Hello again, everyone! I have three major temple announcements to cover in this post. First, as I mentioned in the comment threads of my previous post, I have been anticipating that the text of the second dedicatory prayer written by President Nelson and offered by him in the first session and each of his counselors in the final two sessions of yesterday's rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple has been published.
In all honesty, although I expected that to happen this week, I was surprised to see it already released today. As I've previously noted, as a general rule, the links I provide for any content I share are usually for any of you to pick and choose which ones you'd actually like to read based on your personal interests, but from time to time, an article crosses my radar that I recommend to all of my readers. This is another such article.
However, that report is a secondary reason for this latest post. The primary reason is that a new announcement from the First Presidency has provided the first major temple update since yesterday's rededication. And contrary to what I had supposed, the update did not relate to any new temple groundbreakings, or opening or reopening arrangements for temples nearing completion.
Instead, there has been an official confirmation of the name of the Rexburg North Idaho Temple, and a clarification of the name of the newest temple in the United Kingdom. As reflected on the official temple list, the new name of the second temple in Rexburg Idaho, set to be built in the northern part of that city, will be the Teton River Idaho Temple.
As previously mentioned, the current status of that temple and a similar status for the temple in Montpelier Idaho means those two top the list of the temples most likely to have a groundbreaking announced soon. That being said, for the Teton River Idaho Temple, we are also awaiting confirmation of the official site. Even so, I'm glad we at least have confirmation of the name now.
Now, regarding the newest temple in the United Kingdom, when President Nelson announced it in April, he referred to it as the Birmingham United Kingdom Temple. However, as we know, the other two temples in England use the name of England rather than the UK moniker. Either is technically correct. But conventionally, the other two temples use England.
So the official name there is the Birmingham England Temple. While I'm glad that has been officially confirmed, we do not have a site confirmation on that temple yet. And thus we see that temple-by-temple, the Church is confirming official names for temples that only had generic or directional ones up to this point. I am pleased to have been able to provide this update.
I continue to monitor all such developments and will be sure to pass them along as I learn of them. 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.
Hello again, everyone! I have three major temple announcements to cover in this post. First, as I mentioned in the comment threads of my previous post, I have been anticipating that the text of the second dedicatory prayer written by President Nelson and offered by him in the first session and each of his counselors in the final two sessions of yesterday's rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple has been published.
In all honesty, although I expected that to happen this week, I was surprised to see it already released today. As I've previously noted, as a general rule, the links I provide for any content I share are usually for any of you to pick and choose which ones you'd actually like to read based on your personal interests, but from time to time, an article crosses my radar that I recommend to all of my readers. This is another such article.
However, that report is a secondary reason for this latest post. The primary reason is that a new announcement from the First Presidency has provided the first major temple update since yesterday's rededication. And contrary to what I had supposed, the update did not relate to any new temple groundbreakings, or opening or reopening arrangements for temples nearing completion.
Instead, there has been an official confirmation of the name of the Rexburg North Idaho Temple, and a clarification of the name of the newest temple in the United Kingdom. As reflected on the official temple list, the new name of the second temple in Rexburg Idaho, set to be built in the northern part of that city, will be the Teton River Idaho Temple.
As previously mentioned, the current status of that temple and a similar status for the temple in Montpelier Idaho means those two top the list of the temples most likely to have a groundbreaking announced soon. That being said, for the Teton River Idaho Temple, we are also awaiting confirmation of the official site. Even so, I'm glad we at least have confirmation of the name now.
Now, regarding the newest temple in the United Kingdom, when President Nelson announced it in April, he referred to it as the Birmingham United Kingdom Temple. However, as we know, the other two temples in England use the name of England rather than the UK moniker. Either is technically correct. But conventionally, the other two temples use England.
So the official name there is the Birmingham England Temple. While I'm glad that has been officially confirmed, we do not have a site confirmation on that temple yet. And thus we see that temple-by-temple, the Church is confirming official names for temples that only had generic or directional ones up to this point. I am pleased to have been able to provide this update.
I continue to monitor all such developments and will be sure to pass them along as I learn of them. 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.
Hello again, everyone! I have additional news to report from the Church News, in the form of an article announcing the passing of one of the current area seventies, Elder Inoke F. Kupu. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Just last year, Elder Kupu, by assignment from the First Presidency, broke ground for the Neiafu Tonga Temple. He died on Saturday in New Zealand at the age of 63. No cause of death has been revealed at this point:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022/8/15/23306748/elder-inoke-foto-kupu-area-seventy-passes-away-tonga-leader
The Church News article links to the following Pacific Newsroom article, which may have more details:
https://news-nz.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/tongan-church-leader-passes-away
In happier news, relating to temples, a new Church News video features thoughts from President Nelson on the vital role temples play for Church members and those on the other side of the veil:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/8/15/23306884/video-president-nelson-shares-how-temples-are-a-symbol-of-jesus-christ-washington-dc-temple-dedicate
And this week marks the beginning of BYU-Provo's in-person Education Week, the first time since the pandemic that it has been able to be held in person. A few more articles from the Church News on that topic speak for themselves:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/15/23303397/2022-byu-education-week-provo-utah-100th-anniversary-elder-quentin-l-cook-classes-gospel-topics
https://www.thechurchnews.com/history/2022/8/15/23306029/byu-education-week-100-years-history-leadership-classes-devotionals-instruction
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/15/23306970/sunday-school-general-presidency-byu-education-week-teaching-in-the-saviors-way-mark-pace
And here are two new reports from the Newsroom, which also speak for themselves:
https://news-middleeast.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/saudi-arabia-ambassador-meets-with-top-church-leaders
https://news-middleeast.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/condolences-offered-after-coptic-church-fire-in-egypt
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! I have some interesting news to share: I was going over the Chrch Temples site section for announced temples, and it appears that a new report indicates that a site has been acquired for that temple. This means that it now joins the list of temples for which official details might soon be announced:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/tacloban-city-philippines-temple/
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Tuesday, the Church News has shared the following updates, which speak for themselves:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/16/23307117/byu-education-week-first-day-lessons-good-shoes-water-bottle-new-friends-class-flexibility
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/15/23303397/2022-byu-education-week-provo-utah-100th-anniversary-elder-quentin-l-cook-classes-gospel-topics
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/16/23307476/coptic-church-fire-in-egypt-middle-east-africa-north-area-presidency-statement
If there are any other Church News, Newsroom, or temple construction updates, I will bring word of those to you all here as I become aware of those reports. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
The following additional Church News report has been shared:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/16/23308212/elder-cook-byu-education-week-devotional-give-heed-to-the-words-of-the-prophets
My thanks once again to you all.
