On this blog, I, James Stokes, share insights and analysis covering the latest news and developments reported about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My specific emphasis and focus is on the ministry of our current apostles, General Conference, and up-to-date temple information. This site is neither officially owned, operated, or endorsed by the Church, and I, as the autthor thereof, am solely responsible for this content.
Search This Blog
Monday, April 25, 2016
Star Valley Wyoming Temple will have its Angel Moroni placed on the spire today.
Sorry about two posts in one day. Hope you guys don't mind. I wanted to let you know that at 11:00 AM this morning (11:00 AM our time and Wyoming time. Who knew we were in the same time zone!), the Star Valley Wyoming temple is scheduled to have its angel Moroni placed. What an exciting time we live in when so much is happening on the temple news front! I am keeping a careful eye on all temple-related developments and will put out an updated list whenever there is major temple news (such as a scheduled dedication, rededication, or groundbreaking) announced. Thanks so much to all of you for your readership. I hope my posts are helpful to you all. Have a great day!
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
PDF of May 2016 Ensign now available/How my predictions for the table of contents panned out
Hello, friends! Hope you all are well. I am posting today something I meant to address yesterday, but I ran out of time to do it then. As soon as the talk transcripts of the April 2016 General Conference were available, I right away did what I have done for several conferences now--put together my predictions for what a table of contents might look like for the Conference Ensign. I had meant to post that prediction on my blog, but something told me to hold off on doing so. Then yesterday, I was on lds.org and felt impressed to just check and see if the PDF of the May Ensign was available. I'm glad I followed that impression. The PDF was available, and I got an advanced look at what it looked like. I present to you the table of contents I put together, along with the actual page number for each talk or article (actual page numbers will be in parentheses). Since the number of pages of each talk or article is unpredictable, it is always intriguing to see just how right (or wrong) I am. Here's the list. Let me know what you think.
Possible Table of Contents for May 2016 Ensign
(Text in Parentheses indicates what actually was)
Session
|
Page
|
Title
|
Speaker
|
|
2
|
Conference Summary for the 186th Annual
General Conference
|
|
|
3
|
Indexes
|
|
|
4
|
Highlights from the 186th Annual General
Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
|
|
GW
|
8 (6)
|
He Asks Us to Be His Hands
|
Cheryl A. Esplin
|
|
11 (10)
|
What Shall We Do?
|
Neill F. Marriott
|
|
14 (13)
|
“I Was a Stranger”
|
Linda K. Burton
|
|
17 (16)
|
Trust in That Spirit Which Leadeth to Do Good
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
SAM
|
21 (19)
|
Where Two or Three Are Gathered
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
|
25 (23)
|
A Child’s Guiding Gift
|
Mary R. Durham
|
|
27 (26)
|
I Am a Child of God
|
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom
|
|
29
|
Where are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?
|
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
|
|
33
|
The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness
|
Elder Kevin R. Duncan
|
|
36
|
Be Thou Humble
|
Elder Steven E. Snow
|
|
39
|
“That I Might Draw All Men unto Me”
|
Elder Dale G. Renlund
|
SAA
|
43
|
The Sustaining of Church Officers
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
|
45
|
Church Auditing Department Report, 2015
|
Kevin R. Jergensen
|
|
45
|
Statistical
Report, 2015
|
Brook P. Hales
|
|
46
|
Standing
with the Leaders of the Church
|
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
|
|
49
|
“Whoso
Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me”
|
Elder Neil L. Andersen
|
|
53
|
To the
Rescue: We Can Do It
|
Elder Mervyn B. Arnold
|
|
56
|
The Sacred
Place of Restoration
|
Elder Jairo Mazzagardi
|
|
59
|
Always
Retain a Remission of Your Sins
|
Elder David A. Bednar
|
|
63
|
Family
Councils
|
Elder M. Russell Ballard
|
SPH
|
67 (66)
|
The Price of
Priesthood Power
|
President Russell M. Nelson
|
|
75 (70)
|
The Greatest
Leaders are the Greatest Followers
|
Stephen W. Owen
|
|
78 (77)
|
In Praise of
Those Who Save
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
|
82 (81)
|
Eternal
Families
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
|
86 (85)
|
A Sacred
Trust
|
President Thomas S. Monson
|
SUM
|
87 (86)
|
Choices
|
President Thomas S. Monson
|
|
88 (87)
|
Do I
Believe?
