Stokes Sounds Off: BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Set for the McAllen Texas Temple

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Monday, May 15, 2023

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Set for the McAllen Texas Temple

Hello again, everyone! I mentioned in my most-recent comment on the threads of the previous post that I did not believe that the Helena Montana open house beginning would be the only major temple update noted today. That theory has now been proven correct. The opening arrangements for the McAllen Texas Temple have been officially confirmed. Let's get right into the details: A media day will be held on Monday, August 21, with VIP tours following for the next three days.

The public open house will then follow between Friday, August 26-Saturday September 9, excluding the Sundays of August 28 and September 3. The temple will be dedicated in two sessions (at 10:00 PM and 1:30 PM) by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Sunday, October 8, 2023. While the announcement of the arrangements for the McAllen Texas Temple was not unexpected, the timing of the dedication was a surprise. 

This dedication will occur on the same day as the previously-set dedication of the Feather River California Temple. And that opens the prospect that more US temples could be fit into the dedication schedule. I would therefore project that the dedication of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple might be set for October 22 or 29, or November 5. And if that happens, the dedication of the Lima Peru Los Olivos and Puebla Mexico Temples could take place in November as well, and that would still allow the Church to finish the year out with the dedications of the Layton Utah and Orem Utah Temples. 

But that's at a minimum. If two or more temple dedications occur on the same day again, the number of temples likely to be dedicated by the end of this year could be a lot higher than what has seemed likely with the more spread-out method of temple opening announcements. I will need to do some research and will try to pass along any updates on what we could potentially see ASAP. In the interim, I have started a new document to highlight the temple dedications and rededications by each of our current apostles during President Nelson's prophetic tenure.

I am grateful for this announcement. I continue to monitor all temple construction updates, along with all updates from the Church News and the Newsroom and will be sure to pass those along to you all here as I become aware thereof. 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. 

I hope any of you who would like to share anything will take your opportunity to “sound off” in the comments below. Please subscribe if you liked what you read here and would like to be informed of newly-added posts and comments. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.

37 comments:

  1. The Church News also reported on this news, and included a list of other scheduled temple dedications/rededications in addition to information on past and upcoming days where two or more dedications have occurred/will occur As I said, I think we can safely assume at least 2-4 more temples may have dedications set before the end of this year. My thanks once again to you all.

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  2. Riobamba District appears to be upgraded to a stake this coming weekend. https://www.facebook.com/1544882175/posts/pfbid02cvzHyQsYN5UtXyJZToneEes9qf51hbxXfpB2o4yU9wUNPbzCTyXHR2TjdKo3EZyvl/?app=fbl

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  3. On this Tuesday evening, Church President and Prophet Russell M. Nelson took to soical media to offer an official statement about his health. The statement is as follows: "“You may have heard a rumor that someone saw me somewhere using a walker or a wheelchair. Well, it’s not a rumor. From time to time, I’m having a little challenge with my balance. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when little issues arise as I near the century mark. Gratefully, my heart is good, my spirit is strong as are my legs, and my brain still works. I love you, my dear brothers and sisters, and am grateful every day to serve the Lord and you. Little challenges with balance should be the least of our worries. Onward and upward!”

    I have included the whole statement in addition to the link to the statement as featured in the Church News because I couldn't find a good way to summarize that. Hopefully this statement puts rumors about his health to rest for the foresseable future. I'd say our prophet has enough on his plate without having to respond to reports on how he is supposedly doing. I will return shortly with additional updates, but wanted to make this the priority first. My thanks once again to you all.

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    1. Elder Alvin F. "Tripp" Meredith III, a GA Seventy, will continue his service as such while also becoming the 18th president of BYU-Idaho, succeeding President Henry J. Eyring. That change will go into effect on August 1, 2023.

      The change was announced during the BYU-Idaho Devotional today. Elder D. Todd Christofferson, who, along with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, represents the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the Church Board of Education and Board of Trustees (with both apostoles serving on the Executive Committee of the Boards), made the announcement. In view of Elder Holland's currently-ongoing medical leave, Elder Christofferson may be serving as the Acting Chairman of that Board.

      It is not clear at this point whether Elder Meredith will continue to serve in his present assignments at Church Headquarters (including as the First Counselor in the Middle East/Africa North Area presidency), but as soon as I know anything about that, I will pass it along as well.

