Stokes Sounds Off: UPDATE: Overview of Temple Construction Prgoress During the Second Quarter (and First Half) of 2023

Search This Blog

Leaderboard

Friday, June 30, 2023

UPDATE: Overview of Temple Construction Prgoress During the Second Quarter (and First Half) of 2023

Hello again, everyone! As the final minutes of the second quarter (and first half) of 2023 move toward their inevitable conclusion, I wanted to provide an overview of temple construction progress throughout the last six months. We begin with the document showing where temple construction stood as 2023 began, on the first day of the April 2023 General Conference, and where things stand at this mid-point of 2023.

The data largely speaks for itself. While I am not surprised at the high number of temples that have already been dedicated this year, I have been surprised by the slower pace the Church has taken in announcing subsequent dedications. Again, that seems to simply be the result of supply chain issues, which will not last forever. And the temples currently in the construction queue have moved a lot both forward and backward in terms of their completion orders and estimates.

Quite frankly, I was also surprised that the St. George Utah Temple will be rededicated before the end of this year. With Elder Holland having started to return to his apostolic duties, I believe he will either preside over or accompany whomever presides over both the rededication of the St. George Utah Temple and the dedication of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple.

And I'm cautiously optimistic that once the Saratoga Springs, Orem, Red Cliffs, Layton, and Taylorsville Utah Temples are dedicated, additional Utah temples could be announced.

I was similarly stunned that this first half of 2023 only had 4 temple groundbreakings. I'm cautiously optimistic that we could see over a dozen temple groundbreakings in this second half of 2023. And I'm sure we've got other site confirmations and exterior renderings coming down the pike in the near term, especially if the Church continues its' custom of sharing major temple construction news once a week. So I think we are in for a very busy second half of 2023.

To the best of my ability, I will be sure to track those developments, in addition to all updates from the Church News and the Newsroom, and will be sure to pass word thereof to you all here as they cross my radar. 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.

47 comments:

  1. Hello again, everyone! The Church News has provided another article in the "Pioneers in Our Families" series. A windstorm that hit Nauvoo historical sites led tour groups and missionaries to shelter in place. Elder Dale G. Renlund recently returned from a ministering assignment in the Philippines. And the text of the message that will be delivered by Brother Lloyd Newell during tomorrow's "Music & the Spoken Word" broadcast has also been provided. My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. On this Sabbath Day, the Church News has reported on a Strengthening Families Conference, which was recently held in Nigeria. Brother Bradley R. (Brad) Wilcox, First Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, shared a new resource to help youth take charge of technology. President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, joined the Church News podcast that will be available on Tuesday to discuss the key importance of religious liberty, and how it benefits society as a whole. And the latest edition of "In Case You Missed It: Week in Revieiw" was also published.

      Since Independence Day will be observed here in the United States on July 4, I don't know what (if anything) that might indicate about whether or not any temple news is coming down the pike. If it does, that announcement will likely be made on Monday as usual. But I could see the Church not announcing anything this week in deference to both the Independence Day holiday and the annual July recess month for General Authorities. Stay tuned for coverage on that if it happens. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. As you might recall, when the opening arrangements were announced for the Brasilia Brazil Temple, the announcement indicated the open house would take place between Saturday, August 5-Saturday, August 26, with the dedication following on Sunday September 17. As I also mentioned previously, the Brasilia Brazil Temple page on the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site subsequently adjusted the dates of the open house to be between Saturday, August 12-Saturday, September 2. Earlier this evening, I was directed to the Facebook page for that temple, which verifies the altered dates for the open house. While I don't know if, when, or how soon those amended dates will be confirmed officially by the Church, that is an official change to the opening arrangements and should be taken as accurate. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  2. On this Monday, we are roughly 70 minutes away from the 2:00 PM hour in which the Church typically announces major temple construction updates. Unless I am mistaken, I don't think the offices at Church Headquarters are closed today, since July 4 isn't today. So I think we will still see an announcement today during that hour. I believe that we will see the opening arrangements announced for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple, but I also believe that that may not be the only temple construction announcement today. I will provide more details on why that is in a separate comment in just a few minutes.

    In the interim, I wanted to share the latest updates from the Church News. Young Men General President Steven J. Lund spoke yesterday at the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service devotional in Provo Utah. The Church News also shared an updated version of an article about the New Testament scriptures from Acts to Revelation that were shared in the 2022 General Conferences. And the Church News also shared another article in the continuing "Pioneers in Our Families" series. My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I mentioned in my last comment above, I do not anticipate that the opening arrangements for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple will be the only major temple announcement today. I say that because recent updates on the Teton River Idaho, , Knoxville Tennessee, and Modesto California Temples.