|
Bonnie L. Oscarson
|
|
90
|
Learn,
Listen, and Walk
|
Bishop W. Christopher Waddell
|
|
93
|
Fathers
|
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
|
|
97
|
See Yourself
in the Temple
|
Elder Quentin L. Cook
|
|
101
|
He Will
Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You
Home
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
SUA
|
105
|
The Holy
Ghost
|
Elder Robert D. Hales
|
|
108
|
Always
Remember Him
|
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
|
|
111
|
Refuge from
the Storm
|
Elder Patrick Kearon
|
|
113 (114)
|
Opposition
in All Things
|
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
|
|
117 (118)
|
The Power of
Godliness
|
Elder Kent F. Richards
|
|
119 (121)
|
And There
Shall Be No More Death
|
Elder Paul V. Johnson
|
|
122 (124)
|
Tomorrow the
Lord Will Do Wonders among You
|
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
|
|
72
|
General Authorities and General Officers of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
|
|
|
126 (128)
|
Conference Story Index (They Spoke to Us)
|
|
|
127 (130)
|
They Spoke to Us: Making Conference Part of Our Lives
(Conference Story Index)
|
|
|
128 (131)
|
News of the Church
128: Conference Summary
128: New temples
129 (130): W.
Mark
Bassett/Mark
A. Bragg
130
(131): Weatherford T. Clayton/Valeri V. Cordon
131
(132): Joaquin A. Costa/Massimo De Feo
132
(133): Peter F. Meurs/K. Brett Nattress
133
(134): S. Mark Palmer/Gary B. Sabin
134
(135): Evan A. Schmutz/Joy D. Jones
135
(136): Jean B. Bingham/Bonnie H. Cordon
136-144
(137-144): Other Church News (Included all facets of temple-related progress made since last conference, including those announced during this conference)
|
|
|
144
|
Last Page of Conference Ensign
|
|
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Official Name Announced for the second Lima Peru Temple
Hello, dear readers. Just wanted to let you know the latest on the temple news front. The LDS Church Temples site reports that the Church has announced the official name for the second temple announced for Lima Peru. The temple will be known as the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple. I was surprised when I looked at the Church's Newsroom at lds.org and there was no mention of this. I did a little digging, and it turns out that the news item posted about the announcement of the four new temples had been updated to include the name of the temple in question. I will update this information on my personal temple construction progress list and post that list the next time there are any major changes to report. Hope you all are well. Thanks so much to all of you for your interest and readership. Have a good weekend.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
KSL Features Two Church-related videos
Hello, all. I was just sitting here when I realized I forgot to post about two fun Church-related videos I've recently come across on KSL.com. The first features a darling toddler girl who became an internet sensation after the video of her singing "Part of Your World", In this sequel news story, the little girl offers an Easter tribute to the Savior with her sweet rendition of "Gethsemane". A link to the story and the video follows.
3 year-old star of "Little Mermaid" video sings song about Christ for Easter
The second is a parody of Adele's classic "Hello" song, written by two BYU students and featuring an excellent vocalist that strangely reminded me of my good friend Kent Willis. It's a genius video that some of you have no doubt heard about, but I just wanted to share it for the benefit of those who haven't had a chance to enjoy it yet.
BYU students create missionary parody of Adele's "Hello"
Enjoy!
3 year-old star of "Little Mermaid" video sings song about Christ for Easter
The second is a parody of Adele's classic "Hello" song, written by two BYU students and featuring an excellent vocalist that strangely reminded me of my good friend Kent Willis. It's a genius video that some of you have no doubt heard about, but I just wanted to share it for the benefit of those who haven't had a chance to enjoy it yet.
BYU students create missionary parody of Adele's "Hello"
Enjoy!
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Change to Open House Dates for Philadelphia Pennsylvania/Significant Posts about Church Growth from Matthew Martinich
Interesting developments on the temple news front. The Church has announced a change in the dates during which the Philadelphia Temple open house will occur, though the reason for it remains to be seen or officially made known. The good news is that this change in open house dates will in no way impact the dates of either the cultural celebration or temple dedication, which are still set for September 17 and 18 respectively. Originally slated to run from Friday August 5-Saturday September 3, the open house will now run from Wednesday August 10 (five days later than previously announced)-Friday September 9 (six days later than previously announced), so the open house will actually pick up 1 additional day in the process, allowing for additional visitors to the temple. I also wanted to let you know that I am keeping a careful eye on developments as articles are written about new General Authorities which will identify their quorum affiliation. I also wanted to remind my readers that an excellent article in the April 2016 Ensign by Elder M. Russell Ballard introducing Elder Ronald A. Rasband to the world.
