More New Temple Presidents Announced

Here's an updated list of those temples that are getting or may yet get a new president in 2016:

Temples getting a new president in 2016:

1. Nashville Tennessee

2. Fort Collins Colorado

3. Star Valley Wyoming

4. Hartford Connecticut

5. Philadelphia Pennsylvania

6. Columbia River Washington

7. Chicago Illinois

8. Mexico City Mexico

9. Hong Kong China

10.  London England

11.  Manhattan New York

12.  Medford Oregon

13.  Dallas Texas

14.  Birmingham Alabama

15.  Seattle Washington

16.  Hamilton New Zealand

17.  Cochabamba Bolivia

18.  Gilbert Arizona

19.  Anchorage Alaska

20.  Curitiba Brazil

21.  Kyiv Ukraine

22.  Panama City Panama

23.  Fresno California

24.  Memphis Tennessee

25.  Winter Quarters Nebraska

26.  Lima Peru

27.  Nauvoo Illinois

28.  Portland Oregon

29.  Merida Mexico

30.  Reno Nevada

31. Spokane Washington

32. Rexburg Idaho

33. Montreal Quebec.

34. Monterey Mexico

35. Ciudad Juárez Mexico

36. Aba Nigeria

37. Nuku’alofa Tonga

38. Raleigh North Carolina

39. Provo Utah

40. Guadalajara Mexico

41. Copenhagen Denmark

42. St. Paul Minnesota Temple

43. Santo Domingo Dominican Republic

44. Halifax Nova Scotia

45. St. George Utah Temple

46. Santiago Chile Temple

47. Campinas Brazil

48. Johannesburg South Africa

49. Tuxtla Gutierrez Mexico

50. Tampico Mexico

51. Paris France

52. Sapporo Japan

53, Seoul Korea
54. Orlando Florida (not predicted; outgoing president has only served one year, which is slightly unusual)
55. Detroit Michigan
56. Melbourne Australia
57. Columbus Ohio
58. Perth Australia
59. Twin Falls Idaho

Temples that may still get a new president this year:

1. Frankfurt Germany (the Church may hold off on calling a new president for this temple until its rededication next year)

2.  Quetzaltenango Guatemala

Well, what do you think?

List of cities that may soon get a temple

Here is a list of cities that may soon get a temple based on research I have done and data on the LDS Church Temples website and the LDS Church Growth Blog.

1.      New Dehli India (proposed in 1992 by Elder Neal A. Maxwell)

2.      Vilnius Lithuania Temple (proposed in 1993 by Elder M. Russell Ballard)

3.      Nairobi Kenya Temple (proposed in 1998 by President Gordon B. Hinckley)

4.      Maracaibo Venezuela Temple (proposed in 1999 by President Gordon B. Hinckley)

5.      Singapore Temple (proposed in 2000 by President Gordon B. Hinckley)

6.      Southwest Salt Lake Valley Temple (proposed in 2005 by President Gordon B. Hinckley)

7.      Managua Nicaragua Temple (proposed in 2012 by Elder Russell M. Nelson)

8.      Kasai Region Democratic Republic of the Congo (proposed in 2016 by Elder Neil L. Andersen)

9.     Lehi Utah
10.  Layton Utah
11.   Orem Utah

12.   Taylorsville Utah

13.   Sandy Utah

14.   Tooele Utah

15.  Bentonville Arkansas (Acccording to my team leader at work, who served his mission there, a temple lot has already been purchased and an announcement of that temple seems to be imminent)
16.  Virginia (Richmond or Buena Vista)
17.   Kansas (Wichita or Topeka)
18.   Sierra Leone (Freetown; may be announced due to extreme Church growth in Africa)

19    Uganda (Kampala; may be announced due to extreme growth in Africa)

20.     Cambodia (Phnom Penh)

21.     Wyoming (Cheyenne or Evanston)

22.     South Dakota (Rapid City; a favored location for me since my dad served his mission there)

23. Bolivia (Santa Cruz or La Paz. Of the two, I favor La Paz, because my favorite bishop served his mission there. At the end of each missionary's service, he gave each missionary their plaque and a Bolivia abrasso)

24.  Arizona (Safford or Thatcher)
25.  Texas (Katy or Austin)
26.  Nigeria (Lagos or Benin City; is likely due to growth in Africa)
27.  Idaho (Pocatello)

28.  Philippines (Quezon City)

29. England (Birmingham)

30. Spain (Barcelona or Malaga)

31.  California (San Bernardino)

32.  Guatemala (Guatemala City; 2nd temple)

33.  Mexico (Mexico City; 2nd temple)

34.  Chile (Santiago; 2nd temple)
35. Argentina (Buenos Aires; 2nd temple)

Thoughts?

