LDS Church Discontinues its' Varsity and Venture Scouting Programs

Big news from the LDS Church today. Effective January 1, 2018, the Church will no longer sponsor nor provide direct support for Varsity and Venture Scouting Units. The directive has come down from the First Presidency that instead of such an extension of the scouting program, emphasis will instead be placed on activities for boys ages 14-18 that will best foster physical, emotional, spiritual and emotional well-being, and that it will be the responsibility of those who serve in local Young Men presidencies and quorum leadership of those ages, in connection with bishoprics and branch presidencies, to implement a new activity plan that will allow for that growth. This move also shifts direct responsibility for a scout's earning their Eagle to be self-motivated and work on their own to achieve that. If any scout ages 14-18 elects to do so, they are fully able to join with official local chapters of the BSA to have the external support and leadership they need. The hope is also that this move will encourage more Scouts to earn their Eagles prior to age 14.

Some have stated their view that the Church is doing this in reaction to the decision of the BSA to allow openly gay and transgender boys to join local scout troops, or in response to the BSA's consideration of allowing girls to participate in the Scouting program. The Church made it clear today that this is not the case. Church leaders have long deliberated the merits of continuing their involvement with and endorsement of the scouting program, and the Church stated a long time ago that Church leaders on every level would be studying the matter and doing the best they could to make a decision that works best for all concerned. This announcement suggests that this is what the Church has felt inspired to do on this matter.

As one who has earned my Eagle Scout award, I have to say that I personally applaud this decision. I spent my Cub Scout and Boy Scout years in Payson and American Fork Utah, where I worked with leaders that encouraged me to adhere to the standards of both the BSA and the Church. As a disabled young man, I gained courage to work towards my own Eagle Scout award not just because I felt it was expected of me, and not just because I felt it would be easy. Rather, I knew it would be worth my time to do so. And I had leaders all along the way that patiently mentored me, supported me, and encouraged me. It was not at all uncommon for other young men in my Scout troop to achieve the rank of Eagle by the age of 14.

I earned my Eagle the summer between my sophomore and junior years of High School, and it was mostly because I was motivated to do it myself, and because I had leaders who were willing to think outside the box and work around the limitations of my health conditions and disabilities. Many times, they petitioned the BSA to allow me to do alternate merit badges to qualify for my Eagle as many of the required ones were things I could not handle physically. The main reason I earned my Eagle was because I had that leader support and because I was driven to do it for myself. And I have never once regretted the fact that I am and always will be an Eagle Scout. Many of the things I learned in Scouting still bless my life today.

And so, to any Scout out there who reads my blog posts, I would say, don't let this policy change discourage you from becoming an Eagle Scout. As I had leaders that supported and motivated me to to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, so you will have such leaders yourself. This does not diminish or downgrade the importance and prestige associated with that honor. Rather, it is a reiteration of policies that have always been in place but are now being emphasized more: A scout is to do his duty to God and to his country not just because of the support of his local Church leaders or his troop, but because it is the Scouting way. And if someone like myself can become an Eagle Scout, the way will be open for you to do so as well, no matter how hard that might seem.

For those who would like to read more on today's announcement, click here and here. If any of you, my readers, have any questions about my own experience or regarding these changes that you feel I might be able to answer as one who has been in the program and understands the reasoning, please don't hesitate to ask. More coming in a minute or two.

New Temple President Update

Hello again! I am posting to share an update about which temples have or might yet have a new president announced this year. The most interesting thing to me about some of the latest changes is that, for the first time since having to discontinue my own service as a temple worker about 5 years ago, I know the man that will be the new president of the Mount Timpanogos Temple later this year. He has served in mission and temple presidencies before, and was in my parents' ward during my growing-up years. Though I am not technically a member of that temple district anymore, it will always be my temple, and, knowing this man, I can attest to the inspired nature of his calling. He will do very well.

That said, here are the updates. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Operating Temples whose president was changed earlier this year:

1.      Calgary Alberta (president changed sometime during March for an undisclosed reason, likely because the previous president died or became incapacitated)

General Note #1: The president of the Tokyo Japan Temple died during his active service in late April of this year. The Church will no doubt be calling one of his counselors as the new president within the next few days to ensure that the work of the temple presidency can move forward uninterrupted.