Additionally, Matthew Martinich, whose interesting posts I frequently share, has done a number of noteworthy posts. He posted yesterday to let his readers know that the first stake in Benin is set to be created in 8 days. He has also posted about congregational growth by country for 2015 (devoting two posts to that very subject), the most populous countries without an LDS mission, the districts that are most likely to become stakes in the not-too-distant future, and a Church-growth related analysis of the temples that were announced in General Conference earlier this month. All of these posts are very interesting and well worth the read. Check out his blog by following this link. Hope you all are enjoying my posts!
Additionally, Matthew Martinich, whose interesting posts I frequently share, has done a number of noteworthy posts. He posted yesterday to let his readers know that the first stake in Benin is set to be created in 8 days. He has also posted about congregational growth by country for 2015 (devoting two posts to that very subject), the most populous countries without an LDS mission, the districts that are most likely to become stakes in the not-too-distant future, and a Church-growth related analysis of the temples that were announced in General Conference earlier this month. All of these posts are very interesting and well worth the read. Check out his blog by following this link. Hope you all are enjoying my posts!
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Temple News
As those following my temple news posts will remember, the Durban South Africa temple was scheduled for groundbreaking last Saturday. It did take place. Elder Carl B. Cook, president of the Africa Southeast Area, presided over the groundbreaking. It took the Church, and Rick Satterfield, the webmaster of ldschurchtemples.com, until Sunday to get news of the groundbreaking up. Apparently at the groundbreaking, they announced that construction of the temple was anticipated to only take two years, finishing in early 2018, ahead of several temples which had their groundbreaking earlier this year or late last year. In talking to my mother, a South African native, I learned that sometimes those who work in South Africa aren't as diligent in their labor as they might be if they lived elsewhere. So, it'll be interesting to see if that completion date is accurate. Also on the temple news front, it was revealed that governmental red-tape has been responsible for the delay of construction progress on the Fortaleza Brazil temple. So I would urge all my readers to pray that temple work might go forward.
If we add to the previous count of temples those that were announced during General Conference (for Harare Zimbabwe, Quito Ecuador, Belem Brazil, and a second for Lima Peru), we will have 177 temples by the time all announced ones are completed. This also means that we have only 23 more that need to be announced before we reach the 200 temple mark of which I have frequently mentioned. I think the Church can do it no problem. Time will tell.
That being said, I thought it fitting to end this blog post by sharing my lists of upcoming temple-related events and current temple progress, which I have just updated today based on the latest information available on ldschurchtemples.com, my go-to site for all temple-related news. Here are the lists. Enjoy!
NOTE: If President Eyring
presides at the previous temple dedication, the odds are very good that
President Uchtdorf will preside at this temple dedication. President Monson was
the one who presided at the groundbreaking, but as he is reportedly not in very
good health, President Uchtdorf is more than likely the one who will be asked
to preside.
If we add to the previous count of temples those that were announced during General Conference (for Harare Zimbabwe, Quito Ecuador, Belem Brazil, and a second for Lima Peru), we will have 177 temples by the time all announced ones are completed. This also means that we have only 23 more that need to be announced before we reach the 200 temple mark of which I have frequently mentioned. I think the Church can do it no problem. Time will tell.
That being said, I thought it fitting to end this blog post by sharing my lists of upcoming temple-related events and current temple progress, which I have just updated today based on the latest information available on ldschurchtemples.com, my go-to site for all temple-related news. Here are the lists. Enjoy!
Upcoming
Temple Events:
1.
Sunday August
21—Sapporo Japan Temple Dedication (151 operating, 15 under construction, 11
announced, 4 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: Since President Uchtdorf,
being a native German, is the most likely person to preside at the rededication
of the Frankfurt Germany temple, the next temple to be dedicated or rededicated,
President Eyring will likely preside at this dedication. It would also not
surprise me if Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
accompanied whoever is presiding, since he as a member of the First Quorum of
the Seventy was serving as president of the Asia North Area, presided at the
groundbreaking.