      But above and beyond that, the latest update on the Cleveland Ohio Temple suggests that the approvals process is promisingly progressing. That temple has not yet had an exterior rendering released or a groundbreaking set, but it now rises to the top of my list of 20 temples which are awaiting exterior renderings and groundbreakings. So I think we will see some major temple construction updates announced today. Stay tuned for my coverage on that announcement when it is made. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. Sorry. I tried to also link to the Fort Worth Texas and Cody Wyoming Temples above, but for whatever reason, those hyperlinks were omitted. So I am watching for additional updates on the Teton River Idaho, Fort Worth Texas, Knoxville Tennessee, Cody Wyoming, and Modesto California Temples, in addition to more information on Cleveland Ohio or other temples. Stay tuned for my coverage of any announcement that comes down the pike today. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    3. While there has not yet been any major announcements relating to temple construction this afternoon, Church News staff writer Scott Taylor has provided a review of temple construction progress during the first half of 2023. Stay tuned for coverage of temple updates if/when such announcements are made this afternoon. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    4. Well, since nothing new has been announced during the 2:00 PM hour that has just concluded, I'm assuming we aren't getting a major temple announcement today. Tomorrow is the federal holiday marking Independence Day here, so no updates are likely then. Could an update be released later this week? Perhaps, but it could also be that we won't see another major temple announcement until next Monday. I will be sure to report on any such updates when they occur. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  3. On this July 4, the United States marks Independence Day, and that coincides with the personal celebration of the anniversary of the day on which my wife and I became engaged. For today so far, the Church News has shared the inspiring story of an 83 year-old woman who is graduating from BYU-Idaho. And this week's edition of the Church News podcast features comments from President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, on religious freedom. The comments in question were recorded during an interview the Church News did with him last year, making this edition of the podcast very unique in that it doesn't follow the usual question-and-answer format.

    Above and beyond that, in my last comment from yesterday, I noted there was no temple-related update. Today, I found out the likely reason why. At the Red Cliffs Utah Temple, the process of furnishing the temple was just recently completed. Based on that update, the furnishing of the temple was obviously not finished in enough time for an announcement this week. But I think we can count on opening arrangements being announced for that temple next week on Monday or Tuesday. And I think the dedication could be set for the last Sunday in January, or one of the first two Sundays in February. Stay tuned for more on that when an announcement is made. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Newsroom and the Church News have both reported on FamilySearch''s recent opportunity to participate at the recent Smithsonian Folklife Festival, at which full-time missionaries volunteered for the first time, And an attorney and area seventy provided his perspective on religious freedom. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. Reservations for the public open house of the Moses Lake Washington Temple are now available. Official information about upcoming open houses and dedications is now available as well, which includes the confirmation of the adjusted dates for the Brasilia Brazil Temple open house. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  4. As I mentioned yesterday and Monday, there may not be a major temple construction announcement this week. If there is one, I will be sure to cover it ASAP once I learn about it. In the meantime, on this Wednesday, the Church News has shared several new reports:

    A recurring theme for the Relief Society General Presidency was first presented by General President Camille N. Johnson during the April 2023 General Conference. The Relief Society General Presidency recently expounded on that theme. Brother Thomas E. Mullen of the Young Men General Advisory Council provided an explanation of how camping is an ideal setting for teaching spiritual lessons

    The inaugural Education Week has occurred in Brazil. Faith and endurance have helped to carry a Latter-day Saint runner to the U. S. Olympic trials. And finally, on June 29, the Philippines Newsroom shared a report on the first FSY facility in Asia. The Church News has provided coverage on that update today

    As I indicated at the start of this comment, I am not necessarily anticipating any major temple construction updates to be announced today. But if anything is announced, I will be sure to provide analysis on that here. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Church News shared the story of an aquaponics farmer in French Polynesia who "exemplifies the principles of self-reliance." My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  5. Hi James, no real progress to report in Cody. I attended the second Planning and Zoning meeting that addressed the issue. There appears to be some strong opposition within the Zoning Board, and they again failed to approve or deny a zoning exemption for the proposed steeple height. The Church’s representatives offered to enter a “development agreement” with the City of Cody to address specific concerns. I’m hopeful that process will be a matter of days, but it may take longer. I’m not sure whether the board will then approve the development agreement, or not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andre, thanks for providing an update on where things stand with the approvals for the Cody Wyoming Temple. I had hoped the community objections would be quashed by now, but from your report, that's not the case. As a result, since there may be lesss opposition to other US temples currently in the approvals process, I will move all of those ahead of Cody for now on my personal temple construction progress report. Please be sure and let me know if there are any additional updates. Thanks, Andre! I always appreciate hearing from you!

