BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Latest Temple Reopening Adjustments Announced

Hello again, everyone! Another week has come and gone, and it is time once again to discuss the latest temple reopening adjustments from the Church. As always, the latest information can be found in the official release from the Newsroom and the temple reopening status tracker, Usually, the Church News also shares the same updates detailed in the Newsroom on a weekly basis, but for whatever reason, that article has not been updated with today's adjustments. 

As I mentioned in my post this morning, the Medford Oregon Temple has closed for minor renovations, which are anticipated to be completed by the end of the year, with the temple's rededication (likely a one-session private event) occurring by that time as well. If tlhat rededication does not occur prior to the end of this year, then it will occur early next year.

Oddly enough, the temple reopening status tracker notes that the Medford Oregon Temple is "closed for extended maintenance", and that it is still open in phase 2-B. Given the information available online via the Church Temples site and that temple's page on the Church website, the renovation closure is confirmed, meaning that what is noted in the temple reopening status tracker is not quite accurate.

Unless I am mistaken, the status change for Medford is the only new information on temple reopenings. As a result, the status of temples now stands as follows: 10 temples are now closed for renovation, 9 of which have been given phase 3 designations. 2 other temples that had reached phase 3 remain "paused" in their reopenings. There is 1 temple each in phase 1 and phase 2, with 4 others operating in phase 2-B, and the remaining 153 temples are in phase 3.

As I've noted in just about every temple reopening update in the last several weeks, I am grateful for the carefully-planned cautiously-coordinated reopening of temples around the world, and for the revelatory process that drives those announcements every week. Although no temples anywhere have reached phase 4 (a return to full normal operations), it is wonderful the Church has been prudent and wise in the announcements of changes each week. 

I believe I have mentioned this in the recent past as well, but with the Brethren having to restrict travel from Church headquarters to some parts of the world where they might otherwise have assignments, the apostles have been able to ascertain information about COVID-19 and any related restrictions or other factors that would play into the process of the phased reopening of temples. 

And the usage of technology for that purpose has also apparently led the Brethren to conclude that, in some cases, tramsacting Church business by technology rather than in-person will be more effective. It will be interesting to see how the ministry of the apostles and other leaders changes going forward with an increased use of technology vs. in-person visits.

It seems as though COVID-19 has had a major role in reshaping how top leaders see their capacities to minister worldwide to the growing Church. And it's definitely not surprising to me that an increased usage of technology has come about during the prophetic adminnistration of President Russell M. Nelson, who appears to be the most technologically savvy prophet the Church has had since the world has more fully utlized modern technology. I anticipate that will continue to be true.

Having noted all of that, it's also worth noting that the newest strain of COVID-19 popping up in various world areas may, in subsequent weeks, lead to other temples being "paused" in their reopenings. I will be sure to watch for any such updates and will pass them along to you all as I become aware thereof. In the meantime, 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.