2.
Sunday September
4—Freiberg Germany Temple Rededication (151 operating, 15 under construction,
11 announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: Since President Uchtdorf
is a native German, and since President Eyring may preside at the previous
dedication, it would make sense if he (President Uchtdorf) presides at this
rededication.
3.
Sunday September
18—Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple Dedication (152 operating, 14 under
construction, 11 announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: If President Uchtdorf
presides at the previous rededication, and since President Eyring was the one
who broke ground for this temple, it would make sense if he (President Eyring)
presides at this dedication.
4.
Sunday October 16—Fort
Collins Colorado Temple Dedication (153 operating, 13 under construction, 11
announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: If President Eyring
presides at the previous dedication, it would make sense if President Uchtdorf
is asked to preside at this dedication. It is also not unreasonable to believe
that Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will accompany
whoever the presiding authority is, as Elder Rasband originally presided over
the groundbreaking for this temple.
5.
Sunday October 30—Star
Valley Wyoming Temple Dedication (154 operating, 12 under construction, 11
announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: If President Uchtdorf
presides at the previous dedication, it would make sense if President Eyring is
asked to preside at this dedication. It would also not surprise me if Elder
Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy was one of the
participants in the dedication. When this temple was originally announced,
President Monson joked that he thought he’d dedicate that one because there’s
good fishing up there, but as he hasn’t presided over a temple dedication in
two years and as he may not be in the best of health, it is more likely that
President Eyring will preside.
6.
Sunday November 20—Hartford
Connecticut Temple Dedication (155 operating, 11 under construction, 11
announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
Temple Construction Progress (current as of 4/13/16)
Current Temple
Status: 150 operating, 16 under construction (5 scheduled for dedication), 11 announced (2 groundbreakings anticipated to be announced soon), 4 undergoing renovation (1 scheduled for rededication).
Dedication scheduled:
151. Sapporo
Japan Temple: Finalizing construction in preparation for open house; scheduled
to be dedicated Sunday August 21, 2016.
152. Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Temple: Interior and exterior nearly complete; grounds work
underway; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday
September 18, 2016.
153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple:
Lampposts installed on the grounds; installing art glass; painting, and laying
floor inside; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday
October 16, 2016.
154. Star Valley
Wyoming Temple: Angel Moroni to be placed on Monday April 25, 2016 at 11:00 am;
hanging sheet rock, painting, and installing millwork inside; scheduled to be
dedicated Sunday October 30, 2016.
155. Hartford Connecticut
Temple: Exterior cladding nearing completion; concrete poured for monument sign;
interior painting and flooring underway; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday November 20, 2016.
Under Construction:
156. Paris France
Temple: Attachment of exterior stone cladding nearing completion; interior work
progressing; completion anticipated sometime between late 2016 and early 2017.
157. Rome Italy
Temple: Interior work progressing; completion anticipated sometime during late 2017.
158. Meridian
Idaho Temple: Curbing poured for parking lot; sheetrock nearing completion; completion
anticipated sometime during late 2017.
159. Cedar City
Utah Temple: Attachment of exterior panels and interior framing underway;
retaining walls being installed; completion anticipated sometime during late 2017.
160. Tucson Arizona Temple: Exterior panels attached; completion
anticipated sometime between late 2017
and early 2018.
161. Durban South
Africa Temple: Ground broken on Saturday April 9, 2016; completion anticipated
sometime during early 2018.
162. Concepcion
Chile Temple: Main floor exterior walls rising; completion anticipated sometime
during late 2018.
163. Lisbon
Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion
anticipated sometime during late 2018.
164. Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Ground broken on Friday, February 12,
2016; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.
165. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Ground broken on Saturday February 20, 2016; completion
anticipated sometime between early-and-mid
2019.
168. Fortaleza
Brazil Temple: Full-scale construction pending due to government-imposed delays;
completion date TBD (To be determined).
Rededication scheduled:
33. Freiberg
Germany Temple: Closed for
renovation; adding extension; steeple covered; scheduled to be
rededicated Sunday September 4, 2016.
Undergoing Renovation:
8. Idaho Falls
Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; utility trenching underway; kitchen
appliances arriving; rededication anticipated sometime between late 2016 and early 2017.
41. Frankfurt
Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during
mid-2017.