      Delete
    2. That’s probably safe to assume, yes. There are opposing yard signs and small billboards all over town now. It’s sad to see. The opposition doesn’t look like they plan on giving up. However, all of our city planners and inspectors have already testified that the temple plan complies with all local laws and ordinances, so the actual case to prevent the construction is pretty thin. We’ll see how much longer the board can drag things out. Once we gain approval it should be real quick, though, given that the construction modules have been in town for six months now. I heard rumor that contractors have made reservations in local hotels, but I don’t have more details on that.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for this additional information and context, Andre! It's always saddening to see temples getting such vocal opposition. I know the Church in the past has had to relocate some temples due to that kind of opposition. I would hope, based on what you said about the support for the Cody Wyoming Temple, that that is not a likely outcome in this case. It's always struck me as ironic that the opposition to a temple being built on the sites announced by the Church seems to be most intense once governmental approvals have already gone through. Where were these "concerned citizens" at earlier stages of this process? I would hope that, in due course, the majority support would wear down detractors, but I guess we'll have to see. I'd encourage all of my readers to pray that the current opposition in this case will melt away. Always great to hear from you, Andre! Please keep us posted here on this process.

      Delete
  6. On this Thursday, the Newsroom reports on the opening of a new exhibit, honoring the work of Minerva Teichert. Additionally, the Church News shares how a Guatemalan immigrant received heavenly help to learn English. And the inaugural FSY conference in Tanzania drew hundreds of youth.

    Aside from those news updates, there has been an update reported on the construction status of the Puebla Mexico Temple. According to that update, major construction has wrapped up and work is underway to finalize the landscaping and temple interior. However, the Church Temples site notes also that the Puebla temple has been "temporarily closed by the government". so I'm not sure what to make of that. Once I have clarification on what that means and how it might impact the announcemment of that temple's opening arrangements. Stay tuned for more on that once I get clarification on that point. My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It appears that there are some governental hoops or red tape of some kind that the Church might have to jump through or navigate around before adding the finishing touches to the Puebla Mexico Temple. As a result, until all of that is resolved (it's up in the air at the moment), there is currently no way to know how soon opening arrangements might be announced for Puebla. I'd encourage all of my readers to include prayers for the situations with the Cody Wyoming and Puebla Mexico Temples. In view of Puebla's situation, I now believe that, if, as anticipated, the Red Cliffs Utah Temple's opening arrangements are announced next week, that the dedication of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple could be set to occur in mid- or mid-to-late February. Layton Utah could follow in mid-to-late March, with Salta Argentina and Coban Guatemala either 2 weeks before General Conference or on either of the two Sundays following that conference weekend.

      Unless and until further information suggests otherwise, I'd hope the Church can dedicate Puebla in either April or May, though I would be overjoyed if it were sooner. The Urdaneta Philippines Temple could follow in May, then Taylorsville in June. That would put the Casper Wyoming Temple dedication in June or possibly July, with Tallahassee Florida following in July or August, and Abidjan in August or September.

      Delete
    2. Again, these are just my best estimated projections based on what I know now. If the Church continues to have more than one temple dedicated on a single Sunday, that will shift these time frames drastically. And hopefully the Lord will remove the current stumbling blocks that are preventing the finalization on the Puebla Mexico Temple, in which case that dedication could occur sooner than I have anticipated here. I am hopeful that the Church will place more emphasis on smaller temples in the coming years, which would obviously fill in gaps in dedication arrangements.

      As of right now, the projections I have offered (along with others I am estimating) would allow the Church to have 200 operating temples by August or September of this year, but I hope that might occur sooner. If it does, that means that other temples currently or soon-to-be under construction could potentially join the queue in the next year or two, which in turn would enable the Church to get closer to a revised goal of 300 operating temples by Saturday, April 6, 2030.

