Tropical Storm Hits the Pacific Area: How Might That Affect Potential Future Temples There?

Hello again, everyone! As reported by this article, the South Pacific Islands have been devastated by a tropical cyclone (which is the same thing as a hurricane elsewhere). While we continue to pray for the safety of members and missionaries in that region, there is a very important question on my mind: How, if at all, might this storm's devastation impact both the renovation plans for the Hamilton New Zealand Temple and the timing of any new temples being announced within the Pacific Area of the Church? 

The article cited above seems to indicate that most of the devastation is in the nations of Samoa and Tonga, though there appears to have also been some degree of devastation in American Samoa as well. I could see the Church postponing the announcement of any new temples in the Pacific till the devastation clears, but since this may be the first time a natural disaster might potentially impact my thoughts on future temple possibilities in this region, I thought it would be worth asking.

And I thought that perhaps some of you may have been in a position at one point or another in your life experiences to witness firsthand how natural disasters have impacted currently operating or potential future temples. 

My initial research shows that only two temples (the original Nauvoo Temple and the original temple in Apia) were entirely destroyed by natural disasters, and both were the result of fire, the former being arson, and the latter occurring somehow in the midst of a renovation and expansion process.

We also know that the Houston Texas Temple was closed last year for a restoration process that evolved into a "renovation" of sorts. This letter from the First Presidency describes that process as "renovations and repairs", so I use the term renovation, although I have seen others use different terminology. 

My point in bringing up Houston is that this is the latest example of which I am aware where a natural disaster necessitated a short-term closure, but I doubt it is the only example of such a thing occurring.

And having recently (within the last 2 or 3 months) offered my opinion on potential future temple locations in all areas of the Church, the report of this natural disaster in the Pacific has me wondering whether any of the locations I previously mentioned might not get a temple in the near future in view of this tropical storm. Let me know your thoughts below. I look forward to the discussion and hope you all know that any and all comments are welcome and appreciated..

That does it for this post. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.

Open House Tickets Now Available for Jordan River Utah Temple

Hello again, everyone! I wanted to post again now to share that open house tickets for the Jordan River Utah Temple, which closed for renovation almost two years ago (on February 15, 2016), are now available through an online reservation system, and they will continue to be made available through the duration of the open house, which is set to be held for a seven-week period between the Saturdays of March 17 and April 28.

Some of you may remember my mentioning in a previous post done on August 3 of last year, when the rededication for this temple was announced, that the Church indicated at that time that the open house tours would not run on March 18, 24, 25 and 31 or the Sundays of April 1, 8, 15, and 22.

New information received today in conjunction with the availability of the open house reservations indicates that, since the Church is no longer holding the Women's Session of General Conference on the Saturday before the other general sessions, open house reservations will be accepted on March 24, which would have otherwise been the day for that Women's Session. For any who want more information, reservations can be made here.

I also wanted to note that it seems very likely President Nelson will be the one to rededicate this temple, since it is the first major temple event of his administration. I am keeping my eyes open for information on all temple-related developments and will pass them along as I receive them.

That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.

Slight Update Provided For the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple

Hello again, everyone! While Church and temple news has been somewhat slow this weekend (as the bulk of what I have shared in that regard came from reports and articles that were a few days old), I did find out earlier tonight that a slight update has been provided on the status of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple. While rebar has been completely set for its' steeple base, a dewatering system has been put into place. As I have previously noted, it is amazing to see how temples progress (and how they do not) on a day-to-day basis. I will continue to track these developments, and will pass along any updates in temple construction as I become aware of them.

That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do..