20. Jordan River
Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; construction trailers on site; rededication
anticipated sometime during late 2017.
Announced:
166. Rio de
Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local
government; groundbreaking date anticipated to be announced soon.
167. Arequipa Peru
Temple: Construction preparation phase; temple site rezoned; acquiring building
permits; groundbreaking date anticipated to be announced soon.
169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval
phase; groundbreaking pending.
170. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning phase.
171. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase.
172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and
approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.
173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase;
awaiting official site announcement.
174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
177. Lima Peru (Second) Temple: Planning phase;
awaiting official site announcement.
Key:
Bolded numbers and
text denote temples whose number already exists (for renovations), or is
certain due to a scheduled dedication, as well as information that is certain,
such as dedication or groundbreaking dates.
Italicized numbers
and text denote temples whose number
may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings
are scheduled.
Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose
number may change based on the order in which their future groundbreakings are
announced.
Thoughts? Any and all comments are welcome.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
General Conference Predictions Results
Hi, guys! I know I've been off the grid for a couple of weeks now for a very good reason. Amy and I have been laid up with...(drumroll please)....the flu! Yep, I was officially diagnosed with it on Friday after dealing with the symptoms for several days prior. The doctor recommended Tamiflu for both of us, twice daily for five days for me, and once daily for five days for Amy. I have been on it and am still feeling like death warmed over. We were unable to get it for Amy because her stupid insurance won't cover it, and they won't give her something else unless she's seen in clinic, neither of which we can afford at the moment. I have been really worried about Amy because she has had some general symptoms, and we've both been ill for a couple of weeks. At least we know what it is now.
On to more pleasant subjects. General Conference was amazing. The next few posts I do will highlight the results of my predictions. Before I post my predictions along with what actually transpired, just a few comments. As some of you may have noticed, the 11 General Authority Seventies sustained in the Saturday Afternoon Session were not listed as belonging to a specific quorum. I spoke to my team leader, John Thomas, about this unusual occurrence. Being the amazing person that he is, he stated that most people won't care about this and that, in his mind, it was done to prevent people from putting the First Quorum on a higher plane than the Second Quorum. His explanation made sense, and his rebuke had a positive impact on me. However, as a Wikipedian and avid Church History fan, I was curious. So I e-mailed the Church website about this. They said that they weren't sure why there was no differentiation, but that it could have been that there just wasn't any time when sustaining them to make the distinction. They did say that the Church News would run articles about the new Church leaders, and that these articles would likely disclose the Quorum assignments. In the meantime, as far as Wikipedia is concerned, until the quorum affiliation is known, the new leaders have been put into a new category called "General Authority Seventies".
That being said, there were some surprises. I didn't anticipate President Monson's talks would be so brief. His total remark length is less than 10 minutes. It's hard to see him get old. Also, I was delighted to see that I nailed the apostolic speaking order more closely than ever before. Those following my original predictions will note that I had Elder Renlund and President Nelson flip-flopped, and that I was better than ever before about the order in which apostles and seventies spoke. I also had the auxiliary speakers nailed pretty well. I had hoped that Mary R. Durham would have some future role in a new Primary General Presidency, but I'm not by any means dismayed by those who were called. As always, I sustain them with all my heart. I think it's sad that the last few conferences, there have been people who vocally voiced their opposition in what is usually a silent vote of sustaining support for those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. I did a blog post about sustaining the prophet and accepting the revelation that comes from him. It is tragic when people find fault with our leaders, who, though imperfect, nevertheless act with inspiration from on high/ And the saddest part is, if they took the effort to do so, they could learn for themselves that what comes from the Brethren is in harmony with the Lord's will.
Who can forget the announcement of four temples. I had two of the four locations nailed exactly and the wrong city for the Brazil temple. And I was pleased to hear of the second temple for Lima Peru. I am ecstatic about the temple news, which I will focus a special blog post on.
Finally, before giving my predictions results, I wanted to note that among those sustained as new General Authorities is the brother of Elder L. Whitney Clayton, who currently serves as Senior President of the Seventy. A majority of those called as General Authority have been or were currently Area Seventies at the time of their call. I am working on updating my various lists of area seventies and will, if you like, post the fruits of my labor here once it is completed. I also wanted to note that the Church has finally put out an updated list of Area Seventies, but for some reason, it does not include those sustained last year, even though the information regarding those called this conference is accurate.
