Minor Temple Construction Update

Hello. Here, as promised, is a minor update on temple construction. It appears that construction of the Tucson Arizona Temple is almost, if not entirely, completed. Reservations are now being accepted for that open house, which will run during the weeks between the Saturdays of June 3 and 24, excluding, of course, the relevant Sundays. That temple, as we know, will be dedicated in August, following the annual July recess of the General Authorities.

In the meantime, interior finish work is underway for the Meridian Idaho Temple, and the testing of exterior lighting has begun on the grounds of the Cedar City Utah Temple. Public tours of the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple will continue until this Saturday, and the dedication of that temple will follow two weeks from this upcoming Sunday. I have also adjusted my estimates for the time-frame of temple-related events for this year and next year, and will be posting those details later this week, if and when I can. An official closure date has been identified for the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple (October 14), and it could be that the Tokyo Japan Temple will close before then. More to come on that when more is known.

I have also been reminded that, while as many as four temple groundbreakings might be possible for announced temples during this year, nothing is definite until an official announcement comes down from Church leadership. I hope I have made that clear enough in my previous updates. I am free to offer my own thoughts and hopes for such time-frames, but I need to be absolutely clear that such dates are my own thoughts and feelings, nothing more. More to come on that when more is known.

This is just a very general temple construction update. I am trying to do more research on these developments and will post more just as soon as I know more. In the meantime, thanks for your interest and support.

Paris France Temple News

Hello, all! As most of you are aware, the Paris France Temple will be dedicated this Sunday. The Church reported that 47,561 people attended the open house of the Paris France Temple. I wish I could have been among that number. My lifelong love of France and the French language aided me during my missionary service as I was able to frequently assist French-speaking temple patrons. And I have hoped and prayed for a French temple for years, never believing it would be possible in my lifetime. I rejoiced in each report of developments on the announcement and construction of that temple. And I was gratified to hear of the involvement Elder Andersen and Bishop Causse had in every development of this temple. They also played important roles in leading initial tours of the temple during its open house. I was also intrigued to hear of how French politicians asked whether or not Mitt Romney, who ran for the US Presidency in 2012, and who was also well respected as another former French missionary, would attend the open house. The Church sent Brother and Sister Romney in response to that inquiry, cementing the relationship between our two great nations. Now that French temple will be dedicated this Sunday. What a wonderful day it will be for the Saints in France! 

In recent days, more has been reported on the French temple. While the Church put out information earlier this year that a groundbreaking had been held, it wasn't a formal or widely-observed development. The machinery broke ground for that temple, and the work continued unhindered. On Saturday, the cultural celebration will be held, and that will be followed by dedication services on Sunday. While it is not impossible to believe that Elder Andersen, Bishop Causse and Brother Romney will be in attendance, I don't know if the Church would ask Elder Andersen, who is still in the junior 5th of the apostleship, to officiate. It would not be out of the question. But my feeling is that President Uchtdorf, our European apostle, who so capably serves as Second Counselor to President Monson, and who, just recently, returned from a tour of European nations that included visits to operating and under construction temples, will be the one to preside there, unless one of the six senior apostles is asked to do so instead. I will post more on that when more is known.

In the meantime, I wanted to share an article that the Church News recently featured on how a bishop, a mayor and a CFO were involved in the process of bringing this temple into fruition. Click here to read that article. In the meantime, I will be posting again in a minute with an update on other temple progress. Thanks for your readership.

Emeritus GA Seventy Elder Glenn L. Pace passes away

A bit of sad news tonight from the Church. Elder Glenn L. Pace, an emeritus general authority, passed away within the last couple of days. He wasn't all that old as emeritus Seventies go, having been granted emeritus status just after his 70th birthday in 2010. Not sure how much my readers know about this wonderful man, but he served in the Presiding Bishopric under Robert D. Hales for seven years until his subsequent call to the Seventy. Elder Hales went on two years later to be called to the apostleship. But getting back to Elder Pace, he served with both then-Bishops Hales and Henry B. Eyring. It is not hard to believe that both President Eyring and Elder Hales will likely be in attendance at his funeral, which is to be held this Saturday. Elder Pace was truly one of the great ones of the kingdom, and I'm sure the whole Church mourns his passing. During his more than 25 years as a General Authority, he gave 8 inspiring messages in General Conference sessions. Click here to read those addresses, and here to read the tribute article published by the LDS CHurch news. I pray the blessings of heaven will comfort his family at this time. This giant of the Lord has now joined the many who have gone before and commenced a much different mission, but no less rewarding than his service as a General Authority was. Rest well, Elder Pace, and thank you for your years of service and the impact you had on me personally. Elder Pace was one who always inspired me with his service, and the fact that he served so faithfully for so many years is one that can not be overstated. I hope that, for his family, they will be comforted by that peace which passes all understanding and that they will remember the great memories they have of him, and know that he lives on. Any who would like to share their memories of Elder Pace, if any, are welcome to comment. I also welcome anyone who might wish to pay tribute to him. I hope that this post serves as an adequate tribute to a great man. Thanks to you all.