Hello again, everyone! A short time ago, the First Presidency provided updates on two temples in the United States. In a single announcement, the location, exterior rendering, and groundbreaking arrangements were confirmed for the Heber Valley Utah Temple and the site location has been confirmed for the Teton River Idaho Temple. There's a lot to get into, so let's jump right in.
The three-story 88,000-square-foot Heber Valley Utah Temple will be built southeast of 1400 East Center Street in Heber City on a 17.9-acre site. The groundbreaking for that temple has been set to occur on October 8, 3 weeks before the previously-announced groundbreaking for the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple, and Elder Kevin R. Duncan, the executive director of the Church's Temple Department, will preside at that event.
Turning now to the Teton River Idaho Temple, the three-story130,000 square-foot temple will be built northwest of Second East 2000 North in Rexburg Idaho on a 16.6-acre site. Although no exterior rendering has been released for that temple yet, since the Church has already cleared the site, hopefully, confirmation of that rendering and the groundbreaking arrangements will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Heber Valley Utah and Teton River Idaho Temples were 2 of the 4 US temples announced last October, so it's nice to see these official announcements. And it gives me hope that additional announcements about US temples may also come soon. Likewise, I hope for other official announcements about temples outside the United States. And this is the second Monday in a row in which major temple announcements have been made in the afternoon, so it could be the start of a new trend.
I continue to monitor all such updates and will be sure to pass those along as they cross my radar. In the meantime, that does it for now. Thank you for the privilege of your time. 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.
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.
I am surprised at the size of the Teton River Idaho Temple. With the Rexburg Idaho Temple so close, that is a lot of square footage for the number of stakes. Maybe they are looking far into the future. Also that would place it among the top 7 largest temples in the church after Salt Lake, Los Angeles CA, Washington DC, Jordan River Utah, St. George Utah and Provo Utah. There are 7 other temples over 100,000 square feet. The last time that a temple over 100,000 sq. ft was dedicated was in 1996 as the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple at 107,240 sq. ft. The newest largest temple will be Red Cliffs Utah at 96,277 sq. feet will probably be dedicated next year. The already dedicated Payson Utah temple is 96,630 was dedicated in 2015. So we have not seen such a large temple in a while. Unless there was a typo, The Lord must have great plans coming to Rexburg Idaho.
ReplyDeleteAlso, last month, EastIdahoNews.com reported that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints bought a large piece of property (73 acres) in Rigby across from the high school, just a short drive from Rexburg. We don't know the church plans for the land but it sure makes a lot of people make guesses. (Scroll down to the bottom half of the page) https://www.eastidahonews.com/2022/08/biz-buzz-gluten-free-bakery-opens-in-idaho-falls/#:~:text=LDS%20Church%20buys%20property%20in%20Rigby%20RIGBY%20%E2%80%93,ID%20Highway%2048%20in%20Rigby%2C%20in%20January%202021.
Chris, thanks for sharing those thoughts. I too was initially surprised at the size. The new temple will be over twice the size of its' original counterpart. I think that might be the case for a few reasons: First of all, within the next 2-3 decades (give or take a few years either way), the original Rexburg Temple is going to be due for its' first renovation (since, as the Temple Department Executive Directors have explained, all temples will require systemic updates every 30-35 years at minimum to remain current).
DeleteSecondly, it could be in anticipation of future growth in the area. Thirdly, it could be the Church's way of reducing the need for several smaller temples in the area for the foreseeable future. If future needs are sufficiently covered by a larger temple in an area that may or may not experiene significant growth, then it may be easier for the Church to build one larger temple instead of several smaller ones.
So each of those factors could explain the larger size. The question is, what would a temple of that size suggest about other future prospects in the area? Could the larger size of the Teton River Idaho Temple be an indicator that the Church might hold off on a temple for Rigby, which is just over 13 miles away? I'm not convinced that will be the case. The Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple is a larger one as well, but that didn't negate the need for other temples in Saratoga Springs, Orem, and Lindon. And there's even speculation that other temples could be coming to Lehi and/or Eagle Mountain as well. So maybe with the purchase of the land in question and the size of the Teton River Temple, the Church is preparing for major future growth in those areas. That would be my guess.
