idea that occurred to me about what the Church could do going forward, especially since there seems to be a deliberate reason to phase out the usage of Angel Moroni.
DeleteThat being said, Scott, I had a question for you in return. I know you keep a data base of the Seventies of the Church. I also know that, in recent years, it has been customary for most GA Seventies to be sustained in April and released and granted emeritus status in October. I also know that, with the May 2018 call of Elder Brook P. Hales as a General Authority Seventy, and Elder Dean M. Davies' call as a GA Seventy in October of last year, that in some cases, a new GA Seventy has been called (or had their calls ratified) in the October General Conferences.
So that brings me to my question: When Elder Kevin J Worthen was released on August 1, the Church noted he'd continue as BYU-Provo President for the time being. Do you think it's a reasonable possibility that the Church could have Elder Worthen continue as BYU-Provo President until he turns 70, and that the remainder of his service as such could be rendered as a GA Seventy? Thanks again for taking time to weigh in here. I always appreciate hearing from you.
It's something that I think is possible. I have wondered about it myself. The prior two Presidents were already General Authorities when they were called. If President Worthen were to be called as a GA70 he would serve for 5 years, with a scheduled release in 2026.
ReplyDeleteIt is common for the President of BYUI to be also serve as an Area Seventy, but the two calls don't seem to be connected. Elder Bednar served in both capacities for the same time frame, but since him the others didn't get called as Seventies until after 2 years as President.
The other college Presidents haven't been called as Area Seventies at all. (With the exception of Eric B. Shumway for a couple of years at the end of his time at BYUH)
All that being said, with President Nelson as our Prophet, I wouldn't be surprised no matter what happens as far as President Worthen being called as a General Authority.
Scott, FYI, after reading both of your comments, I did some digging and found an official report from the Cambodian Newsroom confirming the groundbreaking for the Phnom Pehn Camboida Temple on Saturday morning (it's now Sunday there). After I posted the Newsroom confirmation, the report showed up as the newest one on the main Newsroom page. Nice to have that convifmed. 44 temples are now in the construction queue, with 40 others announced.
DeleteHaving noted that, I wanted to thank you for your comments on university presidents in general, and the prospect that Elder Worhen might be called as a GA Seventy in two weeks in particular. There has been the precedent, as you metnioned, where current GA Seventies have finished their active serviceas as such while also wrapping up tenusres as BYU-Provo President. And with Elder Kim B. Clark specifically, we have a relatively recent example of a GA Seventy who served for 4.5 years as such following his tenure as BYU-Idaho President.
We also know that Elder Clark G. Gilbert was an area seventy while serving as BYU-Idaho President and as the first President of BYU-PW, and we additionally know, as you also correctly observed, that President Henry J. Eyring was the president of BYU-Idaho for around 2 years before he was sustained as an area seventy.
We also know that Presients Kusch and Kauwe, who are the respective current Presidents of Ensign College and BYU-Hawaii, are not currently area seventies, though that could change at some point.
That leads me to another theory I have: At the time of Elder Gilbert's call as a GA Seventy, he had been serving as both an area seventy and BYU-PW president. So my additional theory is that new BYU-PW president Brian K. Ashton, who formerly served at the general level of Church leadership as Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, could potentially be called as a new area seventy in two weeks. That is because there is recent precedent for the BYU-PW president to be an area seventy. Do you have any thoughts on that theory?
Also, another quick follow-up question for you: as I'm sure you know, Elder David S. Baxter, a GA Seventy since April 2006, has twice been on medical leave from his assignments. The first time that occurred was in 2009, when he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
If the information I found on my end is correct, around 3-4 years following that diagnosis and treatment, Elder Baxter resumed an active role as a GA Seventy serving in a few capacities at Church headquarters. It appears that at some point in the late 2010s, Elder Baxter again had to be placed on medical leave, and that latest medical leave is still ongoing now. Elder Baxter is now 66 years old. So my question is, what do you think about the potential theory that he might be released and granted emeritus status in General Conference two weeks from now, alongside the 7-8 or so who have marked or will be marking their respective 70th birthdays?
I know that there have been a couple of examples in the 2020s decade of some GA Seventies being released from active service and granted emeritus stutus early in consideration of their health and well-being, which is why I wanted to ask you about that prospect.
As always, Scott, thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I appreciate you!
I have confirmed the groundbreaking has occurred for the Phnom Penh Cambodia temple. This was through a search on Twitter and a link to a photo from the event on Instagram
ReplyDeleteScott, after seeing this comment, I did some digging on my end. In doing so, I found a report from the Cambodian Newsroom confirming that had occurred. And by the time I shared that link in my comment below, the news release in question was published on the main Newsroom page. 44 temples are now in the construction queue, leaving 40 announced. Thanks for the initial confirmation. I appreciate you.