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    2. In the interim, the Church News has provided other reports. One shares how the opening of the Helena Montana Temple focused on the importance of temple ordinances, rather than the factors of size, construction technology, or design elements. Another report shares how current and "emeritus" members of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary General Presidencies recently gathered together for a luncheon honoring the consecrated efforts of these sisters. And in this week's Church News podcast, Sister Janice Kapp Perry, who sang with the Tabernacle Choir for several years and who has written numerous children's songs and hymn texts, provided insights on the importance of Church music and her role in that arena.

      My thanks once again to you all.

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    3. Forgot to note that President Henry J. Eyring has been asked to return to Utah and to BYU to develop leadership curriculum and teach. I assume he is also returning to Utah to support his parents as President Henry B. Eyring turns 90 and continues in the First Presidency while being the primary caregiver to his wife, Kathy J. Eyring. Henry J.'s return to BYU may not have been mentioned in the Newsroom and Church News updates but was noted by the Desert News, KSL, and the Salt Lake Tribune. Thanks again, all.

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    4. As reported in a new article from the Newsroom, top Church leaders met with the president of the UN General Assembly. My thanks once again to you all.

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    5. On what has been a busy Wednesday for me, I have a few new updates to pass along from the Church News. The first highlights an an interfaith meeting that helped the Church connect with other religious leaders in Kenya. The Church News also provided information on incoming BYU Idaho President Elder Alvin F. "Tripp" Meredith III. The Church is also mourning the loss of an expert forester who, though not a member of the Church, took on a decades-long mission to preserve the Sacred Grove.

      The Church News has provided another report recently covered by the Newsroom, highlighting how the president of the United Nations General Assembly visted Church headquarters and top Church leaders. The Bells on Temple Square are preparing for a concert next month. And GA Seventy Elder Marcus B. Nash, who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Church's Missionary Department, was the featured speaker at this week's Provo MTC Devotional. My thanks once again to you all.

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    6. At some point within the past 24 hours, the Church Temples site updated the general estimates and completion order for temples anticipated to be completed before the end of this year. With Red Cliffs Utah and Lima Peru Los Olivos completed, the only temple now slated for completion in mid-2023 is Orem Utah. The Puebla Mexico, Layton Utah, Urdaneta Philippines, Salta Argentina, Taylorsville Utah, and Coban Guatemala Temples are now expected to be completed in mid-to-late 2023. And I am now projecting that either the Layton Utah or Urdaneta Philippines Temples will be the last dedicated in 2023 or the first dedicated in 2024. My thanks once again to you all.

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  4. On this Thursday, the Church News has highlighted how the Church recently funded the construction of a new school in Accra Ghana, and an account of the way Church buildings have been opened up to aid communities that were devastated by recent flooding in Malawi,

    And as an update on the ministry of our apostles, the Church News has also highlighted reflections from President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, who will mark his 90th birthday on the last day of this month, while another report provides a preview of the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults that will air this weekend. The devotional will feature President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, and his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks, and their address will serve as a continuation of the address given to Young Single Adults last May by Church President Russsell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson. My thanks once again to you all.

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    1. On this Friday, the Church News has highlighted the involvement of Church members in the United Kingdom in the "Big Help Out" that was held in conjunction with the coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Also, a new report from the Church Temples site indicates that full-scale construction is officially underway for the Miraflroes Guatemala City Guatemala Temple.

      As a result,, only the Lubumbashi DR Congo Temple (which has reportedly been preparing for full-scale construction to begin since at least October 27 of last year), the Heber Valley Utah Temple (for which dark sky regulations have been approved, and for which full-scale construction could soon begin) he Torreon and Queretaro Mexico, and the Port Vila Vanuatu and Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temples are the only ones waiting to begin full-scale construction currently. Less than a month from now, ground will be broken for the Montpelier Idaho and Belo Horizonte Brazil Temples. Other temple groundbreakings could soon be announced to take place in June, July, or August.

      Additionally, the statuses for the Red Cliffs Utah and Lima Peru Los Olivos Temples indicate that landscaping and interior work are being finalized for both temples. And in view of the updates I mentioned to the queue of temples over the last couple of days, there are now 7 temples that can be considered as "nearing completion": Orem Utah, Puebla Mexico, Layton Utah, Salta Argentina, Coban Guatemala, Urdaneta Philippines, and Taylorsville Utah.