So I think we can count on the Rigby property being procured with the intention of building a temple on it. The question is, how imminently might such a prospect be announced? And that's harder to answer. I for one was surpried by the fact that in a single announcement, the Church shared the site confirmation, released an exterior rendering, and set a groundbreaking for early next month for the Heber Valley Utah Temple. If anything, I would have guessed that both the Montpelier and Teton River Idaho Temples would have had a groundbreaking announced first.
But I was wrong about that, so the prospect of a new temple for Rigby might be more imminent than any of us realize. It didn't make my more specific list of 18 locations most likely to have a temple announced during the upcoming General Conference, but a Rigby Temple is first on my list for Idaho's most likely next temple announcement. And with President Nelson, nothing can ever truly be eliminated or dismissed as a prospect. The question of imminence is more open for discussion, but even the best reasoning on that subject falls short compared with the inspriation from the Lord to His prophet, so I don't think any upcoing temple anouncement will be too shocking.
While I don't necessarily personally prioritize a temple for Rigby as a likely announcement for this upcooming General Conference, I would not be shocked if such a prospect is announced this go-round, especially considering how close the current two temples announced in Idaho might be to having their respective groundbreakings. President Nelson is certainly keeping us on our toes with the temple developments, isn't he? And I welcome every temple-related development as it occurs, no matter what it is. Hope these observations, such as they are, are helpful to you. I always appreciate hearing from you, Chris, so thanks again for taking time to share your thoughts here.
My feelings of being pleasantly surprised for a 2nd Rexburg temple is now surpassed by it's size is partly due to the population size of the communities. It is primarily rural in East Idaho outside of Idaho Falls and Pocatello.
DeleteBYU-Idaho has more students than BYU-Provo; Perhaps the sheer size and any potential further growth justifies Rexburg having two temples similar to the Provo temples in sizes.
DeleteBYU-I may have more students, but Provo has more than twice the population of Rexburg. Provo also has the church's main MTC, and the missionaries there attend the Provo Temple when they are there. I would not be surprised to see a third Provo temple in the coming years. The City Center and Orem temples are going to be packed when the Provo temple closes for renovation next year.
DeleteMany of the BYU-I students are online; maybe the brick-and-mortar school will grow more.
DeleteGreetings to whoever left that "Unknown" comment, and to frequent commenters Noah and Michael Worley. Thanks for weighing in with your thoughts. A cursory check online led me to information indicating that the temples in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Burley are all in fairly close proximity to Rexburg.
DeleteSo it did occur to me to wonder if, once the Burley and Teton River Temples are further along, would the Church renovate one or two of the older Idaho Temples? A cursory check of the history of Idaho Temples appears to point to the idea that one or more would be eligible for such renovations, if only seismic and systemic in nature.
As we know from statements made by the Executive Directors of the Temple Departments, seismic and systemic upgrades will be needed on temples once every 30-35 years or so. Based on that criteria, there could be a couple of renovations that are due, or perhaps even overdue. When a cluster of temples rises to serve a similar region, it's something worth considering.
Additionally, as was observed in the threads of the Church Growth Blog recently, the larger Teton River Temple may be built in anticipation of accommodating larger crowds during holiday periods where some vacationers may want to do temple work. If there are other reasons aside from an anticipated renovation of one or more temples or preparing for future needs or peak periods where the temple will be more fully utilized, that may be information to which we don't have access.
The size of the temple is somewhat unexpected. But as I observed on the threads of the Church Growth Blog, given the slightly-lerger acreage of the temple site in this case, a temple more than twice as large as its' original Rexburg counterpart is likely the best option to utilize the available space, particularly if the temple is the only building occupying the lot. Just some additional thoughts I had as I read your additional comments here. My thans once again to you all for taking time to weigh in.