With that glowing introduction, you may find my predictions disappointing. I hope not. Let me know what you think.
On to more pleasant subjects. General Conference was amazing. The next few posts I do will highlight the results of my predictions. Before I post my predictions along with what actually transpired, just a few comments. As some of you may have noticed, the 11 General Authority Seventies sustained in the Saturday Afternoon Session were not listed as belonging to a specific quorum. I spoke to my team leader, John Thomas, about this unusual occurrence. Being the amazing person that he is, he stated that most people won't care about this and that, in his mind, it was done to prevent people from putting the First Quorum on a higher plane than the Second Quorum. His explanation made sense, and his rebuke had a positive impact on me. However, as a Wikipedian and avid Church History fan, I was curious. So I e-mailed the Church website about this. They said that they weren't sure why there was no differentiation, but that it could have been that there just wasn't any time when sustaining them to make the distinction. They did say that the Church News would run articles about the new Church leaders, and that these articles would likely disclose the Quorum assignments. In the meantime, as far as Wikipedia is concerned, until the quorum affiliation is known, the new leaders have been put into a new category called "General Authority Seventies".
That being said, there were some surprises. I didn't anticipate President Monson's talks would be so brief. His total remark length is less than 10 minutes. It's hard to see him get old. Also, I was delighted to see that I nailed the apostolic speaking order more closely than ever before. Those following my original predictions will note that I had Elder Renlund and President Nelson flip-flopped, and that I was better than ever before about the order in which apostles and seventies spoke. I also had the auxiliary speakers nailed pretty well. I had hoped that Mary R. Durham would have some future role in a new Primary General Presidency, but I'm not by any means dismayed by those who were called. As always, I sustain them with all my heart. I think it's sad that the last few conferences, there have been people who vocally voiced their opposition in what is usually a silent vote of sustaining support for those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. I did a blog post about sustaining the prophet and accepting the revelation that comes from him. It is tragic when people find fault with our leaders, who, though imperfect, nevertheless act with inspiration from on high/ And the saddest part is, if they took the effort to do so, they could learn for themselves that what comes from the Brethren is in harmony with the Lord's will.
Who can forget the announcement of four temples. I had two of the four locations nailed exactly and the wrong city for the Brazil temple. And I was pleased to hear of the second temple for Lima Peru. I am ecstatic about the temple news, which I will focus a special blog post on.
Finally, before giving my predictions results, I wanted to note that among those sustained as new General Authorities is the brother of Elder L. Whitney Clayton, who currently serves as Senior President of the Seventy. A majority of those called as General Authority have been or were currently Area Seventies at the time of their call. I am working on updating my various lists of area seventies and will, if you like, post the fruits of my labor here once it is completed. I also wanted to note that the Church has finally put out an updated list of Area Seventies, but for some reason, it does not include those sustained last year, even though the information regarding those called this conference is accurate.
With that glowing introduction, you may find my predictions disappointing. I hope not. Let me know what you think.
April 2016 General Conference Predictions
Speaking Order (Text in brackets indicated what actually
happened.)
