Hello, dear readers. I haven't forgotten my long-promised intention to write a personal update. But with all the Church News lately (some of which I will focus on in other posts over the next little while), I have put that on hold for a future time yet to be determined. This post covers a very special topic to me.
Sunday, as many of you know, was Mother's Day. I called my mom Saturday night to see how she was doing and to wish her a Happy Mother's Day. It was, as it always is, wonderful to talk to her. In that special way she had, she answered only a few inquiries from me about how she and my dad were doing. Instead, she wanted to talk about me and Amy. She knew we had a lot going on. She also well knows that Mother's Day is always a difficult one for Amy because Amy lost her mom to complications of MS before we ever started dating. For the years preceding her mother's death, Amy and her brother Troy were Mom Nuttall's care givers. As a result, Amy felt a deep connection to her mom. Mother's Day is always hard for Amy because she's without her mother. I think my mom understands best how Amy feels, because Mom lost her own mom a few years ago. So my mom asked me to be sure and tell Amy that she was thinking of her this weekend and praying that it would be a good one for her. If that wasn't enough, on Mother's Day, she sent Amy herself a text echoing the sentiments she had expressed to me the previous evening.
As I have thought about my mom, I can't imagine how I'd feel if I didn't have her around anymore. For the first 20-some-odd years of my life, she was my caregiver and my advocate with the doctors and our pharmacies. She selflessly put her own life aside to ensure my siblings and I always had what we needed. I know that finishing college is one of her dreams, and I hope I can play some part in the future in making that happen. She constantly gives to other people, even and especially when that means more work for her. My mom came to America on a "short vacation" and has yet to make it back "home" to South Africa. She has constantly put her life and needs on hold to serve and minister to people. I can't say enough of this dear woman and the impact she has had on my life.
I could say the same about the many other "mothers" I've had throughout the years: ward members who provided my family with extra care and service when needed; my beloved grandmothers, aunts, and cousins (by both blood and adoption) whose examples are such a strength to me; my dearest older sister Joanna (whose active presence in my life I greatly miss, as I can no longer just pick up the phone anytime and hear her voice); my sweet younger sister Elizabeth (who is preparing to be a first-time mother), my sisters-in-law; and my dear mother-in-law that I have yet to meet, to whom much of the credit for her daughter being so wonderful belongs; the women I have known and served with as a missionary and temple worker, and so the list could go on.
And in mentioning those who have mother hearts and live mother lives, how can I forget to add my beloved eternal companion, Amy? She made it clear when we met that she had no interest or desire whatsoever in being a mother to me (which is very refreshing to me, as so many women before her viewed me merely as someone who brought out their innate abilities to mother). Amy is unique in so many ways, but particular in the fact that she is a mother, a mother without children. I will have to work hard to become a father. But Amy is already and will continue to be the very best mother, grandmother, and any infinite number of great-grandmothers this world has ever seen. All of the good things that have come into my life in the past six or seven years we've known each other can be traced back to my meeting and deciding to marry Amy.
I know that there is not a sufficient amount of words I could say to convey the depth of my feelings about mothers in general and the mothers in my life in particular. The closest I can come to adequately doing so is to quote two songs about mothers, then close with my testimony of mothers.
The first song is by Steven Jones. It's called, "A Mother's Eyes Reflect the Love of Heaven," Its' beautiful lyrics are:
A mother’s eyes reflect the love of heaven.
A love borne long before this life began.
A love which grows each day,
Which will not fade away,
A love inspired by Heavenly Father’s plan.
A mother’s hands reflect a life of service,
A life of sacrifice for those she loves,
And with her giving hands
She shapes the soul of man,
Prepares him for eternal life above.
A mother’s words teach children righteous living,
And her example leads them to the light,
She speaks the words of truth
That guide their tender youth,
And points the course they take throughout their lives.
A mother’s life reflects itself in our life,
Her ways of living are ingrained in ours,
And through the changing years
And days of joy and tears,
Her love will lead us on,
Her words will point the course,
Her hands will lift us up to God.