Here is one more new update from the Church News:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/19/23361370/tabernacle-choirs-tribute-to-queen-elizabeth-ii-points-to-her-faith-grace-and-goodness
My thanks once again to you all.
There are several more considerations here.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, the new practice of putting these announcements out on a Monday may be a new trend, as the Church has introduct a new Institute manual, about using Church resources. I have the lesson below for Newsroom, it is mentioned in this, particularly after the video and is part of the discussion about, the temple garment (I hsve not seen this type of discussion of it in any previous Church resource, the garment is discussed in Endowed From on High, the temple prep manual, but this is to help students understand how to get their questions answered through reliable sourcees.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/answering-my-gospel-questions-teacher-material/1-section-01/05-1-coming-closer-to-heavenly-father?lang=eng
Elder Gong went to Boise, said there that he heard that Boise and its metro would grow to one million. Growth will slow for a time but will pick up after the current downturn in the economy has run its course. The 'Rigby rumor' has surfaced after a recent land purchase across from that town's high school on ID route 48, andthat property is also large enough to accomodate one of good size if the Church did put one in that.
Reports of the Rexburg Temple, just down that very same street, experiencing very heavy use, appointments always needed, and the wait usually ranges from two days to two weeks out depending on who you talk to and the time of day also factoring in,
Jim Anderson, thanks for these additional comments. You raise some important points that might easily have been part of the consideration in this case. Of course, there may be other factors as well, factors that, for whatever reason, are based on information available only to those involved in the discussion of parameters of such an announcement. On your note about Monday potenitally being the new standard day for temple announcements, that would also make sense. There have been two in a row thus far, so it will be interesting to see if anything else comes out this week or if anything new will be noted this next Monday. Thans for taking time to share this additional comment. I appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteOn this Tuesday, the Church News has shared the following updates:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast/2022/9/20/23361678/psychological-first-aid-kevin-broderick-mary-richards-episode-102
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/20/23354005/miracle-of-the-rain-continues-praia-cape-verde-temple-dedication-elder-andersen
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/20/23363536/state-of-faith-study-on-media-coverage-religion-deseret-news
The Newsroom has also reported that Elder Bednar became the first general Church leader to answer questions through Instagram Live:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-bednar-instagram-live
If there are any new temple updates, I will be sure to pass them along here ASAP. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
Here is one additional Church News update:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/20/23362107/elder-wakolo-shares-3-doctrinal-truths-that-give-peace-and-strength-byu-hawaii
My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has covered a report on Elder Bednar's Instagram Live Q & A:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/20/23364106/watch-elder-bednar-instagram-live-question-and-answer-session
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Wednesday, here are 3 updates from the Church News:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/21/23358716/keep-focused-elder-soares-message-to-portugal-lisbon-mission-france-lyon-mission
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/21/23364160/byu-pathway-devotional-building-zion-in-the-latter-days-president-ashton
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/21/23363476/sister-dennis-sister-browning-teach-women-in-puerto-rico-about-power-of-covenants-visit-to-caribbean
I will be sure to pass along any additional Church News or Newsroom updates, along with temple construction updates, as they cross my radar. On a personal note, over the last several weeks, my wife has made several trips to and from Lehi to prepare our new home for our upcoming move. Depending on how things go today, she may focus on being here at home, and if that is the case, it could impact regular reports. But I remain committed to sharing such updates to the degree I can as the day of our permanent move gets ever closer. My thanks once again to you all.
Here is a new update on the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/saratoga-springs-utah-temple/
My thanks once again to you all.
Here is one more Church News report:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/21/23365240/president-nelson-liahona-article-power-of-love-mercy-in-the-everlasting-covenant-with-god
My thanks once again to you all.