DeleteHello again, everyone! On this Saturday morning, I am pleased to share confirmation from the Church's official Cambodian Newsroom that ground was broken for the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple Saturday morning:
ReplyDeletehttps://news-kh.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-breaks-ground-for-phnom-penh-cambodia-temple
The reason I said "Saturday morning" and not "this morning" is due to the time difference between Utah and Cambodia. It is now just past midnight Sunday in the Cambodian capital city. There are now 44 temples under construction, with 40 others announced. My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News also covered the groundbreaking ceremony for Cambodia's first temple:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-09-18/phnom-penh-cambodia-temple-groundbreaking-225973
My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has shared the following additional reports, which speak for themselves:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-09-18/loneliness-connection-byu-professor-research-holt-lunstad-225617
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-09-18/music-and-the-spoken-word-the-tree-of-life-225842
Additionally, I failed to mention this, but the VIP/Media tours for the Pocatello Idaho Temple concluded yesterday. Starting today, with tours running almost every day for the next 5 weeks. I say "almost every day" since Sundays and General Conference weekend are excluded.
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Sabbath Day, the Church News has provided two updates. First up is an article about the new University of Utah president who is a member of the Church:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-09-19/university-utah-president-randall-utes-byu-academics-missionary-225894
And the latest Wee in Review, entitled "In Case You Missed It" was also published:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-09-19/in-case-you-missed-it-president-nelson-spanish-instagram-account-elder-bednar-ask-seek-knock-g20-forum-pocatello-temple-225926
My thanks once again to you all
Here is one additional Churh News report:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-09-19/scott-taylor-elder-stevenson-holiness-to-the-lord-invitation-225668
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! As we begin another work week here in the United States, I a not entirely sure at this point when breaking news updates could potentially be announced this week, or specifically which updates will be shared.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I'm committed to bringing word thereof to you all here as thoe updates are announed. in the meantime, for today. as a lead-up to General Conference, the Church News has provided an overview of 15 invitations given last April by each of our apostles:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-09-20/april-2021-general-conference-15-invitations-224686
Additional updates, if any, will follow later today as needed/ for now, my thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has shared a new video:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-09-20/video-companions-blessing-missionary-training-center-transfer-in-person-226013
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! Over the last few weeks, the Church News has published articles detailing more information about the locations in which each of the 20 temples announced in April will be constructed. The first of those articles was published on June 14, covering information about Africa's newest temples:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-06-14/africa-new-temples-kumasi-ghana-cape-town-south-africa-beira-mozambique-214914
The article about African temples was followed on July 1 by an article about the nations in which Europe's 3 newest temples were announced:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-07-01/europe-new-temples-announced-april-2021-217568
That was followed on August 16 by information about Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, which each had new temples announced in April as well:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-08-16/temple-plans-casper-wyoming-grand-junction-colorado-farmington-new-mexico-222142
The new temples in Nevada and Utah (2 recently announced, with 1 of those announced a few eeks following General Conference) were the subject of the newest article in this series, which was published earlier today:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-09-20/utah-nevada-cities-recently-announced-temples-elko-ephraim-smithfield-225778
I would just like to share one additional thought. When the announcement of the groundbreaking information for Cambodia's first temple was released, the groundbreaking was scheduled to occur between previously-announced groundbreakings. That suggests that, although the Church just recently postponed the groundbreaking for the Pago Pago American SamoA Temple for the last Saturday in Octber, there might still be a chance that the Church could schedule additional groundbreakings to occur on October 9 (the same day that ground will be broken for the Casper Wyoming Temple), or on October 16, 23, or 30 (with that date, as noted, also marking the groundbreaking for the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple).
As most of you are likely well aware, one of the sections in my temple construction progress report is entitled "Groundbreaking Anticipated", and focuses on temples for which there is currently enough information, or for which there may soon be enough information, to project that general window when those might occur.
Given what we have seen in terms of recent trends with announced groundbreakings thus far, and also given the fact that more official information has been released for several new temples in the United States, as a hypothetical preview of what that would look like, let's take the examples of the Elko Nevada and Willamette Valley Oregon Temples. For Elko, the site announcement, the recent release of the exterior rendering, and the size thereof appears to indicate it might be one of the next to have a temple groundbreaking announced. And with the announcement earlier this month about the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple, with a site confirmed, a rendering released, and size details shared, Oregon's newest temple would be another that could have a groundbreaking soon.
What I am thinking of doing is creating a new section in my temple construction progress report entitled "Groundbreaking Announcement Anticipated". That new section would show a range of exact dates on which those groundbreakings could occur.
DeleteSo, with the two examples of Elko Nevada and Willamette Valley Oregon in mind, those temples would be placed at the top of the new section, with the potential exact dates of October 16, 23, and 30 listed for both. Other temples which I'd put in the new section would have dates listed of October 23 or 30 or November 6; while others might be listed for October 30 or November 6 or 13; November 6, 13. and 20; and November 13, 20, and 27. That would be my starting point for the new section, which would then be expanded to include prospective temple groundbreakings for December. Once I have those changes made, I will try to post those here.
But I am also hoping to get my revised predictions for next General Conference put together. I believe the bulk of the changes may be to the list of locations in which temples could be announced. My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! With the reported updates on temple reopenings anticipated any minute now, I wanted to share one additional report from the Newsroom this morning:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-completes-major-microfilm-digitization-initiative
I will be back with coverage on the latest temple reopening adjustments as I can put that information together once it is announced. My thanks once again to you all.