And the latest Church News podcast has also been shared:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast/2022/8/16/23308407/talon-summers-family-medical-trials-finding-healing-comfort-trusting-gods-plan-episode-97
My thanks once again to you all.
I wonder if the clarification on the Birmingham England Temple could be an indication of the potential announcement of a temple in Scotland, Ireland, or Wales in the near future.
ReplyDeleteHey, Noah! You raise an interesting and intriguing suggestion. That may have factored into it. I have mentioned in the past that I was advised several years ago that the next most likely temple in the United Kingdom would be Edinburgh. I have heard from some since then that Dublin Ireland seems more likely, but a subsequent report of which I became aware a couple of years ago appears to indicate that the Church has already purchased land in Edinburgh for a likely temple.
DeleteSo I have no doubts that a temple there is imminently likely, and higher numbers of European temples being announced in recent General Conferences have led me to conclude that the next UK temple will be announced in Edinburgh. But however many other temples are announced in the United Kingdom in the General Conferences ahead, I don't believe any of them will bear the UK name. The change from the UK name to England seems to be simply to keep the Birmingham temple conventionally consistent with other temples announced in England.
But if they are specifying the nation name as England, that leads me to conclude any other temples in the UK will bear the name of the nations within which those temples are built. Also, as a sidenote, I believe you'll find find that only Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, not Ireland in its' entirety. Thanks for taking time to comment, Noah! I always appreciate hearing from you.
Additionally, it's also worth reemphasizing that, with this year's division of the 2 European areas into 3, the Europe North Area headquarters are in the United Kingdom (England). Last time the Church had a Europe North Area in the early 2000s, the area HQ was not in London or Preston, where there are temples already, but in Birmingham. And the area HQ for that reinstated area has returned again to Birmingham. So the planned area changes may have factored into the decision for a temple in Birmingham. Just thought that extra note might prove illuminating.
DeleteOn this Wednesday, only one Church News update has been published so far:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/17/23308942/elder-gilbert-byu-education-week-church-educational-system-courage-to-be-different
With no new updates from the Newsroom yet either, there may or may not be new temple construction updates today. If there are any, I will pass them along as time and circumstances allow. My thanks once again to you all.
Here is one more Church News update:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/17/23309014/emotional-resilience-trials-challenges-depression-anxiety-mental-health-byu-education-week
My thanks once again to you all.
Here are a couple more Church News updates:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022/8/17/23310046/byu-education-week-church-resources-for-members-with-disabilities-katie-steed
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/17/23310117/unicef-south-sudan-refugee-children-learning-for-life-latter-day-saint-charities
My thanks once again to you all.
I just now remembered that this upcoming Saturday will mark the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lubumbashi DR Congo Temple, followed next week by the groundbreaking for the Ephraim Utah Temple. I took some time to check and see if I could find any specific information on the exact timing of those events, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Since it is already early Thursday morning in Lubumbashi, that means the groundbreaking for the temple is likely now around 30 hours away. I assume that might occur at around 10:00 AM in Lubumbashi on Saturday, which would be 1:00 AM the same day here. I likewise assume that next Saturday's groundbreaking in Ephraim will take place at 10:00 or 11:00 AM MDT. Stay tuned for more on those groundbreakings as I learn about that. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
DeleteEarlier this month, the Church posted an initial response to a report from the Associated Press about how the Church handles abuse. That initial response noted further details would be published at a later date. So today, the Church provided a more in-depth look at the matter in question, how the Church responds to abuse in general and how they did so in this case in particular, and what the AP report on the matter got wrong. The information provided today is pretty straightforward and self-explanatory:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-provides-further-details-about-arizona-abuse-case
As I noted in response to the original statement on this matter, given how thorough the AP typically is, it's disheartening that, in a case like this that really matters, they got it so wrong. Whatever the reason for this is, it's almost inexcusable in my view. My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has published the following report on the aforementioned statement released this evening:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/17/23310912/deseret-news-church-releases-details-timeline-about-arizona-sex-abuse-case-second-statement
My thanks once again to you all.
I noticed on Google Maps and the temples site that the Bahia Blanca Temple is under construction as of June. I also noticed in the comment section on one of the Church's posts on FB that a resident in/near Yorba Linda has been visiting the temple site frequently and has seen progress. I can't remember what post it was on, but if the description is accurate, then the temple is no longer pending construction.
ReplyDeleteNoah, thank you for sharing those interesting tidbits. I can see that update on Argentina's newest temple as you said. For those of my readers who would like to see that latest update, they can find it at the following web address:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/bahia-blanca-argentina-temple/
I assume that, if preliminary efforts are underway on the Yorba Linda California Temple, that will hopefully also be confirmed and acknowledged by the Church Temples site at some point. I believe that, unless there is photographic evidence to support the report, the Church Temples site will hold off until that is the case. But that is good news, that two more temples are underway or preparing to be underway. Thanks for taking time to share that, Noah. I always appreciate hearing from you.