The second song is by Sally DeFord, an LDS mother. It's called "An Angel to Watch Over Me." The lyrics for that song are:
She watched by my cradle through long, sleepless nights.
She taught me to pray as she knelt by my side.
She guarded my childhood, and all through the years,
She echoed my laughter, she counted my tears.
In the arms of my mother, I came to believe
That God sent an angel to watch over me.
She taught me the meaning of courage and faith.
She taught me to live with the Lord as my strength.
She taught me to follow the pathway He marked.
She guided my steps when the journey grew dark.
And I know there were dangers that I could not see,
But God sent an angel to watch over me.
She taught me to serve with a spirit that sings.
She taught me to seek after heavenly things.
And because of her love and her kindness and care,
Because of the place that I hold in her prayers,
And because of her goodness, I still believe
That God sent an angel to watch over me.
I testify that mothers are truly angels sent from the presence of God. How fortunate we are to have mothers in our lives. We are constantly blessed by their kindness, compassion, love, and angelic support. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
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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Wednesday, May 11, 2016
An Angel to Watch Over Me--A Belated Mother's Day Tribute
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.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Changes in Area Leadership Announced for August 2016
For purposes of information, the Church has announced the following changes in Area Leadership that will be effective on August 1. The changes include:
To help visualize these changes, you can find a PDF version of all August 2016 Changes in Area Leadership, click here
General
Authority Seventies:
Marcus A.
Aidukaitis, the former Second Counselor in the Brazil Area, will be the new
First Counselor.
Ian S.
Ardern will be released as President of the Philippines Area.
W. Mark
Bassett will be the new Second Counselor in the Brazil Area.
Mark A.
Bragg will be the new Second Counselor in the South America South Area.
Shayne M.
Bowen, the former First Counselor in the Philippines Area, will be the new
President.
Craig A.
Cardon will be the new Second Counselor in the Pacific Area.
Carl B.
Cook will be released as President of the Africa Southeast Area.
Lawrence
E. Corbridge will be the new First Counselor in the South America Northwest
Area
J. Devn
Cornish will be released as President of the Caribbean Area.
LeGrand
R. Curtis Jr. will be released as President of the Africa West Area.
Benjamin
De Hoyos will be released as President of the Mexico Area.
Timothy
J. Dyches will be released as Second Counselor in the Europe Area.
David F.
Evans will be the new Second Counselor in the Asia Area.
Carlos A.
Godoy, the former First Counselor in the South America Northwest Area, will be
the new President.
Walter F.
Gonzalez, the former President of the South America South Area, will be the new
President of the Caribbean Area.
Allen D.
Haynie, the former Second Counselor in the Philippines Area, will be the new
First Counselor.
O.
Vincent Haleck, the former First Counselor in the Pacific Area, will be the new
President.
Kevin S.
Hamilton, the former Second Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area, will be the
new President.
Jörg
Klebingat will be released as First Counselor in the Europe East Area.
Jairo
Mazzagardi will be released as First Counselor in the Brazil Area.
James B.
Martino will be the new First Counselor in the Europe East Area.
Marcus B.
Nash will be the new First Counselor in the Africa West Area.
S.
Gifford Nielsen, the former Second Counselor in the Pacific Area, will be the
new First Counselor
S. Mark
Palmer will be the new Second Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area,
Paul B.
Pieper, the former First Counselor in the Mexico Area, will be the new
President.
Allan F.
Packer will be the new First Counselor in the South America South Area.
Rafael E.
Pino will be the new Second Counselor in the Mexico Area.
Gary B.
Sabin will be the new Second Counselor in the Europe Area.
Evan A.
Schmutz will be the new Second Counselor in the Philippines Area.
Jose A.
Teixeira, the former Second Counselor in the South America South Area, will be
the new President.
Juan A.
Uceda will be released as President of the South America Northwest Area.
Arnulfo
Valenzuela, the former Second Counselor in the Mexico Area, will be the new
First Counselor.
Francisco
J. Vinas will be released as First Counselor in the South America South Area.
Terrence
M. Vinson, the former First Counselor in the Africa West Area, will be the new
President.
