Hello again, everyone! This afternoon, the Church reported that preliminary site work is underway on the Vancouver Washington Temple, which is the next step towards a groundbreaking. So that temple may now move to the top of my list of temples that could have groundbreakings announced soon. It appears this update may be all she wrote for today.
Stay tuned here for updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 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 all such feedback is made per the established guidelines.
I hope any of you who would like to share anything will take your opportunity to “sound off” in the comments below. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe for the applicable updates.
If you would like to support the work done on this blog, donations in any amount are always welcome and appreciated but never required. 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.
The Church News also covered today's update, in addition to two other reports, with the Newsroom sharing one additional report. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteThe Church News also shared one other report. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteI took some time on Tuesday to spend on my BYU Independent Study Course. But I am pleased to report that on Tuesday, the Newsroom and the Church News have both shared how the Church Historian's Press has published a new volume focused on the stories of the Young Women Organization. The Newsroom and the Church News have both shared how Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson went to Los Angeles to participate in an International Women's Day in Diplomacy event.
DeleteThe Church News additionally shared this report on a RootsTech keynote family, in addition to this one that shares how the 5 existing Tabernacle organists and 3 emeritus Tabernacle organists will perform on the new BYU pipe organ, the summaries of the BYU-Idaho and BYU-Provo devotionals, and the latest edition of the Church News podcast. My thanks once again to you all.
Also, there have been some major changes noted in the construction queue of temples anticipated to be completed between now and the end of early 2026, which I would place as mid-March 2026. This is what that queue looked like before the changes:
DeleteEarly-to-mid 2025: Burley Idaho; Elko Nevada; Alabang Philippines; Harare Zimbabwe
Mid-2025: Lindon Utah; Davao Philippines
Mid-to-late 2025: Phnom Penh Cambodia; Ephraim Utah
Late 2025: Willamette Valley Oregon; Yorba Linda California
Late 2025-early 2026: Montpelier Idaho; Bacolod Philippines
Early 2026: Neiafu Tonga; Pago Pago American Samoa; Cleveland Ohio; Managua Nicaragua
And here's where those estimates stand now:
Early-to-mid 2025: Burley Idaho; Elko Nevada; Alabang Philippines; Harare Zimbabwe
Mid-2025: Lindon Utah; Davao Philippines; Phnom Penh Cambodia
Mid-to-late 2025: Ephraim Utah; Montpelier Idaho;
Late 2025: Bacolod Philippines; Yorba Linda California; Willamette Valley Oregon
Late 2025-early 2026: Pago Pago American Samoa; Neiafu Tonga
Early 2026: Cleveland Ohio; Managua Nicaragua
I am still evaluating how those changes will impact my previously offered estimates for temple dedications. My thanks once again to you all.
Any news on the Chile Antofagasta temple? Patzicia.
DeletePatzicia, the last update I have on that temple shows that major construction has been completed, with the Temple Department adding finishing touches. It has been in that exact status for a while now. I don't know if there is a supply issue of some kind slowing down the full completion of that temple, but based on additional iinformation I have on the other temples with that same status (namely, Grand Junction Colorado, Farmington New Mexico and Bahia Blanca Argentina), it appears likely that all of those 3 temples might have opening arrangements announced before we get opening arrangements for the Antofagasta Chile Temple. But the latest First Presidency announcements have surprised me, so I need to emphasize that this is only my opinion and not anything I can attribute to any one source. I'd be just as happy being proven wrong on that as I am at times when I've been proven right on such things. Patzicia, thanks for the inquiry and for taking time to comment. I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteOne thing I forgot to add: It's looking as those some of those 4 completed temples I mentioned might not be dedicated until August, at earliest, though I hope it won't be any later than that. Again, just my opinion, so take it with the proverbial grain of salt. Until anything like that is confirmed by the First Presidency, it is solely my opinion.
