Hello, everyone! I just wanted to briefly pass along more Church News. BYU-Provo has announced their devotional schedule for Fall Semester 2017, and it sounds like these events will be very inspirational. You can read more on that here.
During BYU Education Week, a representative from the Church Missionary Department gave a presentation encouraging any senior citizens attending that session to consider serving a mission. He stated that senior couples are greatly needed, and that there is currently a shortage of such couples in various missions and Church service opportunities worldwide. You can read more about that address here. Having served with both Welfare Services and as a temple worker, I can attest how important senior couples are to the Church and its progress not just in those fields, but also worldwide. I have seen so many older couples leave on missions and come back with incredible experiences to share. So to any senior couples reading this, I would add my encouragement to serve. You will not regret doing so, and the Church needs each and everyone one of you.
And the Church also released another update a few hours ago on how the flooding has impacted members, missionaries, and the Houston Texas Temple. You can find that update here/
That does it for this update. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Until my next post, may the Lord continue to bless you all.
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.
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Tuesday, August 29, 2017
More Church News
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.
Minor Temple Construction Progress Developments to Report
Hello, everyone! I am posting for the first time today (as I have not felt well up until now and have thus spent most of my day snoozing) to report some minor changes in temple construction progress. Let's dive right in to discuss those changes!
First of all, as some of you may have noticed in recent versions of the reports I have published here about temple construction progress, I have been tracking how much time there will be between the date of each report and the 200th anniversary of the gospel's restoration (Saturday April 6,, 2030, when, if tradition holds, at least some of the General Conference proceedings from that weekend will be broadcast live from the site of the restoration of the Church in Fayette, New York). As of today, there are 12.60 decimal years between now and then. The average number of temples that will need to be completed between now and then still sit at between 3-4 each year, which the Church can likely easily do.
It is also now just less than a month before open house tickets will be available for the Meridian Idaho Temple (with the open house set to start in less than two months and the dedication to follow in just about 2.5 months). Likewise, it is just over two months prior to the date when the open house tickets will be available for the Cedar City Utah Temple open house, with the open house starting just short of two months from today, and the dedication following in just over three months.
As we also know, the renovations for the Memphis Tennessee and Tokyo Japan Temples will start exactly one month from today, with the renovations for Oklahoma City set to start in about 1.5 months, and the Asuncion Paraguay renovation will start two months from today.
In the meantime, only minor progress has been reported on temples now under construction, with it being noted by several of my sources today that the Durban South Africa Temple roof slab has been poured completely. Also, with the Fortaleza Brazil Temple, the exterior walls of the meetinghouse are rising.
I also found this interesting: It appears now that, until further progress is made towards resolving the delays that are continuing to prevent full-scale construction from starting on the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple that many sources are not comfortable with trying to estimate a completion date for this temple. We do know that whenever full-scale construction does begin that it is anticipated to take 20 months or so to complete. That said, I have not seen a compelling enough reason that I should take out the completion estimate I have listed for that temple. But if there has been no further progress on this temple within the next couple of months, I will then consider it wiser to not list a completion date until construction does begin, because that will be around the time winter starts again in Winnipeg, and it will then be too late for that construction to begin during 2017. I encourage us all to continue to pray that whatever is delaying this process will be resolved sooner rather than later. Until more is known, I remain optimistic.
Aside from what I have noted here, there have been no other noticeable temple-related developments to report. I will continue to keep my eyes open for such developments and I will be sure to pass along any information as I receive it. In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of your time. Comments alre always welcome and appreciated. Until my next post, may the Lord be with and bless you alll.
First of all, as some of you may have noticed in recent versions of the reports I have published here about temple construction progress, I have been tracking how much time there will be between the date of each report and the 200th anniversary of the gospel's restoration (Saturday April 6,, 2030, when, if tradition holds, at least some of the General Conference proceedings from that weekend will be broadcast live from the site of the restoration of the Church in Fayette, New York). As of today, there are 12.60 decimal years between now and then. The average number of temples that will need to be completed between now and then still sit at between 3-4 each year, which the Church can likely easily do.
It is also now just less than a month before open house tickets will be available for the Meridian Idaho Temple (with the open house set to start in less than two months and the dedication to follow in just about 2.5 months). Likewise, it is just over two months prior to the date when the open house tickets will be available for the Cedar City Utah Temple open house, with the open house starting just short of two months from today, and the dedication following in just over three months.