Hello again, everyone! The Church News has published the following two updates on this Wednesday thus far:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/18/23308837/scott-taylor-how-the-washington-dc-temple-has-been-a-beacon-target-provider-of-little-lessons
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/18/23310548/youth-at-byu-2022-education-week-going-to-classes-during-the-summer-and-liking-it
And, as Noah mentioned in his comment above, work is underway or will soon be underway on both the Bahia Blanca Argentina and Yorba Linda California Temples. There appears to have also been further updates made on the general completion estimates for several temples on the Church of Jesus Christ Temples page. I will analyze and report on those updates ASAP. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
In this last few minutes, the Church News provided one additiona update on the continuing sessions for BYU Education Week:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022/8/18/23310782/7-keys-to-successful-dating-for-young-single-adults
My thanks once again to you all.
And here is a Church News update on a Newsroom article, the latter of which was published a few days ago:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/18/23311628/princess-reema-of-saudi-arabia-meets-with-first-presidency-women-leaders
My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has published a new video featuring Elder Gerrit W. Gong:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/18/23311554/room-in-the-inn-church-video-stained-glass-elder-gong-april-2021-general-conference-talk
The text for the video is drawn from his talk given during the Saturday Morning Session of the April 2021 General Conference, "Room in the Inn":
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/16gong?lang=eng
My thanks once again to you all.
Sorry. In my comment above, I mentioned it was Wednesday. It is, of course, actually Thursday. With everything we've had going on lately, I've been in a bit of a time warp at times. Sorry about that.
DeleteThe Canadian Newsroom page shared an article about what the recent visit from the Pope taught Latter-day Saints in Canada:
Deletehttps://news-ca.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/what-the-pope-rsquo-s-visit-to-canada-taught-latter-day-saints-about--lsquo-walking-together-rsquo-
My thanks once again to you all.
And I was also able to do a quick double-check on the general completion windows for new temples now (or soon-to-be) under construction or undergoing renovation. Those updates are gathered in the following document:
Deletehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1L7HBLNZZTnlI4Dk8fpr3HZCf-wqkjUBcCCYqdxP7HRk/edit?usp=sharing
I am hopeful, given the earlier report today about the Bahia Blanca Argentina and Yorba Linda California Temples, that updates will also be forthcoming showing that work has begun on the Neiafu Tonga, Bacolod Philippines, and Freetown Sierra Leone Temples. ONce I have compiled any other temple construction updates, I will be sure to post that information here. My thanks once again to you all.
And top Church leaders recently hosted the first lady of The Gambia at Church headquarters:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-leaders-meet-first-lady-the-gambia
My thanks once again to you all.
As it turns out, there is only one other new temple update today, a slight change in the status of the Mendoza Argentina Temple:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/mendoza-argentina-temple/
As demonstrated by the changes in the general completion estimates and queue order for temples under construction or undergoing renovation, I had to spend quite a bit of time this evening adjusting many of my more-specific estimates for dedication or rededication windows.
Since there have been numerous changes in the queue order in recent weeks, I will hold off on sharing updated thoughts about future dedication windows until I give my third-quarter report on temple construction updates, which will be published here in the late night hours when September 30 becomes October 1.
I am hopeful that by that time, we will at least have an announcement on the dedications of the Saratoga Springs Utah and San Juan Puerto Rico Temples and the rededication of the Columbus Ohio Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
As the work week concludes today, here are two new updates from the Church News:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/19/23310076/how-to-be-happy-gospel-positive-psychology-byu-education-week
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/19/23312323/byu-education-week-most-purchased-ice-cream-flavors-attendance-numbers-demographics
My thanks once again to you all.
And as BYU Education Week wraps up later today, the Church News has shared one more update about that:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/19/23311740/family-history-tools-to-make-it-simple-and-fun-byu-education-week
The latest edition of "This Week on Social" will likely be published later this afternoon or evening. When that happens, I will be sure to pass it along. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
After taking a couple of hours to deal with some family concerns, I am pleased to provide the latest edition of "This Week on Social":
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/19/23313462/this-week-on-social-temples-point-to-jesus-christ-president-nelson-washington-dc-temple-dedication
As I have previously done, this time, I will list the leaders by topics covered and then by hierarchical position, rather than by hierarchy alone.
Following the recent rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple, the following Church leaders took to social media to post their thoughts on the event in general and the importance of regular temple attendance and engaging in temple work in particular: Church President Russell M. Nelson (who presided and read the prayer in the first session);
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (who participated in the second session and who shared the prophet's video and his (Elder Christofferson's) personal testimony; and Sister Amy A. Wright, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency (who participated in the first session).
Unrelated to the rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple, President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency (who presided at and read the prayer for the final dedicatory session of the Washington D.C. Temple) took an opportunity to share a video he had made with Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles while they were in Tokyo Japan for the rededication of the temple in that city in July. Elder Stevenson shared President Eyring's post on his social media pages this week.
Posting about all other topics covered this week on social media were the following general leaders of the Church: Elders Jeffrey R. Holland, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, Dale G. Renlund, and Gerrit W. Gong, all of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Sisters J. Anette Dennis and Kristen M. Yee, the respective First and Second Counselors in the Relief Soceity General Presidency; and Young Women General President Sister Bonne H. Cordon and her Second Counselor, Sister Rebecca L. (Becky) Craven.
Two other Church News reports speak for themselves:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/15/23303397/2022-byu-education-week-provo-utah-100th-anniversary-elder-quentin-l-cook-classes-gospel-topics
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/19/23313534/first-presidency-first-lady-of-gambia-visits-educational-humanitarian-sites
My thanks once again to you all.
I have one other quick update to report. Unless I am missing something, it appears that the Church has changed things and now requires an event code to watch temple groundbreakings. It appears that, for those in the area who are able to access the groundbreakings, the event code will be provided upon signing in with a regular Church website account.