And the Newsroom and the Church News have both reported on a donation from the Church:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-donates-unicef-global-malnutrition-program
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/9/21/23365470/church-unicef-donation-global-malnutrition-program-5-million
My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! On this Thursday, the Newsroom and the Church News have both reported on how Brothers Milton Camargo, First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, and Bradley (Brad) R. Wilcox, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, are on a ministerial tour of several nations in Central Africa:
Deletehttps://news-africa.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/general-officers-brad-wilcox-and-milton-camargo-embark-on-five-country-tour-of-central-africa
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/22/23365808/brad-wilcox-milton-camargo-young-men-sunday-school-train-minister-central-africa
Elder Anthony D. Perkins, the President of the Middle East/Africa North Area, hosted the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates at the London England Temple grounds, where Elder Perkins gave the ambassador an update on the Dubai UAE Temple:
https://news-uk.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/united-arab-emirates-ambassador-hosted-at-london-england-temple-by-middle-east-africa-north-area-president
Hurricane Fiona continues to wreak profound damage on the islands of the Caribbean Area:
https://news-caribbean.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/hurricane-fiona-affects-the-islands-of-the-caribbean
A report has been provided on the open house tours for the Hamilton New Zealand Temple:
https://news-nz.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/55-000-guests-visit-hamilton-new-zealand-temple-during-public-open-house
The Newsroom has also provided an update on the donation to the group helping to mitigate global nutrition issues and crises:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-donates-unicef-global-malnutrition-program
And five other Church News reports speak for themselves:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/22/23365533/byu-devotional-young-men-president-lund-faith-filling-flashes-of-light
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/22/23365286/organ-fest-xiii-returns-salt-lake-tabernacle-and-2-upcoming-virtuoso-performance-series-concerts
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/22/23363147/the-church-in-the-south-america-northwest-area-increase-in-stakes-and-young-strong-leaders
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/22/23367103/video-elder-cook-faith-leaders-religious-liberty-righteous-motive
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/22/23364846/federal-judge-thomas-griffith-defending-constitution-religious-liberty
My thanks once again to you all.
One update has been provided on the status of the McAllen Texas Temple:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/mcallen-texas-temple/
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Friday, the Church News has published the following updates, which speak for themselves:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/9/23/23367667/what-theyre-saying-55000-guests-tour-hamilton-new-zealand-temple-during-open-house
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/23/23368420/uae-ambassador-visits-london-temple-as-a-precursor-for-announced-temple-in-dubai
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/9/23/23367659/hurricane-fiona-caribbean-church-humanitarian-aid
And although there are no other updates from the Church News or Newsroom or on the construction status of any temples currently under construction or undergoing renovation, a new report from the Church Temples site indicates that, while overseeing the construction of the Bangkok Thailand Temple, the project manager's heart became open to learning more about the Church, and he took the missionary discussions as a result. He will be officially baptized into the Church tomorrow (Saturday, which is already in the early morning hours of that day):
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/bangkok-thailand-temple/news/
What an impressive conversion story! My thanks once again to you all.
When last April's General Conference rolled around, in view of ongoing renovation of Temple Square, only a few of the important Church sites and buildings closest to the Conference Center had been open to the public. It appears that for October, more of them wil be open, and Church members in Salt Lake for the conference have been invited to visit them:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/23/23345190/things-to-do-temple-square-salt-lake-city-family-history-library-conference-center-tours-activities
And with Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles still on assignment in Europe, he counseled young adults in Portugal and France to show and share the happiness that living the gospel brings to their lives:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/23/23368548/young-adults-in-portugal-and-france-encouraged-by-elder-soares-to-show-and-share-happiness
And the latest edition of "This Week on Social" has been published:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/23/23366797/this-week-on-social-elder-holland-scripture-study-how-to-be-doers-of-the-law
The following general Church leaders were featured in the newest installment: Elders Jeffrey R. Holland and Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Sister Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency; and Primary General President Sister Susan H. Porter and her First Counselor, Sister Amy A. Wright. My thanks once again to you all.
