Hello again, everyone! It has been a tradition on this blog for me to provide updates on apostolic data every 7 weeks. Having last done so on February 20, it is time to publish the newest such data. As with every two-part update, the first part contains updated data about the age and tenure length records for all 17 Church Presidents. The first part also includes updated information on the tenure length records for each of the 28 Presidents of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The first document also shows information on three sets of apostolic groups: the longest-serving First Presidencies (which will not be updated with the First Presidency as presently constituted until 2024), in addition to the longest-serving groups of members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and groups of all ordained apostles (the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles).
The latest version of that document also shows when the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as currently comprised will move up on the list of the longest-serving Quorums of the Twelve Apostles, in addition to specifics on when the current members of that Quorum, along with the current First Presidency, will reach the next milestones on that list.
Meanwhile, the second part of today's update 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. 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 feedback offered is consistent with the established guidelines.
I hope any of you who would like to share anything will take your opportunity to “sound off” in the comments below. 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, everyonne! On this Sabbath Day, 3 new reports have been published by the Church News:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2022-05-29/14-reorganized-stake-presidencies-called-to-serve-provo-utah-paraguay-argentina-mexico-idaho-new-york-honduras-texas-255157
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-05-29/despite-the-challenges-of-the-world-elder-and-sister-holland-affirm-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ-is-the-answer-255380
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-05-29/week-in-review-elder-and-sister-holland-elder-bednar-guam-national-press-club-africa-255780
Also, I mentioned in my last comment in the threads of the previous post that I had stumbled upon information that seemed to be legitimate regarding the reopening of the Hong Kong China Temple. I received feedback from one of my many sources for Church information, who confirmed that the information is indeed legitimate. So the Hong Kong China Temple will be the first one rededicated this year. The open house has concluded, and the rededication will be on the same day as the dedication of the Praia Cape Verde Temple (Sunday June 19).
Right now, it is already Monday in Hong Kong, and it's currently Sunday evening in Cape Verde, so the rededication of the Hong Kong Temple will likely occur first. I also imagine that the Church will likely rededicate the temple in a one-session private gathering with only a few in attendance. The Church is choosing in this case to keep the event low-key, which likely explains why there has been no formal announcement on this through the Newsroom. And it is out of that same respect to keep the information on the DL that has apparently impacted the way the Church Temples site lists the information.
In view of such considarations, I have opted to not do a breaking temple news post on this information. But I will be sure to share anything official on this that comes through between now and June 19, and any official acknowledgement that that has occurred as scheduled on that day. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.
Given the time difference between Utah and Tokyo Japan, it is now Monday morning in that capital city. As a result, VIP/Media tours are underway for the temple in that city. The Newsroom and the Church News have shared coverage on that:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/beloved-tokyo-japan-temple-opens-to-the-public-following-renovation
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022-05-29/tokyo-japan-temple-begins-public-facing-phase-with-tours-photos-video-255791
Elder Gary E. Stevenson, who served as a missionary, mission president, and area president in Japan, is presiding over the first VIP/Media tours of that temple. My thanks once again to you all.
On this Memorial Day, the Church News has shared the following additional report:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022-05-30/connecting-with-ancestors-honoring-military-members-on-memorial-day-255800
My thanks once again to you all.
That link you first shared about Hong Kong appeared to be an official church website. It is also appearing on Rick's Temple site. But not under the news section.
DeleteAm anonymous above. my login did not show
DeleteAs always, thank you for keeping us informed. I wonder if Hong Kong is going to be sensitive in the future. For one thing the steeple was removed and another there was no widespread announcement of the openhouse and it lasted only a week or so.
ReplyDeleteChris, thanks for posting additional comments here. As I mentioned in the threads of the other post, I found the information noted on the Church's Hong Kong page in the Country and Area subsection. Hong Kong may be becomig more sensitive, in which cause I would not be shocked if the current Asia Area (the largest in the Church) were split into two or three separate areas in the next 1-3 years, and if the current HQ for the Asia Area was moved from Hong Kog to somewhere less volatile.
DeletehI have heard (but have been unable to personally substantiate) that the purpose for which Russia invaded Ukraine was to return control of it to Russia so that Russia could return to its' previous status as a supernation. There have also been whisperings that the Russian invasion of Ukraine may be emboldening China to similarly attempt to retake Hong Kong, in which case, that would explain Hong Kong's apparent current sensitivity.
