Completion Estimate Slightly Altered for the Kinshasa DR Congo Temple; More Specific Alterations for All Estimates Pending

Hello again, everyone! This is just a quick post to note some updates and changes that have come to my attention regarding temples now under construction. First, I wanted to note that there has not been any progress reported on either new temples or those being renovated. With that in mind, I did want to note that many of the sources I have available for temple-related information have altered the completion time-frame for the Kinshasa DR Congo Temple.

As many of you may recall, for a while now, that estimate has shown that this temple was anticipated to be completed in early 2019. Given the lack of consistent progress on this temple and the somewhat more consistent progress that has been reported for the Fortaleza Brazil Temple, I would not in any way be surprised if the Fortaleza Temple was dedicated before the one in Kinshasa. I am evaluating these developments and the information I have available to me, and I will post any alterations I feel may be appropriate for the estimates on both temples ASAP.

In the meantime, while we are 11 days in to April, I have not yet heard anything to indicate that construction has formally begun on the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple. I know that there are still 19 days left in this month, and I hope that within that time, we do hear that full-scale construction is underway, but I wanted to note that for any interested.

I have said this many times before, and it bears repeating: It is amazing to see the way that temples progress so swiftly in some locations while there is more of a wait in others. As I also recently observed, while some have expressed hope that President Nelson could, during his time in Thailand, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, break ground for the temples in those nations, since nothing has been officially announced in that regard, that is likely not part of the plan for this trip.

With that said, I cannot rule out the prospect that each of those temples could have a groundbreaking at some point later this year. Nor would I be surprised if several others were to have a groundbreaking this year as well. As I have also noted many times in the recent past, I heard from many sources that 2018 and 2019 could both be big years in terms of temple groundbreakings taking place. I continue to monitor developments in that regard and will pass those along to you all as I hear 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.

1,200th Blog Post: BREAKING NEWS: May 2018 Ensign Supplement Published for President Nelson

Hello again, everyone! In this, my 1,200th blog post, I am pleased to bring you some breaking news from the Church. As some of you may know, it has been customary for Ensign articles or supplements to be written for new Church leaders by other apostles. When President Monson became Church president in February 2008, the reorganization of the First Presidency was the subject of an article written by Adam C. Olsen, which was featured in the April 2008 Ensign. When the May 2008 Ensign came out, a supplement to it included a tribute & introduction to President Monson, which was written by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

As you are also probably aware, President Nelson requested that his remarks given from the temple on January 16 of this year would be reproduced in full in the April 2018 Ensign. This appeared to replace the traditional introduction to the new First Presidency. With General Conference having passed, I have periodically checked in the last few days for anything new from the Church, and just now, it paid off.

I am pleased to note that I have found a supplement to the Ensign that will be distributed with the May 2018 Church magazines, which has been written in tribute to new Church President Russell M. Nelson. In an unusual but not entirely unexpected move, that supplement article has been written by President Nelson's apostolic seatmate and now First Counselor, President Dallin H. Oaks.

I was pleased to see that, because someone who has sat side-by-side with President Nelson in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 34 years would obviously  be the one most qualified to put such a tribute together. You can find a copy of that supplement here. Hopefully this information is helpful to most of you.

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.

Church Provides Statement on Medical Marijuana Use

Hello again, everyone! Earlier today, the First Presidency released this statement about a ballot initiative under consideration in Utah, which would legalize the regulation of medical marijuana use. It has been my experience that such statements are not officially released until extensive study and consultation with those involved in such issues (in this case, medical professionals) allows the Brethren to make a formal statement on the Church's position.

It is amazing to see how the word of the Lord has been expressed in this and all other issues of importance, and I am grateful for the First Presidency's statement that demonstrates their concern on this issue. 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.