April 2026 General Conference Predictions Results

Hello again, everyone! Several weeks later than I'd planned, I am pleased to now share the results of my April 2026 General Conference predictions. So here are my updated speaker lineup (with what actually happened noted in brackets of the appropriate fields); my updated predictions for Church leadership changes (and the statistical report figures), and my masterlist of the most likely candidate cities to get a temple.

I am pleased to also present at this time a scorecard for those predictions, based on the 3-point scoring system I mentioned for each element. If any of you have any questions on the scoring listed therein, please let me know, and I would behappy to address those. I would like tonote that I am including in that scring a score for the new locatioins that had temples announced between President Oaks' October 14 ordination as the Church President and the weekend of the April 2026 General Conference. Therefore, with only two temples announced, the maximum possible score there is 6.

My analysis of the results led me to score the accuracy of these predictions at 56.5%, slightly lower than my average accuracy rate of 60-80%. So that's it for the results of the preditctions. But I also wanted to share how my mock-up of potential table of contents for the May 2026 Liahona compared with the actual thing, in addition to my document showing the lengths of apostolic addresses, each of which was at least a few minutes shorter than they usually have run, and my updated document showing the total number of General Conference talks given by apostles. 

Each apostle spoke at least once, with both Presidents Oaks and Christofferson giving 3 addresses apiece. For President Oaks, that includes his opening and closing remarks and his Sunday Morning Session address. For President Christofferson, that includes his Sunday Afternoon Session address and his two opprotuniteies to conduct Church business. Some sources count those, while others don't. But I am choosing to do so for my purpsoes. 

Well, that's a wrap on my General Conference postmortem. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest 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 to receive the applicable updates. 

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.

Elder Gérald Caussé Observes His First Apostolic Birthday Today

Hello again, everyone! With today being May 20, Elder Gérald Caussé is observing his first apostolic birthday since his November 6, 2025, call and ordination to the apostleship. So it is time to share a birthday tribute to him, as he is observing his 63rd birthday today. Let's dive right into his extensive and impressive biography: Gérald Jéan Caussé was born on May 20, 1963, in Bordeaux, France, to Jean and Marie-Blanche Caussé. The missionaries found his parents a short time after Gérald was born.

His penchant for quick learning and voracious curiosity led to many early opportunities for young Gérald. At age 12, he was the pianist in Primary. Two years later, he became both the branch pianist and a counselor in the ward Sunday School organization. He also made ministering visits with his father to various people in their time of need, and he joined the missionaries often to teach people about the Gospel.

Gérald also found success in his educational endeavors. Following his graduation from high school, he rigorously prepared for entrance into any of the top universities in France, being determined to prioritize his faith and Church membership and activity. During his oral exams, which included an interview with panels of various universities, he was asked questions that directly led to him sharing more about his faith, and about what he believed, why he believed it, and how his beliefs had shaped his life.

After one such interview, one of the interviewers told him he had a friend who was a member of the Church, so he wanted to give Gérald a chance to answer questions about his faith and his commitment thereunto. He entered his university studies with honors. During the same period of time, Gérald renewed his acquaintance with Valérie Babin, a childhood friend. One day, during a choir practice, she was singing, and he was accompanying, and their eyes met in what they called "a second for all eternity". They were married in the Bern Switzerland Temple in 1986.

Upon his graduation from college, Gérald began a 7-year career in management consulting, successfully aiding many companies to avoid bankruptcy. He served as a counselor in a stake presidency during that time. When the time approached for the release of the stake presidency, both Gérald and Valérie discerned that he would be the new stake president, and Gérald sought (and obtained) a less demanding job that would free up his schedule for his new calling. He landed a new position with a family-friendly company just two days before he was sustained as the new stake president.

President Caussé served as stake president during a period of time when the Church was looking to procure a temple site in Paris. He chauffeured President Hinckley to several candidate sites over several trips to the region until they found and procured the site on which the Paris France Temple operates. In 2008, new Church President Thomas S. Monson called him to serve as a GA Seventy. Beginning the following August, he served in the Europe Area Presidency in Germany, first as a counselor, then as the area president. His two counselors, Elders Jose A. Teiexera and Erich W. Kopischke, spoke highly of him.