Area
Seventies:
Siu Hong
Pon will be released as Second Counselor in the Asia Area.To help visualize these changes, you can find a PDF version of all August 2016 Changes in Area Leadership, click here
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.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Multipurpose Church News Post
Hello, all! During the last several days, several items of import on the Church news front have crossed my radar, and I just had to share some of these monumental strides in Church growth. First of all, the majestic figure of the Angel Moroni has been lifted to the top of the Star Valley Wyoming temple. This is a pivotal construction milestone for this temple, which is scheduled to be dedicated on Sunday October 30. So that was excellent to hear.
Next news item: the Church Public Affairs department will have a change in its managing director. The current managing director, Michael Otterson, will retire on August 31 after serving as managing director for the past eight years. He will be replaced in that capacity by Richard E. Turley Jr,, who currently serves as the senior of our two Assistant Church Historian and Recorders. In the meantime, Brother Turley will train with Brother Otterson. It was also announced in that same article that Elder Von G. Keetch of the Seventy currently serves as the executive director of the Church Public Affairs Department, which I had suspected after he was present in the news conference in which the 3 newest apostles were presented to the media. That was also good to hear.
The third and final Church growth-related development was that Matthew Martinich has learned through listening to an interview with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that 10+ new stakes will be created per week the rest of this year, not including the annual July recess of the apostles, general conference weekend, or the last two weeks of December. It is a mind-boggling and interesting post, well worthy of a read. You can find it at this link.
What monumental strides in Church growth! We live in a wonderful day and age when the gospel is, very literally and figuratively, spreading throughout the earth, and all of us are blessed to be a part of that. Thanks to you all for your readership and friendship.
The third and final Church growth-related development was that Matthew Martinich has learned through listening to an interview with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that 10+ new stakes will be created per week the rest of this year, not including the annual July recess of the apostles, general conference weekend, or the last two weeks of December. It is a mind-boggling and interesting post, well worthy of a read. You can find it at this link.
What monumental strides in Church growth! We live in a wonderful day and age when the gospel is, very literally and figuratively, spreading throughout the earth, and all of us are blessed to be a part of that. Thanks to you all for your readership and friendship.
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.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Star Valley Wyoming Temple will have its Angel Moroni placed on the spire today.
Sorry about two posts in one day. Hope you guys don't mind. I wanted to let you know that at 11:00 AM this morning (11:00 AM our time and Wyoming time. Who knew we were in the same time zone!), the Star Valley Wyoming temple is scheduled to have its angel Moroni placed. What an exciting time we live in when so much is happening on the temple news front! I am keeping a careful eye on all temple-related developments and will put out an updated list whenever there is major temple news (such as a scheduled dedication, rededication, or groundbreaking) announced. Thanks so much to all of you for your readership. I hope my posts are helpful to you all. Have a great day!
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 2016 Ensign now available/How my predictions for the table of contents panned out
Hello, friends! Hope you all are well. I am posting today something I meant to address yesterday, but I ran out of time to do it then. As soon as the talk transcripts of the April 2016 General Conference were available, I right away did what I have done for several conferences now--put together my predictions for what a table of contents might look like for the Conference Ensign. I had meant to post that prediction on my blog, but something told me to hold off on doing so. Then yesterday, I was on lds.org and felt impressed to just check and see if the PDF of the May Ensign was available. I'm glad I followed that impression. The PDF was available, and I got an advanced look at what it looked like. I present to you the table of contents I put together, along with the actual page number for each talk or article (actual page numbers will be in parentheses). Since the number of pages of each talk or article is unpredictable, it is always intriguing to see just how right (or wrong) I am. Here's the list. Let me know what you think.