Session
|
Conducting
|
Speaker
|
General Women’s
|
Rosemary M. Wixom
|
Linda K. Burton [Cheryl A. Esplin]
|
Cheryl A. Esplin [Neill F. Marriott]
|
||
Neill F. Marriott [Linda K. Burton]
|
||
President Henry B. Eyring
|
||
Saturday Morning
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
President Russell M. Nelson [Mary R. Durham]
|
||
Elder Gerrit W. Gong [Elder Donald L. Hallstrom]
|
||
Mary R. Durham [Elder Gary E. Stevenson]
|
||
Elder Yoon Hwan Choi [Elder Kevin R. Duncan]
|
||
Elder Per G. Malm [Elder Steven E. Snow]
|
||
Elder Gary E. Stevenson [Elder Dale G. Renlund]
|
||
Saturday Afternoon
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Sustaining of Church
Officers)
|
Church Auditing Department Report, 2015
|
Kevin R. Jergensen
|
|
Statistical Report, 2015
|
Brook P. Hales
|
|
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
|
||
Elder M. Russell Ballard [Elder Neil L. Andersen]
|
||
Elder Patrick Kearon [Elder Mervyn B. Arnold]
|
||
Elder Mervyn B. Arnold [Elder Jairo Mazzagardi]
|
||
Elder Neil L. Andersen [Elder David A. Bednar]
|
||
Elder David A. Bednar [Elder M. Russell Ballard]
|
||
Saturday Priesthood
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
Elder Dale G. Renlund [President Russell M. Nelson]
|
Bishop Gerald Causse [No one]
|
||
Stephen W. Owen
|
||
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
||
President Henry B. Eyring
|
||
President Thomas S. Monson
|
||
Sunday Morning
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
President Thomas S. Monson
|
Elder Quentin L. Cook [Bonnie L. Oscarson]
|
||
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom [Bishop W. Christopher
Waddell]
|
||
Bonnie L. Oscarson [Elder D. Todd Christofferson]
|
||
Elder Jairo Mazzagardi [Elder Quentin L. Cook]
|
||
Elder D. Todd Christofferson [No one]
|
||
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
||
Sunday Afternoon
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
Elder Robert D. Hales
|
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland [Elder Gerrit W. Gong]
|
||
Elder Juan A. Uceda [Elder Patrick Kearon]
|
||
Elder Kent F. Richards [Elder Dallin H. Oaks]
|
||
Elder Benjamin De Hoyos [Elder Kent F. Richards]
|
||
Elder Steven E. Snow [Elder Paul V. Johnson]
|
||
Elder Dallin H. Oaks [Elder Jeffrey R. Holland]
|
Changes in General Church Leadership
Presidency of the Seventy: Elder Gerrit W. Gong sustained as a new
member to replace Elder Ronald A. Rasband, who became a member of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles in October 2015.
NOTE: Elder Rasband’s call to the apostleship in October 2015 left a
vacancy in the Presidency of the Seventy that was not filled during General
Conference but a couple of days later. Elder L. Whitney Clayton was named the
new senior president of the Seventy (a position previously held by Elder
Rasband), and Elder Gong was called to fill the vacancy. It makes sense that
Elder Gong’s call will be ratified by sustaining vote during this conference.
RESULT: Elder Gong’s call was not ratified by sustaining vote. It
appears that an official announcement by the Church constitutes a sustaining
vote being taken.
|
First Quorum of the Seventy: Elder W. Christopher Waddell released in
view of his new calling as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric; new
members sustained from the Second Quorum of the Seventy, Area Seventies, or
the Church at large.
NOTE: Elder Waddell’s call as the new Second Counselor in the Presiding
Bishopric had been announced in October 2015, shortly after General
Conference. It makes sense that this change, along with any sustainings, will
be ratified by sustaining vote during this conference.
RESULT: No new members were sustained to the First Quorum of the
Seventy. Instead, the new General Authorities were merely sustained as
General Authority Seventies, signaling a new direction in Church policy.
|
Second Quorum of the Seventy: New members sustained from Area
Seventies or Church at large.
NOTE: Members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy are usually
sustained in April and released in October, so it makes sense that any
sustainings would be presented in April.
RESULT: No new members were sustained to the First Quorum of the
Seventy. Instead, the new General Authorities were merely sustained as
General Authority Seventies, signaling a new direction in Church policy.
|
NOT PREDICTED: The new General Authority Seventies were not sustained
to a specific quorum and were simply sustained as General Authority
Seventies. There were 11 men called this time, namely: W.
Mark Bassett, Mark A. Bragg, Weatherford T. Clayton, Valeri V. Cordon,
Joaquin E. Costa, Massimo De Feo, Peter F. Meurs, K. Brett Nattress, S. Mark
Palmer, Gary B. Sabin, Evan A. Schmutz.
|
Presiding Bishopric: Bishop Gary E. Stevenson released as Presiding
Bishop in view of his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Bishop
Gerald Causse released as First Counselor and sustained as the new Presiding
Bishop; Bishop Dean M. Davies released as Second Counselor and sustained as
the new First Counselor; Bishop W. Christopher Waddell sustained as the new
Second Counselor.
NOTE: When Bishop Stevenson was called to the Twelve in October 2015,
he retained the calling of Presiding Bishop until the changes noted above
took place a few days after the conference, so these changes will need to be
ratified by sustaining vote during this conference.
RESULT: These changes were not ratified by sustaining vote. It
appears that an official announcement by the Church constitutes a sustaining
vote being taken.
|
Area Seventies: Releases and sustainings for several Area Seventies.