DeleteHello again, everyone! You may have noticed it's been a few days since I last posted any updates from the Church websites I follow daily. I have had some rough health days this week. You can find the latest updates from those websites through the linkA in the sidebar. I will probably take the weekend to bounce back fully and hope to get back to regular updates as usual on Monday. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteI am back tonight. Though I will still defer getting back to regular reports until Monday, I wanted to note that, since I haven't heard otherwise, and since it is now just past 7:00 AM on Sunday morning in Antananarivo Madagascar, I am assuming that the groundbreaking for the island nation's first temple occurred at some point Saturday as scheduled. But until I can confirm that, it is only my assumption. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteI did see a post on Facebook by someone who was there that included video of the groundbreaking. So I can confirm for you that it did happen on Saturday.
DeleteThat was my post, BTW.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Scott, for confirming that. I don't know why there has been a two-day lag on groundbreaking reports lately, but I assume that the Church will provide an official report via the Newsroom tomorrow. I will be curious to see whether anything else is announced. We have four completed temples awaiting the announcement of their opening arrangements, along with a few that could hopefully have groundbreakings announced, though I also am hoping for more exterior renderings and site confirmations as well. I look forward to seeing what happens in that regard tomorrow.
DeleteOn another note, Scott, do you have any thoughts about which GA Seventies we might hear from next month in General Conference? I ask because I know that we've got 5 who will be turning 70 this year (Elders David S. Baxter, Randall K. Bennett, Kevin S. Hamilton, Rafael E. Pino, and Jorge F. Zeballos), and of those 5, only David S. Baxter has not spoken in the last decade, ajs he's been on medical leave. As you might have seen from a previous post here, I am projecting that we will hear from the following GA Seventies: Elders Hans T. Boom, Ricardo P. Gimenez, Peter M. Johnson, Christopher H. Kim, John A. McCune, James R. Rasband, Sandino Roman, Steven D. Shumway, Michael B. Strong, Benjamin M. Z. Tai, and Sergio R. Vargas. Maybe that's an overly ambitious lineup on my part. I welcome any thoughts or feedback you or anyone else here may have on this. Thanks, as always, Scott, for weighing in here. I appreciate hearing from you.
I'm back for at least some reports on this Sunday. As Scott Shipley has noted above, the groundbreaking for Madagascar's first temple in Antananarivo did indeed take place on Saturday as scheduled. I fully expect the Newsroom to have a report on that tomorrow, but I don't feel that that will be the only update we get then. Stay tuned here during the 2:00 PM MDT hour to see if I'm correct on that.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, the Newsroom and the Church News both reported on the Relief Society Devotional that was held this evening to mark the anniversary of the Relief Society organization. The devotional featured Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who is the Vice Chair of the Priesthood and Family Executive Council, which oversees the Relief Society organization, in addition to the entire Relief Society General Presidency (President Camille N. Johnson, who also serves on the Priesthood and Family Executive Council) and her respective counselors, Sisters J. Anette Dennis and Kristin M. Yee).
The Newsroom also provided an update on social media posts about Easter, which featurd individual posts from the entire First Presidency (Church President Russell M. Nelson and his respective First and Second Counselors, Presidents Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring).
Other reports from the Church News reports include coverage on what Church leaders have taught about D&C 23-26, which will be the sections of focus in this week's "Come Follow Me" study. The latest edition of "in Case You Missed It: Week in Review" featured a recap of the top 10 developments reported by the Church News since Monday. Profiles of the new leaders for 19 stakes (3 new and 16 reorganized stakes) were also provided, in addition to the Church News continuing its' series of articles about perfectionism as seen from a gospel-based perspective. My thanks once again to you all.