With the October 2022 General Conference now being just one week away, the Church News has shared an updated look back at prophetic invitations that have been issued by President Nelson since his ordination and setting apart as the prophet in January 2018:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/1/13/23218668/president-nelson-invitations-prophet-gather-israel-hear-him-covenant-path
And late yesterday, the Newsroom shared a report indicating that Relief Society General President Sister Camille N. Johnnson and Primary General President Sister Susan H. Porter (who served together in the Primary General Presidency until August 1 of this year) were on a ministry tour in the nations of the South America South Area:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/presidents-johnson-and-porter-meet-with-government-leaders-on-womens-issues-in-south-america
Information in that report has been confirmed by the Church News today:
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/23/23369225/president-johnson-president-porter-south-america-ministry-argentina-chile-uruguay-paraguay
As an avid watcher of things that have happened in Church history, it has been interesting to me to see how the female-led organizations of the Church at the general level have worked together. That has been especially true since the April 2016 call of Sister Joy D. Jones as Primary General President. By way of review, her original counselors were Sisters Jean B. Bingham and Bonnie H. Cordon. In April 2017, Sister Bingham was called as Relief Society General President, and as a result of that, Bonnie H. Cordon became the First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, with Sister Cristina B. Franco called as Second Counselor.
Then, in April 2018, Sister Cordon was called as the new Young Women General President, at which point Sister Lisa L. Harkness was called to replace her as First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, with Sister Franco continuing as Second Counselor. Fast forward to April of last year, when Sister Johnson was caled as Primary General President, with Susan H. Porter and Amy A. Wright as her counselors.
In April of this year, Sister Johnson was released from the Primary assignment to take on the role of Relief Society General President, with Sister Porter replacing her as Primary General President. I find it neither accidental or coincidental that the Primary General Presidency has been the hinge point in terms of facilitating changes in the General Presidencies of the Relief Society and Young Women organizations. Could the trend continue with the anticipated call of a new Young Women General Presidency, which appears likely in April of next year?
While that remains to be seen, it wouldn't shock me in any way. But what we have seen thus far in the changes I have outined appears to indicate just how well the organizations work together. And that is further illustrated by the reports in recent days regarding the ministry of two male General Officers together, and two female officers together in various Church areas. These General Officers, as with all leaders at the general level, are working very well in concert with one another to minister to the needs of an ever-growing Church. It's wonderful to see that occcurring the way it has. My thanks once again to you all.
Sorry. One other thought: I may or may not have mentioned this when posting the second edition of my October 2022 General Conference predictions, but if I am correct in my prediction that 8 General Authority Seventies will be released and granted emeritus status next weekend, that will leave Elder Craig C. Christensen (who, coincidentally, is serving as the president of the area in which Sisters Johnson and Porter were ministering in the report I shared above) as the longest-tenured actively-serving General Authority Seventy (which does not by my definition include any of the 15 current apostles or members of the Presiding Bishopric).
DeleteElder Christensen was called as a GA Seventy in October 2002, and every other GA Seventy called before that conference has since been released. That also means that there will be no other GA Seventies actively serving who were called by any Church President before Gordon B. Hinckley. Just another fun fact for you all that I don't think I've mentioned in the past. Thanks again, everyone!
Here are two other Church News reports, which speak for themselves:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/24/23367617/music-the-spoken-word-better-families-better-people
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/24/23369637/president-lund-president-cordon-nauvoo-carthage-instruction-devotional-missionaries
My thanks once again to you all.
Interesting thought about 70s and emeritus status.
ReplyDeleteWhile from the outside worldly view there might have been some health related reasons for this policy to have been in place, I can see how the Lord has been and is preparing for a time and era with many more operating temples.
