Hello again, everyone! Given the weekend lull in major Church news between now and Monday, when the next major temple construction announcement is anticipated, I have taken the time to put together my initial predictions for the October 2024 General Conference and would like to present those to you now. Let's dive right in! We start, as always, with my projected speaker lineup.
As mentioned, the First Presidency will continue to have members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles conduct 3 of the 5 General Conference sessions. Given that Elders Cook, Stevenson, and Renlund did so last time, I am projecting that Elders Christofferson, Andersen, and Rasband will do so this time. This is because the three junior members of the Quorum are still somewhat "green" and in deference to President Holland's health, because Elder Uchtdorf already has experience doing so, and since it is likely that Elder Bednar will do so in future First Presidencies.
I was a little concerned about balancing the first addresses of new GA Seventies with an adequate number of "veteran" GA Seventies, but I think I struck a good balance. It's also worth noting that since the entire Young Women General Presidency spoke to us over the last two General Conferences, I have left them out of the rotation for this go-round, with the other four General Presidencies represented. Other than these notes, the speaker lineup largely speaks for itself.
We now turn to potential changes in general Church leadership. Because so many changes were presented last April, my prediction is that only a few area seventies will be released, with a few more new ones sustained. There is also a possibility, however remote, that the Church could also take the opportunity to release Elder David S. Baxter, who has been on medical leave from his assignments for the last several years. But since he will turn 70 next year, I think it is far more likely that his release will be presented with those others turning 70 in 2025, which will occur in April of next year.
The final element of my predictions for the next General Conference is, of course, potential temple locations. I have expanded that list somewhat for this go-round. For the record, I believe that 20 new temples are likely to be announced. The upcoming General Conference will be most memorable because it will be the first time the Church has had a centenarian prophet and apostle. And with additional temples to look forward to, and with the prospect of 3 apostles conducting 3 of the 5 sessions again, it's going to be amazing, regardless of how correct or incorrect these predictions may be.
I continue to monitor any and all Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples updates and will be sure to pass word of those along to you all 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, especially with any questions or comments about any of these predictions. 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.