The Africa Newsroom page reported today on the groundbreaking for Africa's newest temple. But that may not be the only update we get today. Stay tuned here during the upcoming hour for the latest news, whatever it may be. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe main Newsroom pages just shared this report on that groundbreaking. I don't know if that's all she wrote for today, so stay tuned in case there are other developments. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe news of the groundbreaking for the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple has been added to this summary page of temple news for 2025. So that may indeed be it for the day. But if there is anything else reported during this hour, I will be sure to pass that along as well. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe confirmed groundbreaking was indeed the only major temple construction news that was released today. The Church News also covered that update. Meanwhile, both the Newsroom and the Church News outlined how the Church manages material waste. The Church News also provided information about the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square's Easter concert "He Is Risen", while also summarizing Easter posts on social media by the First Presidency, which were originally shared by the Newsroom starting on February 16. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAfter a very busy Tuesday, I wanted to post here now with the latest updates from the Newsroom and the Church News. Both sources shared the First Presidency's 2025 Easter message The Newsroom's page for Easter updates has been updated to include this message, while the corresponding page from the Church News does not yet include it. But the Church News also reported on how the Church is helping immigrant families who came to the US legally to integrate into their new lives. The Church News also reported on the devotionals at BYU-Idaho (featuring GA Seventy Elder Jorge M. Alvarado) and BYU-Provo (featuring Brother Gabriel W. Reid, who serves as Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency). My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd construction status updates have been provided for the following temples: Yorba Linda California, Wichita Kansas, Anchorage Alaska, Kona Hawaii, and Salt Lake. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Wednesday, the Newsroom and the Church News have reported a change in the directorship of Church Hosting. The Newsroom and the Church News also both highlighted new Gospel Library Resources addressing the subjects of race, women, and science. The latest edition of "Latter-day Saints Around the World" was also published by the Newsroom, with that newest installment featuring stories from the following nations: Bolivia, Ghana, Guatemala, Mexico, the Philippines, Tonga, Uruguay and Vanuatu.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the Church News has shared a few additional unique reports, including guidance from a member of the Young Men General Advisory Council on how time spent with youth can make all the difference, an invitation from Brother Derrick Porter in advance of Music & the Spoken Word's 5,000th episode (which will air on Sunday, July 13), guidance from Elder Massimo De Feo to Ensign College, and the latest edition of the Church News podcast. My thanks once again to you all.
A construction status update has been provided for the Kaohsiung Taiwan Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Thursday, the Newsroom has posted a few new reports: a new Easter-themed post from President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency; a new report on the ministry of two female General Officers of the Church (Sisters J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, and Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency); and a summary of the BYU-Provo address yesterday by Brother Gabriel W. Reid, Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency.
DeleteThe Church News also has shared a few new reports: looking behind-the-scenes of General Conference; an introduction to the New York Mets' Spanish radio producer; and the biographies of 8 new temple leader couples. Aside from again sharing the link to my document tracking these changes, I will let those biographies speak for themselves today, because I've got some exciting temple news to share:
The queue of temples anticipated to be completed within the next 8-12 months has changed yet again. This is a look at where that queue stood before the changes:
Early-to-mid 2025: Burley Idaho; Elko Nevada; Alabang Philippines; Harare Zimbabwe
Mid-2025: Lindon Utah; Davao Philippines; Phnom Penh Cambodia
Mid-to-late 2025: Ephraim Utah; Montpelier Idaho
Late 2025: Bacolod Philippines; Willamette Valley Oregon; Yorba Linda California
Late 2025-early 2026: Pago Pago American Samoa; Neiafu Tonga
Early 2026: Cleveland Ohio; Managua Nicaragua
Early-to-mid 2026: Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala; Smithfield Utah; Belo Horizonte Brazil; Port Moresby Papua New Guinea
And this is where the queue now stands, with the appropriate changes:
Early-to-mid 2025: Burley Idaho; Elko Nevada; Alabang Philippines; Harare Zimbabwe
Mid-2025: Davao Philippines; Lindon Utah; Phnom Penh Cambodia
Mid-to-late 2025: Ephraim Utah; Montpelier Idaho
Late 2025: Bacolod Philippines; Willamette Valley Oregon; Cleveland Ohio
Late 2025-early 2026: Yorba Linda California; Pago Pago American Samoa
Early 2026: Neiafu Tonga; Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala; Managua Nicaragua
Early-to-mid 2026: Port Moresby Papua New Guinea; Smithfield Utah; Belo Horizonte Brazil
My thanks once again to you all.
On this Friday, the Newsroom and the General Handbook, while the Church News posted one additional report related to the Handbook.
DeleteThe Newsroom also shared two other reports. And the Church News has shared the latest batch of new mission leader biographies, which I will allow to speak for themselves this time around. The Church News also posted how to watch or listen to the April 2025 General Conference and the latest edition of "This Week on Social".