      So with 9 temples that could all have construction wrap up in the next 3-4 months or less, I think that next week's big announcement will be the opening arrangements for Red Cliffs. There might be a 2-3 week hiatus on temple opening announcements after that, within which time several of the 7 other temples I mentioned could join the second Lima temple in the queue of those that have major construction completed. Starting the first Sunday in June and contiuning throughout the summer in the northern hemisphere, I'd anticipate the other 8 temples will have openings announced.

      And all of them could go on to be dedicated before the end of February next year. Stay tuned for more temple construction updates and analysis, and for the latest Church News and Newsroom updates. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

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    2. Note: This comment was initiated on Friday but not published until Saturday.

      The latest edition of "This Week on Social" was published earlier this afternoon.

      The newest installment included posts from the following general Church leaders: Church President Russell M. Nelson (his aforementioned health update) and his First Counselor, President Dallin H. Oaks; Acting President M. Russell Ballard and Elders Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, and Gerrit W. Gong, all of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Relief Society General President Sister Camille N. Johnson; Sisters Michelle D. Craig and Rebecca L. (Becky) Craven, the respectively outgoing First and Second Counselors in the Young Women General Presidency; and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and his First Counselor, Brother Bradley R. (Brad) Wilcox.

      And in response to the prophet's social media post about his health and balance, the Church News shared kind expressions from Church members and friends of other faiths. Additionallhy, an organist with Westminister Abbey was a guest artist at an organ concert series at the Tabernacle today. Additionally, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square announced that all the tickets for their planned Mexico City tour performances are sold out.. My thanks once again to you all.

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  5. Hello again, everyone! You all may have noticed that my comments made here over the last few days have been posted later and more sporadically than usual. I've been slightly under the weather the last few days and have also had a few appointments that have slowed down my ability to post updates in my usual timely manner. That being said, for today, I have a list of links to updates from the Newsroom and the Church News. In deference to my health, I will just share the web addresses rather than hyperlinking them this time:

    https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/the-church-of-jesus-christ-provides-housing-and-support-to-flood-victims-in-malawi

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/5/20/23723682/elder-christophe-giraud-carrier-general-authority-seventy-bio-2023-france-trust-the-lord

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2023/5/20/23698082/trent-toone-how-reporting-on-the-richmond-virginia-temple-dedication-blessed-my-life

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2023/5/20/23730150/latter-day-saint-attorney-u-s-air-force-receives-arthur-s-flemming-award

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2023/5/20/23730735/music-the-spoken-word-the-good-fight-paul-tabernacle-choir

    https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2023/5/21/23702398/deaf-latter-day-saint-leaders-michael-ballard-thomas-graham-katrina-trevenen

    I will likely pass along the web addresses for any new temple updates from today either later tonight or tomorrow. I will do my best to pass along any Church News, Newsroom, or temple updates from tomorrow as my situation allows. Bur if nothing else, I will be sure to cover the next major temple construction announcement on Monday. My thanks once again to you all.

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    1. On this Sabbath Day, the Church News has shared a few new updates. 21 new stake presidencies have been called to serve; the Church News reviewed the top 9 developments covered by their staff within the last seven days; and the final article details which parts of Nevada have the most Church members.

      There are no new updates from the Newsroom at this time. However, in just under an hour (at 6:00 PM tonight), the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults will air. As previously noted, the devotional will featured President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, and his wife, Sister Kirsten M. Oaks. Their remarks will focus on a continuation of the address given by Church President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, at the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults that took place in May of last year.

      And, of course, since tomorrow is Monday, I anticipate the next major temple update will be provided. We are most likely to see the opening arrangements announced for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple. Based on what I've been able to ascertain, the open house could begin in August or September, and could wrap up in September or October. The most likely dedication window for that temple appears to be one of 3 Sundays: October 8 (coinciding with the previously-announced dedications of the McAllen Texas and Feather River California Temples), October 15 (no dedications have been announced to occur on that date yet) or October 22 (the same date on which the Bangkok Thailand Temple is scheduled to be dedicated).