Possible Table of Contents for May 2016 Ensign
(Text in Parentheses indicates what actually was)
Session
|
Page
|
Title
|
Speaker
|
|
2
|
Conference Summary for the 186th Annual
General Conference
|
|
|
3
|
Indexes
|
|
|
4
|
Highlights from the 186th Annual General
Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
|
|
GW
|
8 (6)
|
He Asks Us to Be His Hands
|
Cheryl A. Esplin
|
|
11 (10)
|
What Shall We Do?
|
Neill F. Marriott
|
|
14 (13)
|
“I Was a Stranger”
|
Linda K. Burton
|
|
17 (16)
|
Trust in That Spirit Which Leadeth to Do Good
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
SAM
|
21 (19)
|
Where Two or Three Are Gathered
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
|
25 (23)
|
A Child’s Guiding Gift
|
Mary R. Durham
|
|
27 (26)
|
I Am a Child of God
|
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom
|
|
29
|
Where are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?
|
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
|
|
33
|
The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness
|
Elder Kevin R. Duncan
|
|
36
|
Be Thou Humble
|
Elder Steven E. Snow
|
|
39
|
“That I Might Draw All Men unto Me”
|
Elder Dale G. Renlund
|
SAA
|
43
|
The Sustaining of Church Officers
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
|
45
|
Church Auditing Department Report, 2015
|
Kevin R. Jergensen
|
|
45
|
Statistical
Report, 2015
|
Brook P. Hales
|
|
46
|
Standing
with the Leaders of the Church
|
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
|
|
49
|
“Whoso
Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me”
|
Elder Neil L. Andersen
|
|
53
|
To the
Rescue: We Can Do It
|
Elder Mervyn B. Arnold
|
|
56
|
The Sacred
Place of Restoration
|
Elder Jairo Mazzagardi
|
|
59
|
Always
Retain a Remission of Your Sins
|
Elder David A. Bednar
|
|
63
|
Family
Councils
|
Elder M. Russell Ballard
|
SPH
|
67 (66)
|
The Price of
Priesthood Power
|
President Russell M. Nelson
|
|
75 (70)
|
The Greatest
Leaders are the Greatest Followers
|
Stephen W. Owen
|
|
78 (77)
|
In Praise of
Those Who Save
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
|
82 (81)
|
Eternal
Families
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
|
86 (85)
|
A Sacred
Trust
|
President Thomas S. Monson
|
SUM
|
87 (86)
|
Choices
|
President Thomas S. Monson
|
|
88 (87)
|
Do I
Believe?
|
Bonnie L. Oscarson
|
|
90
|
Learn,
Listen, and Walk
|
Bishop W. Christopher Waddell
|
|
93
|
Fathers
|
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
|
|
97
|
See Yourself
in the Temple
|
Elder Quentin L. Cook
|
|
101
|
He Will
Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You
Home
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
SUA
|
105
|
The Holy
Ghost
|
Elder Robert D. Hales
|
|
108
|
Always
Remember Him
|
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
|
|
111
|
Refuge from
the Storm
|
Elder Patrick Kearon
|
|
113 (114)
|
Opposition
in All Things
|
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
|
|
117 (118)
|
The Power of
Godliness
|
Elder Kent F. Richards
|
|
119 (121)
|
And There
Shall Be No More Death
|
Elder Paul V. Johnson
|
|
122 (124)
|
Tomorrow the
Lord Will Do Wonders among You
|
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
|
|
72
|
General Authorities and General Officers of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
|
|
|
126 (128)
|
Conference Story Index (They Spoke to Us)
|
|
|
127 (130)
|
They Spoke to Us: Making Conference Part of Our Lives
(Conference Story Index)
|
|
|
128 (131)
|
News of the Church
128: Conference Summary
128: New temples
129 (130): W.