As we also know, the renovations for the Memphis Tennessee and Tokyo Japan Temples will start exactly one month from today, with the renovations for Oklahoma City set to start in about 1.5 months, and the Asuncion Paraguay renovation will start two months from today.
In the meantime, only minor progress has been reported on temples now under construction, with it being noted by several of my sources today that the Durban South Africa Temple roof slab has been poured completely. Also, with the Fortaleza Brazil Temple, the exterior walls of the meetinghouse are rising.
I also found this interesting: It appears now that, until further progress is made towards resolving the delays that are continuing to prevent full-scale construction from starting on the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple that many sources are not comfortable with trying to estimate a completion date for this temple. We do know that whenever full-scale construction does begin that it is anticipated to take 20 months or so to complete. That said, I have not seen a compelling enough reason that I should take out the completion estimate I have listed for that temple. But if there has been no further progress on this temple within the next couple of months, I will then consider it wiser to not list a completion date until construction does begin, because that will be around the time winter starts again in Winnipeg, and it will then be too late for that construction to begin during 2017. I encourage us all to continue to pray that whatever is delaying this process will be resolved sooner rather than later. Until more is known, I remain optimistic.
Aside from what I have noted here, there have been no other noticeable temple-related developments to report. I will continue to keep my eyes open for such developments and I will be sure to pass along any information as I receive it. In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of your time. Comments alre always welcome and appreciated. Until my next post, may the Lord be with and bless you alll.
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.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Church News I missed reporting on
Hello, everyone! In looking at past Church News articles, I realized that there were two on which I had not reported that positively impacted me. Continuing the report of BYU Campus Education Week, a couple who work in the fields of psychotherapy (Dennis Ashton) and grief counseling (Joyce Ashton) spoke together on how married couples can hold on to faith in the midst of great affliction and loss. This especially touched me as my wife and I have had a lot of health challenges lately and as one of the hardest was finding out about and accepting the fact that, barring a miracle, we will not be able to have the children we always wanted. You can read more on what they said here.
As for the other article, that was also posted recently. The Church News, which published a viewpoint each week, posted this one about how, as then-Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught in the April 2006 Priesthood Session, each of us will be able to see the end from the beginning as we put ourselves and our circumstances and day-to-day difficulties into the capable hands of our loving Heavenly Father. I was touched by that message when it was given, and that is why President Uchtdorf has become one whose General Conference talks I almost always study repeatedly. He has such a tender way of putting things into perspective, and as I listen to his words or any words spoken by the other 14 apostles with whom he serves, I know how much of a difference it always makes in my own life. While I am sure each of us have our favorites among the Brethren, one thing of which I am absolutely certain is that they are truly inspired and could not be more aware of what each of us individually are going through.
I also know that I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had over the years to allow the Lord to mold me through the hard times I have had. The one constant in the circumstances of my life that has always grounded me is the testimony I have that this life is merely a speck in the grand course of eternity, that "weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning", that, as said so well in one of our hymns, "trials make our faith grow stronger" and that there is no difficulty any of us will face that has not been experienced in full by our Savior. To any of my readers going through trials right now, I would encourage you with the words that have so often sustained me.
These words were the response the Savior gave to Joseph Smith when Brother Joseph was incarcerated in Liberty Jail on false charges for several months. Given the dismal conditions under which he and his companion prisoners were forced to live, and keeping in mind that he and they were not able to be with the rest of the Saints as they were driven from their homes in Missouri and greatly persecuted, he pleaded with the Lord to remember His suffering saints, asking why he had been forsaken and when the trials he and all the Saints were undergoing would come to an end. The Lord provided the following encouragement:
As for the other article, that was also posted recently. The Church News, which published a viewpoint each week, posted this one about how, as then-Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught in the April 2006 Priesthood Session, each of us will be able to see the end from the beginning as we put ourselves and our circumstances and day-to-day difficulties into the capable hands of our loving Heavenly Father. I was touched by that message when it was given, and that is why President Uchtdorf has become one whose General Conference talks I almost always study repeatedly. He has such a tender way of putting things into perspective, and as I listen to his words or any words spoken by the other 14 apostles with whom he serves, I know how much of a difference it always makes in my own life. While I am sure each of us have our favorites among the Brethren, one thing of which I am absolutely certain is that they are truly inspired and could not be more aware of what each of us individually are going through.