By opening up those positions it allows for more men to be trained and refined by experience, preparing them for the future responsibilities
Danny, I saw your comment not long after you posted it, but wasn't able to reply before now. I'd have to go back and check my data on the calling and releases of GA Seventies, but if memory serves me correctly, for a good chunk of time since President Hinckley's prophetic administration began, the Church has managed to stagger the number of calls in April vs. the number of anticipated releases in October in such a way that the overall net gain for the year was at least an increase of 1 GA Seventy. It wouldn't shock me if we looked back at President Nelson's prophetic administration thus far and found out that the overall net gain per year has been at least one.
DeleteWhat we have seen a stark increase in lately is very clear evidence that the Lord knows what His work needs, and has inspired His prophet accordingly. Some of the current GA Seventies may still be serving as such 15-20 years from now. So there definitely seems to be long-term reasoning in some of the calls that have been made. It's been inspiriing to see what has happened in that respect thus far, and I'm looking forward to the next major development, whatever that might turn out to be. Thanks, Danny, for taking time to share your thoughts. I appreciate hearing from you.
I have Elder Lynn G. Robbins as the longest serving member of thr Seventy. He was called in April 1997 and won't turn 70 until next year.
DeleteScott, unless his biography on the Church website is somehow incorrect, Elder Robbins was born on October 27, 1952:
Deletehttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/lynn-g-robbins?lang=eng
I'm going by that. Elder Robbins is one of two GA Seventies who will turn 70 this year, but will be released in the year they turn 70. The other is Elder Walter F. Gonzalez. And as mentioned by President Nelson at the groundbreaking for the Ephraim Utah Temple, Elder Gonzalez's address at that event marked his last official assignment as a GA Seventy. I'm hard-pressed to believe that the Church would release Elder Gonzalez but retain Elder Robbins, who is a month older than Elder Gonzalez.
Hope that clarification helps.
You are right. When I first started my tracking I must have fat fingered his birthday as 1953. I have lots of files yo fix, thanks for the feedback.
DeleteNo problem. Glad I could help you out. Incidentally, given the announcement of the 90-minute Saturday Evening Session, the final version of my predictions will be published here on Friday. Since that Saturday Evening Session will be half an hour shorter than the other four sessions, I am assuming that may impact how many GA Seventies speak, which could also impact however many new GA Seventies and their veteran counterparts. Just something else to consider. Thanks again.
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day, the Church News has published 4 new reports, which speak for themselves:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2022/9/25/23368779/new-stake-presidents-syracuse-reorganized-peru-mexico-philippines
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022/9/25/23357212/fsy-conferences-worldwide-summer-2022-spiritual-strength-young-men-young-women-leaders
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/25/23366769/week-in-review-president-nelson-covenants-elder-bednar-instagram-live-elder-andersen-south-america
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/25/23370776/president-cordon-president-lund-nauvoo-young-men-young-women-training-fireside
If there are any other Church News, Newsroom, or temple construction updates later today, I will pass them along as time and circumstances allow. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
I nearly forgot to pass along an update from the Newsroom that was published today:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/black-14-bishops-storehouse-byu-2022
My thanks once again to you all.
And new construction status updates have recently been noted for the Bentonville Arkansas, Brasilia Brazil, and Elko Nevada Temples:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/bentonville-arkansas-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/brasilia-brazil-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/elko-nevada-temple/
It's also worth mentioning that, if you look at the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site, on the construction status page, where it previously only noted a window for "completion", that has now been changed to "construction completion", and the note that previously appeared at the top of that page and noted that temple dedications being scheduled to occur a couple of months after their completion has been removed.
With that in mind, I am still cautiously optimistic that an announcement this week or next week could set the reopening arrangements for the Columbus Ohio Temple, with the dedication in late January or early February. I am less certain about what the potential window might be for the announcement of opening arrangements for the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple, but I would assume the Church may aim for an early-to--mid February dedication of that temple. And of course, except in the case of one or two temples having their dedication(s)/rededication(s) on the same day, there would probably be either a one- or two-week break before the next temple event(s).