DeleteWhile I was unable to find out any information on the Lubumbashi groundbreaking (which, if it takes place at 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM Lubumbashi time, would mean it will occur at 2:00 or 3:00 AM here in Utah), it appears that the groundbreaking for the Ephraim Utah Temple will be conducted in the afternoon at 2:00 PM Utah time.
With that in mind, I will be watching for reports on the Lubumbashi temple groundbreaking as time and circumstances permit tonight (I'm a late-night owl) and tomorrow. My thanks once again to you all.
On this Saturday, it is now nearing 10:00 PM Saturday night in Lubumbashi DR Congo. With that in mind, since I haven't heard otherwise, I assume that the groundbreaking for that temple took place sometime within the last 12 hours, but that official reports on that occurring are pending. I will keep my eyes open for any news on that front and will be sure to pass that along here ASAP after I find out about it.
ReplyDeleteAside from that, 4 new Church News reports speak for themselves:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/20/23313565/when-loved-ones-question-gospel-truths-how-to-cope-and-how-to-give-an-answer-byu-education-week
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/20/23311906/byu-education-week-seeking-truth-anthony-sweat-developing-unshakable-faith-scott-woodward
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/20/23278601/young-women-general-presidency-general-handbook-a-guide-to-true-north-compass-spiritual-direction
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/20/23311751/music-the-spoken-word-quieting-the-noise-tabernacle-choir-prayer-meditation
My thanks once again to you all.
My thanks once again to you all.
Here is one additional Church News report:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/20/23312403/video-childrens-choir-commemorates-200000-church-members-in-canada
My thanks once again to you all.
Although neither the Church Newsroom or the Church News have provided confirmation of the groundbreaking for the Lubumbashi DR Congo Temple, some new photographs from Jaron Mutumbo (whom I assume is some relation to Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, the current First Counselor in the Africa Central Area Presidency) were shared this evening on the Church Temples site:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/lubumbashi-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-temple/photographs/
That temple is now official in the construction queue, per its' updated status:
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/lubumbashi-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-temple/
And this means the Church now has 52 temples under construction, with 57 others announced:
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/statistics/
Once an official report on this groundbreaking is available, I will be sure to post about that here. For now, ,my thanks once again to you all.
I am pleased to report that, courtesy of the African Newsroom page, we now have official confirmation that the groundbreaking for the Lubumbashi DR Congo Temple did occur Saturday morning as scheduled:
Deletehttps://news-africa.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/ground-broken-for-temple-in-lubumbashi-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-temple
I am surprised we haven't seen more groundbreaking announcements. We should see a some dedication dates being set here soon with quite a few temples getting close to being completed.
ReplyDeleteThere have certainly been enough temples move from announced to under construction to warrent a good announcement of temples in conference though.
I definitely have my eye on a few areas and am hoping for other ones due to personal reasons. The statements about wanting to get temples within a hour of most members is exciting and opens the door to so many new possibilities.
I had heard rumors about the Salt Lake Temple and the Moroni statue. Have you heard anything you can share? Some are saying the statue might not be returned, but that would shock me, being such iconic, but not all, in fact, most aren't getting statues any more.
Hey, Kenny! Thanks for stopping by to comment, and sorry for my delayed acknowledgement thereof. I do have some answers about some of the issues you raised, so if I may, I'd like to try to address some of what you said. First, it's important to note that COVID-19 and its' variants are having a profound impact worldwide, which extends to those involved in construction projects in general and extends to those involved in the production of the necessary materials for special projects, such as temples.
DeleteMy understanding is that those pandemic- and supply-related delays are expected to have a profound impact on the rate at which construction projects (such as temples) can begin and continue to completion. Because of those supply chain issues, that will not only affect such projects currently underway, but may impact the timing whereby other similar projects can begin and how quickly they might progress. I also heard (unofficially) that COVID-19 has had a particular effect on the construction industry, so if that impacts the number of people per project and the process of producing the necessary materials, that would probably be the larger part of the reasoning why the Church has not yet announced any other groundbreakings at this point.
That being said, we do know that the Church has typically been able to move faster on temples in the United States, so I think that official announcements on locations and perhaps exterior renderings for quite a few US temples might come down the pike soon, especially since the groundbreaking next week for the Ephraim Utah Temple and the late October groundbreaking for the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple will entirely clear the queue of US temples for which both sites and renderings have been confirmed.
DeleteI also heard some months ago that the 3 Pacific Area temples for which sites and renderings have been confrimed will have groundbreakings before the end of this year, but i don't know if, how, or to what extent the supply chain issues might affect the timing on those. In the meantime, I anticipate the Church will hopefully be able to make a move on the Teton River and Montpelier Idaho Temples, and on at least 2 or 3 of the 5 current Latin American temples which have had sites released and renderings confirmed.
While I don't know whether the supply chain issue is impacting temples under construction or undergoing renovation which are nearing completion, I think we can count on announcements for the reopening arrangements on the Columbus Ohio Temple and the dedications of the Saratoga Springs Utah, San Juan Puerto Rico, Feather River California, and Bentonville Arkansas Temples within the next 2-5 weeks or so.
That being said, I think that only the rededication of Columbus, the dedication of Saratoga Springs, and the possible dedication of the San Juan temples are likely before the end of this year. But I would anticipate that, beginning with the first 3 or 4 months of next year and continuing on perhaps for the foreseeable future, we will likely see 2-3 temples dedicated or rededicated per month.