New Temples whose presidents will begin serving later this year:

1.      Paris France (President announced in 2016; will begin formal service on May 21)

2.      Cedar City Utah (President  announced in March; will begin service on December 10)

3.      Tucson Arizona (President announced in March; will begin formal service on August 13)

4.      Meridian Idaho (President announced in April; will begin formal service in November 19)

General Note #2: The presidents of the Freiberg Germany Temple (closed for renovation in 2014 and rededicated last year) and Idaho Falls Idaho Temple (closed for renovation in 2015 and scheduled for rededication in June of this year) started serving in 2014, months before their closures. If not for that, both would be marking the completion of their third years of active service later this year. As it is, they only actively served for a few months maximum. Therefore, it is possible that the Church may retain him for a couple more years. I could see them calling a new president, but it doesn’t seem probable.

General Note #3: Other operating temples, as has already been announced, will be getting a new president later this year as well, and if those changes take place as they did during my six-year service in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple, the new presidents will start their service on the first Monday or Tuesday of November, which fall this year on the 6^th and 7^th. Those temples that will have a new president this year include the following:

1.      Apia Samoa

2.      Logan Utah

3.      Vernal Utah

4.      Toronto Ontario

5.      Snowflake Arizona

6.      Phoenix Arizona

7.      Salt Lake

8.      Bern Switzerland

9.      Quetzaltenango Guatemala

10.  Louisville Kentucky

11.  San Diego California

12.  Mount Timpanogos Utah

13.  Madrid Spain

14.  Bogota Colombia

15.  Edmonton Alberta

16.  Newport Beach California

17.  Adelaide Australia

18.  Kona Hawaii

19.  Caracas Venezuela

20.  Bismarck North Dakota

21.  Mesa Arizona

22.  Columbia South Carolina

23.  Ogden Utah

Temple presidents generally serve for around three years. With that in mind, I feel confident in predicti.ng that the following temples may also have a new president announced:

1.      Asuncion Paraguay

NOTE: The current president has served since 2014, which means that this year would mark time for a charge. But this temple will close for renovation in October, one month before usual changes are made. As a subsequent rededication of this temple is anticipated sometime in 2019, it is more than likely that the Church will hold off on naming a new president until that time.

2.      Baton Rouge Louisiana

3.      Buenos Aires Argentina

4.      NOTE: The current president has been serving since this temple’s rededication in 2012. As that is well beyond the standard 3 years of service, it seems reasonable to assume that there will be such a change this year.

5.      Fort Lauderdale Florida

6.      Guayaquil Ecuador

7.      Los Angeles California

8.      Lubbock Texas

9.      Manila Philippines

10.  Oakland California

NOTE: Though this temple president has served for three years this year, this temple will close for renovation in February of next year. With that in mind, I could see the Church calling a new president this year for a few months prior to that renovation, or holding off on calling anyone until after the renovation is completed sometime during 2019.

11.  San Salvador El Salvador

12.  Washington DC

NOTE: Though this temple president will have marked three years of service later this year, the temple will close for renovation next March. With that in mind, I could see the Church calling a new president this year for a few months prior to that renovation, or holding off on calling anyone until after the renovation is completed sometime during 2020.

Temples that will most likely be dedicated during the early or middle part of next year and might therefore have their first presidents announced at some point during the fall of this year (since the first president of the Paris France Temple had its’ first: president called during summer 2016):

1.      Rome Italy

2.      Kinshasa DR Congo

3.      Barranquilla Colombia

ADDITIONAL NOTES: The current president of the Jordan River Utah Temple has been serving in that capacity since 2014, which would have made his release possible this year, but as it has been undergoing renovations since 2016, he has had less than two years of active service. It is therefore highly probable that he will retain his presidency until sometime during 2020, which would be two years of additional active service following the rededication, for the total standard service period of three years. The current president of the Frankfurt Germany temple has a slightly different but similar situation, as he started serving in 2013, and had roughly two years of active service prior to that temple’s renovation closure in 2015. We could therefore see a change in that temple presidency sometime within the next two years or so. Time will tell. In both cases, the Church might always decide to make those changes sooner, but that seems unlikely. As far as I have been able to ascertain, every other temple president whose active service has been interrupted by a temple renovation has subsequently gone on to fill the remainder of his three-year term.