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    2. While it is always possible other dedications could be announced as well (the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple is completed as well, and the Orem Utah Temple is nearly completed), since the first president and matron have not yet been announced for Lima #2, my personal belief is that the announcement of opening arrangements for that temple will be deferred until either the first leaders are named or else the week after next Monday. (Monday May 29 is Memorial Day, a federal holiday in the US hnoring servicemen and women, so Church headquarters will be closed on that day and no announcement will be made then). Therefore, the earliest I am expecting an opening to be announced for Lima #2 is Monday, June 5.

      With that in mind, aside from the Red Cliffs Utah Temple opening arrangements, I think we are likely to see at least one or two new temple groundbreakings announced, at least one or two exterior renderings released, and/or at least one or two new temple site locations confirmed. Right now, soil samples are being collected at the site of the Fort Worth Texas Temple in order to enable engineers to formulate the plan for that temple site. So a groundbreaking could be announced there. Various approvals are being sought for the Cody Wyoming, Modesto California, Knoxville Tennessee, and Teton River Idaho Temples, so any of those could have groundbreakings announced. For the Teton River Idaho Temple, that announcement would likely include the release of an exterior rendering.

      The Church has also confirmed the locations and released renderings for the Cali Colombia, Cape Town South Africa, Tarawa Kiribati, Singapore, Kaohsiung Taiwan, Tampa Florida, and Oslo Norway Temples, so any of those 7 could have groundbreakings announced. The Church could also release the renderings for the Mexico City Benemerito Mexico, San Luis Potosi Mexico, Sao Paulo East Brazil (along with releasing its' official name). Grand Rapids Michigan, Ribeirão Preto, Santos, and Londrina Brazil, Santa Cruz Bolivia, Wellington New Zealand, Lone Mountain Nevada, Santiago West Chile (along with releasing its' official name),Cleveland Ohio, Austin Texas, Barcelona Spain, Vitoria and Maceio Brazil, Huehuetenango Guatemala, or Kumasi Ghana Temples.

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    3. Any of the 11 US temples announced in the latest 3 General Conferences could have more official detials announced, as could any of the 38 other announced temples outside the US. As previously noted, it's not unheard of for the Church to confirm site locations and release an exterior rendering at the same time, and we've also seen cases of a site confirmation, exterior rendering, and groundbreaking announcement all occurring at the same time.

      The Church has also sometimes provided updates on multiple temples in the same news release. So there are endless probable combinations of announcements that could be made tomorrow. Whatever actually is announced will be passed along here as I can make that happen. In the meantime, apparently, at some point in the last 72 hours or less, the Church Temples site officially moved the Taylorsvile Utah Temple ahead of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple. The latter temple now is ahead of Casper Wyoming and Tallahassee Florida. The construction queue is constantly in flux, including whenever new updates are announced.

      I am doing my best to cover all of those developments, in addition to all updates from the Newsroom and the Church News, and will continue to bring those to you as I become aware thereof. I will also be sure to pass along any new temple construction updates from today here ASAP. Stay tuned for coverage on tomorrow's announcement (which will be made at some point during the early part of the 2:00 PM hour). For now, my thanks once again to you all.

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    4. Both the Newsroom and the Church News have covered tonight's worldwide devotional for young adults. My thanks once again to you all.

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  6. On this Monday, the 2:00 PM hour has nearly lapsed without any new major temple construction news. So I see one of three likely scenarios: either there will be no major update of that kind today or next Monday (Memorial Day), or the Church is deferring that announcement due to a time zone difference between here in Utah and the area in which the Church will announce an update, or it is possible the Church might defer the update until tomorrow or later this week and establish a new standard day for that announcement. Stay tuned for an update if/when it happens. I will be back with Church News, Newsroom, and temple construction updates ASAP later today. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

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    1. No major temple updates have been shared, so one of the three scenarios I shared above is likely applicable. In the interim, the Newsroom has shared an update on how a Church dontaion of medical equipment to Armenia is changing lives in that nation. And the Church News has shared reports of another donation of medical and school supplies to two Central American nations. And another article describes a life-changing safe water in several areas. And hundreds of Church members in Panma have participated in a day of service, As the final update for now, the Church News has shared information about open auditions for the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square starting on May 1. My thanks once again to you all.