As an interesting point of information, yesterday's groundbreaking for the Lubumbashi DRC Temple meant that there are 57 announced temples remaining in the queue. Only one of those (so far) will have a groundbreaking before General Conference (that will occur this Saturday). So of the 56 announced temples that will be left in the queue by then, 45 have not had any official information confirmed yet:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-a6AOFZhlcoRb5P4KhTpJLaedkz9wkpz6J4N-Nnd_3I/edit?usp=sharing
As I have commented here and elsewhere, one thing I heard recently was that President Nelson is anticipated to announce a minimum of 35 new temples per year every year for the foreseeable future. With 17 announced last April, that implies at least 18 will be announced in October, and President Nelson confirmed more temples will be coming in October (that statement came during his remarks in the first session of the rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple one week ago).
DeleteAs you observed in your comment, the goal for temple distances keeps shortening, so there will be many more temples needed, and thus many more announced. I have a strong suspicion that when the supply chain issues are resolved, there will be massive announcements about site locations, renderings, and groundbreakings for temples in the queue. And since the Church is already successfully using some new innovations to speed up temple construction, once the floodgates open for more groundbreakings, construction is on track to accelerate, which means completions and dedications will also do likewise.
Regarding the Salt Lake Temple and the statue of the Angle Moroni, I did hear a rumor. I want to be very clear that I haven't substantiated this, and have only heard it from one source, who got it from another source, who may have been speaking for themselves, and that nothing is definitive on that question until an official announcement is made. Maybe that goes without saying, but I want to be absolutely clear that this is only a rumor at this point.
Through the threads of the Church Growth Blog, a comment came through indicating that the angel Moroni would not be returning, and that it would instead be replaced with a statue of the Savior. Since there is already a Chrstus statue in several visitor's centers, and since I understand that the new visitor's center being built in conjunction with the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple will also include the Christus statue, I am not sure what to believe on that rumor. In a way, having the Savior atop the temple would clarify any confusion about whether we worship the angel Moroni, and would reemphasize the Savior's role as the head of the Church and the center of all we do, there has not been any official acknowledgement of this at the general level. At this point it's merely a rumor born of a second- or third-hand report, and unless and until the Church confirms, denies, or clarifies that point, it is only a rumor for now. But that's what I heard. For all I know, it could be wishful thinking. But I hope that answers your question.
I likewise hope that these comments in response to your inquries are helpful, Kenny. Please let me know if you need any further clarification on anything I have noted here. Thanks for taking time to inqurie about all of this here. Temple construction is, as should be obvious from my coverage here, something that is close to my heart and is something I am passionate about, and I love taking any opportunitty with anyone I can talk to to share such information. Always great to hear from you, Kenny! Thanks again.
The 'number of temples' guesses, like the proverbial fish story about the fish someone caught, has, in retellings, gotten bigger. The current biggest number is 50 at this next conference, second hand also, allegedly an apostle said that at a stake conference, but that is where I will stop with that. Same apostle also is said to have mentioned that even with everything being built in Utah right now there is still a big need for more. Seems like the rumor mill has no supply chain or staffing issues this year and I have seen a list of a large number of things some are claiming and seeing it gives the impression that almost all of that list, save a few lucky guesses, will not come about.
DeleteAnother possible catalyst to the rumor of the Jesus Christ statue might well be the silver Moroni on the top of Abidjan, Ivory Coast Temple, that one is very unique, the only one and fairly recent too. A gold Christ just would not look right anyway if one were put up on Salt Lake, so extrapolating from that leads me to how that silver Moroni could possibly trigger other rumors.
Salt Lake they were able to pre-order and get in to store most of what they needed, so there should be little that is supply-chain related, and it may also depend on region and suppliers how that plays out, we are a year out and the modules have not arrived in Casper, so the party that is building the modules may be having issues. Saratoga Springs is very much done, they are sorting out the last details, furniture placements, some little stuff, and even some punch-list items may already bebbeing worked out.
Jim Anderson, great to hear from you, as always. I know that the rumor mill has previously gone overboard in many ways. On the other hand, there have also been times where some of the rumors are later proven to be accurate, such as two-hour Church, temples in Russia/India/China, and even the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. That being said, right now, the highest number of temples President Nelson has announced is only 20. There is not currently precedent from President Nelson to support the idea of more than twice the highest number of temples announced at one time being more than doubled. Would I be elated if 50 new temples are announced in October? Absolutely! But do I think it likely, based on what we know thus far? No.
DeleteThe same feelings equally apply to the idea that the Church may put a statue of the Savior atop the Salt Lake Temple. I'd love to see it happen, but since the Christus statue has only ever been featured in visitors' centers so far, I'm also taking that rumor with the proverbial grain of salt. In fact, I'd have to go back and double-check, but I believe I recall reading somewhere that the Angel Moroni that had been atop the Salt Lake Temple was carefully set aside in storage so that it could be returned in mint condition to the top of the temple as the renovation winds down towards its' eventual conclusion.
Great point about the silver Moroni statue on the Abidjan temple. As far as the supply chain issue affecting temple construction, obviously, that wouldn't impact temples nearing completion. That being said, the estimates for quite a few temples in various stages in the queue have been repeatedly adjusted in recent weeks, with some of those adjustments being made to temples nearing completion.
I am hopeful that reopening arrangements will soon be announced for the Columbus Ohio Temple, with opening arrangements soon announced for the Saratoga Springs Utah and Feather River California Temples, at minimum, but I have no idea at this point which of those 3 might be dedicated/rededicated prior to the end of this year.
That being said, I think we can count on next year marking the start of a huge uptick in temple dedications. Of course, these are no more or less than my own observations, and I'd love to be proven incorrect about any or all of them. As always, Jim Anderson, I appreciate hearing from you. Thanks again for taking time to share your thoughts here.