I also know that I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had over the years to allow the Lord to mold me through the hard times I have had. The one constant in the circumstances of my life that has always grounded me is the testimony I have that this life is merely a speck in the grand course of eternity, that "weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning", that, as said so well in one of our hymns, "trials make our faith grow stronger" and that there is no difficulty any of us will face that has not been experienced in full by our Savior. To any of my readers going through trials right now, I would encourage you with the words that have so often sustained me.
These words were the response the Savior gave to Joseph Smith when Brother Joseph was incarcerated in Liberty Jail on false charges for several months. Given the dismal conditions under which he and his companion prisoners were forced to live, and keeping in mind that he and they were not able to be with the rest of the Saints as they were driven from their homes in Missouri and greatly persecuted, he pleaded with the Lord to remember His suffering saints, asking why he had been forsaken and when the trials he and all the Saints were undergoing would come to an end. The Lord provided the following encouragement:
“My son [or, as He would say to women, my daughter], peace be unto
thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high;
thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
“Thy friends do stand by thee, and shall hail thee again with warm
hearts and hands.
“Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee,
neither do they charge thee with transgression, as they did Job.
“And they who do charge thee with transgression, their hope shall
be blasted, and their prospects shall melt away.”
This is encouraging to any of us who deal with trials of any kind.
And it should likewise be helpful and reassuring to anyone who is subject,
through no fault of their own, to unrighteous judgment and inaccurate
conclusions.
Indeed, I have found that the entire content of D&C 121-123
very instructive on dealing with trials. I would further add a thought or two.
In the 123rd section of the Doctrine & Covenants, the Lord
describes many dire situations, some of which Joseph had actually gone through
at that point, and others of which the Lord shared for the purpose of making His
point. He concluded by saying that whatever happened to Joseph in particular
and to any of us going through challenging trials, that “all these things will
give [us] experience and will be for [our] good.” He then ends with this this
powerful thought at the end of D&C 123: “The Son of Man hath descended below
them all. Art thou greater than He?”
Just think of that. In earlier sections of the Doctrine and
Covenants, the Lord talks about how, with what he experienced in the Garden and
on the Cross, He is now able to fully serve in His divine role of “[our]
advocate [or defense attorney] with the Father” who “is pleading [our] cause at
[His] Father’s throne.”
I’m sorry. I got off on a bit of a tangent. My point was to
demonstrate how, since the Savior has gone thorough what each of us has
experienced, there is no trial He does not understand, no challenge, pain, or
tribulation he has not himself vicariously experienced for us all, and
therefore, no wounds He is not perfectly able to heal. To any of us (myself included),
this should give us hope.
Since Christ gave all for
us, what can we give to Him? As the days when He required animal sacrifice have
long passed, all He asks is that we offer Him “a sacrifice of a broken heart
and a contrite spirit.” I would also add that, while the course of mortality
requires all of us to feel sadness, sorrow, pain, and illness at varying
degrees at various times, perhaps one of the very best things we can do is to
ensure that we are doing our level best to the fullest of our ability to not
transgress His laws and commandments. If we can resolve that we will exert all
our power to ensure that He has not experienced any unnecessary pain in our
behalf, His eternal sacrifice will easily transcend any trial, tribulation,
afflictions, or adversity that comes to us as a natural part of living in a
less than perfect world.
Of course, even the very best of us will never be 100% perfect.
That has only characterized the entirety of our existence. The Only Perfect Man
I know of is the Savior. So while we exert every effort not to transgress, at
times, it will happen. The key for us in those times is to not live too long
with the burden of our sins and transgressions, and, as soon as we are able to
do so, to initiate the process of repenting from our sins and doing our best to
make them right and not repeat them, and to rely completely on His atonement to
make up the difference for anything we do lack.
That this may be our blessing and privilege every day of our lives
for whatever remains of our brief opportunities to experience this mortal life
is my humble prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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.
Two New Stakes Created
Hello, everyone! I am back again, this time to report on how the Church created two stakes yesterday: 1 YSA Stake (in Lethbridge Alberta; AFAIK, that is the first YSA stake to be created in Canada) and the Eagle Mountain Nolan Park Stake. I will not attempt to analyze what this might mean in the context of Church history, nor do I intend to report on which units comprise these new stakes. Other resources do that well, and it's not my specialty. Others do that so well, and I will not take that from them.