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    2. The latest updates on the Teton River Idaho and Fort Worth Texas Temples lead me to believe that groundbreaking announcements for both could be forthcoming. If so, those groundbreakings could occur in June or July. My thanks once again to you all.

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  7. On this Tuesday, with no new major temple construction update reported today, I assume that means no such updates will be forthcoming until Monday, June 5. That assumption, in turn, leads me to conclude that the dedication of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple may only be set to occur on Sunday, October 22 (the same day as the Bangkok Thailand Temple), October 29, November 5, or November 12 (the same day as the Okinawa Japan Temple). I don't know what that means for the timing of temple dedications the rest of the year, but I assume we'll find out.

    In the meantime, the Newsroom has reported on how Kentucky's governor has responded to humanitarian aid given by the Church in the wake of the recent flooding in that state. And the Church News has provided counsel from the Young Women General Presidency relating to Young Women's camp, summarized Elder Dale G. Renlund's recent counsel to BYU-PW students, shared insights from a a Central American missionary devotional by Elder S. Mark Palmer, and published the latest edition of the Church News podcast. My thanks once again to you all.

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    1. On this Wednesday, the Church News has shared several updates highlgihting 7 recent efforts by Church leaders and members to promote religious freedom, remarks from Young Women General President Sister Bonnie H. Cordon at the weekly Provo MTC Devotional, a BYU-Hawaii devotional featuring Elder Evan A. Schmutz (the current First Counselor in the Utah Area Presidency who will begin serving as President of the North America Southwest Area in August), gatherings continuing for youth and young adults worldwide, and an apostolic invitation from Elder Ronald A. Rasband to South African Saints to get to know the Savior better.

      My thanks once again to you all.

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    2. Within the last 2-3 days, the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site has shared status updates for the Orem Utah, Urdaneta Philippines, Farmington New Mexico, and Grand Junction Colorado Temples. My thanks once again to you all.

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    3. Both the Newsroom and the Church News have highlighted the latest updates on the Temple Square renovation progress. Through miraculous circumstances, a missionary in Africa received reassurance when his cousin's baseball jersey crossed his path. Saints in England, Peru, and Malaysia have found happiness through family history. As his 90th birthday (on May 31) draws closer, a new Church News video shares insights from President Eyring about trusting in the Lord. And the first ever Church conference for military chaplains in the UK has been held. My thanks once again to you all.

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    4. And a new Church News video focused on remarks given by Elder Clark G. Gilbert during the October 2021 General Conference. My thanks once again to you all.

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    5. Early (for me) on this Friday morning, I missed a previous Newsroom report and have two new updates to share from the Church News. I will just provide the web addresses rather than trying to hyperlink them:

      https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/bishop-waddell-visits-earthquake-stricken-areas-of-t-uuml-rkiye

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2023/5/25/23738074/podagir-podcast-lds-church-welfare-self-reliance-services-brazil

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2023/5/26/23729161/new-temple-presidents-pittsburg-pennsylvania-lima-peru-los-olivos

      Although the first leaders of the Lima Peru Los Olivos and Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temples have served individually and with their respective spouses in a variety of callings, the incoming president and matron of the Pittsburgh Temple is a patriarch and his wife (who scribes for him) and temple ordinance workers (in the Columbus Ohio Temple). The incoming president and matron of the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple are service mission leaders.

      I have added these temples to the list of those for which new leaders have been called this year:

      https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZFxVX_M7JfchmzNG_7QAMP00a6jLLvfZjFIy-ka1Ut0/edit?usp=sharing

      That list now shows a minimum of 6 temples for which the first leaders might be called soon, 8 currently-operating temples for which new leaders might be called, and the now-49 temples for which new leaders have been called (15 of which are the first leaders for new temples). My thanks once again to you all.

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    6. Here is one more Church News report:

      https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2023/5/26/23736429/moms-tour-community-baby-showers-us-volunteers-joy-of-helping

      My thanks once again to you all.

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    7. A new article from the Newsroom highlights the donation of wheelchairs in Latin America. Meanwhile, the Church News has shared coverage of the development I reported in an earlier comment on this thread. The Church News has also shared insights on how partnering with the Lord gives power and comfort to those struggling with mental health issues.

