Hello again, everyone! I have mentioned in the recent past that I felt that the timing on the Quito Ecuador and Belem Brazil Temple openings would be difficult to pinpoint. And that has been the case for a while now. It occurred to me to wonder if the openings for either or both would be delayed until other temples (such as the San Juan Puerto Rico, Feather River California, Saratoga Springs Utah, and Helena Montana Temples) were dedicated, or at least had opening arrangements announced.
I had also recently voiced the opinion that the Church would likely next set the rededication arrangements for the Columbus Ohio Temple and the dedication arrangements for the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple next before that happened for any other temples. Well, as He has so many times before, the Lord has proven me wrong on all of that. This morning, the First Presidency officially confirmed the opening arrangements for two South American temples, the Belem Brazil and Quito Ecuador Temples. Let's break down the details:
Firstly, despite the time difference (Quito is 2 hours ahead of Belem), the arrangements for the Belem Brazil Temple are detailed before Quito Ecuador. Brazil's newest temple will have a two-week open house, running from Saturday October 22-Saturday November 5, excluding the Sundays of October 23 and 30. And the second Ecuadoran temple open house will be held over a 15-day period from Friday October 14-Saturday October 29, with the exception of the Sundays of October 16 and 23.
Here's the really interesting thing, though: The dedications of both temples are set to take place on Sunday November 20. The Church is sending Elder Dale G. Renlund to preside at the dedication of Brazil's newest temple, while the dedication of Quito's second will be under the direction of Elder Quentin L. Cook. Elder Renlund previously dedicated the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple in 2019, while Elder Cook rededicated the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple later that same year.
Because of the time difference between Belem Brazil and Quito Ecuador, the first dedicatory session will get underway for Ecuador's newest temple 2 hours before the first session of the Belem Brazil Temple dedication is held. So right now, the Quito Ecuador and Belem Brazil Temples are on track to become the 174th and 175th operating temples of the Church. However, there is a possibility, however remote, that if construction wraps up soon on the San Juan Puerto Rico, Feather River California, and Saratoga Springs Utah Temples, any of those could be dedicated before the November 20 dedication of these 2 temples.
It's also worth mentioning that the newest update on the Columbus Ohio Temple could also soon be announced, so it will be interesting to see what might happen there. Incidentally, I have received feedback indicating that the Church might conduct the dedication of the Helena Montana Temple sometime in December, so it will be interesting to see the timing on temple events for the back half of this year. For my part, I continue to monitor all such updates, including major Church news, and will be sure to continue to pass those updates along as time and circumstances allow.
In the meantime, that does it for now. All comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as the offered feedback is made per the established guidelines. Thank you for the privilege of your time. I hope any of you who would like to share anything will take your opportunity to “sound off” in the comments below. 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.
If I'm not mistaken, I'm pretty sure Belém (GMT-3) is actually 2 hours ahead of Quito (GMT-5). So that would theoretically make Belém 174 and Quito 175 unless the Church decides to number them differently. It's also a slim possibility that other temples could be dedicated before November.
ReplyDeleteHey, Noah! Thanks for weighing in. I just double-checked myself. When it's 9:00 AM in Belem, it will be 7:00 AM in Quito on the same day, so you are correct. I had them out of order. Thanks for double-checking me on that. Here's a source for verification:
Deletehttps://www.google.com/search?q=9%3A00+AM+Belem+Brazil+to+Quito+Ecuador&rlz=1CABBMB_enUS976&oq=9%3A00+AM+Belem+Brazil+to+Quito+Ecuador&aqs=chrome.0.69i59.3355j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
So for now, Belem would be 174 and Quito 175. I say "for now" because I think the Church could still potentially dedicate the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple before November 20. The Puerto Rican temple is smaller than the two South American temples, so a shorter open house and earlier dedication could easily occur between mid-October and November 20. I'll be interested to see how that works out. I think it's possible the Church may dedicate multiple temples on the same day on a few other occasions as well before the end of this year. Thanks again, Noah.
I served my mission in Guayaquil, Ecuador in the late 1990's when that temple was under construction. I am excited that the country is getting it's second temple dedicated.
ReplyDeleteI remember you mentioning that, Chris. It is exciting to see these two South American temples dedicated, and well before I thought that might happen. I will be interested to see what the timing is on other temple dedications and rededications in the days ahead, as I think it could be possible for the Church to dedicate Puerto Rico's first temple before November 20. Thanks again for stoppping by to comment, Chris! Always a pleasure to hear from you.