The latest estimates I have worked up for temples that might be dedicated between now and early January 2024 will be included on my third-quarter 2022 look back at temple progress, which will be published on Friday. Unless I am mistaken, Monday may be the standard day of the week on which we can anticipate new temple-related announcements for the next little while, with the exception, of course, of any new temples that may be announced next weekend in General Conference.
Beginning on Thursday evening, our plans are to be at our new place in Lehi. So I've got some updates preset to publish, and will bring word of any new reports as the upcoming transition permits. My thanks once again to you all.
On this Monday, the Church News has shared one new update thus far:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/26/23372935/members-of-black-14-light-the-y-at-byu-wyoming-game
My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has provided one additional report:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/26/23368500/young-women-general-presidency-covenant-belonging
And as many of you might be aware, on the last two Mondays before today, breaking temple updates were provided by the Church between roughly 1 and 3 PM. So I'm monitoring for anything similiar today as I type this comment. If/when such an update (if not updates) are provided, they will be published in a new post here that I will timestamp with the rough time of the announcement. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
While we continue to wait for anything that might be announced today from the Church, here is one new report from the Church News:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/the-church-of-jesus-christ-joins-an-interfaith-initiative-for-peace-in-mexico
My thanks once again to you all.
While no breaking temple news has been shared, the Newsroom and the Church News have provided new updates on the renovation of the historic Salt Lake Temple:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/temple-square-renovation-update-september-2022
https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2022/9/26/23373083/temple-square-renovation-update-pavilions-multilevel-building-replace-south-visitors-center
If any other reports or updates are shared, I will be sure to pass those along here. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
On this Tuesday, the Church News has shared the following 3 new reports, which all speak for themselves:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/27/23371491/provo-missionary-training-center-choir-purpose-power-ryan-eggett
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/9/27/23373557/self-reliance-in-fiji-adra-collaboration-nutrition
https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast/2022/9/27/23374888/david-schneider-copy-editor-coping-with-trials-focusing-on-miracles-episode-103
My thanks once again to you all.
And here is one new report from the Church News:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/27/23373937/adassa-encanto-miracle-faithful-sacrifices-disney-lds-living
My thanks once again to you all
I am pleased to be able to report, courtesy of information from the Church Temples site, that status updates have been noted for the Nairobi Kenya and Smithfield Utah Temples. Above and beyond that, the first major update on the Ephriam Utah Temple since its' groundbreaking exactly one month ago indicates that full-scale construction efforts are officially underway, leaving just 4 temples for which full-scale efforts are pending:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/nairobi-kenya-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/smithfield-utah-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/ephraim-utah-temple/
My thanks once again to you all.
Here is one new Church News report:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/history/2022/9/27/23354978/joseph-smith-papers-project-history-2023
My thanks once again to you all.
And here is one more:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/general-conference/2022/9/27/23375377/general-conference-october-2022-talk-summaries-session-highlights-announcements
My thanks once again to you all.
Today Brad Wilcox announced in his new testament class at BYU that big changes are coming to the youth program of the church in conference
ReplyDeleteAssuming that will indeed be the case, I wonder what it is that might be left to change. With the disbanding of ward young men presidencies, and the adjustments to younng women classes that occurred 3 years ago, unless there is another change in curriculum or further adjustements to the Children and Youth initiative, there's not that much left to adjust. To whom might i offer thanks for this information?
DeleteOn other blogs, I go by Сњешко
DeleteOf course. You've been a regular contributor on the Church Growth Blog. Thanks, Сњешко, for taking time to share this information here. I appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteThank you for all the work and effort you put into this blog. It has been fascinating being able to read your posts and comments
DeleteMy pleasure.
DeleteOn this Wednesday, the Newsroom and the Church News have each shared two new updates apiece:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2022-world-report
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/the-church-of-jesus-christ-joins-an-interfaith-initiative-for-peace-in-mexico
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/28/23367539/joyce-forman-cancer-survivor-college-degree-byu-pathway-worldwide-church-history-department
https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022/9/28/23375159/two-latter-day-saint-sister-missionaries-featured-on-abc-radio-tasmania
My thanks once again to you all.