      The Church News also shared the latest edition of "This Week on Social". The latest edition shares posts from the following general Church leaders: President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency (although the article refers to him by his other title as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles); Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson; Sisters Michelle D. Craig and Rebecca L. (Becky) Craven, the respectively outgoing First and Second Counselors in the Young Women General Presidency; Sister Tracy Y. Browning, Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency; and Sunday School General President Mark L. Pace.

      My thanks once again to you all.

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    8. Based on a new update for the Orem Utah Temple, I have moved it on my temple construction progress report from "Nearing Completion" to "Awaiting the Announcement of Opening Arrangements". I assume that temple will be completed officially sometime next week. So when the first new temple construction announcement is made for June, it could be possible that the Red Cliffs Utah, Lima Peru Los Olivos, and Orem Utah Temple might all have opening arrangements announced. Based on some new calculations, I now believe that Red Cliffs will be dedicated in November, with Los Olivos following in November or December, and Orem might be dedicated in December or January. Time will tell whether any of those theories are verified.

      Updates were also noted today for the Elko Nevada, Lindon Utah, Bacolod Philippines, Managua Nicaragua, and Manti Utah Temples. My thanks once again to you all.

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  8. On this Saturday, the Newsroom and the Church News reported on the tragic loss of another young missionary of the Church, sharing an official statement made by Church spokesman, Sam Penrod. The Church News also continues to share the biographies of new leaders sustained in General Conference last month, with Elder Alan T. Phillips being featured this week.

    Since he was the last new GA Seventy sustained in April of this year, all that remains is for the Church to provide biographies of the incoming Young Women General Presidency and the new counselor in the Young Men General Presidency. Another article from Church News editor Sister Sarah Jane Weaver highlights a lesson she learned while attending a religious symposium at the Vatican.

    The winner of American Idol who is a Latter-day Saint, shared how his family and his faith have influenced him. And the text of the message that will be given by Lloyd Newell tomorrow during "Music & the Spoken Word has been provided.

    Also, the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site has moved the Orem Utah Temple again. It is now ahead of both Red Cliffs Utah and Lima Peru Los Olivos. Based on that, I anticipate that the first major temple construction development in June will be the setting of arrangements for the Orem Utah Temple, though it is possible that could be combined with announcements for Red Cliffs Utah and/or Lima Peru Los Olivos. Stay tuned for more on that as those arrangements are set. For now, thanks again, everyone!

    My thanks once again to you all.

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    1. Additional changes have been made to the queue of temples under construction. The changes this time affect the temples that were anticipated to be completed in 2025. With construction of the Farmington New Mexico Temple ahead of schedule, it has moved from its' early 2025 position (the first temple during that period) to now being the second of 4 temples anticipated to be completed in late 2024 (Antofagasta Chile, Farmington New Mexico, San Pedro Sula Honduras, and Alabang Philippines). Likewise, the Burley Idaho Temple is ahead of schedule, and has moved from its' previous early-to-mid 2025 completion to now being one of 4 anticipated to be completed in late 2024-early 2025 (Syracuse Utah, Burley Idaho, Nairobi Kenya, and Harare Zimbabwe).

      In light of these adjustments, I have to again rethink the more specific estimates I offer for temples now under construction. And I'm sure that more changes will come down the pike depending on the progress of some temples vs. the lack thereof on others. Presently, there are no temples in the queue between the anticipated early 2025 completion of the Phnom Pehn Cambodia Temple and the mid-to-late completion of the Lindon Utah and Bahia Blanca Argentina Temple:

      https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L7HBLNZZTnlI4Dk8fpr3HZCf-wqkjUBcCCYqdxP7HRk/edit?usp=sharing

      I am still evaluating what these latest changes mean for my estimates and will have updates included on my second temple construction progress report for 2023, which will be posted here at the end of June. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

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    2. Aside from the changes in the temple construction queue order, updates have been noted on the Farmington New Mexico and Bahia Blanca Argentina Temples. My thanks once again to you all.

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  9. On this Sabbath Day, the Church News has shared 4 new reports. The Church News continued its' coverage of President Eyring's upcoming 90th birthday. 15 new stake presidencies have been called. The latest edition of "In Case You Missed It" shared the top 9 developments covered by the Church News this week. As the Joseph Smith Papers project wraps up, those involved in that project took time to reminisce about its' significance to the Church. And with today being World Hunger Day, the Church News highlighted the Church's contributions to combat hunger worldwide. My thanks once again to you all.

