Hello again, everyone! At this 2:00 PM hour on this Tuesday, the Church has shared the next major temple construction announcement has been made, which means that Tuesday may be the new standard date for temple news going forward. What we have today is opening arrangements for the Orem Utah Temple; an official closure date for the Provo Utah Temple; and the site location and initial information for the Wichita Kansas Temple. There's a lot to break down, so let's get right into it.
We begin with the Orem Utah Temple. Following a media day on Monday, October 23, and VIP tours from Tuesday, October 24-Thursday October 26, the public open house will be held between Friday, October 27-Saturday, December 16, 2023, except for the Sundays of October 29, November 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, and December 3 and 10.
The dedication of that temple will follow in two sessions at 12:30 and 3:30 PM on Sunday, January 21, 2024. I was intrigued by the later times for these sessions. That may indicate that another temple dedication is anticipated to be held on that day. No word on who will preside at that dedication, but the fact that this is the first temple dedication for 2024 is significant.
I wouldn't be shocked if a member of the First Presidency, perhaps even President Nelson himself, presides at this dedication, but either of his counselors or any members of the Twelve with ties to that part of Utah County could be chosen for the task. At a glance, that may include President Dallin H. Oaks, or Elders D. Todd Christofferson or Ronald A. Rasband.
I also don't know what this might indicate about the timing of the dedications for the Lima Peru Los Olivos and Red Cliffs Utah Temples, but if I had to guess, one of the two might be dedicated by the end of the year, and the other might be delayed until next year. It's also possible that both will be dedicated next year on either January 14, 21, or 28. Stay tuned for further updates on this as I receive word thereof.
We now shift to the Provo Utah Temple, which, as we know, was announced to be reconstructed once the Orem Utah Temple was dedicated. Since that dedication has now been set, the Church has also announced the closure date for the Provo Utah Temple. That temple will be open through Saturday, February 24, and will close at the end of that day. I have ventured a completion estimate of late 2026 or sometime in 2027, but it could be completed sooner if construction goes smoothly and without interruption.
That brings us to the information released today about the Wichita Kansas Temple site. The temple will rise at at Lot 1 Block 1 of The Moorings Plaza Fourth Addition, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 9,950 square feet on the 6.42 acre site, and the temple may or may not use the modular design. I
t was my original understanding that the Church intended the Helena Montana, Casper Wyoming, and Elko Nevada Temples to all use the modular design, but the modular method was apparently only used on the first of those 3. The Okinawa Japan Temple was the right size for the modular design, but as far as I'm aware, that was built with normal methods. And the Casper and Elko temples were apparently built normally as well.
It's possible also that the Port Moresby Papua Nee Guinea, Port Vila Vanuatu, Tarawa Kiribati, and Torreon Mexico Temples all use the modular design as well, as could any temple with a floor plan close to 10,00 square feet. But I'm less sure on that than I once was. The Wichita Kansas Temple was one of the last two US temples announced in April 2022 that did not have any information officially confirmed. The last one is Missoula Montana. And today's announcement on the Wichita Kansas Temple means that 47 of the 79 announced temples have not had official information confirmed yet.
As I noted at the beginning of this post, with the Orem Utah Temple dedication set to occur next year, it remains to e seen how soon the Lima Peru Los Olivos and Red Cliffs Utah Temples could have official opening arrangements announced. But I'm glad we have additional information about these three temples today. Since it appears that Tuesday is the new standard day of the week for major temple updates, I will be sure to keep an eye out for those and will pass them along ASAP as time and circumstances allow.
I likewise monitor all updates from the Church News and the Newsroom, and any other temple construction developments and will pass those along to you all as I receive word 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.
Another Newsroom report confirms the groundbreaking for the Montpelier Idhao Temple. And the Church News has covered both the updates on the temples in Orem and Provo, and the site confirmation for the Wichita Kansas Temple.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the closure date for the renovation of the San Diego California Temple has been revised to Saturday, July 29, and the Kona Hawaii Temple page now shows that its' closure is planned between Saturday September 30 of this year and the same date in 2025. So my theory that this temple would close either just before or on the weekend of the October 2023 General Conference has been proven to be correct. My thanks once again to you all.
The Church now has 32 temples with sites officially confirmed (11 of which have renderings), and 0 groundbreakings scheduled. 32 is the current record for most groundbreakings in a year (1999). Only 5 groundbreakings have occured this year so far. If most of these 32 temples have dates scheduled for later this year like in 2020 when 17 of 21 temples had groundbroken in the 2nd half of the year, there is potential that yet another record could be broken this year.
