Freiberg Germany temple rededicated/Church news conglomeration

The Church News ran several excellent articles about the Freiberg Germany temple rededication. I thought I would use this post to share those articles in addition to pertinent Church news, and there have been several items of import. Here we go!

First, the Freiberg Germany temple was rededicated on Sunday. President Uchtdorf did indeed preside over that event, and he was accompanied by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I didn't recall hearing this, but I found out from the articles that the Church News ran that Elder Bednar actually served his mission there. So it makes sense that he was accompanying President Uchtdorf and that it was President Uchtdof, a native German, who represented President Monson in the former's native Germany.

Click here for a report of the Cultural celebration. Click here to read about what made being at this event so special for President Uchtdorf. This news story discusses how iconic the temple is, and what makes it historically significant.

In other Church news, please see this article to read about how President Russell M. Nelson and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy and Bishop Dean M. Davies (first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric) and Sister Neill F. Marriott (Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency and a Louisiana resident) administered relief to those impacted by recent flooding.

For a report on the new stakes created and stakes reorganized during August 2016, click here. Click here to read about the dedication of a new bishop's storehouse in Twin Falls Idaho. For a report on the Auxiliary training that will be about teaching in the Savior's way, including a list of those invited, click here. The Church has also given an update on the reassignment of some volunteers in Russia. To read about that, click here.

I will be posting later with an update on temple news and events.

The current area assignments of the apostles

It took me a while to get this information, but I have found data on which apostles are overseeing which areas outside the United States. The information about which apostles are overseeing the areas within the US and Canada could not be found. But I am excited to know this much. Here's the list:

President Russell M. Nelson—supervises the Philippines Area

Elder Dallin H. Oaks--assignment not known. They may be holding him in reserve because he is a senior member of the Twelve and young for being the third most senior apostle. Plus, with President Nelson periodically being absent from overseeing the quorum with his many assignments, the First Presidency may have wanted to have at least one member of the Twelve free from worldwide responsibilities.

Elder M. Russell Ballard—supervises the Europe and Europe East Areas

Elder Robert D. Hales—in view of his health being what it is, he may not be able to travel abroad. It is an unusual situation that needs flexibility.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland—supervises the Brazil, South America North and Middle East/Africa North Areas

Elder David A. Bednar—supervises the South America South Area

Elder Quentin L. Cook—supervises the Asia North and Central America Areas

Elder Neil L. Andersen—supervises the Africa Southeast and Pacific Areas

Elder Ronald A. Rasband—supervises the Africa West Area

Elder Gary E. Stevenson—supervises the Asia Area

Elder Dale G. Renlund—supervises the Caribbean and Mexico Areas

Let me know what you think.

Freiberg Germany Temple scheduled for rededication tomorrow

The Freiberg Germany temple will be dedicated tomorrow. What is unclear is who has been sent to preside at the event. There has not yet been a report of the cultural celebration. There are a couple of possibilities. Either President Uchtdorf has returned to his native Germany to rededicate the temple, or, if he has not been able to in view of the ill health of President Monson and Sister Eyring which may have made it impossible for President Uchtdorf to do it, and since Elder Ballard is a senior member of the Twelve with responsibility for the Europe Areas of the Church, he might have been sent. I will keep my eyes and ears peeled for news. Will post tomorrow with a link to the information about the dedication.