This installment features posts from the following general Church leaders: the entire First Presidency (Church President Russell M. Nelson and his respective First and Second Counselors, Presidents Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring); Acting President Jeffrey R. Holland and Elders Dieter F. Uchtdorf, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, Neil L. Andersen, (from whom two posts were featured), Dale G. Renlund, Ulisses Soares, and Patrick Kearon, all of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; the Relief Society General Presidency (President Camille N. Johnson and Sisters J. Anette Dennis and Kristin M. Yee, who did a joint post on Relief Society Worldwide); Young Women General Preident Emily Belle Freeman and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund (who did a series of posts across Young Men Worldwide, Young Women Worldwide, and the Strive to Be social media pages ); Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman (in a separate post on social media) and her respective First and Second Counselors, Sisters Tamara W. Runia and Andrea Munoz Spannaus; Sister Tracy Y. Browning, Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency; and Brother Michael T. Nelson, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency. My thanks once again to you all.
Sorry. The opening sentence of the first paragraph in my above comment was incomplete, as I somehow missed a link. It should read that "the Newsroom and the Church News highlighted updates to the General Handbook, while the Church News posted one other report on the General Handbook." Not sure how I managed to mess that up. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd an update has been reported on the Austin Texas Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteI can confirm that the groundbreaking for the Birmingham England temple took place as scheduled. I was able to watch the video on the church's YouTube channel.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that confirmation, Scott! I always appreciate hearing from you. What are your predictions for which GA Seventies might speak in the upcoming General Conference? I've asked a couple of times but haven't heard back from you on that. Thanks again.
DeleteI like your list, I think 11 is a good number. I would also expect to hear from Elder Palmer from the Presidency of the Seventy. We are not likely to have a member of the Presiding Bishopric speak. As far as General Officers, last conference gave us all of them except Sunday School. I would assume Paul V Johnson to definitely speak. Beyond him, Sister Johnson from RS and Brother Lund from YM. (His release in August will likely be announced) as well)
DeleteGlad you like my list. I have Elder Palmer in my projections for the Saturday Evening Session. The Presiding Bishopric only speaks in October now, so I agree with you on that. Since the October General Conferences have also featured more General Officers in October, I am projecting we hear from 5 of the 15 General Officers, one per group I agree with you about Paul V. Johnson, Camille N. Johnson, and Steven J. Lund (whose August 1 release will be presented in April), but I also have Amy A. Wright and Tamara W. Runia. We'll see if that's overly ambitious or not in a couple of weeks Thanks, Scott, for answering my question. I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteOn this Saturday, the United Kingdom Newsroom page has confirmed that the groundbreaking for the Birmingham England Temple took place as scheduled today. In addition to that, the Church News has shared a few additional reports, including this editorial by Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen; Young Men General President Steven J. Lund's ministry in Missouri; the text of the message that will be given during tomorrow's "Music & the Spoken Word"; and the Church receiving an award for the preservation of the Joseph and Emma Smith home in Kirtland, Ohio. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteSince it is already past 8:00 PM on Sunday evening in Auckland New Zealand, the open house for the new temple in that city concluded around 24 hours or so ago. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day the main Newsroom page still lacks a report on the groundbreaking for the Birmingham England Temple. And today also marked the scheduled rededication for the Toronto Ontario Temple by President Jeffrey R. Holland. I have not been able to find any reports on that rededication. So those two events may be the only major temple construction news we get tomorrow. though I am hopeful we might get more than just those two updates.
DeleteMoving on to the updates that were reported today, the main Newsroom has shared one new report, which speaks for itself, with the Church News sharing a corresponding report on the same development.
Meanwhile, the Church News has shared a few new reports of their own, which includes: another installment in the ongoing series about perfectionism; a request for memories from the April 2000 General Conference; a recap of the top ten developments covered by the Church News in this week's "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review"; and a look at what Church leaders have said about D&C sections 27 & 28, which will be the focus of our "Come, Follow Me" curriculum this week.
I will be sure to pass along any other reports that cross my radar today (including any temple construction status updates) as time and circumstances allow me to do so, and will be back with a new post tomorrow, if something else aside from the Birmingham England Temple groundbreaking and Toronto Ontario Temple rededication is shared. For now, my thanks once again to you all.