PDF of May 2015 Ensign is available

I am pleased to be able to announce that the PDF of the May Ensign is now available. Featured for the first time is a page containing highlights from the conference. Also, from this conference Ensign on, the General Women's Meeting will be featured first, as it is now officially the first session of General Conference. Before each Conference Ensign comes out, I make predictions about what the table of contents will look like. I then compare it to the table of contents in that Ensign and put the corrections in parentheses. I will include my latest one to demonstrate what I'm talking about.

Possible Table of Contents for May 2015 Ensign

(Text in Parentheses indicates what actually was)

Session	Page	Title	Speaker
	2	Conference Summary for 185th Annual General Conference
	3	Indexes
	(4)	(Highlights from the 185th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
GW	4 (8)	Filling Our Homes with Light and Truth	Cheryl A. Esplin
	7 (11)	The Family Is of God	Jean A. Stevens
	10 (14)	Defenders of the Family Proclamation	Bonnie L. Oscarson
	14 (17)	The Comforter	President Henry B. Eyring
SAM	18 (22)	“Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?”	President Henry B. Eyring
	22 (26)	The Plan of Happiness	President Boyd K. Packer
	25 (29)	We’ll Ascend Together	Linda K. Burton
	28 (32)	The Parable of the Sower	Elder Dallin H. Oaks
	32 (36)	Choose to Believe	Elder L. Whitney Clayton
	35 (39)	Why Marriage and Family Matter—Everywhere in the World	Elder L. Tom Perry
SAA	38 (43)	The Sustaining of Church Officers	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
	40 (45)	Church Auditing Department Report, 2014	Kevin R. Jergensen
	41 (45)	Statistical Report, 2014	Brook P. Hales
	42 (46)	Therefore They Hushed Their Fears	Elder David A. Bednar
	46 (50)	Why Marriage, Why Family	Elder D. Todd Christofferson
	50 (54)	The Music of the Gospel	Elder Wilford W. Andersen
	53 (56)	Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying	Elder Dale G. Renlund
	56 (59)	Truly Good and without Guile	Elder Michael T. Ringwood
	59 (62)	The Lord Is My Light	Elder Quentin L. Cook
SPH	63 (67)	The Greatest Generation of Young Adults	Elder M. Russell Ballard
	67 (70)	Yes, We Can and Will Win!	Elder Ulisses Soares
	70 (77)	Fatherhood—Our Eternal Destiny	Larry M. Gibson
	77 (80)	On Being Genuine	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
	81 (84)	Priesthood and Personal Prayer	President Henry B. Eyring
	85 (88)	The Priesthood—a Sacred Gift	President Thomas S. Monson
SUM	89 (91)	Blessings of the Temple	President Thomas S. Monson
	93	Returning to Faith	Rosemary M. Wixom
	96	Seeking the Lord	Elder Jose L. Teixeira
	98	Is It Still Wonderful to You?	Bishop Gerald Causse
	101	Waiting for the Prodigal	Elder Brent H. Nielson
	104	Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet	Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
	108 (107)	The Gift of Grace	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
SUA	112 (111)	Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom	Elder Robert D. Hales
	115 (114)	Stay by the Tree	Elder Kevin W. Pearson
	118 (117)	The Eternal Perspective of the Gospel	Elder Rafael E. Pino
	120 (119)	Thy Kingdom Come	Elder Neil L. Andersen
	124 (123)	If You Will Be Responsible	Elder Jorge F. Zeballos
	127 (126)	Be Fruitful, Multiply and Subdue the Earth	Elder Joseph W. Sitati
	129	The Sabbath is a Delight	Elder Russell M. Nelson
	72	General Authorities and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
	133	Conference Story Index
	134	(They Spoke to Us:) Making Conference Part of Our Lives
	136	News of the Church
	144	Last Page of Conference Ensign

I am constantly intrigued by how close and yet how far I come to what actually happened with the predictions I make. The most surprising thing about this table of contents: I didn't think President Monson's Sunday Morning talk would only take up 2 pages. I predicted 4. His talk was shorter than I thought. I am hoping and praying that by next conference, he will be able to give his standard 4 addresses, even if he doesn't speak at the General Women's meeting, which I am predicting he will since he didn't last time. When President Eyring spoke instead, I wondered if President Monson did that so he could speak at the October meeting when we mark the official 20th anniversary of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." At any rate, I am glad for the way the table of contents turned out, and I can hardly wait for the actual physical magazine. I was so excited to see the PDF version finally available after waiting for it for several days that I just had to post. I hope I am not considered a weirdo for all these predictions I like to make. If I am, well, the shoe fits, so I'll wear it. Thanks for reading this post, friends!