      Stay tuned for more on this as status updates and queue adjustments are discovered. In the meantime, the Church News also reports on a new video featuring the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. The video shows how the Choir shared a message of hope during their ministry in Mexico. And the Church News provided coverage on the aforementioned Newsroom report about the Minerva Teichert exhibit at the Church History Museum.

      Delete
    3. A new update has been provided for the San Pedro Sula Honduras Temple, while yet another update has been noted today for the Cleveland Ohio Temple. Since this is the second update provided on that temple in as many days, it seems the Church may be hoping to fast-track approvals for Cleveland and get it underway. Therefore, I have moved it up on my Temple Construction Progress Report to the "Groundbreaking Announcement Pending" section.

      Cleveland thus becomes the second temple in that section for which the release of an exterior rendering is currently pending (the other, of course, is the Teton River Idaho Temple). In order, I believe we will soon see groundbreakings announced for the following temples: Fort Worth Texas, Teton River Idaho, Knoxville Tennessee, Cleveland Ohio, and Modesto California. If the oppostion to the Cody Wyoming Temple doesn't delay plans for too long, Cody could join the other 5 to soon have a groundbreaking.

      Based on these latest updates, I think we will see a very busy second half of 2023 in terms of temple groundbreakings. The first of those that may be set seem likely to have their groundbreakings in August, so perhaps in the next week or two, we may get some more groundbreaking announcements. I will cover all updates relating to temple construction and news of the Church ASAP as those developments cross my radar. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  7. On this Friday, Church News editor Sister Sarah Jane Weaver shared her thoughts on why 3 questions asked by Elder Neil L. Andersen during the recent Seminar for New Mission Leadership should matter both to new mission presidents and to the rest of us. In honor of World Forgiveness Day, President Nelson has issued another prophetic invitation to all to extend forgiveness to someone who has wronged us. As I thought about that, I realized that perhaps the one person I most need to extend forgiveness to is myself. Like most of the human race, I am my own worst critic, and I've found it easy to carry blame and guilt about things. So I feel like I especially needed that message today.

    And the latest edition of "This Week on Social" has been published. For this week's installment, the following apostles had content featured: Church President Russell M. Nelson and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and , of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Additionally, the General Officers of the Church featured in this edition were: Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and her Second Counselor, Sister Kristin M. Yee; and Primary General President Susan H. Porter and her Second Counselor, Sister Tracy Y. Browning.

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. New updates have been noted on the status of the Modesto California and Fort Worth Texas Temples. As a result, I think we might see groundbreakings set for the following temples in the following order: Fort Worth Texas, Teton River Idaho, Modesto California, Knoxville Tennessee, Cleveland Ohio and Cody Wyoming. These are likely the next six temples to have a groundbreaking. But I can't rule out the odds that any temples inside or outside the US might soon have groundbreakings as well.

      I am also not sure how many (if any) temple announcements we may get this month (the typical recess month for General Authorities), but I hope we will get at least the opening arrangements for the Red Cliffs Utah Temple and some groundbreaking announcements. Stay tuned for more on that if any such announcements are made this month. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  8. On this Saturday, Church News staff writer Rachel Stertzer Gibson shares the "Pioneers in Our Families" series. The entire Relief Society General Presidency spoke virtually to Relief Society sisters in Haiti. Latter-day Saints in Australia, the Philippines, and Ecuador are reportedly engaged in several volunteer efforts. The Church News also provided the text of the message that will be given by Brother Lloyd Newell this weekend as part of "Music & the Spoken Word". And the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and "The Piano Guys" have recently performed 3 songs together: Wayfairing Stranger, Waterfall (an organ/piano duet) and The Mission/How Great Thou Art. My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also, status updates have been provided on the Puebla Mexico and Elko Nevada Temples. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  9. Hello again, everyone! On this Sabbath Day, the Church News has shared an article highlighting 5 years of service for Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordonr, who will conclude her service in that assignment on August 1. She will be the featured guest in this Tuesday's upcoming Church News podcast. The Church News also repored the reorganization of 22 stake presidencies around the world. And the latest edition of "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review" highlights the top developments covered in the Church News within the last week. But unlike previous editions, which only included the top 9, this week, that was extended to the top 10, which may be the status quo going forward.