ReplyDeleteNoah, your statements are correct. For the interest of those who are curious, sewer and water line equipment have been staged at the site of the Teton River Idaho Temple. Construction crews assigned to the Fort Worth Texas Temple are collecting soils samples that will enable Church engineers to make plans for that temple. Government approvals are being sought for the Cody Wyoming Temple, for which a neighborhood meeting was also recently held. The Church is seeking a conditional use permit in Modesto California for the temple there. And government approval is being sought for the Knoxville Tennessee Temple, where a community meeting was held about a month ago. So I think we could see action on any or all of those 5 in the near term.
DeleteSince all other temples which had sites announced and renderings released on September 23, 2021 have had groundbreakings, I think the Cali Colombia Temple could also see a groundbreaking soon. And as we head into spring/summer for the Southern Hemisphere in the next few months, we are also likely to see action taken on the Cape Town South Africa Temple, Given that Port Moresby Papua New Guinea and Port Vila Vanuatu had their gorundbreakings in April, the Tarawa Kiribati Temple might not be far behind. Any other temple with sites announced (including those for which renderings have also been released already) could see action soon as well.
I see a few groundbreakings in August, a few more in September, and the balance of the year's groundbreakings in October, November, and December. In the meantime, the Church is spreading out temple dedications a lot more than I projected. I don't know whether this means that no other temples will be dedicated this year, nor am I as sure as I once was that one or more temples could be dedicated on Sunday, January 14. I will be interested to see the timing that comes into play with the next temple dedications.
Thanks, as always, Nate, for taking time to share your thoughts. I always appreciate hearing from you.
Hi James, thanks for your updates on announced sites. I was in attendance at the Cody city meeting. It was quite an event for our small town. The conditional use permit for the site was approved, but the exception to allow a tall steeple on the temple was tabled for a later meeting. Things are moving along in the face of some opposition. Church members outnumbered opposition at the city meeting, which contained an estimated 150 against the temple and 400 people supporting the temple. The church members also produced a petition with 1500 signatures of support while the opposition had only 900 on their petition. 30 church members spoke at the meeting in favor of the temple. We are doing all we can and are hopeful construction can begin soon!
DeleteAndre, thanks for your first-hand report on the meeting I mentioned. Coincidentally enough, I was just reading a report on that meeting earlier today from one of the local Cody news sources. As indicated by both that article and your comment, opinions on both sides of the issue are strong. My hope is that the Lord will soften the hearts of the objectors, or that the Church will be able to modify the plans sufficiently to quell the opposition. Based on both your report and the one I read earlier today, I don't see the Church relocating the temple to pacify those who object. But I wouldn't be shocked if some compromise was reached. The Yorba Linda California Temple's original design called for a longer steeple as well, but the size of that steeple was reduced as a compromise to quell objections in that case. So I could see that occurring for the Cody Wyoming Temple. My encouragement to us all at this time is to pray that the Lord will move the mountains needed to get the necessary governmental and community approvals, whatever that may involve and entail. Please keep us posted here if you have any updates. Thanks for weighing in again, Andre. I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteOther updates have been noted by the Church News. The latest edition of the Church News podcast featured the Relief Society General Presidency; an address by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf commemorates World Refugee Day; the Montpelier Idaho Temple groundbreaking, and new leaders have been named for the Chile Santiago NorthMission. The newly-called couple will begin their service in August. Both have served separately and together in a wide range of callings. The incoming president is currently a stake president, while his wife is a counselor in the ward Relief Society presidency. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteHello again, everyone! On this Wednesday, the Newsroom and the Church News have shared final reports on the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s recently-concluded tour in Mexico, which is the first leg of a planned multi-year multi-nation ministry and concert series. Although the Choir had previously announced a Spanish version of “Music & the Spoken Word” would launch this Sunday, that has been delayed until later this summer. A Portuguese edition will follow later this year or sometime next year.
DeleteAdditionally, Family Search booths were prominently featured in key areas where events honoring Juneteenth were held in Georgia; FamilySearch volunteers are attempting to set a new new world record for headstone uploads; the Church’s “Helping Hands” in Purtoal are collaborating with the Portuguese League Against Cancer; and, a few days later than I anticipated, the text of the dedicatory prayer for the Helena Montana Temple has been published.
If there are any additional Church News or Newsroom updates, or any reports on temple construction developments, I will share those later today as time and circumstances allow. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
Here is one new report from the Church News. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Thursday, I've had another crazzy day, so my first comment is delayed more than I intended today. With today being Thursday, June 22, the Church has kicked off what will this year be a four-day seminar for New Mission Leaders. As the seminar commenced, President Nelson announced a second edition of the missionary manual "Preach My Gospel", which used to be subtitled "A Guide to Missionary Service" and is now subititled "A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ". The change in subtitle seems to reemphasize that preaching the gospel is no longer just a missionary responsibility, and reflects changes in how the Church approaches missionary work in this changing world.