LDS Church Approves Electronic Method to Submit Tithes and Other Charitable Donations/Supreme Court Hearing Arguments on Same-Sex Marriage

Two major things I want to discuss with this post. First, the Church has approved an electronic method for members in the United States to pay tithes and other offerings. Also, the United States Supreme Court is hearing arguments on same-sex marriage. Let's get down to business!

The Church has approved an electronic method for members in the United States to pay tithes and other offerings. This method has been beta tested in areas of the United States and will soon be available for all members in the US. Local leaders will be informed when it is available in their area. This is an exciting development. It means that tithing and other offerings can be paid from a bank account in addition to the old-fashioned method of cash, checks, and currency. It will cut down on the work the ward financial clerk has to do. As a former ward financial clerk myself, I can't begin to articulate what this means to me. It will eliminate the need for clerks to try and read different types of handwriting. Of course, members can still submit their offerings the old-fashioned way. But this will be a more effective method of tracking donations. And this isn't just for members. Anyone with an LDS account in the United States, member or not, can donate to any of the Church's funds. I can't predict how many not in the Church will take advantage of this, but I do hope that someday this may be a Church-wide development. More to come on this as information becomes available.

Also, the Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on the legality of same-sex marriage and determining whether it should be an issue decided by individual states or not. Most of you know that I am in favor of traditional marriage between a man and a woman and that I believe this is the only type of marriage sanctioned by God. I believe the Bible when it says, "For this cause shall a MAN leave his father and mother and cleave unto his WIFE and they twain shall be one flesh." I would be pleased if the court decided that this issue should be left in the hands of individual states and voters to decide. A majority of Utah voted for traditional marriage  when the issue was decided here, but a federal judge took it upon himself to reverse the majority decision and make same-sex marriage legal in 30 states, whether that ruling was wanted or not. I believe that a majority of people in the United States favor traditional marriage. This belief has been solidified by the fact that the LDS Church was just ONE of several entities, religious or not, who joined together to send an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of traditional marriage. The church's position is firm and will not change, no matter what the world does or what the court decides. Utah leaders have appealed to the court of last resort to not have to recognize or perform same-sex marriages. But that appeal has failed. This issue will have nation-wide impact. Whatever the ultimate outcome is, I hope we can all be respectful in our discourse about the issue. I hope I have not offended anyone by stating my opinion. If I have, though, so be it. I don't believe I should have to keep silent on an issue important to me simply because it might offend someone. And since I am using this blog to "sound off" about important topics to me, I wanted to give my perspective on a potentially life-changing and game-changing issue. You can be sure to find the latest on this issue here.

I am grateful for these two important developments. I was anxious to share my opinion on both with this post. And now I have. I think I have "sounded off" enough for today. I will try to post on Saturday, if not before, with a general update. So much has happened since my last general update that I need to fill all of you in on. But life has caught up with me in a major way and I haven't had much time to write that update. So hopefully I will get to it then. Until I write again, all the best!

Elder Richard G. Scott released from hospital; Elder L. Tom Perry's cancer treatment continues

Hello, friends! Posting here with a vital update on the health of the two brethren I mentioned in my last post. The Church announced that Elder Richard G. Scott has been released from the hospital after being observed since Thursday evening for gastrointestinal bleeding. He will continue to recuperate at home. In the meantime, Elder L. Tom Perry is continuing with his cancer treatment and receiving general authority visitors and conducting his Church business at home.

I am grateful that these brethren continue to recover. The thought of losing either of them was enough to make my heart ache. I have been keeping them in my prayers, as have many of you, I'm sure. I still couldn't say how long any of the 15 apostles may be with us, but one thing I am sure of. True to the words of scripture, they all have been "sanctified by the spirit unto the renewing of their bodies." And it will continue to be so until the Lord sees fit to call them home. Whether that be in the near or distant future, let us give heed to their words while we have them and their wisdom upon which to draw. Let us never forget that they have been "called of God by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." Their words are truly "scripture, . . .the will of the Lord, . . .the mind of the Lord,. . .the word of the Lord, . . .the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.” Truly, "whether it is by [His] own voice, or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same."