Mark
Bassett/Mark
A. Bragg
130
(131): Weatherford T. Clayton/Valeri V. Cordon
131
(132): Joaquin A. Costa/Massimo De Feo
132
(133): Peter F. Meurs/K. Brett Nattress
133
(134): S. Mark Palmer/Gary B. Sabin
134
(135): Evan A. Schmutz/Joy D. Jones
135
(136): Jean B. Bingham/Bonnie H. Cordon
136-144
(137-144): Other Church News (Included all facets of temple-related progress made since last conference, including those announced during this conference)
|
|
|
144
|
Last Page of Conference Ensign
|
|
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, April 22, 2016
Official Name Announced for the second Lima Peru Temple
Hello, dear readers. Just wanted to let you know the latest on the temple news front. The LDS Church Temples site reports that the Church has announced the official name for the second temple announced for Lima Peru. The temple will be known as the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple. I was surprised when I looked at the Church's Newsroom at lds.org and there was no mention of this. I did a little digging, and it turns out that the news item posted about the announcement of the four new temples had been updated to include the name of the temple in question. I will update this information on my personal temple construction progress list and post that list the next time there are any major changes to report. Hope you all are well. Thanks so much to all of you for your interest and readership. Have a good weekend.
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.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
KSL Features Two Church-related videos
Hello, all. I was just sitting here when I realized I forgot to post about two fun Church-related videos I've recently come across on KSL.com. The first features a darling toddler girl who became an internet sensation after the video of her singing "Part of Your World", In this sequel news story, the little girl offers an Easter tribute to the Savior with her sweet rendition of "Gethsemane". A link to the story and the video follows.
3 year-old star of "Little Mermaid" video sings song about Christ for Easter
The second is a parody of Adele's classic "Hello" song, written by two BYU students and featuring an excellent vocalist that strangely reminded me of my good friend Kent Willis. It's a genius video that some of you have no doubt heard about, but I just wanted to share it for the benefit of those who haven't had a chance to enjoy it yet.
BYU students create missionary parody of Adele's "Hello"
Enjoy!
3 year-old star of "Little Mermaid" video sings song about Christ for Easter
The second is a parody of Adele's classic "Hello" song, written by two BYU students and featuring an excellent vocalist that strangely reminded me of my good friend Kent Willis. It's a genius video that some of you have no doubt heard about, but I just wanted to share it for the benefit of those who haven't had a chance to enjoy it yet.
BYU students create missionary parody of Adele's "Hello"
Enjoy!
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.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Change to Open House Dates for Philadelphia Pennsylvania/Significant Posts about Church Growth from Matthew Martinich
Interesting developments on the temple news front. The Church has announced a change in the dates during which the Philadelphia Temple open house will occur, though the reason for it remains to be seen or officially made known. The good news is that this change in open house dates will in no way impact the dates of either the cultural celebration or temple dedication, which are still set for September 17 and 18 respectively. Originally slated to run from Friday August 5-Saturday September 3, the open house will now run from Wednesday August 10 (five days later than previously announced)-Friday September 9 (six days later than previously announced), so the open house will actually pick up 1 additional day in the process, allowing for additional visitors to the temple. I also wanted to let you know that I am keeping a careful eye on developments as articles are written about new General Authorities which will identify their quorum affiliation. I also wanted to remind my readers that an excellent article in the April 2016 Ensign by Elder M. Russell Ballard introducing Elder Ronald A. Rasband to the world.
Additionally, Matthew Martinich, whose interesting posts I frequently share, has done a number of noteworthy posts. He posted yesterday to let his readers know that the first stake in Benin is set to be created in 8 days. He has also posted about congregational growth by country for 2015 (devoting two posts to that very subject), the most populous countries without an LDS mission, the districts that are most likely to become stakes in the not-too-distant future, and a Church-growth related analysis of the temples that were announced in General Conference earlier this month. All of these posts are very interesting and well worth the read. Check out his blog by following this link. Hope you all are enjoying my posts!
Additionally, Matthew Martinich, whose interesting posts I frequently share, has done a number of noteworthy posts. He posted yesterday to let his readers know that the first stake in Benin is set to be created in 8 days. He has also posted about congregational growth by country for 2015 (devoting two posts to that very subject), the most populous countries without an LDS mission, the districts that are most likely to become stakes in the not-too-distant future, and a Church-growth related analysis of the temples that were announced in General Conference earlier this month. All of these posts are very interesting and well worth the read. Check out his blog by following this link. Hope you all are enjoying my posts!