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    1. The Church of Jesus Christ Temples site has updated the estimates of a couple of temples. The estimate for the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple has been adjusted up from early 2024 to late 2023-early 2024, sharing an estimate with Tallahassee Florida. And the estimate for the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple has been adjusted up from mid-2024 to early-to-mid 2024, sharing an estimate with Mendoza Argentina and Manti Utah. As a result, there are now no temples anticiapted to be completed in early 2024, and the Salvador Brazil Temple is the only one now estimated to be completed in mid-2024. That could change. Here is my document outlining the changes:

      https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L7HBLNZZTnlI4Dk8fpr3HZCf-wqkjUBcCCYqdxP7HRk/edit?usp=sharing

      My thanks once again to you all.

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    2. On this Memorial Day in the United States, the Church News has shared 4 new reports. 3 families have joined together to provide service using the Church's JustServe website to find available opportunities. A new collection of charts shows the growth of the Church from its' 1830 establishment throughou the end of last year. The Church News also provided an update on humanitarian efforts in Eastern Europe. And members of the Church in Cambodia have helped to recently celebrate 100 years of Christianity.

      Since today is a federal holiday, there were no new major temple construction updates, and there in fact have not been any Newsroom updates. If there are any changes in the queue of temples under construction or undergoing renovation, I will provide those in another new comment later today. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

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    3. Updates were noted today on the status of 3 temples: Urdaneta Philippines, Bahia Blanca Argentina, and Manti Utah. As I stated a few different times here, with today being Memorial Day, I anticipate that the Church will not announce any major temple construction updates again this week. So for the first Monday in June, I'd anticipate announcements for at least the Orem Utah Temple and Red Cliffs Utah Temples. But as I've also stated, it wouldn't shock me if more groundbreakings were set, if we got more site announcements/exterior renderings, or if groundbreakings, exterior renderings, and site confirmations were made in a single announcement.

      Stay tuned for that update. In the interim, President Henry B. Eyring's 90th birthday is on Wednesday, so you can count on a new post here sharing a tribute to him. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

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    4. On this Tuesday, the Church News has shared 2 new reports thus far. One highlights 4 humanitarian projects being carried out by the Church in the Africa Central Area nations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Repulic of the Congo. The other shares how a Church historian recently identified a rare first-edition copy of the Book of Mormon in Hawaiian. I will be sure to pass along any additional Church News or Newsroom updates or temple construction developments as I become aware of them later today. As i have stated a few times in recent days, I do not anticipate a major temple construction announcement from the Church this week. My thanks once again to you all.

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In addition to my life-long love for the subjects which I cover in the posts of this blog, I have long held the belief that we can disagree without becoming disagreeable. Differences of opinion are natural, while being disagreeable in expressing those differences is not. And in that sense, I have no desire to close the door on anyone who earnestly desires to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on subjects covered in the posts on this blog.

At the same time, however, I recognize that we live in a time when incivility, discourtesy, unkindness, and even cyber-bullying has regrettably become part of online interactions. With that in mind, while anyone who wishes can comment on anything if they choose to do so, I hereby reserve the right to immediately delete any comments which are critical, unkind, lack civility, or promote prodcuts, services, and values contrary to either the Church, or to the rules of online etiquette.

I'd also like to remind all who comment here that I try to respond personally to each individual comment as I feel is appropriate. Such replies are not meant to end the conversation, but to acknowledge earnest feedback as it is submitted.

And in order to better preserve the spirit and pure intentions for which this blog was established, I also hereby request that anyone not commenting with a regular user name (particularly those whose comments appear under the "Unknown" or "Anonymous" monikers, give the rest of us a name to work with in addressing any replies. If such individuals do not wish to disclose their actual given names, a pseudonym or nickname would suffice.

Any comments made by individuals who opt to not give a name by which they can ber identified may, depending on the substance and tone of such comments, be subject to deletion as well. I would respectfully ask that all of us do all we can to keep the dialogue positive, polite, and without malice or ill-will. May the Lord bless us all in our discussion of these important matters.