I hope all of you are having a happy, safe, inspiring, and restful Sabbath Day. The Church News has shared the following new updates, the first four of which speak for themselves:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2022/8/21/23311796/16-new-stake-presidents-africa-nigeria-birmingham-cincinnati-uruguay-england-peru-switzerland
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/8/21/23313812/video-president-nelson-church-leaders-experiences-at-washington-dc-temple-house-of-the-lord
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/21/23303595/church-in-europe-has-both-unparalleled-future-and-new-purpose-elder-massimo-de-feo
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/21/23314739/week-in-review-president-nelson-rededicates-washington-dc-temple-elder-cook-byu-education-week
And in the unfolding process of ongoing revelation received by the recently-installed presidency of the Tabernacle Choir, a decision has been made to call four official "greeters" for the broadcast. Previously, the Choir had "hosts", all of whom were former broadcasters, and most of whom had, at one time or another, worked for KSL. The greeters for the broadcast include: former NBA star and current TV news personaility Thurl Bailey; former KSL news anchor (who also worked for other broadcast stations before her retirement and has been a "host" previously) Ruth Todd; Kathy Clayton, the wife of Elder L. Whitney Clayton, an emeritus GA Seventy now serving as First Counselor in the Choir presidency; and Lloyd Newell, who has offered the "Spoken Word" portion of the weekly broadcast since the early 1990s. Here is the report on Thurl Bailey's debut as a greeter:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/21/23315511/thurl-baileys-nba-rookie-debut-as-greeter-for-tabernacle-choir-music-spoken-word
With no updates from the Newsroom and no other updates currently from the Church News, I will pass along anything new from either source later today as I learn of those updates. In the meantime, if there are any new temple construction updates, those will also be shared here later today as time and circumstances allow. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
As a new workweek begins, the Church News has published a few new reports already today. Some of them require further information. First up, the Church News took a look at the ten-year increase in Church membership in Africa, and particularly for those nations within the boundaries of the Africa Central, Africa South, and Africa West Areas:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/22/23313532/africa-nations-most-church-members-nigeria-ghana-benin-angola
I do have a comment on that. Previously, I had asserted that, with the recent creation of the Africa Central Area, followed by this year's split of the Europe Areas from 2 into 3, and because the current Asia Area is the largest in the Church, that I believed the Church was more likely to split the Asia Area before making any other area splits in Africa.
Thanks to some feedback from Matthew Martinich, who maintains the Church Growth Blog, I am pleased to report that my previous assessment was an erroneous one. As reflected in the Church News report from today, there has been some explosive growth in Africa in the last decade. According to Matt, the next most likely area to be created is one specifically for Nigeria.
In recent years, the Church has sustained a few new GA Seventies from Nigeria, who could easily "return home" to oversee such an area. It is possible that other African nations could be split off from their current areas to form new ones, but time may tell on that. With that said, the next report is self-explanatory:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/22/23315995/sister-michelle-craig-brighton-girls-camp-centennial-celebration-climbing-mountains-seeking-the-lord
Next, BYU-Provo has announced its' fall devotional schedule:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/22/23316317/byus-fall-devotional-forum-schedule-to-include-5-church-leaders-scientists
The schedule includes President Kevin J Worthen and his wife, Peggy, speaking first, followed by a TBA slot, which I can only assume means an address from the prophet or one of his counselors. Additionally, Young Men General President Steven J. Lund, Primary General President Susan H. Porter, GA Seventies Elders Kevin W. Pearson and Peter M. Johnson, and Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are all going to give devotional addresses in the upcoming semester.
And in sadder news, Kate Holbrook, a longtime Latter-day Saint historian and advocate for advancing women's histories, has passed away at age 50, following a courageous battle with cancer:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022/8/22/23316757/kate-holbrook-dies-age-50-church-historian-writer-womens-history
My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has shared another report indicating that Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Ruth L. Renlund, will be the featured speakers at the final 2022 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/22/23316663/elder-renlund-worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults-september-11-saints-volume-3
As the article indicates, their remarks will focus on volume 3 of "Saints". In a Church News podcast from mid-July, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., outgoing Church Historian and Recorder, indicated that Elders Quentin L. Cook and Renlund had been their priesthood advisors in the Church History Department, so that is likely why Elder Renlund is being featured talking about the latest volume of "Saints". Elder Curtis also noted in that same podcast that Elders Neil L. Andersen and Gerrit W. Gong are the new priesthood advisers for the Church History Department:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/7/12/23218897/episode-92-church-historian-recorder-elder-legrand-r-curtis-jr-vital-role-of-church-history-pioneers
I'm somewhat surprised there has still been no announcement about the October General Conference. I am assuming, unless the Church says otherwise, that the Saturday Evening Session will be a general one for all members and friends of the Church.
And unless a decision has been made that the counselors in the First Presidency will alternate speaking in the Saturday Evening Session, I assume that, since we heard from President Eyring to close out that session last October, and from President Oaks with a brief introductory message in April, in which he outlined changes to the format of that session going forward, that we will hear from President Nelson to conclude that session this go-round.
But until that is officially confirmed, clarified, or corrected, that's nothing more than speculation on my part. My thanks once again to you all.