Important Church News Items and a Significant Post by Matthew Martinich

Matthew Martinich recently did a very interesting post about how, not even halfway through 2016, more than 50 new stakes has been created already, with many more to come. To read that informational and significant posts, please see this link.

Other significant Church news has crossed my radar. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently toured the Baltic Mission of the Church. For an account of what transpired during that visit, please see this article. Among the significant highlights of that article is that the president of the Baltic Mission was a missionary who served under Elder Ballard when he was a mission president, and that the president of the Ukraine Mission, which was part of Elder Ballard's tour, is Kenneth B. Packer, the grandson of President Boyd K. Packer, who dedicated Ukraine for the preaching of the gospel. See  the article for additional details.

A new initiative for the Church Educational System was announced by Elder Kim B. Clark, a General Authority Seventy who serves as Commissioner of Church Education. For an overview of all that the initiative entails, please see this link.

A new Scouting leadership training facility and complex in West Virginia is being named after President Thomas S. Monson, who appeared at the groundbreaking ceremony for the complex by means of a pre-recorded video. Representing the Church leadership in person at the event were Elders Jeffrey R. Holland (who serves on the BSA National Executive Board) and D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with Young Men General President Steven W. Owen and Primary General President Joy D. Jones. For details of the services, please see this article.

Elder Neil L. Andersen recently returned from a tour of the Pacific Area of the Church. To see what he did during that visit, pleas see this article.  Elder Dale G. Renlund recently welcomed Tongan royalty to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). To see what transpired at that event, please see this link.

That's what's the latest in Church News. Hope you enjoyed this post.

New Apostle Song from the Sons of Ammon

The long-awaited day has arrived when the Sons of Ammon have made a new version of the apostles song. You can view that song here. It's even more catchy than my version and is so much better than any creation of mine. Enjoy! For those of you who might prefer my version, for which I've yet to provide a video (any takers? hello! hello! *crickets chirp* didn't think so), you can find it here, and if there are enough requests for it, I will fulfill my promise to post a video of my version here on the blog. Just let me know in the comments below if that's what you guys want. Thanks.

Updated Temple Construction Progress Report

Much has happened on the temple news front, so I am posting an update on the progress that has been made.

Temple Construction Progress (current as of 6/13/16)

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 Open house tickets available beginning Monday June 27, @ 10:00 am JST; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday August 21, 2016.

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Accepting free reservations for public open house; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Finalizing construction in preparation for open house; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Pouring walkways and landscape structures; hanging sheetrock, painting walls and adding millwork; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Building entrance plaza and temple president’s residence; granite cladding nearing completion; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Installing lamp posts; planting trees and plants; attaching exterior stone to visitor’s center wing; completion anticipated sometime in early 2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Stained glass windows installed; pouring parking lot curbing; completion anticipated sometime during late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Exterior panels attached to main body of temple; light poles installed in north parking lot; completion anticipated sometime during late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Roofing the dome; completion anticipated sometime between late 2017 and early 2018.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion anticipated sometime during 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Second floor exterior walls poured; completion anticipated sometime during 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Site clearing and preparation phase; completion anticipated sometime during 2018-2019.

163. Fortaleza Brazil Temple Site clearing and preparation phase; completion anticipated sometime during 2018-2019.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Ground broken on Saturday April 9, 2016; completion anticipated sometime during 2018-2019.

165. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion anticipated sometime during 2019.

166. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Ground broken on Saturday February 20, 2016; completion anticipated sometime during 2019.

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; reroofing underway; rededication anticipated sometime during 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:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: Construction preparation phase; groundbreaking date anticipated to be announced soon.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking may be announced soon and scheduled for sometime after the summer Olympics.

169. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand 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 Los Olivos 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.