    With no new reports from the Newsroom, if there are any new temple updates, I will pass those along to you all here as time and circumstances allow. Also, stay tuned tomorrow during the 2:00 PM MDT hour, in which I anticipate at very least the announcement of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple's opening arrangements. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Church News also shared an update on how Church members and missionaries are ministering to their neighbors in Guam following the recent Typhoon Mawar and shares how a fallen athlete recently won the steeplechase national championship. Again, temple construction updates (if any) will follow later today as time and circumstances allow. My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Do we know the why of the temporary halt in construction for Puebla Mexico Temple?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did not intend for this comment to be anonymous. Please accept my apology.

      Delete
    2. No problem, Nate. Apparently Blogger has a new feature that in some cases requires commenters on some blogs to select their Blogger profile name each time, otherwise those comments are being published under "Anonymous". I haven't found a good way around it, and my Blogger account doesn't do that either here or on the Church Growth Blog. Not sure why that's the case.

      As for the temporary halt of construction for the Puebla Mexico Temple, I have heard a few theories from my Church member contacts in Mexico. I am waiting to hear back on some of those theories. But in the interim, one likely explanation appears to be that the construction crew might have unintentionally committed violations of Puebla state's environmental policies, which usually results in a government order to halt a project until the violations are dealt with.

      As I indicated, I am waiting to hear back from my Church member contacts in Mexico for a more definitive answer on this, but for now, that's what I can pass along. Thanks for the inquiry, Nate. I appreciate hearing from you.

      Delete
  12. On this Monday, the Church News has republished an article originally published in 2021 in honor of Emma Smith's birthday, which is today. The Church News also published the next article in the "Pioneers in Our Families" series. And the first sister missionary from Mali (and only the second missionary ever) is preparing to serve. Unless I am mistaken, the next major temple construction update will be announced within the next hour or so. Stay tuned for my coverage on that if/when it happens. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, the 2:00 PM hour has come and gone on this Monday, and no new temple construction announcement. It could be that an announcement for the opening arrangements of the Red Clifss Utah could be forthcoming later this week, but it's also possible that no major temple construction announcements of any kind might occur for the rest of this month, especially since it is the recess month for General Authorities.

      I will be sure to cover any major announcements that are made when that happens, but if there aren't any announcements in the near term, I might look at publishing other content that I've had on the backburner for a while. Stay tuned for any updates. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. One additional update from the Church News shares how Texas Latter-day Saints have promoted the JustServe initiative with an Independence Day float. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    3. Late yesterday, the Newsroom provided an update on the premiere of the Spanish edition of "Music and the Spoken Word", which will now premiere on Sunday, July 30. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  13. On this Tuesday, again, there were no major temple construction announcements. I hope I'm wrong, but it ssems likely we won't be getting any new temple construction announcements during the rest of this month of July. If I am wrong, I will be sure to post such updates when they are provided. In the interim, the Asia Newsroom reports on how the Church has helped to provide aid in indonesia in the wake of a recent earthquake.

    And with roughly 3 weeks left of her service, the featured guest on this week's edition of The Church News podcast was Sister Bonnie H,, Cordon, outgoing Young Women General President. Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela, who currently serves as the First Counselor in the North America Central Area and will serve as First Counselor in the Brazil Area effective August 1, was the featured speaker at this week's BYU-PW devotional. The Church News has also shared the the ripple effect of President Nelson's counsel to young single adults, which was offered last May at the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults.

    A Latter-day Saint runner who recently won a race in steeplechase has described how winning that event made him more keenly aware of the blessings of the gospel in his life. And the Young Women and Young Men General Presidency members recently simultaneously took to social media to share teachings on prayer, including in their focus the aspects of the language of prayer, preparing to receive and act upon spiritual impressions, worthiness, and gratitude.

    If there are any new temple construction status updates from the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site, I will share those later this evening as time and circumstances allow, along with any other Church News or Newsroom updates as they are reported. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. On this Wednesday, the Newsroom reports on the Church donating thousands of eyeglasses to a few nations in Latin America. And the Church News has shared a report on a recent win for the BYU rocketry team and an Afghani refugee found new hope for the future through the Humanitarian Center. Any temple construction updates will follow. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. The Seoul Korea Stake is celebrating its' 50th anniversary. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    3. And while my check for other temple construction updates is still in progress, I can share the newest update on the Layton Utah Temple, which suggests to me that it is nearing completion.

      In view of the ongoing delay of completion for the Puebla Mexico Temple (about which I am still waiting for information), and because I no longer anticipate any major temple construction announcements through the rest of this month, I now estimate that the dedication of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple will occur on the second, third, or fourth Sunday in March.