Historians for the Joseph Smith Papers Project will speak on Tuesday August 23 at 7:00 PM at the Assembly Hall in Salt Lake City, where they will provide an in-depth look at what happened in Joseph Smith's life and in the lives of the Latter-day Saints in the days, weeks, and months leading up to the June 27 martyrdom of the Prophet and his brother, Hyrum Smith:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/history/2022/8/22/23316895/joseph-smith-papers-historians-to-discuss-prelude-to-martyrdom-events-in-aug-23-presentation
Tad Walch, a religion reporter for the Deseret News who also writes for the Church News and KSL, shares his thoughts in a new Deseret News editorial article regarding the responsibility of clergy to report absue:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/22/23316993/deseret-news-should-clergy-report-sex-abuse-of-the-penitent-a-look-inside-priest-penitent-privilege
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/8/19/23297074/should-clergy-be-required-to-report-sex-abuse-cases
And the Church News has shared a report on the Lubumbashi DR Congo Temple groundbreaking:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/8/22/23316903/ground-broken-lubumbashi-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-temple
Meanwhile, the Newsroom has released a new report covering both the groundbreaking for the Lubumbashi temple and the upcoming beginning of the open house for the Hamilton New Zealand Temple:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/ground-broken-lubumbashi-democratic-republic-congo-temple
That article in turn links to the African Newsroom report I mentioned previously that covered the groundbreaking of the Lubumbashi Temple, and also to the following article from the Pacific Newsroom about the reopening of the temple in Hamilton New Zealand:
https://news-nz.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/public-invited-to-tour-renovated-hamilton-temple
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Tuesday, the Church News has shared two new reports:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/history/2022/8/23/23317203/tabernacle-choir-shares-historic-photo-to-celebrate-175th-anniversary
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/23/23316469/church-donates-bibles-qurans-desks-classrooms-to-kenya-school
With no new updates from the Newsroom ths far, if there are any new temple construction updates, I will pass those along here ASAP. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
Status updates have been reported today for the Alabang Philippines, St. George Utah, and Willamette Valley Oregon Temples:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/alabang-philippines-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/st.-george-utah-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/willamette-valley-oregon-temple/
My thanks once again to you all.
The audio and transcript have been released for this week's Church podcast, which features the BYU Education Week Administrator, Brother Bruce Payne. The podcast episode marks the 100th anniversary of that gathering:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast/2022/8/23/23318322/church-news-podcast-episode-98-byu-education-week-celebrating-learning
My thanks once again to you all.
One more Church News report has been published:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/23/23317695/church-helping-refugees-in-rome-respect-empathy-services
My thanks once again to you all.
And a new update on the Phnom Pehn Cambodia Temple notes the first major update since the initial site preparation concluded:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/phnom-penh-cambodia-temple/
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Wednesday, the Newsroom and the Church News have both shared the latest video in the "How I #HearHim" series. In the most recent addition, Young Women General President Sister Bonnie H. Cordon explained how following a spiritual prompting to fill an assignment she'd been given helped her unexpectedly find comfort after the death of one of her grandsons:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-cordon-says-we-are-blessed-through-difficulties-when-we-hearhim
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/24/23317059/sister-bonnie-cordon-hear-him-video-grandsons-death-assignment-at-primary-childrens-hospital
The Newsroom also reported on Elder Soares' recent visit to the Pacific Area of the Church, where, in French Polynesia (Tahiti) he presented a check on behalf of the Church to a non-profit organization affiliated with the Catholic Church:
https://news-nz.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/humanitarian-donation-in-tahiti-will-lift-young-lives
And the Church News also reported the death of another emeritus General Authority Seventy, Elder L. Lionel Kendrick, who passed away on Monday at the age of 90:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022/8/24/23319058/elder-l-lionel-kendrick-obituary-emeritus-general-authority
If there are any new temple updates, or any other news items from the Church, those will be published here today as time and circumstances allow. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
Here is one additional Church News report:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/24/23320391/map-the-mitten-michigan-familysearch-family-tree-project-julie-hales-internship
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Thursday, the Church News reports on a seminary devotional in Bountiful, which featured Elders Jeffrey R. Holland and D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Relief Society General President Sister Camille N. Johnson, and GA Seventy Elder Clark G. Gilbert, who served as the Commissioner of Church Education:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/25/23320843/elder-holland-elder-christofferson-seminary-students-president-johnson-elder-gilbert
My thanks once again to you all.
I just now realized something I had overlooked in my report on that previous article about the devotional: One of the pictures shows Elders Holland and Christofferson standing next to each other, and in Elder Holland's hand is a cane. He had talked to the students about recent health challenges he's had, so I assume he may be dealing with some degree of vertigo. Noticing that detail in turn reminded me of the fact that, during the Seminar for New Mission Leadership held almost 2 months ago, Elder Christofferson had prerecorded his remarks due to testing postive for COVID-19. It is wonderful, amazing, and awe-inspiring to see these Brethren out and about filling assignments even in the midst of their own health challenges.
DeleteHaving noted that, four new Church News reports speak for themselves:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/8/25/23317710/hamilton-new-zealand-temple-compare-interior-exterior-photos-1950s-and-today
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/25/23321694/malnutrition-liberia-africa-helina-project-catholic-relief-services-latter-day-saint-charities
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/25/23319109/justserve-volunteers-build-gardens-sober-living-homes-foundation-for-family-life-riverton-utah
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/25/23322096/auditions-for-savior-of-the-world-christmas-jesus-christ-birth-resurrection
Additionally, earlier this afternoon, I was able to look at the adjustments to the temple construction queue (including changes in the order and timing), and those latest updates can be found in the following document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L7HBLNZZTnlI4Dk8fpr3HZCf-wqkjUBcCCYqdxP7HRk/edit?usp=sharing
And in view of those changes, I can also confirm that only the San Juan Puerto Rico and Columbus Ohio Temples are anticipated to be completed by the end of this year. Saratoga Springs, now apparently impacted by the supply chain issues as the finishing touches are added, will not open to the public until sometime early next year. Parenthetically, if San Juan and Columbus are finished at about the same time, I could see a scenario where both are dedicated on the same calendar day, similar to what we saw with the two South American temples in Quito Ecuador and Belem Brazil.
Additionally, I am beginning to check temple construction updates, and can report new information on the San Juan Puerto Rico, Saratoga Springs, and Richmond Virginia Temples thus far:
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/san-juan-puerto-rico-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/saratoga-springs-utah-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/richmond-virginia-temple/
If there are any other Church news or temple updates, I will share those later today as time and circumstances allow. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
Further updates have been noted on the following temples: Grand Junction Colorado; Burley Idaho; and Bahia Blanca Argentina; with the first major update being noted for the Neiafu Tonga Temple, which now no longer has construction pending:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/grand-junction-colorado-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/burley-idaho-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/bahia-blanca-argentina-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/neiafu-tonga-temple/
My thanks once again to you all.
