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.

Minor Progress Reported on the Arequipa Peru Temple

Hello, all! This will just be a brief post to provide a minor update on the construction of the Arequipa Peru Temple. While I last reported that that temple was having rebar set for the main floor structural walls (as of yesterday), I got word today that rebar had expanded to the second floor structural walls. That was great to hear about, and I am happy to pass that minor update along. For now, any comments are welcome and appreciated, as they always are. Thank you for the privilege of your time, and until my next post, I wish you all the best.

Church Announces Removal of Restrictions on Who Can Serve As Temple Workers

Hello, everyone! Though this is somewhat older news (an article about it was originally published a few days ago), I was reminded of it just a few minutes ago and realized I hadn't focused on it in a blog post. This article, published in the Deseret News (the parent company of LDS Church News) describes how Church leaders have determined that both divorcees and single adult men over 30 years of age can serve as temple workers. This is somewhat big news. As a former temple worker myself, I remember how some of my former colleagues had to discontinue their temple service either because they reached the age of 30 or because, through no fault of their own, their marriages ended abruptly. This news especially touched me because I remember one particularly good brother who had served several years in the temple with his wife who had to be released because she found someone else. It was heartbreaking to hear about that. This news continues to demonstrate the Church making great strides to recognize that people in both of these unique situations may not always be so by choice. I applaud the Church's compassion in making this adjustment. Just wanted to note that, for what it may be worth to anyone. For now, thank you for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Until my next post, I wish you all the best.