In 2012, with the release of the Presiding Bishopric planned, a new Presiding Bishopric was needed. Elder Caussé was called to serve alongside Presiding Bishop Gary E. Stevenson and Bishop Dean M. Davies. They served together for only 3.5 years, when Presiding Bishop Stevenson was called to the Quorum of the Twelve. Bishop Caussé succeeded him as the Presiding Bishop, serving as such for just over a decade. He was closely involved with the construction approvals for the Rome Italy and Paris France Temples.

And, as we know, on November 6, 2025, he was called to the apostleship. He is the first apostle born in France. Elder Caussé has spoken 9 times in General Conference: once as a GA Seventy, twice as First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, 5 times as Presiding Bishop, and, of course, once since his apostolic call. I know this overview has been quite extensive, but I hope it serves as a fitting tribute to the man who makes history as the first French apostle and brings a significant background in business and Church service to his role.

He, as all the other apostles do, has voluntarily pledged to serve the Lord to the best of his ability until his dying breath. And his life demonstrates that the Lord has well prepared him for this exact opportunity he now has. Given that I have always loved the French language, Elder Causse, as the first General Authority and now the first apostle born in France, has long been one of my favorite people in the top leadership tiers of the Church.

I gratefully testify that the Lord has called him, and that I fully sustain him in his new assignment and look forward to seeing what the Lord will do through him. I am grateful I could pay tribute to him here. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest 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 to receive the applicable updates. 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Announced for the Cody Wyoming and Wichita Kansas Temples; Preliminary Details Released for the Rosario Argentina Temple; and Preliminary Site Work Underway for the Couer d'Alene Idaho Temple

Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency has released the opening arrangements for the Wichita Kansas Temple and the Cody Wyoming Temple and the preliminary details for the Rosario Argentina Temple, in addition to acknowledging that  preliminary site work is underway for the Couer d'Alene Idaho Temple. There's a lot to get to, so let's get going!

A media day for the Wichita Kansas Temple will take place on Monday, September 21, with tours for ivited gues the next couple of days. The public open house will run from Thursday, September 24, through Saturday, October 10 (excluding Sunday, September 27 and General Conference weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4). The dedication of that temple will follow on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM (with a rebroadcast at 2:00 PM), under the direction of Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Meanwhile, for the Cody Wyoming Temple, a media day is set for Monday, August 24, with tours for invited guests the next two days. The public open house will run from Thursday, August 27, through Saturday, September 12 (excluding the Sundays of August 31 and September 7). The temple dedication will follow on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM (with a rebroadcast at 2:00 PM). The presiding official for the Cody Wyoming Temple dedication will be announced closer to the time, so it could be a member of the First Presidency.

As for the Rosario Argentina Temple, the edifice will rise on a 1.59-acre (6400 m2) site bordered by Santiago bis, Alvear and Güemes streets in Rosario City, Santa Fe, Argentina. The size and site parameters will be announced at a later time. As for the Couer d'Alene Idaho Temple, the Newsroom notes the following information:

"Preliminary utility and infrastructure work to support the future Coeur d'Alene Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now underway following approvals from the City of Coeur d'Alene.

"City approvals allow the Church to begin initial site preparation work, including grading and the installation of underground utility infrastructure such as water, sewer, and electrical service connections to the city’s existing systems. Design work on the temple continues, and a date for an official groundbreaking ceremony has not yet been announced."

So, there you have it. The latest temple news, delivered a little later than usual, but the Newsroom is back up, and that's the important thing. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest 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 to receive the applicable updates.