This morning, the Newsroom and the Church News have noted the death of one area seventy (Elder 'Inoke F. Kupu) and the releases of 31 others. With one exception, those releases were effective August 1:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/31-area-seventies-released-august-2022
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/26/23321731/church-has-released-31-area-seventies-2022
My thanks once again to you all.
Here is one other new report from the Church News:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2022/8/26/23319864/new-members-of-the-primary-general-advisory-council-natalie-adams-kathleen-miner
My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has shared one new update:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/26/23322418/what-i-learned-from-fsy-young-adult-counselor
And both the Church News and the Newsroom have also shared the latest information about the ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple and the Temple Square grounds:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/8/26/23323765/what-is-jack-and-bore-salt-lake-temple-renovation
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/temple-square-renovation-update--august-2022
If there are any other temple construction updates, I will pass them along later this afternoon or evening as time and circumstances allow. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
That was fast. One more Church News update has just been published: the latest edition of "This Week on Social":
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/26/23319973/this-week-on-social-the-savior-and-scripture-study
The general leaders featured in this "apostle-lite" edition included Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Relief Society General President Sister Camille N. Johnson; Young Women General President Sister Bonnie H. Cordon and her respective First and Second Counselors, Sisters Michelle D. Craig and Rebecca L. (Becky) Craven; and Brother Bradley R. (Brad) Wilcox, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency.
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Saturday, the Church News has shared the following new reports, which speak for themselves:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/26/23323920/piano-guys-steven-sharp-nelson-jon-schmidt-guest-artists-tabernacle-choirsmusic-the-spoken-word
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/27/23322485/music-the-spoken-word-the-music-of-faith-and-hope-piano-guys-tabernacle-choir
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/27/23319515/sarah-jane-weaver-president-nelson-not-out-among-people-since-early-2020-still-he-never-left-them
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/27/23323493/general-conference-october-2022-how-to-prepare-read-one-talk-per-day
And I am pleased to report that the groundbreaking for the Ephraim Utah Temple will get underway here in just over 7 minutes. I will have a report on that event to share here once it is officially published by the Church. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
Church President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, made an unannounced appearance at the groundbreaking, so he was the presiding authority and will likely speak and dedicate the site and lead the groundbreaking. The other top leaders present likely knew, but it was a welcome surprise to those others attending.
DeleteThe prophet did speak. He has extensive family ties to Ephraim. His prayer dedicating the site also served as the closing prayer for the ceremony. He turned the soil alone first, then again with his wife and other general Church leaders, in addition to Utah's governor and first lady. After that first group, the prophet departed, and the co-chair of the groundbreaking committee invited Elder Gonzalez and his family, followed by several other groups of invited guests, including all children and youth present. A formal report will be shared here once that is provided. In the meantime, my thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAlso, President Nelson paid tribute to Elder Gonzalez, the only other speaker at the groundbreaking ceremony (who was originally announced to preside at today's event), acknowledging that this would be Elder Gonzalez's final assignment as a GA Seventy. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteHere is the Church News report on the groundbreaking:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/8/27/23324981/ephraim-utah-temple-groundbreaking-surprise-guest-president-nelson
The article notes that this is the first time since 2010 (when President Monson broke ground for the Rome Italy Temple) that a Church President presided at a groundbreaking.
The article also states that a woman in attendance who was marking her 98th birthday was a few days younger than the prophet. Since President Nelson was born on September 8, that must be a typo. My thanks once again to you all.
Here is the Newsroom report on today's groundbreaking:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-nelson-presides-ephraim-utah-temple-groundbreaking
My thanks once again to you all.
President Monson also presided at the Hartford Connecticut Temple groundbreaking ceremony in 2013, 3 years after the Rome Italy Temple groundbreaking.
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/hartford-mormon-temple-groundbreaking
Good point, Noah. Don't quite know how the Church News, Newsroom, and I myself missed that. That would have been about 2 years before President Monson started scaling down his duties, and 4 years before he fully stepped by from an active role in leading the Church. Thanks, Noah!
DeleteSorry. Not "stepped by", "stepped away".
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day, the Church News has published 3 new reports, which speak for themselves:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2022/8/28/23322149/new-stake-presidents-17-mexico-peru-nigeria-australia-brazil-arizona
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022/8/28/23318090/pioneers-in-every-land-sri-anon-indonesia-grateful-uncountable-blessings-of-the-gospel-nelson
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/8/28/23321988/week-in-review-elder-holland-speaks-to-seminary-students-president-cordon-hear-him-video
My thanks once again to you all.
And a status update has been provided on the construction progress for the Tallahassee Florida Temple:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/tallahassee-florida-temple/
My thanks once again to you all.
As another workweek begins, the Church News has shared two new reports:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/8/29/23321850/photos-from-the-church-of-jesus-christ-all-africa-service-day
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/29/23326198/elder-bednar-devotional-institute-religion-faith-in-jesus-christ
Likewise, the Newsroom has shared two reports as well:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/two-new-members-of-the-primary-general-advisory-council-called
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/online-content-disabilities-church-platforms
Any new temple construction updates will be shared later today. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
Kona Hawaii will close next year for renovation and expansion.
ReplyDeleteHey, Chris! Thanks for always making sure that everyone knows the latest developments. I actually already covered that development in the new first post on this page. Enjoy! Also, in the future, where possible, would you be willing to post verification of developments you share here so we all know where you're getting the information? Great to hear from you as always, Chris! Thanks again.
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