I pray that we will always remember these truths, and I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Apostolic Health Update: Elder L. Tom Perry to undergo cancer treatments; Elder Richard G. Scott Hospitalized

More on the health of two of our apostles was revealed today on the news. Elder L. Tom Perry has been diagnosed with cancer in his thyroid gland. He began chemotherapy treatments this morning. In the meantime, Elder Richard G. Scott was hospitalized yesterday night with gastrointestinal bleeding. He is past the worst of it and is reported to be resting comfortably in the hospital.

This announcement on the news at noon broke my heart today. I sat silently weeping for several minutes after hearing about all this. I mentioned before how hard it is for me to see the brethren I have loved and sustained for so long having such difficulties as they near the end of their lives. It gave me pause to think, "Am I giving sufficient heed to these brethren who might not be around much longer to uplift and inspire us?"

I look at the apostles serving in our day. President Monson has his health challenges that go with his almost 88 years of age. In addition to his diabetes, he is now also dealing with whatever kept him from speaking more frequently during general conference weekend at the beginning of this month/ President Packer is dealing with a recurrence of his childhood polio. Elder Perry now has cancer. Elder Nelson, Elder Oaks, and Elder Ballard are still by all reports healthy. Elder Scott has had this gastrointestinal bleeding. Elder Hales has his health challenges which have kept him from attending and speaking at several general conference as he served as a seventy, Presiding Bishop of the Church, and now as an apostle. Elder Holland, President Eyring, President Uchtdorf, Elder Bednar, Elder Cook, Elder Christofferson, and Elder Andersen are by all accounts still doing well, though President Eyring did suffer a sprained ankle soon after taking on his current assignment as First Counselor in the First Presidency.

President Eyring will be 82 next month. Elder Bednar celebrates his 63rd birthday in June. President Monson will be 88, Elder Perry will be 93, Elder Oaks and Elder Hales will be 83, and Elder Andersen will be 64 in August. Elder Cook will be 75 and President Packer and Elder Nelson.will be 91 in September. Elder Ballard will be 88 in October, and Elder Scott turns 88 and President Uchtdorf will be 75 in November. Elder Holland will be 75 in December. Elder Christofferson marked his 70th birthday in January.

It is sobering to think about how many of these 15 brethren may be called home in the next several years. Many of them have already exceeded the anticipated life expectancy. The face of Church leadership could change drastically at any moment. Many have suggested that a kind of "emeritus status" should be put into place much like the emeritus status of members of the First Quorum of the Seventy. They miss the mark because only the Lord controls when the tenure of an apostle ends, unless he falls into apostasy and is excommunicated. However, that's not something I foresee happening anytime soon. Each of the brethren is much more likely to serve the remainder of his life. How long that will be for each of them is known only to the Lord.

As I mused upon these things today, the thought came to my mind that I'm glad the Lord is in charge. If it were up to me, I might be tempted to prolong the lives of these good men, and that's not the Lord's plan. As terrible as it is for me to say, based on what I know about these men, I thought that, due to their health, Elder Hales and President Packer would be the first to be called home. Now with Elder Perry and Elder Scott's illnesses, particularly when talking about cancer and gastrointestinal bleeding, I don't know what expect. But I take comfort that the Lord controls the death dates of his apostles. And I feel certain that when each of these men is called home, the Lord will put in his stead someone equally as wonderful, who we will love and sustain as fully as we did those who passed on.

I testify of a perfect system of succession that allows us to draw upon the wisdom of the ancients for as long as the Lord wills it to be so. I testify that this is the Lord's work, that He is in control, and that if we leave those we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators in His hands, everything will work out in the Lord's due time. I testify that He leads His work under inspiration given to these men, and of the vital importance in giving heed to their words while they are with us and even after they depart. Periodically I have taken time to review conference talks given by brethren who are now on the other side of the veil. And their words still move me as fully as they did when they were alive. There is power in the priesthood of our Lord and those who exercise it in overseeing this work under His inspiration. The Lord is in control, and all is well. I so testify in  the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Matthew Martinich's Post: The 10 Countries with the Most Members without a Temple Announced, Under Construction, or Operating

Matthew Martinich has given me the green light to share every one of his posts that I feel would be of interest to my readers. This one is something also unique to Brother Martinich's blog: the 10 countries with the most members without a temple announced, under construction, or operating. His research is telling. Check it out here! Someone did similar research about states within the United States, which is posted in the comments. See comment #6. Very interesting! I can't wait to see when each of these states/nations will get a temple. Awesome posts!