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.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Temple News
As those following my temple news posts will remember, the Durban South Africa temple was scheduled for groundbreaking last Saturday. It did take place. Elder Carl B. Cook, president of the Africa Southeast Area, presided over the groundbreaking. It took the Church, and Rick Satterfield, the webmaster of ldschurchtemples.com, until Sunday to get news of the groundbreaking up. Apparently at the groundbreaking, they announced that construction of the temple was anticipated to only take two years, finishing in early 2018, ahead of several temples which had their groundbreaking earlier this year or late last year. In talking to my mother, a South African native, I learned that sometimes those who work in South Africa aren't as diligent in their labor as they might be if they lived elsewhere. So, it'll be interesting to see if that completion date is accurate. Also on the temple news front, it was revealed that governmental red-tape has been responsible for the delay of construction progress on the Fortaleza Brazil temple. So I would urge all my readers to pray that temple work might go forward.
If we add to the previous count of temples those that were announced during General Conference (for Harare Zimbabwe, Quito Ecuador, Belem Brazil, and a second for Lima Peru), we will have 177 temples by the time all announced ones are completed. This also means that we have only 23 more that need to be announced before we reach the 200 temple mark of which I have frequently mentioned. I think the Church can do it no problem. Time will tell.
That being said, I thought it fitting to end this blog post by sharing my lists of upcoming temple-related events and current temple progress, which I have just updated today based on the latest information available on ldschurchtemples.com, my go-to site for all temple-related news. Here are the lists. Enjoy!
NOTE: If President Eyring
presides at the previous temple dedication, the odds are very good that
President Uchtdorf will preside at this temple dedication. President Monson was
the one who presided at the groundbreaking, but as he is reportedly not in very
good health, President Uchtdorf is more than likely the one who will be asked
to preside.
If we add to the previous count of temples those that were announced during General Conference (for Harare Zimbabwe, Quito Ecuador, Belem Brazil, and a second for Lima Peru), we will have 177 temples by the time all announced ones are completed. This also means that we have only 23 more that need to be announced before we reach the 200 temple mark of which I have frequently mentioned. I think the Church can do it no problem. Time will tell.
That being said, I thought it fitting to end this blog post by sharing my lists of upcoming temple-related events and current temple progress, which I have just updated today based on the latest information available on ldschurchtemples.com, my go-to site for all temple-related news. Here are the lists. Enjoy!
Upcoming
Temple Events:
1.
Sunday August
21—Sapporo Japan Temple Dedication (151 operating, 15 under construction, 11
announced, 4 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: Since President Uchtdorf,
being a native German, is the most likely person to preside at the rededication
of the Frankfurt Germany temple, the next temple to be dedicated or rededicated,
President Eyring will likely preside at this dedication. It would also not
surprise me if Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
accompanied whoever is presiding, since he as a member of the First Quorum of
the Seventy was serving as president of the Asia North Area, presided at the
groundbreaking.
2.
Sunday September
4—Freiberg Germany Temple Rededication (151 operating, 15 under construction,
11 announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: Since President Uchtdorf
is a native German, and since President Eyring may preside at the previous
dedication, it would make sense if he (President Uchtdorf) presides at this
rededication.
3.
Sunday September
18—Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple Dedication (152 operating, 14 under
construction, 11 announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: If President Uchtdorf
presides at the previous rededication, and since President Eyring was the one
who broke ground for this temple, it would make sense if he (President Eyring)
presides at this dedication.
4.
Sunday October 16—Fort
Collins Colorado Temple Dedication (153 operating, 13 under construction, 11
announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: If President Eyring
presides at the previous dedication, it would make sense if President Uchtdorf
is asked to preside at this dedication. It is also not unreasonable to believe
that Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will accompany
whoever the presiding authority is, as Elder Rasband originally presided over
the groundbreaking for this temple.
5.
Sunday October 30—Star
Valley Wyoming Temple Dedication (154 operating, 12 under construction, 11
announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
NOTE: If President Uchtdorf
presides at the previous dedication, it would make sense if President Eyring is
asked to preside at this dedication. It would also not surprise me if Elder
Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy was one of the
participants in the dedication. When this temple was originally announced,
President Monson joked that he thought he’d dedicate that one because there’s
good fishing up there, but as he hasn’t presided over a temple dedication in
two years and as he may not be in the best of health, it is more likely that
President Eyring will preside.