ReplyDeleteI will have more on the Seminar for New Mission Leadership shortly, but I wanted to turn my attention to three other updates reported in the interim that are slightly connected to missionary work. Brother Peter Vidmar, who competed in the 1984 Olympics and subsequently spoke about it in the April 1985 General Conference, is now a member of the Young Men General Advisory Council. He wrote an article highlighting the importance of camping as part of the Spirit-led activity program for young men. He also mentioned in that article how formative camping experiences can help young men prepare to represent the Lord as missionaries.
Meanwhile, aside from their concert perfomrances, the Church News describes how Choir members sang and ministered in other ways during their recent tour in Mexico City. And as a rare treat, the Church News featured an article written by Sister Cheryl Taylor, wife of Church News staffer Scott Taylor, who focused on how the mission leadership seminar prepared her and her husband for their 3-year term as mission leaders. It was great to read that perspective on missionary work.
DeleteWe now return to the reports about the mission leadership seminar for this year. Although a short version of President Nelson's announcement about the new "Preach My Gospel" edition was released to the public, in his more extensive prerecorded remarks to new mission leaders, President Nelson shared his thoughts on the important role mission leaders will fill, and how their ministry can positively impact both the young men and women they will supervise, and, by extension, those the young missionaries will teach. He reminded mission leaders that they are the Church's "boots on the ground", the first and best resource to organize and oversee any issues that arise.
Acting President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was asked to preside over the first day of the seminar as the senior apostle in attendance. A picture included with President Nelson's remarks showed Elder Quentin L. Cook, who chairs the Missionary Executive Council, seated by President Ballard, with Elder Holland on the other side of President Ballard and one other apostle in the background that I couldn't identify. Elders Uchtdorf, Bednar, Christofferson, and Andersen were visibile on the other side of the podium, along with another apostle I couldn't identify.
As I may have mentioned in the past, it used to be common for each Executive Council of the Church to have two or three apostles participating. It appears that the Church has reduced that to two. The current members of the Missionary Executive Council are Elders Cook and Stevenson, while the current apostles on the Church Board of Education are Elders Holland and Christofferson, with Elders Uchtdorf and Renlund on the Priesthood and Family Executive Council and Elders Bednar and Gong on the Temple and Family History Executive Council. I wish the Church was more transparent about the current assignments of all general Church leaders, but I'm sure there's a reason we know less about that now than we once did.
I think the Church will identify the Missionary Executive Council as part of covering the seminar. But in any case, with President Ballard presiding over today's session of the seminar, he also offered remarks. As a direct descendent of Hyrum Smith, he focused his remarks on the relationship between Hyrum and Joseph, and how mission leaders should instill in each companionship a desire to love, support, teach, and protect one another in the same way that Joseph and Hyrum Smith loved, supported, taught, and protected one another.
DeleteWhat has always impressed me about Hyrum Smith is his unwavering loyalty to his brother. He instantly accepted Joseph's account of the heavenly ministers that came to him, was one of the only 11 witnesses to the Book of Mormon that never fell away from the Church, stood by Joseph through all kinds of persecution, and even willingly went with Joseph to Liberty Jail and Carthage. Accompanying him to the latter jail was something he did despite Joseph's desire for him to run so he would be alive even if Joseph were killed. I loved that President Ballard focused on that bond specifically.
As I've mentioned previously here, it has been standard for the Church to have at least one apostolic descendent of Joseph or Hyrum Smith serving as an apostle. President Ballard is that current descendent. Hopefully he'll be around for years to come. But if and when he passes away, as I also mentioned in the past, Brother Jan E. Newman, currently the Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, is another direct-line descendent of Hyrum Smith, so either he, one of President Ballard's sons or grandsons, or another direct-line descendent of Joseph or Hyrum Smith might be called.
Those are the updates for now. I will continue to follow updates on the Mission Leadership Seminar and will bring word of those to you here as I receive it. In the meantime, I will be sure to also pass along any additional Church News, Newsroom, or temple construction updates ASAP after I learn of them. I am currently under active treatment for a recurring UTI, so if any updates are delayed, that would be the reason. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
Here is one more update from the Church News. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThus far on this Friday, the Church News has covered remarks given by President Oaks at the Seminar for New Mission Leadership. President Oaks spoke about the key role of Jesus Christ in the Plan of Salvation. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland also spoke. In addition to thanking those in attendance for their prayers in his behalf, Elder Holland surprised his fellow apostles Elders Neil L. Andersen, Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson, and Ulisses Soares by bringing up one of the missionaries who served in each of their missions when they served as mission presidents. Elder Holland asked the missionaries to share what they learned from their mission presidents, which was more effective than anything Elder Holland could have said personally. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Newsroom has published details about the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square's Summer Concert.. And the latest edition of "This Week on Social" has been published as welel.