Prayers for the victims of the senseless tragedy in Orlando

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved in the tragic terror attack in Orlando. It sickens me that within these United States, an extremist should be allowed to attack people with whom he has a difference of opinion. This senseless act is tragic. The LDS Church has issued a statement about what happened. It says: "With the rest of the nation, we mourn the tragic loss of life and serious injuries that occurred in Orlando this morning. We pray for the families and loved ones of the victims of this senseless shooting and pray they will be comforted and cared for as they seek to heal. Our prayers and support are also with community leaders and law enforcement officials as they continue to investigate this shocking crime." I feel like I could say "Amen" and end this post right there, but I wanted to further state that those of the LDS Church, who underwent similar persecution as a result of difference of opinion in the early days of Church history, most likely understand more than anyone else what it means to be persecuted for practicing one's beliefs. In a land where the marriage of same-gender individuals has been declared constitutional, it boggles my mind that something like this could happen. My heart bleeds for all those affected by this incident, and I join in praying for all those whose lives have been made worse because this happened. I pray we will all unite in prayer on their behalf.

Three Significant Posts by Matthew Martinich

Hello, all! Some exciting Church growth news crossed my radar just now, and I just had to share.

First of all, some significant growth milestones have taken place in the Ivory Coast. For an overview of these developments, please see this lnk.

Second, new stakes have been created in Guatemala, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and Texas, and a new district has been created in Nigeria. For details, please see this link.

New stakes have additionally been created in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mongolia, another for Nigeria, and a new district in Brazil, For details, please see this link.

As you can see, the Church is exponentially growing throughout the world, How exciting it is to live in these latter days! I will keep my eye on Church growth developments, and let you know as news crosses my radar. Thanks for your readership.

Article on new General Authority Seventy Elder Peter F. Meurs

The Church News this week posted an article about Elder Peter F. Meurs, a General Authority Seventy. To see that article, please follow this link, Thanks.

Travels of the Apostles

Quite a bit of apostolic travel has been happening of late. Here's a look at some of the highlights:

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has been in England the last little while to focus on the subject of religious freedom. For a look at all that transpired during this trip, please see this link,

Elder David A. Bednar recently returned from a trip to Spain and Portugal. For an account of what he did there, please see this link.

Elders Quentin L. Cook and Gary E. Stevenson, in company with Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Presidency of the Seventy, did a review of the Asia and Asia North Areas, and were present when the Church was granted official recognition in Vietnam. To see what that trip entailed, please see this link.

Elder Neil L. Andersen toured in and held a review of the Pacific Area of the Church. Please see this link for details.

Elder M. Russell Ballard recently returned from a trip to Russia. For details of his visit, please see this link.

That's just a small sampling, I'm sure, of all the apostles have done recently. I will keep an eye out on future developments and post them here as soon as I can. Thanks for your readership.

Updated Temple Construction Progress Report

Enough changes have taken place with the status of temple construction around the world that I am posting an updated progress report. Here's a look at all that's been happening:

Temple Construction Progress (current as of 6/11/16)

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: Preparing for public open house and dedication; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday August 21, 2016.

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Accepting free reservations for public open house; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Finalizing construction in preparation for open house; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Angel Moroni placed on April 25, 2016; steeple lighting tests underway; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Building entrance plaza and temple president’s residence; granite cladding nearing completion; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday November 20, 2016.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Landscaping structures in place; planting trees and bushes; attaching exterior stone to visitors’ center wing; completion anticipated sometime in early 2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Stained glass windows installed; pouring parking lot curbing; completion anticipated sometime during late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Exterior panels attached to main body of temple; completion anticipated sometime during late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Roofing the dome; completion anticipated sometime between late 2017 and early 2018.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion anticipated sometime during 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Second floor exterior walls poured; completion anticipated sometime during 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Site clearing and preparation phase; completion anticipated sometime during 2018-2019.

166. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Full-scale construction anticipated to begin shortly; completion anticipated sometime during 2018-2019.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Ground broken on Saturday April 9, 2016; completion anticipated sometime during 2018-2019.

165. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion anticipated sometime during 2019.

166. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Ground broken on Saturday February 20, 2016; completion anticipated sometime during 2019.

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; reroofing underway; rededication anticipated sometime during 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:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: Construction preparation phase; groundbreaking date anticipated to be announced soon.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking may be announced soon and scheduled sometime after the summer Olympics.
169. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand 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 Los Olivos 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.