      Since Easter Sunday falls on March 31 of next year, the dedication of the Layton Utah Temple may only occur in April following General Conference. Salta Argentina could follow in April or May, with Coban Guatemala following in May, then Puebla and Casper Wyoming in May or June. I'm projecting a June dedication for Taylorsville Utah and June or August for Urdaneta. I hope I'm wrong and that each of these temples temples could be dedicated sooner, but unless things settle in Puebla in the near term, and unless I'm wrong that no major temple construction updates will be announced, those are my revised projections. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    4. A status update has also been noted on the Yorba Linda California Temple. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  14. On this Thursday, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson has spoken at the Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit in London.

    The Newsroom also reports the Church's support of vocational training for women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Today is the birthday of Sister Michelle D. Craig, the outgoing First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency. The Church News shared 9 quotes from her ministry within the last year. As previously noted, the current Young Women General Presidency will be released effective August 1. And a young woman Church member with cerebral palsy won a recent national competition by choreographing a wheelchair dance. There are a few temple updates as well, which will follow shortly. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
    2. The Church News has also reported on how Latter-day Saints around the world are helping to build up their communities. And the Church News also shares a by-the-numbers look at the JustServe Initiative. Meanwhile, the latest updates on the Salta Argentina and Coban Guatemala Temples indicate both are close enough to completion to place them in the queue of those temples awaiting the announcement of their opening arrangements.

      As I noted in a comment yesterday, I currently anticipate and estimate a March dedication window for Red Cliffs, a March/April window for Layton Utah, an April/May window for Salta, a May window for Coban, and a May/June window for both Puebla and Casper. Of course, I say that as someone who is not privy to discussions at Church headquarters about that timing, so take it with a grain of salt. Whether I'm right or wrong about any or all of this, I will enjoy hearing the announcements of the actual arrangements, and will be sure to pass those along here as I receive word of them. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  15. On this Friday, the Newsroom has announced a new Summer Concert Series featuring the same guests as were featured in their recent trip to Mexico. The African Newsroom has shared how the Church is assisting with malaria vaccinations throughout the continent, which is also detailed by The Church News.

    Meanwhile, the Church News has released coverage on 10 videos underscoring the importance of religious freedom. The Church News also provided an update on the Spanish edition of Music & the Spoken Word. Any new temple construction updates, in addition to any other updates from the Church News and Newsroom, will be shared as time and circumstances allow today. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The latest edition of "This Week on Social" has been published. The latest installment in that ongoing series featured Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; outgoing Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon and her respective First and Second Counselors, Sisters Michelle D. Craig and Rebecca L. (Becky) Craven; Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and his respective First and Second Counselors, Brothers Bradley R. (Brad) Wilcox and Michael T. Nelson (with the Young Women and Young Men General Presidencies posting on prayer). This edition also included two other posts from Sister Cordon about technology;

      The Young Women General Presidency will be released, effective August 1, and Sisters Emily B. Freeman, Tamara W. Runia, and Andrea M. Spannaus will serve from then on. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  16. On this Saturday, the Church News has shared several new updates. First up is the next article in the "Pioneers in Our Families" series. The Church News continues to share biographies of new leaders called during the April 2023 General Conference with a reintroduction to Brother Bradley R. (Brad) Wilcox, who has been the Second Counselor and is now the First Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency as the result of former First Counselor Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt being called as a GA Seventy in April.

    Church News editor Sister Sarah Jane Weaver highlights the importance of the Latter-day Saint gathering. The Church News has provided a photo gallery from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square's recent Summer Concert and tribute to Latin American pioneers. And the Church News has also shared the text of the message that will be delivered by Lloyd Newell this weekend as part of "Music & the Spoken Word".

    My thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Construction status updates were noted today for the Lindon Utah and Montpelier Idaho Temples. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete
  17. On this Sabbath Day, the Church News has shared several new updates. A sister missionary recently found comfort in continuing her service despite the unexpected deaths of her father and brother. 8 new stake presidencies have recently begun serving. The latest edition of "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review" has been published. After covering the top 10 developments last week, I thought this edition would also include the top ten, but it went back down to 9. The Church News shares what Church leaders and scholars have said about the "Come Follow Me" scriptures from the New Testament that will be part of our study this week. And a final article highlights a recent interfaith event. Any temple construction updates will follow shortly. For now, my thanks once again to you all.

    ReplyDelete

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.