For the details that are known, you can find information here (the LDS Church Temples page devoted to newly created units) and also within the next few days or so on the LDS Church Growth Blog (where Matthew Martinich, a Church growth expert, will put these developments into their proper context). For now, I wanted to mention that, with recent unit developments, there has been a net increase of 37 stakes, a net decrease of 11 districts (though some of that is due to districts being upgraded to stakes) and a net increase of 53 wards and branches.
That said, I do also want to note what has been so well observed by a couple of you that have commented on this blog: the number of wards & branches do not reflect what are called "sensitive units" that are counted on the Church's end of year report but are not counted by many sources that track general units developments. I am told there are around 100 of those. That being the case, the number of stakes now stands at 3,303, while the number of districts is 545, and the total number of units counted by most sources is 30,357, with the actual number of total units somewhere around 30,475 or so. That does it for this update. Comments are always welcome and appreciated. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord continue to bless you all.
For the details that are known, you can find information here (the LDS Church Temples page devoted to newly created units) and also within the next few days or so on the LDS Church Growth Blog (where Matthew Martinich, a Church growth expert, will put these developments into their proper context). For now, I wanted to mention that, with recent unit developments, there has been a net increase of 37 stakes, a net decrease of 11 districts (though some of that is due to districts being upgraded to stakes) and a net increase of 53 wards and branches.
That said, I do also want to note what has been so well observed by a couple of you that have commented on this blog: the number of wards & branches do not reflect what are called "sensitive units" that are counted on the Church's end of year report but are not counted by many sources that track general units developments. I am told there are around 100 of those. That being the case, the number of stakes now stands at 3,303, while the number of districts is 545, and the total number of units counted by most sources is 30,357, with the actual number of total units somewhere around 30,475 or so. That does it for this update. Comments are always welcome and appreciated. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord continue to bless you all.
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.
Church News Articles Describe Devastation in Texas; Face-to-Face with Young LDS Musical Artists
Hello, everyone! The Church News this evening released this article describing how Hurricane Harvey has devastated Texas, including how it has impacted Church members. Among the highlights of the article are that all missionaries are safe and accounted for, some Church buildings have sustained damage, and that some Church units cancelled their block meetings yesterday to allow members to focus on cleaning up and helping their neighbors, both their fellow Saints and friends of other faiths. As I previously reported a day or two ago, the Church has made preparations to send aid to the state of Texas, and it is badly needed.
Connected to that storm, the Deseret News published this article about the Houston Texas temple being threatened by the storm, along with reiterating missionaries safety and the damage done to some meetinghouses. That article mentions that the Houston Texas Temple Presidency is requesting prayers for that temple and those who serve there. The temple closed before the devastation began, and it is unknown at present when it will be able to reopen.
To stay up-to-date with the latest on the storm, how it is affecting local members and missionaries, and how each of us can help the Saints in that area at this time, click here. Updates will be regularly shared at that link until the devastation and the storm both end.
The Church News also released this article about the featured guests scheduled for the next Face-to-Face event for LDS youth. While I am not familiar with any of these artists, I am grateful to hear how they have used their talents to spread their testimonies. The youth of the Church will be greatly blessed by the opportunity to ask these talented individuals the questions they have.
That does it for this Church News update. Comments are welcome and appreciated. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord bless you all.
Connected to that storm, the Deseret News published this article about the Houston Texas temple being threatened by the storm, along with reiterating missionaries safety and the damage done to some meetinghouses. That article mentions that the Houston Texas Temple Presidency is requesting prayers for that temple and those who serve there. The temple closed before the devastation began, and it is unknown at present when it will be able to reopen.
To stay up-to-date with the latest on the storm, how it is affecting local members and missionaries, and how each of us can help the Saints in that area at this time, click here. Updates will be regularly shared at that link until the devastation and the storm both end.
The Church News also released this article about the featured guests scheduled for the next Face-to-Face event for LDS youth. While I am not familiar with any of these artists, I am grateful to hear how they have used their talents to spread their testimonies. The youth of the Church will be greatly blessed by the opportunity to ask these talented individuals the questions they have.
That does it for this Church News update. Comments are welcome and appreciated. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time, and may the Lord bless you all.
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.
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