Temple Construction Progress Update

Hello again to you all. I am grateful for the opportunity I have today to post an update on temple construction progress. Much has taken place in that regard. The most impressive thing to me is that the Arequipa Peru Temple is making amazing progress after construction began in earnest last month. I am always excited and gratified to share such news with you all, and I hope that some few of you might find it useful and helpful. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

Temple Construction Progress Update (current as of 5/10/17)

NOTE: There will be a total of 182 operating temples once all of those announced, under construction, or undergoing renovation. Of those, we currently have 155 temples in operation; 1 other has construction completed and open house tours underway; 3 more have construction concluding and a dedication scheduled; 9 are under construction right now; 1 other has construction pending (groundbreaking was last year), and will commence construction ASAP; 1 of those 155 operating temples is scheduled for rededication following the completion of its renovation and currently has open house tours underway; 2 others are undergoing renovation; 6 more will close for renovations already scheduled (with all of those closures happening within the next 10 months); and the remaining 13 are announced (with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending)

ADDITIONAL NOTE: With two groundbreakings having already taken place this year, we could see several others by this time next year. For all of the announced temples that have not yet had a groundbreaking, I offer my best-guess estimate for when that might happen. As for this year, we may or may not see any other groundbreakings, or, if we do, there will only be one or two. The next two or three years promise to be full in terms of temple-related events.

Construction completed; open house underway:

156. Paris France Temple: Public open house tours underway; accepting reservations through Saturday May 13 (excluding Sundays); dedication scheduled for Sunday May 21, 2017.

Dedication scheduled:

157. Tucson Arizona Temple: Landscaping nearing completion; interior finish work underway; accepting reservations for public open house beginning Monday May 15, 2017 (open house will last three weeks (between the Saturdays of June 3-24, excluding Sundays); dedication scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.

158. Meridian Idaho Temple: Installation adjustments being made to art glass; interior finish work underway; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.

159. Cedar City Utah Temple: Planting trees and flowers on grounds; interior paint and millwork installation underway; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.

NOTE: As previously observed, an earlier report I posted had mentioned that this temple’s exterior floodlighting was being installed. But that was only mentioned on some pages of the LDS Church Temples website and not others, so it wasn’t consistent enough to remain in this update.

Under Construction (completion anticipated next year):

160. Rome Italy Temple: Angel Moroni installed on March 25, 2017; Christus and apostle statues installed at visitor’s center; installing art glass; completion anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

161. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Steel roof trusses nearing completion; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

162.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Exterior walls sheathed with rigid foam insulation; stone cladding underway; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

NOTE: For the two temples above, they seem to be interchangeable in terms of which one might potentially be completed and dedicated first. I am trying to keep an eye on any and all developments and will adjust these estimates as necessary once more is known.

163. Concepcion Chile Temple: Exterior cladding progressing on north and west walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Concrete shuttering going up for upper walls; concrete support columns being poured for missionary housing; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: For the two temples above, they seem to be interchangeable in terms of which one might potentially be completed and dedicated first. I am trying to keep an eye on any and all developments and will adjust these estimates as necessary once more is known.

Under construction, completion anticipated within the next 3 years or less:

165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Erecting temple tower walls; completion anticipated sometime during early 2019.

166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction barrier erected; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: In my mind, since this temple and the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple are slated for completion during the same general timeframe, the fact that work has not begun in earnest on the Canadian temple puts this Brazilian one ahead of Canada’s newest temple. But once construction begins in earnest in Winnipeg, things could change.  I will keep an eye on developments, and will try to make a better estimate when more is known.

168.  Lisbon Portugal Temple: Supporting columns poured for temple foundation; structural framing for upper level of meetinghouse continues; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

169. Arequipa Peru Temple: Excavating for the foundation; completion anticipated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Construction pending (anticipated to start anytime):

167. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting full-scale operations, which may start at any time (whenever the aftermath of the awful Canadian winter resolves itself); completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: Construction on this temple is expected to begin in earnest anytime within the next two months. That construction is anticipated to last 20 months (1.67 years). As noted above in regards to this temple and the Rio temple, since both are slated for completion during the same general timeframe (mid-2019), either could be completed first. I will keep an eye on things and adjust the order if and when necessary once more is known.

Rededication Scheduled; open house underway:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Public open house tours underway; accepting reservations through Saturday May 20 (Sundays excluded); rededication scheduled for Sunday June 4, 2017.

                                                                  

Undergoing Renovation (rededication anticipated within the next year or so):

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; excavating for basement addition for new baptistry; rededication anticipated sometime during early-to mid-2018.