It would not surprise me if that is the next major world crisis. We have heard in the last days that there will be wars and rumors of wars, and we are seeing that in abundance. That is hopefully a wakeup call to all of us to ensure we are more fully clinging to our covenants and finding safety living inside them. And it also explains the ongoing Nelsonian boom of temple announcements.
Hope these scattered thoughts, such as they are, serve as a fitting reply to your comments, Chris. I always appreciate you weighing in here, and hope you know how much I value your input. I also hope all is well with you and yours. Thanks again for stopping by to weigh in.
When the UK returned Hong Kong to China in 1997, it was under the agreement to keep the same or similar freedoms for 50 years under a "one country, two systems" policy. I believe the same for nearby Macao (a former Portuguese territory). But it seems China has been trying to exercise increased control the last few years, even before the 59 years are up. We are at about 25 years this summer. This is one reason I think the steeple was removed, to make the temple not stand out as a religious building and fit in the community, in preparation for the future. There were statements by our leaders about the future of the building when it was first built regarding the changeover from UK to China.
DeleteI meant 50 not 59 years above
DeleteThanks for the additional information and context, Chris! I am not sure I was aware of all the details you shared. That makes sense. I appreciate you sharing that. It will be interesting to see what the Church does in coming years about Asia in general and Hong Kong China in particular. Thanks, as always, for taking time to weigh in.
DeleteI think you might mean Taiwan with regard to China. Hing Kong is already in their control.
DeleteI hope that the next leaders of China will be Christian or at least favorable to Christians and allow freedom of religion and proselytizing faiths.
With regard to Russia, I think we might see multiple temples built there sooner than later, and in the process there will be many hearts softened. Moscow, St Petersberg, and Crimea would be my guesses. I could see at least one more Ukrainian temple in Lviv being announced too.
Danny, I meant Hong Kong . A few years ago there were protests in Hong Kong over keeping democracy. It seems that mainland China has been trying to change the current system and freedoms in some ways. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%932020_Hong_Kong_protests
DeleteThe above is only a personal theory why the steeple was removed. in preparation for the next 25 years. Unless things change.
I agree with your thoughts... I intended my comment in response to James' comment earlier however it appears threaded replies only go so deep on this platform. Sorry for any confusion.
DeleteDanny, I also meant Hong Kong. Local and national news has covered some preliminary information indicating that the Russian invasion of Ukraine in an effort to reunify the former USSR has led to some consideration by the Chinese government about the prospect of China retaking Hong Kong. If such an attempt was made, it would violate the agreement about the duration of Hong Kong's independence. But here's the thing: those same reports indicate that past agreements of independence don't mean as much to the nations who offered them, and corrupt individuals will try anything, especially if their behavior is left unchecked. And the unfortunate reality is that if the previous president of the United States had not taken such a warm tone in relation to Russia and China and their leaders, these issues wouldn't even be on the table now. But I think in any case, we can take comfort in the promise from the third verse of the hymn, "Oh, Say What Is Truth?":
DeleteThe sceptre may fall from the despot’s grasp
When with winds of stern justice he copes.
But the pillar of truth will endure to the last,
And its firm-rooted bulwarks outstand the rude blast
And the wreck of the fell tyrant’s hopes.
With all the craziness going on in the world, my fervent hope is that the Savior's coming is drawing near. Whenever it happens, those culpable for the turmoil and war in the world will be left without excuse. Hope that clarifies things from my end. Thanks for taking time to comment, Danny.Always a pleasure to hear from you.
The Church Temples site has provided a few updates on the completion order for temples anticipated to be completed in 2023. For some reason, although the changes noted below were made, there were not corresponding changes to the general completion estimates for the impacted temples. After the Salta Argentina Temple (with anticipated completion in mid-to-late 2023), the Church Temples site lists the Red Cliffs Utah and Tallahassee Florida Temples, but both still show the general completion estimate of late 2023.
ReplyDeleteThose temples are now followed by the Puebla Mexico Temple, still listed to be completed in mid-to-late 2023. Following the Puebla Mexico Temple are the Coban Guatemala and San Pedro Sula Honduras Temples, which both have a completion esmate in late 2023, but are now reversed in that queue from how they were listed previously (as of yesterday, San Pedro Sula Honduras was first, followed by the Coban Guatemala Temple.) My thanks once again to you all.