DeleteHello again, everyone! The temple reopening status tracker has been updated today for the first time in several weeks:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022-06-24/temple-reopening-status-tracker-worldwide-199279
Today’s report notes the following updates about the following temples:
The Adelaide Australia Temple began a transition to phase 4 sometime in mid-June 2022:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/adelaide-australia-temple?lang=eng
The Columbia River Washington Temple began the transition to Phase 4 on June 21, 2022:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/columbia-river-washington-temple?lang=eng
As I noted in my report on the Hong Kong China Temple rededication, ordinance work there is anticipated to start up again sometime next month, July 9 to be exact. But the process for scheduling living and proxy ordinances has been outlined, including details on when reservations for those ordinances can be made:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/hong-kong-china-temple?lang=eng
With phase 4 operations beginning for the Cebu City Philippines Temple on June 1 of this year, that transition has now also occurred for the Manila Philippines Temple, effective June 14, 2022:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/manila-philippines-temple?lang=eng
The update notes that the Praia Cape Verde Temple reportedly began ordinance work today, but the Church's website for this temple says it is closed:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/praia-cape-verde-temple?lang=eng
The Rexburg Idaho Temple is temporarily closed for maintenance and updates:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/rexburg-idaho-temple?lang=eng
The Suva Fiji Temple, which had transitioned to phase 3 last year before being shifted back to phase 1 earlier this year reportedly began phase 4 on June 24, 2022:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/suva-fiji-temple?lang=eng
As a result of the changes I outlined above, effective today, the Church has 8 temples closed for major renovations (the Hong Kong China Temple will reopen next month, as noted above, at which point that will go down to 7) and 1 other (Kyiv Ukraine) with operations paused/suspended due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The latest reports indicate that some of Russia’s military are back in Ukraine attempting again to capture it. As of right now, there are no reports of harm to the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, but it’s possible that could change at some point.
In view of the latest updates, aside from these 9 temples, there are 9 left in phase 3, and the remaining 156 are in phase 4 and returning to normal operations. For the first time since phase designations were first granted to temples, there are none remaining in phases 1, 2, or 2-B. I am grateful for the wisdom, prudence, and inspiration that has attended the worldwide process of returning temples to normal operations.
Aside from those updates, the Church News also outlined some details on how unscheduled temple appointments will work and specifically shared that a total of 90 temples will offer no-appointment options. Again, those patrons who schedule formal appointments for ordinance work will be given priority, with others without appointments accommodated as capacity allows:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022-06-24/which-nearly-90-temples-allow-patrons-to-do-proxy-work-without-appointments-259174
Included among those 90 temples are all temples in Africa, the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico, most of the operating temples in the United States, and some in the Church’s Europe and Pacific Areas. My thanks once again to you all.
With this weekend marking the final weekend in June, the Church News has shared the first available reports on the 2022 Seminar for New Mission Leadership, and have provided summaries of specific remarks given yesterday by Presidents Dallin H. Oaks and M. Russell Ballard and today by President Henry B. Eyring:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-24/2022-seminar-for-new-mission-leaders-read-talk-summaries-and-see-photos-259219
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-24/president-oaks-president-ballard-2022-seminar-for-new-mission-leaders-sacred-work-spiritual-gifts-259148
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-24/president-eyring-new-mission-leadership-seminar-converted-missionaries-259084
My thanks once again to you all.
A new Church News video features thoughts from former New York Attorney General Robert Adams and Elders Jeffrey R. Holland and Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who formerly served together as mission companions, on efforts to build bridges of cooperation and understanding between Church leaders and members and government and civic leaders:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/church-news-videos/2022-06-24/church-news-video-elder-holland-elder-cook-bob-abrams-two-communities-259315
Meanwhile, on this Friday, the final June edition of "This Week on Social" has been provided:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-24/this-week-on-social-on-set-final-season-book-of-mormon-videos-elder-rasband-259005
Featured in the latest edition were posts from the following general Church leaders: Elders David A. Bednar, Neil L. Andersen, and Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Young Women General President Sister Bonnie H. Cordon and her First Counselor, Sister Michelle D. Craig; Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, First Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency; and Brother Jan E. Newman, Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency.
Given today's announcement of opening arrangements for the Quito Ecuador and Belem Brazil Temples, I am cautiously optimistic that next week, we could see the announcement of several additional temple groundbreakings, or at very least the release of site locations and confirmation of initial information for at least a couple more temples.
DeleteRight now, the Church has 2 temple groundbreakings scheduled, and I'm keeping my eye out for information on the groundbreakings for a minimum of 12 additional temples in the coming months, along with 5 others for which any official information might soon be confirmed. And I wouldn't be shocked to see at least initial announcements made for the 10 other US temples announced last October and in April of this year.