NOTE: It seems to be a common practice for most releases and/or
sustainings of Area Seventies to happen in April, when President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
leads out in the sustaining of Church officers, while only a few releases and
sustainings of Area Seventies happen in October, when President Henry B.
Eyring leads out in the sustaining.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: We know that, at the very least, the following
currently-serving Area Seventies, who have been called to be mission
presidents, will be released: Kent J. Allen, Jeffrey D. Cummings, Hernán D. Ferreira, Brent J. Hillier, Alfred
Kyungu, D. Zackary Smith, Wenceslao
H. Svec, and Fabian I. Vallejo.
RESULT: The above-named brethren, along with 43 others, were released, and 62 new Area Seventies were sustained.
|
Primary General Presidency: Rosemary M. Wixom released as President,
Cheryl A. Esplin released as First Counselor, and Mary R. Durham released as
Second Counselor. New Primary General Presidency sustained, perhaps with Mary
R. Durham being sustained as the new Primary General President or one of the
counselors.
NOTE: Rosemary M. Wixom, the Primary General President, and her First
Counselor Cheryl A. Esplin, have served since April 2010, a period spanning 6
years. In the earlier days of the Church, tenures of general auxiliary
presidencies were not set to any specific length of time. But for at least
the last 20 years, tenure lengths for general auxiliary presidencies are
generally set at 5 years (with a minimum of 6 years if new presidency members
are sustained without a total reorganization of the presidency). It makes
sense that Sisters Wixom and Esplin would be released. It has been a
relatively common practice for members of General Presidencies who have been
in a year, as Mary R. Durham has, to be retained in a newly called
presidency. So it would make sense if the changes above take place.
RESULT: The Primary General Presidency was released. A new Primary
General Presidency was sustained: Joy D. Jones, President; Jean B. Bingham,
First Counselor; and Bonnie H. Cordon, Second Counselor.
|
Church Statistics at the end of 2015 [Text in brackets
denote actual numbers]
Stakes
|
3,174
|
Missions
|
417 [418]
|
Districts
|
580 [558]
|
Wards and Branches
|
30,061 [30,016]
|
Total Church Membership
|
15,683,533 [15,634,199]
|
Children of Record Increase
|
114,655 [114,550]
|
Convert Baptisms
|
307,541 [257,402]
|
Full-Time Missionaries
|
84,091 [74,079]
|
Church Service Missionaries
|
32,102 [31,779]
|
Temples Dedicated
|
5 (Cordoba Argentina, Payson Utah, Trujillo Peru,
Indianapolis Indiana, Tijuana Mexico)
|
Temples Rededicated
|
2 (Mexico City Mexico, Montreal Quebec Canada) [
|
Temples Operating
|
149
|
New Temple Announcements: 3+ temples announced around the
world, with the most likely candidates being American Samoa (Pago Pago); Arkansas
(Bentonville or Rogers); Paraguay (Ciudad del Este); Utah (Layton or Lehi); Brazil
(Belo Horizonte); Venezuela (Maracaibo; temple proposed by President Hinckley);
Philippines (Davao); Bolivia (La Paz); Texas (Fort Worth); Colorado (Colorado
Springs); Austria (Vienna); Arizona (Chandler); Mexico (Guadalajara); Guatemala
(Villa Nueva); Ecuador (Quito); New Zealand (Auckland); Texas (Katy); Idaho
(Pocatello); Zimbabwe (Harare); Uganda; Kenya (Nairobi (proposed by President
Hinckley); Nevada (Henderson); Peru (Iquitos);
California (Long Beach); Philippines (Quezon City); Mongolia
(Ulaanbaatar) and Mexico (Cuernavaca).
NOTE: The following 4 new temples were announced: Quito,
Ecuador; Harare Zimbabwe; Belem, Brazil; Lima Peru.
151/219 points possible=71.9% accuracy on these
predictions
As you can see, I fell smack dab between my usual accuracy rate of 60-80%, which, considering all the new predictions I made, is not bad. Btw, I don't know how many of you are reading the comments here on my blog, but one of my newer readers said he found the fact that my predictions are jammed together in one post to be confusing and cumbersome. He certainly has a right to his own opinion. I happen to like having them all together. What do you guys think? Feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)