Here are two more updates from the Church News:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/9/28/23365257/humanitarian-donations-giving-aid-emergency-response-welfare-service-justserve
https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2022/9/28/23377564/watch-the-october-2022-world-report-general-conference
I apologize for my delay in providing these updates. With the big move coming up tomorrow, concerns pertaining to that diverted my focus for most of today. My thanks once again to you all.
Hello again, everyone! Just a quick reminder note that today is the big "M" (moving) day for us. I will do my best to track and pass along updates as time and circumstances allow today, but if there is a delay or disruption to usual reports, that's why. We are looking very much forward to this new chapter of our lives. That being said, I am pleased to report that during the first General Conference Leadership Session this morning, the First Presidency announced the calls of 6 new area seventies:
ReplyDeletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2022-leadership-changes
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/29/23377635/first-presidency-announces-six-new-area-seventies-october-2022-general-conference
Since these Brethren were sustained in advance, I am assuming that the releases announced in late August that were effective August 1 and the sustaining of these 6 new leaders will be ratified as a group to save time in the Saturday Afternoon Session. My thanks once again to you all.
Here are two more updates:
Deletehttps://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/29/23378807/video-how-elder-jeffrey-holland-sees-the-gospel-as-a-maypole
https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/4/1/23217261/october-2022-general-conference-send-photos-experience
My thanks once again to you all.
And here is a Newsroom update:
Deletehttps://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/million-meals
My thanks once again to you all.
This is my first comment coming to you all from our new place in Lehi. It's been a crazy few hours. We had a few members of our Orem ward's Elders' Quorum (and one member of that same ward bishopric) help us move the most significant and immediate stuff, and then we headed over. I've been holding down the fort here (to be with our cats) while my wife makes a few more trips between our old place and here to bring over more essentials.
DeleteSome of you may not be interested in that update, but I wanted to provide it all the same. With that out of the way, one new Newsroom update was shared this afternoon or evening:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/million-meals
And another article provides insight into what priesthood leaders from Venezuela did to attend a meeting with Elder Andersen in neighboring Colombia (since Venezuelan protocols do not permit nonnatives within its' boundaries):
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/9/29/23373887/venezuelan-church-leaders-meet-in-person-with-elder-andersen-in-colombia
From the article, I gather that Elder Andersen has apostolic oversight for the Church in the South America Northwest Area, with the assistance of Elder Brent H.Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy. Elder Nielson's role in that area is confirmed in his biography:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/brent-h-nielson?lang=eng
Of course, the biography in question notes that Elder Nielson assists Elder Renlund in supervising that area, but that information could be outdated. I say that because we know from previous reports that Elder Cook replaced Elder Uchtdorf recently as the Chair of the Missionary Executive Council, while simultaneously, Elder Uchtdorf assumed Elder Cook's previous role with the Priesthood and Family Executive Council. So within the last year, there appears to have been some shift in apostolic assignments to varying degrees. We also know from a fairly recent report that Elder Rasband has assumed oversight for the Africa Central and Africa South Areas within the last year, so it is not out of the question that assignment information in the biographies for the Presidency of the Seventy may be outdated.
Sorry. This comment was a lot all at once. But there you go: my first contribution to this blog from our new place. My thanks once again to you all.
I also would like to draw attention to the latest updates on the Columbus Ohio and Saratoga Springs Utah Temples, and to a relatively recent and significant update on the Bangkok Thailand Temple:
Deletehttps://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/columbus-ohio-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/saratoga-springs-utah-temple/
https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/bangkok-thailand-temple/
Based on the status of these three temples, I now believe it is possible that, aside from any new temples being announced this weekend, the next big temple announcement could come next week, and would be to set the reopening arrangements for the Columbus Ohio Temple, and the opening arrangements for the new Saratoga Springs Utah and Bangkok Thailand Temples. My thanks once again to you all.