I honestly don't know what to expect on the timing for subsequent announcements beginning next week. July 1 will mark the start of the annual July recess for our General Authorities, so there may or may not be any breaking news updates for those 31 days, although, of course, the Church has set the rededication of the Tokyo Japan Temple to occur on July 3.
I should perhaps also mention a theory I have. It pertains to the upcoming August 14 rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple. As I'm sure most of my readers are aware, aside from personally dedicating the Concepcion Chile and Rome Italy Temples, along with originally planning to personally dedicate the Arequipa Peru Temple (but having to make other arrangements due to minor illness), President Nelson has delegated the remaining temple dedications and rededications of his four-year prophetic administration to his fellow apostles.
DeleteWe saw in the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple that all living apostles were invited to gather together in Rome for those 3 days. Since that time, only 1 or 2 apostles have been sent out for every other dedication or rededication. We also know that the dedication of the Washington D.C. Temple will only consist of three sessions held on a single day. So my theory is that more than 1 or 2 apostles will be sent to attend that rededication.
President Nelson could be one of them, since I don't believe he's traveled outside of Utah since the onset of the pandemic. I believe at least five other apostles have some connections to the D.C. area, which include Presidents Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency and Elders David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, and Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I will be interested to see what happens there.
The final thing I wanted to mention here is that, because the Church set the dedications of the Quito Ecuador and Belem Brazil Temples to occur on the same day, I don't think we can or should rule out the prospect that two temple dedications or rededications, or the dedication of a new temple and the rededication of an existing one could (and probably will) also be scheduled to occur on the same day in the future.
DeleteMore details on that theory will be provided with my temple construction progress report for the first half of 2022, which will be published on this blog on Thursday of next week. Stay tuned for more on all of this as I find out about it. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.
I too think it's certainly possible to see some other dedication dates announced prior to these two, particularly in September-October or even early November. San Juan seems most likely, but perhaps even Feather River and Saratoga Springs, too. Unless if there is still a lot interior work to be done, or if there is delay in construction materials, furniture items, etc., it seems like those are getting closer to the completion mark. I was able to take a walk around the Saratoga Springs Temple site a couple weeks ago, and it is looking great. But then again, I am no construction expert and there may still be other things left to do. :) Either way, exciting to see more dedications announced! It will be interesting to see how things are scheduled, especially as more wrap up construction later this year and into next year.
ReplyDeleteHello, Eric! Thanks for stopping by to weigh in with your thoughts. Since the renovation of the Columbus Ohio Temple is wrapping up, I think we'll see a late September or mid-October rededication for that temple. The San Juan Puerto Rico and Saratoga Springs Utah Temple dedications could follow between late October and mid- November, with Feather River California's dedication in late November. I received feedback from one of my many sources for temple tidbits that the Helena Montana Temple could be dedicated sometime in December, which may or may not impact whether or not any temples behind that in the queue will be dedicated before the end of the year.
DeleteIf I have calculated correctly, I am estimating that by the end of June of next year, both the Orem and Taylorsville Utah Temples will be dedicated. So any temples in the current queue between Helena Montana and Orem Utah would have their dedications between the beginning of 2023 and the beginning of June. So there are going to be several more dedicatory announcements in the coming months ahead.
That would be a total of 18 new temples dedicated between now and the end of June 2023, so the next 8 months are likely to be chock-full of major temple announcements. In order for the Church to dedicate each of those 18 temples by June of next year, at least one temple will need to be dedicated every 2-3 weeks. And since we have the precedent today of two temples that are going to be dedicated in one day, the Church could double- or triple-up on temple dedications as the need arises. Hopefully this information is helpful to you, Eric, and to all others who read it.
I'm glad you mentioned driving by the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple recently. Right now, because we are in Orem, we would be assigned to the district of that temple if we were still here this time next year. But since we will be relocating to my father-in-law's residence in the next month, once it is completed, my wife and I will be part of the district of that temple as well. So that will be exciting. And, as I said, starting later this year, the Church will need to dedicate 2-3 temples per month every month for the foreseeable future to provent a backlog.
All of that being said, Eric, thanks, as always, for taking time to comment. I always appreciate hearing from you.