6.
Sunday November 20—Hartford
Connecticut Temple Dedication (155 operating, 11 under construction, 11
announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
Temple Construction Progress (current as of 4/13/16)
Current Temple
Status: 150 operating, 16 under construction (5 scheduled for dedication), 11 announced (2 groundbreakings anticipated to be announced soon), 4 undergoing renovation (1 scheduled for rededication).
Dedication scheduled:
151. Sapporo
Japan Temple: Finalizing construction in preparation for open house; scheduled
to be dedicated Sunday August 21, 2016.
152. Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Temple: Interior and exterior nearly complete; grounds work
underway; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday
September 18, 2016.
153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple:
Lampposts installed on the grounds; installing art glass; painting, and laying
floor inside; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday
October 16, 2016.
154. Star Valley
Wyoming Temple: Angel Moroni to be placed on Monday April 25, 2016 at 11:00 am;
hanging sheet rock, painting, and installing millwork inside; scheduled to be
dedicated Sunday October 30, 2016.
155. Hartford Connecticut
Temple: Exterior cladding nearing completion; concrete poured for monument sign;
interior painting and flooring underway; scheduled to be dedicated Sunday November 20, 2016.
Under Construction:
156. Paris France
Temple: Attachment of exterior stone cladding nearing completion; interior work
progressing; completion anticipated sometime between late 2016 and early 2017.
157. Rome Italy
Temple: Interior work progressing; completion anticipated sometime during late 2017.
158. Meridian
Idaho Temple: Curbing poured for parking lot; sheetrock nearing completion; completion
anticipated sometime during late 2017.
159. Cedar City
Utah Temple: Attachment of exterior panels and interior framing underway;
retaining walls being installed; completion anticipated sometime during late 2017.
160. Tucson Arizona Temple: Exterior panels attached; completion
anticipated sometime between late 2017
and early 2018.
161. Durban South
Africa Temple: Ground broken on Saturday April 9, 2016; completion anticipated
sometime during early 2018.
162. Concepcion
Chile Temple: Main floor exterior walls rising; completion anticipated sometime
during late 2018.
163. Lisbon
Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion
anticipated sometime during late 2018.
164. Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Ground broken on Friday, February 12,
2016; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.
165. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Ground broken on Saturday February 20, 2016; completion
anticipated sometime between early-and-mid
2019.
168. Fortaleza
Brazil Temple: Full-scale construction pending due to government-imposed delays;
completion date TBD (To be determined).
Rededication scheduled:
33. Freiberg
Germany Temple: Closed for
renovation; adding extension; steeple covered; scheduled to be
rededicated Sunday September 4, 2016.
Undergoing Renovation:
8. Idaho Falls
Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; utility trenching underway; kitchen
appliances arriving; rededication anticipated sometime between late 2016 and early 2017.
41. Frankfurt
Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during
mid-2017.
20. Jordan River
Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; construction trailers on site; rededication
anticipated sometime during late 2017.
Announced:
166. Rio de
Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local
government; groundbreaking date anticipated to be announced soon.
167. Arequipa Peru
Temple: Construction preparation phase; temple site rezoned; acquiring building
permits; groundbreaking date anticipated to be announced soon.
169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Planning and approval
phase; groundbreaking pending.
170. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning phase.
171. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase.
172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and
approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.
173. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase;
awaiting official site announcement.
174. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
175. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
176. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting
official site announcement.
177. Lima Peru (Second) Temple: Planning phase;
awaiting official site announcement.
Key:
Bolded numbers and
text denote temples whose number already exists (for renovations), or is
certain due to a scheduled dedication, as well as information that is certain,
such as dedication or groundbreaking dates.
Italicized numbers
and text denote temples whose number
may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings
are scheduled.
Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose
number may change based on the order in which their future groundbreakings are
announced.
Thoughts? Any and all comments are welcome.
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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