Renovations Scheduled (all of which will start within the next 10 months or less):

80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in October 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: Renovations of US temples are usually completed more quickly than their international counterparts. With that and the fact that this temple is set to reopen in 2019, this seems to be a safe initial estimate.

95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in October 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: As noted above, US temple renovations are completed sooner than they are elsewhere. But it is also true that temples that simultaneously close for renovation are rarely completed within the same time frame. Therefore, this seems to be a better estimate.

18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in October 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

NOTE: Renovations for temples outside the United States always take longer. With that in mind, it seems reasonable to surmise that we will not see a rededication for this temple until after the Washington DC Temple is rededicated.

112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in November 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: As this temple was the most recent among this scheduled renovation group to be dedicated, and as it is another that is projected to have a rededication during 2019, the time-frame above seems most likely for that to happen. It would not surprise me at all to see the Oakland California temple rededicated before this one. Time will tell.

13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: The renovation for this temple, the oldest of those scheduled for a renovation, is anticipated to be completed in 2019 sometime. The timeframe indicated above therefore seems reasonable, as is also the assumption that this temple will be rededication before the Paraguayan one.

16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

NOTE: This temple, the last one currently scheduled for renovation, is anticipated to be completed sometime during 2020. Because we know that US temple renovations are completed more quickly, it is relatively safe to assume that the rededication of this temple will happen sometime prior to that of the Tokyo Japan Temple.

NOTE: With two groundbreakings having taken place so far this year, it is hoped that we might see other announced temples reach that milestone as well before the end of this year. However, wanting to be as conservative as I am able to be in this estimate, I have only listed one for now. If anything crosses my radar, I will be happy to make another change.

Announced:

170. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; official site announcement anticipated later this year; groundbreaking may follow shortly thereafter.

NOTE: While the site announcement is pending, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, who serves as the president of the Church’s Africa Southeast Area, has said that the site will be announced later this year and that a groundbreaking would be anticipated sometime shortly thereafter. It is therefore not impossible to believe that this temple could have a groundbreaking sometime between mid-and-late 2017. That said, it has also been customary for site confirmations to precede a groundbreaking by roughly a year, so I could see this groundbreaking happening sometime next year. I am keeping an eye out for developments and will adjust my predictions as necessary.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking pending.

NOTE: On Sunday March 12, while presiding at a stake conference for the area in which the first Haitian temple will be built, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles officially confirmed that, just as members in the area had speculated, the plot of land behind an existing meetinghouse on the Route de Freres (French for “The Route of Brothers”) had been purchased as the official site for this temple. Since site confirmations generally precede groundbreakings by roughly a year, it is more than likely that a groundbreaking could be held sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

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

NOTE: With an end to the delays that prevented construction before now, it has been reported that all that hinders progress now is government approval and a site announcement. Some have speculated that a groundbreaking could happen on this temple later this year, but it seems wiser to adjust that to sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

173. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed.

NOTE: Since the site has been confirmed by local leaders, (located in the northern section of the city, near an arm of Paranoa Lake) that increases the likelihood that a groundbreaking for the temple could be held sooner rather than later, perhaps by mid-2018. If that happens, then it would be the first time in almost 20 years that the Church had three temples simultaneously under construction in Brazil.

174. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed; awaiting official name announcement.

NOTE: The site identified by the Church’s Philippines Facebook page (on the southern side of the Manila metropolitan area in Alabang, Muntinlupa City) will more than likely be the official site. For that reason, it is very possible that we might see a groundbreaking for this temple by mid-2018. If the groundbreaking takes place during this time, then we would have two temples simultaneously under construction in the Philippines for the very first time in Church history. As an official name for the second Lima Peru temple was announced within three weeks of the announcement of that temple, an official name for this temple is anticipated at any time in the near future.

175. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation.

NOTE: While many sites are reportedly under consideration for this temple, the most likely one is a 10-acre plot of land next to the Pocatello Idaho Highland Stake Center, which was annexed into Pocatello City on April 6, 2017. There are others reportedly under consideration. If a site is confirmed soon, as it will likely be, we could see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime during mid-2018. It would not be impossible to believe that a groundbreaking for this temple could take place before the groundbreaking for the temple above. I am keeping an eye out on things and will adjust this estimate as necessary.

176. Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: Though an official site announcement has yet to occur, temples in Utah County always go up fast. As the Church owns several acres of land in Saratoga Springs, any one of those sites could do for the temple. Once a site is confirmed, a groundbreaking will shortly follow. We could see this groundbreaking happen during mid-to-late 2018, and it is my feeling that that event could precede the groundbreaking of the second Manila Philippines Temple, if not also the groundbreaking of the Pocatello Idaho Temple, More to come once more is known.

177. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: Because local speculation is that an existing building that houses Church offices might be renovated and repurposed into a multi-purpose edifice that would house not only Church offices, but a meetinghouse and the temple as well (in similar fashion to what has been done for the Manhattan New York and Hong Kong China temples, it could very well be that we could see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime in mid-to-late 2018, if the site is confirmed through any means anytime soon. I will be keeping an eye on developments with this temple and will revise my estimate if needed once more is known.

178. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: The official name of this second temple for Peru’s capital city (released less than three weeks after it was announced) seems to indicate that it will be built in the Los Olivos district. That being the case, it is not hard to believe that we might see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime during early 2019.

179. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: The Church has seen substantial growth on the African continent in recent years. This is verified by the fact that, with the announcement of the 12 temples over the last three years during April General Conference, 3 (25%) of those have been in Africa. I would therefore hope that this temple, announced in 2015, would not have to wait too long for a groundbreaking, but I could see it happening sometime during early 2019, if not before.

180. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: While the first temple in Ecuador had a 14-year delay between its announcement and the subsequent groundbreaking (the second-longest such period in Church history), this temple is not nearly as likely to see such delays. The Church in South America has grown at an astonishing rate, and that is evidenced by the fact that 4 of the 12 temples announced most recently (25%) have been for South America. With the temples above most likely to have a groundbreaking first, it is very possible that we could see a groundbreaking for this time sometime during mid-2019, if not before.

181. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: South America, as noted above, has been very receptive to the gospel. As a result, more temples are coming to that continent. And while this temple has not yet had a site identified or confirmed, Brazilian temples typically have been built very swiftly. While I am hoping to see it sooner, and while I will be happy to adjust my estimate going forward if that is necessary, it seems wise for the moment to revise my estimate and say that we could see a groundbreaking during mid-2019, which would ensure that we will have at least two temples under construction in Brazil at least for the next couple of years. I will revise my estimate if and when I am able to do so.

182. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

NOTE: It is becoming increasingly more likely that this African temple might be the last of the current bunch to have a groundbreaking. That said, with the Church growth that is occurring on the African continent, and with temples having gone up fairly quickly once a site is identified, I will revise my previous estimate and say that we will likely see a groundbreaking for this temple sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple announcements are possible at any time, but the last twelve announcements have taken place during the April General Conference. I never want to rule out the possibility of announcements at other times, but that has been the pattern for the last three years. There have also been reports of several cities that have had a site purchased for a while now, and where an announcement might happen at any time. I know of at least five that have been identified to me by name: Managua Nicaragua, Auckland New Zealand, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, Bentonville Arkansas, and Missoula Montana. If other potential temples have had a site purchased, they have yet to be identified as such. The following temples have been publicly proposed by apostles at various a/nd sundry times:  New Delhi India (in June 1992 by Elder Neal A. Maxwell; may not happen soon due to intense political and religious obstacles); Vilnius Lithuania (in May 1993 by Elder M. R/ussell Ballard, which may be more of a long-shot possibility); Maracaibo Venezuela (in August 1999 by President Hinckley, which is just waiting for the right conditions); Singapore (in January 2000 by President Hinckley, and is likely to be announced when the time is right); for the Southwest Salt Lake Valley (in October 2005 by President Hinckley; NOTE: While some contend that this temple announcement has already happened, verifiable sources widely available prove otherwise. It will be announced at the right time); Managua Nicaragua (in January 2012 by then-Elder Russell M. Nelson; very likely at any time due to Nicaragua being the #1 of the top ten world countries without a temple); Missoula Montana (sometime in 2014 by Elder David A. Bednar during a stake conference in the area; while the report of this proposal has yet to be verified, the fact that there has been a purchase of a temple site seems to indicate that it is a most imminent possibility, though perhaps not as imminent as I once believed); and for the Kasai Region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (in February 2016 by Elder Neil L. Andersen). There are likely several other sites that the Church has purchased for a potential temple, but those have yet to be verified.

                                                                                                           

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose numbers 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 numbers may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Uzxnderlined numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval, and groundbreaking.

Red text highlights changes from the last posted temple progress report.