On this final Saturday in June, a few additional reports have been provided by the Church News. Firstly, the Church News continues to report on the Seminar for New Mission Leaders, and has shared summaries of remarks given by Elders Gary E. Stevenson and Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-24/elder-stevenson-new-mission-leaders-seminar-6-guiding-principles-preach-my-gospel-259340
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-25/elder-uchtdorf-2022-mission-leaders-seminar-missionary-work-and-the-ongoing-restoration-259145
Just a quick reminder about the home page on the Church News website where anyone interested can find all the currently-published or yet-to-be-published reports on that seminar:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-24/2022-seminar-for-new-mission-leaders-read-talk-summaries-and-see-photos-259219
Church News editor Sister Sarah Jane Weaver provides insight into how a general Church leader (Sister Ardeth G. Kapp) showed her great kindness, understanding, and compassion at a key moment in her life:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022-06-25/sarah-jane-weaver-ardeth-kapp-young-women-the-kindness-shown-church-leader-who-had-every-reason-to-hold-back-258997
And the Church News also published today a new article introducing Sister Kristen M. Yee, who will begin serving as Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency to Sister Camille N. Johnson on August 1 of this year:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-25/kristin-yee-relief-society-general-presidency-counselor-primary-artist-disney-animation-byu-259161
The Church News has thus shared articles introducing every member of that incoming presidency. In the coming weeks, I also anticipate that the incoming Primary General Presidency (outgoing First Counselor and incoming General President Sister Susan H. Porter, outgoing Second Counselor and incoming First Counselor Sister Amy A. Wright, and new Second Counselor Sister Tracy Y. Browning) will be similarly featured. My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has provided the text of the message that will be given tomorrow during the "Music & the Spoken Word" broadcast:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/spoken-word/2022-06-25/music-and-the-spoken-word-a-life-changing-lesson-loyalty-kindness-friendship-259235
The Church News has also published summaries of remarks given by Elders Quentin L. Cook and Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during the Mission Leadership Seminar:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-25/elder-cook-mission-leaders-seminar-shares-3-ways-to-help-establish-the-church-259449
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-25/elder-soares-2022-mission-leaders-seminar-magnificent-ordinance-of-baptism-259458
And General Authority Seventy Elder Brook P. Hales, who is still also serving as the Secretary to the First Presidency, spoke at the recent graduation ceremony for BYU-Hawaii:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022-06-25/elder-brook-hales-byu-hawaii-graduation-3-insights-change-repentance-trust-259479
There will likely be other reports tomorrow morning and afternoon, which I will pass along as time and circumstances allow. But tomorrow evening will be my father-in-law's viewing, so there will likely be a delay between then and Monday afternoon before I can resume providing those updates. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
On this Sabbath Day, the Church News has shared the traditional "Week in Review", highlighting the top 9 developments covered in the last week:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-26/week-in-review-mission-leaders-seminar-statement-on-water-conservation-praia-hong-kong-temple-dedication-259083
And the Church announced new presidencies for 10 existing stakes:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2022-06-26/new-stake-leaders-presidents-london-paris-idaho-utah-ysa-american-fork-nigeria-ephraim-payson-canada-259073
We will be heading out this evening for my father-in-law's viewing, so from about 4:00 PM today through the early afternoon tomorrow, any new reports will be shared sporadically, if at all, while I focus on family matters. My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! The viewing wrapped up at 8:00 this evening, and we just got home an hour ago from that. This evening, two new reports on the Seminar for New Mission Leadership shared summaries of remarks offered by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Young Women General President Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, the latter of whom serves on the Missionary Executive Council. Elder Gary E. Stevenson, also of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, introduced Elder Christofferson's message, which was prerecorded due to Elder Christofferson's recent diagnosis of a breakthrough case of COVID-19. Here are those summaries:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-26/elder-christofferson-2022-mission-leaders-seminar-3-fundamental-roles-of-the-spirit-259543
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-26/bonnie-cordon-mission-leaders-seminar-create-a-savior-focused-mission-culture-259426
Additionally, the Church News also reported on the 2022 Sharing the Gospel Broadcasr, which was shared during the seminar as well, and featured Elders Dieter F. Uchtdorf (the current Chair of the Priesthood and Family Executive Council), David A. Bednar (the current chair of the Temple and Family History Executive Council), and Quentin L. Cook (the current Chair of the Missionary Executive Council). That broadcast will be the focus of the 5th Sunday second-hour meeting in July:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-06-26/2022-sharing-the-gospel-broadcast-invitations-from-elder-bednar-elder-uchtdorf-elder-cook-to-love-share-invite-259508
My thanks once again to you all.
In the last 36 hours or so, construction updates have been provided on the Grand Junction Colorado, Farmington New Mexico, Burley Idaho, Smithfield Utah, and Columbus Ohio Temples:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/grand-junction-colorado-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/farmington-new-mexico-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/burley-idaho-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/smithfield-utah-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/columbus-ohio-temple/
My thanks oncce again to you all.