DeleteThe general leaders featured in the latest installment of that ongoing series include: Church President Russell M. Nelson; Elders Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Quentin L. Cook, Neil L. Andersen, and Gary E. Stevenson, all of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and her First Counselor, Sister J. Anette Dennis; and Brother Jan E. Newmen, Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency.
My thanks once again to you all.
The Church News has also summarized remarks given by Elder David A. Bednar at the Seminar for New Mission Leaders. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteElder Gary E. Stevenson, who, along with Elder Quentin L. Cook, serves on the Missionary Executive Council announced the launch of the "Preach My Gospel" app. The Church News also summarized remarks from Elder Ronald A. Rasband. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd Sister Amy A. Wright, the First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, also addressed incoming mission leaders. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Saturday, Church News editor Sister Sarah Jane Weaver continued the "Pioneers in Our Families series by talking about the woman who led her own family and Sister Weaver's family to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saint members and missionaries in Ecuador helped to serve flood victims in Ecuador. And for the Tabernacle Choir broadcast tomorrow, it was prerecorded in Mexico City, with Lloyd Newell's spoken word message focused on a Spanish expression and how that relates to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteAnd there are three more reports from the Mission Leadership Seminar, highlighting remarks from President Henry B. Eyring, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, and Elder Marcus B. Nash, who is the Executive Director of the Church's Missionary Department. My thanks once again to you all.
Outgoing Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon, another member of the Missionary Executive Council, also provided counsel to new mission leaders. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteA report dated June 20 was finally featured in the Newsroom. That report confirmed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple. Elder Juan A. Uceda, who has been serving as Second Counselor in the Brazil Area, and will be released and granted emeritus status on August 1, presided at that ceremony as one of his last official assignments.
DeleteAlso, the Church has supported the opening of an international African-American museum in Charleston South Carolina. My thanks once again to you all
The Church News also featured summaries of remarks offered by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder Dale G. Renlund. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd the Church News has shared additional summaries of remarks offered by Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Ulisses Soares. This means that the only apostles who have not yet been featured during this Seminar are Church President Russell M. Nelson (who did have a video introduction, but has not yet offered remarks at the seminar) and Elder Neil L. Andersen. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteElder Paul V. Johnson , a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, offered remarks at the Seminar as well. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAlso, there has been a change in the Church Board of Education. Previously, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was the senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on that Board, and he also chaired the Execuitve Committee of the Board. According to the official list of Board members, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is now the most senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the Board, and he and Elder Ronald A. Rasband are now the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles assigned to that Board. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has just shared summaries of remarks given by Church President Russell M. Nelson and Elder Quentin L. Cook, the latter of whom serves as the Chairman of the Missionary Executive Council. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day, the Church News has provided several new reports. Primary children in my current city (Lehi Utah) had a Primary Day Camp that was modeled after FSY; 17 stakes, 1 new, 16 current, had new stake presidencies sustained; and the latest edition of "In Case You Missed It" has been published, highlighting the top 9 developments reported by the Church News this week. A key highlight of that article was the Mission Leadership Seminar. I will continue my coverage of that Seminar shortly.
ReplyDeleteFirst. the Church News has shared an article highlighting which states in the nation of Mexico have the most stakes; Having shared that, I come to the latest reports from the Mission Leadership Seminar. The Church News summarized remarks given by Elder Neil L. Andersen. And at the request and by assignment from President Nelson, President Oaks concluded the seminar during a special Sacrament Meeting for Mission Leaders at which many other apostles were present.
I became aware of some temple updates earlier today. I will pass those along shortly. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
A new update on the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple indicates that an open house committee is functioning for it. Hopefully that means we will get an announcement on the opening arrangements for that temple in the next week or two. And an update on the Montpelier Idaho Temple indicates that full-scale construction has begun. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Monday, while there may be major temple construction news during the upcoming 2:00 PM hour, I wanted to pass along one new update from the Newsroom. Meanwhile, the Church News shares the latest edition of "Pioneers in Our Families". The Church News also shares information about the Summer (Pioneer Day) Concerts for the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. The Church News also shares a final recap of the Seminar for New Mission Leadership, and a report on how the Church continues efforts to support the American Red Cross in South America. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDelete