On this blog, I, James Stokes, share insights and analysis covering the latest news and developments reported about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My specific emphasis and focus is on the ministry of our current apostles, General Conference, and up-to-date temple information. This site is neither officially owned, operated, or endorsed by the Church, and I, as the autthor thereof, am solely responsible for this content.
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Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Two Missions to repopen in July
KSL, a local news station, reported that the First Presidency had announced the reopening of two missions in two African nations after the Ebola crisis had been taken care of. Effective July 1, mission presidents that have already been called will reopen the missions in Sierra Leone and Liberia. And missionaries will finally be sent back to those two nations. 274 missionaries and their leaders had been removed from these nations last August. Now that the Church is reopening these missions, missionary work can begin again in earnest. I was touched by this news. I can't wait to see what results from this important development in the works. Miracles abound, and the Lord is so good to His work.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Church gives update on health of President Thomas S. Monson
I came across this next news item about the health of President Thomas S. Monson while I had some down time at work. I'm not sure whether to believe it or not. I'm torn. On the one hand, the article in question makes reference to a Church news release I can't find anywhere, so I don't want to believe it. On the other hand, it appeared in several reputable newspapers (the Salt Lake Tribune being one of them), so how can I do otherwise but believe it? I will let each of you form your own opinions.
The article quotes a Church news release. The release purportedly says, "President Monson is 87. It's natural that he
and others in church leadership are feeling the effects of advancing
age. However, he spoke publicly at General Conference [last] month and
attended all the meetings. He comes to the office every day, attends all
First Presidency and committee meetings, leads the discussion and makes
decisions."
"The statement, the first to address directly
Monson's health, also noted that 'the workload of the First Presidency
is up to date.'
"President Monson has always been private about
his health, but appreciates the prayers and sustaining
support of church members, as do all of the First Presidency and the
[Quorum of the] [T]welve [Apostles]."
The news release goes on to state that prophets are called for life and never released simply due to the effects of aging. Some (mostly Church dissidents) have proposed that an emeritus status be implemented for all apostles (at age 90). But this is not the Lord's pattern. Apostles serve to their very last breath. And it is a wonderful system that allows us to draw upon "the wisdom of the ancients" for as long as the Lord wants them to remain with us. I felt certain that President Monson would live to break President Hinckley's record as oldest living prophet, but now, in light of this article, I don't know what to believe or hope for. One thing I am certain of. President Monson will serve until his very last breath, whenever that may be. And I for one still accept and sustain him as our prophet today, no matter what anyone else says.
Now you have the facts about this, insofar as they are in my possession. On to the next post!
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Area Leadership Assignments announced for 2015
The Church has announced area leadership assignments for 2015 that will be effective on August 1, 2015. Last year's assignments were highlighted in the August 2014 Ensign. The changes effective will be highlighted in the August 2015 Ensign. But while we wait for that to happen, I wanted to post about them. I only include in my personal list those seventies who will experience a change in their assignment. There are no changes to report in the Presidency of the Seventy. In August, Ronald A. Rasband will mark 10 years in the Presidency, which is significant, as members of the Presidency of the Seventy typically serve 5-7 years. He marked 5 years as the Senior President of the Seventy over April General Conference weekend, which is likewise significant. None of the Presidency are turning 70 or even close this year.
That said, here are the changes, followed by a couple of comments on them.
First Quorum of the Seventy:
That said, here are the changes, followed by a couple of comments on them.
First Quorum of the Seventy:
Yoon Hwan Choi (who completes a two-year assignment as
president of the Seattle Washington Mission in July) will be the new Second
Counselor in the Asia North Area.
Edward Dube will be released as Second Counselor in the
Africa West Area.
Larry J. Echo Hawk will be released as Second Counselor
in the Philippines Area.
David F. Evans will be the new Second Counselor in the
Africa West Area.
Carlos A. Godoy will be the new Second Counselor in the
South America Northwest Area.
C. Scott Grow will be released as Second Counselor in the
South America Northwest Area.
Allen D. Haynie will be the new Second Counselor in the
Philippines Area.
Paul V. Johnson will be the new First Counselor in the
Europe Area.
Patrick Kearon, the former First Counselor in the Europe
Area, will be the new President.
Jörg Klebingat, the former Second Counselor in the Europe
East Area, will be the new First Counselor.
Michael T. Ringwood will be released as President of the
Asia North Area.
Jose A. Teixeira will be released as President of the
Europe Area and will be the new Second Counselor in the South America South
Area.
Francisco J. Viñas, the former Second Counselor in the
South America South Area, will be the new First Counselor.
Scott D. Whiting, the former Second Counselor in the Asia
North Area, will be the new President.
Kazuhiko Yamashita (who completes a two-year assignment
as president of the Japan Nagoya Mission in July) will be the new First
Counselor in the Asia North Area.
Jorge F. Zeballos will be released as First Counselor in
the South America South Area.
Second Quorum of the Seventy:
Wilford W. Andersen will be a new Co-Supervisor in the
Middle East/Africa North Area.
Koichi Aoyagi will be released as First Counselor in the
Asia North Area.
Randall K. Bennett will be released as First Counselor in
the Europe East Area.
Bruce A. Carlson will be released as Co-Supervisor in the
Middle East/Africa North Area.
Larry S. Kacher will be released as Co-Supervisor of the
Middle East/Africa North Area and will be the new Second Counselor in the
Europe East Area.
Larry R. Lawrence will be a new Co-Supervisor in the
Middle East/Africa North Area.
A couple of comments on this. There will be a likely reshuffle at Church headquarters. Elder David F. Evans, who will take an assignment as Second Counselor in the Africa West Area, currently serves as Executive Director of the Church Missionary Department. Elder Paul V. Johnson, who will take an assignment as First Counselor in the Europe Area, currently serves as the Commissioner of Church Education. In my early predictions for next conference, I predicted that Elder Wilford W. Andersen, who will take an assignment as Co-Supervisor in the Middle East/Africa North Area, would be released from the Second Quorum of the Seventy in October, along with the others who had been called to that quorum in 2009. I guess I was wrong. At least about Elder Andersen. So there you have it. Area Leadership Assignments for 2015. More to come in the next post.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Montreal Quebec Temple Rededication Announced/Star Valley Wyoming Temple Groundbreaking/Temple Progress
The First Presidency today announced the rededication date for the Montreal Quebec Temple. The 86th operating temple will have an open house from November 5-November 14, not including Sunday November 8. The open house date range surprised me because it is only 9 days. But I guess that's enough time for that area. A cultural celebration will be held on Saturday November 21, and the temple will be dedicated the next day in three sessions.. As with other temples dedicated this year, the dedication services will only be broadcasted to saints within the temple district. The temple serves saints in Quebec and Ontario Canada and the US state of Vermont. This brings the number of temples that will be dedicated or rededicated this year to seven, with one more possible (Provo City Center). Depending on whether or not the new Provo temple gets dedicated this year, next year we could see as many as 10 temples dedicated or rededicated.
Also, I neglected to report that ground was broken for the Star Valley Wyoming Temple last Saturday by Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy. It is anticipated that the temple will be completed in mid-2017.
This puts its anticipated completion date ahead of that of the Fortaleza Brazil Temple. The anticipated Brazilian temple has experienced delays in the commencement of construction initially because of local opposition that the Church had to get around. Once that was quelled, it had to be redesigned to fit in with the city's plans for the area in which it will be built. Only just now is a construction team being assembled. So hopefully the Church will be able to meet its goal of completing it by sometime in 2018, if not sooner.
As I mentioned before, all but five temples announced have a site announced. (Urdaneta Philippines, Durban South Africa, Abidjan Ivory Coast, Port-Au-Prince Haiti and Bangkok, Thailand.) Of the temples that have had a site announced, three are very close to having a groundbreaking announced. (Tucson Arizona, Cedar City Utah, and Concepcion Chile). The remaining six announced could have their groundbreaking either this year or next year.
Also, the Church News has started posting about those called as new temple presidents for this year. Except for those temples that will be completed at some point this year, all new temple presidents will begin serving on or around November 1. Not counting any temple presidents that may be announced in the latest edition of the Church News that will be featured in the Deseret News tomorrow, 15 new temple presidents have been called thus far.
After having given the above updates, I feel it appropriate to post the latest edition of my list about temple construction progress. It's something I enjoy doing very much, and it is my hope that this list can be informative and instructive to my readers. All temple status updates are reworded from information on ldschurchtemples.com, which, though it is not an official Church website, nevertheless has all the latest information about temples. Since the webmaster of this site has a pipeline to Church headquarters, I trust the site implicitly, though some may be unwilling to trust it at all because it is not an official website of the Church.
That said, here's the list:
Temples Undergoing Renovation:
Also, I neglected to report that ground was broken for the Star Valley Wyoming Temple last Saturday by Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy. It is anticipated that the temple will be completed in mid-2017.
This puts its anticipated completion date ahead of that of the Fortaleza Brazil Temple. The anticipated Brazilian temple has experienced delays in the commencement of construction initially because of local opposition that the Church had to get around. Once that was quelled, it had to be redesigned to fit in with the city's plans for the area in which it will be built. Only just now is a construction team being assembled. So hopefully the Church will be able to meet its goal of completing it by sometime in 2018, if not sooner.
As I mentioned before, all but five temples announced have a site announced. (Urdaneta Philippines, Durban South Africa, Abidjan Ivory Coast, Port-Au-Prince Haiti and Bangkok, Thailand.) Of the temples that have had a site announced, three are very close to having a groundbreaking announced. (Tucson Arizona, Cedar City Utah, and Concepcion Chile). The remaining six announced could have their groundbreaking either this year or next year.
Also, the Church News has started posting about those called as new temple presidents for this year. Except for those temples that will be completed at some point this year, all new temple presidents will begin serving on or around November 1. Not counting any temple presidents that may be announced in the latest edition of the Church News that will be featured in the Deseret News tomorrow, 15 new temple presidents have been called thus far.
After having given the above updates, I feel it appropriate to post the latest edition of my list about temple construction progress. It's something I enjoy doing very much, and it is my hope that this list can be informative and instructive to my readers. All temple status updates are reworded from information on ldschurchtemples.com, which, though it is not an official Church website, nevertheless has all the latest information about temples. Since the webmaster of this site has a pipeline to Church headquarters, I trust the site implicitly, though some may be unwilling to trust it at all because it is not an official website of the Church.
That said, here's the list:
Temples Undergoing Renovation:
26. Mexico City Mexico Temple: Scheduled to be rededicated
Sunday September 13, 2015.
86. Montreal Quebec Temple: Scheduled to be rededicated
Sunday November 22, 2015.
91. Suva Fiji Temple: Anticipated to be completed in early
2016.
33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Anticipated to be completed in
mid-2016.
8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Anticipated to be completed in
late 2016.
Under Construction:
145. Cordoba Argentina Temple: Scheduled to be dedicated
Sunday May 17, 2015.
146. Payson Utah Temple: Scheduled to be dedicated Sunday
June 7, 2015.
147. Trujillo Peru Temple: Scheduled to be dedicated Sunday
June 21, 2015.
148. Indianapolis Indiana Temple: Scheduled to be dedicated
Sunday August 23, 2015.
149. Tijuana Mexico Temple: Scheduled to be dedicated Sunday
December 13, 2015.
154. Provo City Center Temple: Projected to be completed in
late 2015-early 2016.
150. Rome Italy Temple: Projected to be completed in mid-2016.
155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Projected to be completed
in mid-2016.
156. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Projected to be completed
in mid-2016.
151. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Projected to be
completed in mid-to-late 2016.
152. Sapporo Japan Temple: Projected to be completed in late
2016.
157. Paris France Temple: Projected to be completed in late
2016.
158. Meridian Idaho Temple: Projected to be completed in
mid-2017.
159. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Projected to be completed
in mid-2017.
153. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Projected to be completed in 2018.
Announced:
167. Tucson Arizona Temple: Construction approval phase;
general contractor selected; groundbreaking pending.
169. Cedar City Utah Temple: Local government approval
phase; site plan presented at January 2015 meeting; groundbreaking pending.
160. Concepcion Chile Temple: Approval phase; temple and
site design plans complete; groundbreaking pending.
161. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Planning and approval phase;
land purchase finalized; groundbreaking pending.
168. Arequipa Peru Temple: Planning and approval phase;
final piece of land for temple site acquired; groundbreaking pending.
164. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Planning and approval
phase; temple and site designs complete; groundbreaking pending.
163. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval phase;
groundbreaking pending.
166. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Planning
and approval phase; groundbreaking pending.
170. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Planning and approval
phase; groundbreaking pending.
162. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval
phase; awaiting official site announcement.
165. Durban South Africa Temple: Planning and approval
phase; awaiting official site announcement.
171. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
172. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
173. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
I think I've "sounded off" enough about temple news for now. It's late, and I need to get to bed. Hope you all are doing well and enjoying my blog posts still. Stay tuned for a general update that will be written either tomorrow or Sunday. Thanks for your readership. I love being able to share my thoughts about my life and Church news with all those interested. Until I write again, all the best!
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
PDF of May 2015 Ensign is available
I am pleased to be able to announce that the PDF of the May Ensign is now available. Featured for the first time is a page containing highlights from the conference. Also, from this conference Ensign on, the General Women's Meeting will be featured first, as it is now officially the first session of General Conference. Before each Conference Ensign comes out, I make predictions about what the table of contents will look like. I then compare it to the table of contents in that Ensign and put the corrections in parentheses. I will include my latest one to demonstrate what I'm talking about.
Possible Table of Contents for May 2015 Ensign
I am constantly intrigued by how close and yet how far I come to what actually happened with the predictions I make. The most surprising thing about this table of contents: I didn't think President Monson's Sunday Morning talk would only take up 2 pages. I predicted 4. His talk was shorter than I thought. I am hoping and praying that by next conference, he will be able to give his standard 4 addresses, even if he doesn't speak at the General Women's meeting, which I am predicting he will since he didn't last time. When President Eyring spoke instead, I wondered if President Monson did that so he could speak at the October meeting when we mark the official 20th anniversary of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." At any rate, I am glad for the way the table of contents turned out, and I can hardly wait for the actual physical magazine. I was so excited to see the PDF version finally available after waiting for it for several days that I just had to post. I hope I am not considered a weirdo for all these predictions I like to make. If I am, well, the shoe fits, so I'll wear it. Thanks for reading this post, friends!
Possible Table of Contents for May 2015 Ensign
(Text in Parentheses indicates what actually was)
Session
|
Page
|
Title
|
Speaker
|
2
|
Conference Summary for 185th Annual General
Conference
|
||
3
|
Indexes
|
||
(4)
|
(Highlights from the 185th Annual General
Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
|
||
GW
|
4
(8)
|
Filling Our Homes with Light and Truth
|
Cheryl A. Esplin
|
7 (11)
|
The Family Is of God
|
Jean A. Stevens
|
|
10 (14)
|
Defenders of the Family Proclamation
|
Bonnie L. Oscarson
|
|
14 (17)
|
The Comforter
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
|
SAM
|
18 (22)
|
“Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?”
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
22 (26)
|
The Plan of Happiness
|
President Boyd K. Packer
|
|
25 (29)
|
We’ll Ascend Together
|
Linda K. Burton
|
|
28 (32)
|
The Parable of the Sower
|
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
|
|
32 (36)
|
Choose to Believe
|
Elder L. Whitney Clayton
|
|
35 (39)
|
Why Marriage and Family Matter—Everywhere in the World
|
Elder L. Tom Perry
|
|
SAA
|
38 (43)
|
The
Sustaining of Church Officers
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
40 (45)
|
Church Auditing Department Report, 2014
|
Kevin R. Jergensen
|
|
41 (45)
|
Statistical
Report, 2014
|
Brook P. Hales
|
|
42 (46)
|
Therefore They Hushed Their Fears
|
Elder David A. Bednar
|
|
46 (50)
|
Why Marriage, Why Family
|
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
|
|
50 (54)
|
The Music of the Gospel
|
Elder Wilford W. Andersen
|
|
53 (56)
|
Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying
|
Elder Dale G. Renlund
|
|
56 (59)
|
Truly Good and without Guile
|
Elder Michael T. Ringwood
|
|
59 (62)
|
The Lord Is My Light
|
Elder Quentin L. Cook
|
|
SPH
|
63 (67)
|
The Greatest Generation of Young Adults
|
Elder M. Russell Ballard
|
67 (70)
|
Yes, We Can and Will Win!
|
Elder Ulisses Soares
|
|
70 (77)
|
Fatherhood—Our
Eternal Destiny
|
Larry M. Gibson
|
|
77 (80)
|
On
Being Genuine
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
|
81 (84)
|
Priesthood
and Personal Prayer
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
|
85 (88)
|
The
Priesthood—a Sacred Gift
|
President Thomas S. Monson
|
|
SUM
|
89 (91)
|
Blessings
of the Temple
|
President Thomas S. Monson
|
93
|
Returning
to Faith
|
Rosemary M. Wixom
|
|
96
|
Seeking
the Lord
|
Elder Jose L. Teixeira
|
|
98
|
Is
It Still Wonderful to You?
|
Bishop Gerald Causse
|
|
101
|
Waiting
for the Prodigal
|
Elder Brent H. Nielson
|
|
104
|
Where
Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet
|
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
|
|
108 (107)
|
The
Gift of Grace
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
|
SUA
|
112 (111)
|
Preserving
Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom
|
Elder Robert D. Hales
|
115 (114)
|
Stay
by the Tree
|
Elder Kevin W. Pearson
|
|
118 (117)
|
The
Eternal Perspective of the Gospel
|
Elder Rafael E. Pino
|
|
120 (119)
|
Thy
Kingdom Come
|
Elder Neil L. Andersen
|
|
124 (123)
|
If
You Will Be Responsible
|
Elder Jorge F. Zeballos
|
|
127 (126)
|
Be
Fruitful, Multiply and Subdue the Earth
|
Elder Joseph W. Sitati
|
|
129
|
The
Sabbath is a Delight
|
Elder Russell M. Nelson
|
|
72
|
General Authorities and General Officers of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
|
||
133
|
Conference Story Index
|
||
134
|
(They Spoke to Us:) Making Conference Part of Our Lives
|
||
136
|
News of the Church
|
||
144
|
Last Page of Conference Ensign
|
I am constantly intrigued by how close and yet how far I come to what actually happened with the predictions I make. The most surprising thing about this table of contents: I didn't think President Monson's Sunday Morning talk would only take up 2 pages. I predicted 4. His talk was shorter than I thought. I am hoping and praying that by next conference, he will be able to give his standard 4 addresses, even if he doesn't speak at the General Women's meeting, which I am predicting he will since he didn't last time. When President Eyring spoke instead, I wondered if President Monson did that so he could speak at the October meeting when we mark the official 20th anniversary of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." At any rate, I am glad for the way the table of contents turned out, and I can hardly wait for the actual physical magazine. I was so excited to see the PDF version finally available after waiting for it for several days that I just had to post. I hope I am not considered a weirdo for all these predictions I like to make. If I am, well, the shoe fits, so I'll wear it. Thanks for reading this post, friends!
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
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