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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: New Temple Announced in Otavalo Ecuador

Good evening, everyone! I am pleased to share that Ecuador's third temple has been announced in Otavalo. The announcement came courtesy of South America Northwest Area President Elder Juan Pablo Villar. The announcement was made this evening in a devotional with Latter-day Saints in that city. The First Presidency announcement of that temple, read by Elder Villar, is as follows:

"We are pleased to announce the construction of a temple in Otavalo, Ecuador. The specific location and timing of the construction will be announced later. This is a reason for all of us to rejoice and express gratitude for such a significant blessing — one that will allow more frequent access to the ordinances, covenants and power that can only be found in the house of the Lord.”

Although Elder Villar read the announcement, the devotional in question was presided over by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who may have apostolic oversight of the South America Northwest Area. Elder Renlund was joined at the devotional by his wife, along with Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife. This may have been one of Elder Palmer's final assignments before he is granted emeritus status on August 1.

I am overjoyed at this announcement. A temple for Otavalo was on my list of near-term prospects, so I am grateful that it was announced. The total number of temples now rises to 385, and this is the third temple announced under the new method instutited by Church President Dallin H. Oaks. I had thought and said when the last temple was announced last month that we might not get another announcement until August or so, and I am elated that I was wrong in that assertion.

These updates will be reflected in relevant documents, to which I will link in the comments section below. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest 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 to receive the applicable updates. 

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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Rendering Provided for the Rapid City South Dakota Temple

Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency has released the rendering for the Rapid City South Dakota Temple today. The release of the rendering follows the site announcement in late February of this year and the temple's original announcement by President Russell M. Nelson in the April 2025 General Conference. The rendering speaks for itself. I am grateful for this update on a personal level, as my dad served in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission.

Since that is the only temple update today, I will let the rendering speak for itself. If any of you have anything to share about it, feel free to do so in the comments section below. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest 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 to receive the applicable updates. 

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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Opening Arrangements Announced For the Montpelier Idaho Temple

Hello again, everyone! As anticipated, the First Presidency announced another temple dedication today. This pertains to the Montpelier Idaho Temple. Let's get right into the relevant details:

A media day will take place on Tuesday, September 8, followed by VIP/private tours the next day. The public will be invited to tour the temple between Thursday, September 10, and Saturday, September 26 (excluding the Sundays of September 13 and 20).  The temple dedication has been set to occur on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with a rebroadcast at 2:00 PM, with both the dedication and its rebroadcast being made available to all units in the temple district. 

As has been the trend for several other temples, the presiding apostle has not been identified. That is usually indicative that a member of the First Presidency will fill that assignment. When that has been the case, it has usually been either President Oaks or President Eyring. With those apostles being in their 90s, their health situations are less predictable, which is why the assignment has likely been made, but the confirmation of who will preside will only be confirmed closer to the time.

This is the second dedication set to occur on October 18, the other being the previously announced dedication of the Managua Nicaragua Temple. With daylight saving time in effect during the dedication windows for these two temples, they will be simultaneously dedicated, marking only the second time this has happened under the prophetic administration of President Oaks (the first time will occur on the first Sunday in June with the dedications of the Yorba Linda California and Willamette Valley Oregon Temples occuring simultaneously).

Given that this is the second dedication set for October 18, most sources to which I have access list the Managua Nicaragua Temple before the Montpelier Idaho Temple in the queue. So we now have another dedication on the books. I did want to mention that I find it somewhat odd that the dedication of the Montpelier Idaho Temple was set before we got operning arrangements for the considerably smaller temples in San Luis Potosi Mexico, Pago Pago American Samoa, Torreon Mexico, and Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temples.  

But it may be that temples in the United States are easier to furnish and finish than temples outside the United States. With that in mind, we might even see the Smithfield Utah Temple dedication announced before any of those 4 smaller temples. And whenever arrangements are announced for those 4 smaller temples, the opening arrangements will likely be shorter public open houses and dedications sandwiched between those already scheduled. It will be interesting to see it all unfold.

I am grateful to see all these temple dedications announced and scheduled. Hopefully, we see more dedications scheduled over the coming weeks. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest 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 to receive the applicable updates. 

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.