Partial Closure announced for Draper Utah Temple

"The Draper Utah temple will be closed Sundays-Thursdays during a 10-week period from September 1-November 15 for routine maintenance and to repair condensation issues," according to Kristen Howey, a spokeswoman for the Church. The temple will remain open on Fridays and Saturdays, which is its peak time for being busy.Click here for more details. Thanks for your interest and support.

New Area Leadership Assignments go into effect

Effective yesterday, the following Area Presidency changes have gone into effect:

General Authority Seventies:

Marcus A. Aidukaitis, the former Second Counselor in the Brazil Area, is now the new First Counselor.

Ian S. Ardern has now been released as President of the Philippines Area.

W. Mark Bassett is now the new Second Counselor in the Brazil Area.

Mark A. Bragg is now the new Second Counselor in the South America South Area.

Shayne M. Bowen, the former First Counselor in the Philippines Area, is now the new President.

Craig A. Cardon is now the new Second Counselor in the Pacific Area.

Carl B. Cook is now released as President of the Africa Southeast Area.

Lawrence E. Corbridge is now the new First Counselor in the South America Northwest Area.

J. Devn Cornish has now been released as President of the Caribbean Area.

LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. has now been released as President of the Africa West Area.

Benjamin De Hoyos has now been released as President of the Mexico Area.

Timothy J. Dyches has now been released as Second Counselor in the Europe Area.

Larry J. Echo Hawk has now been released as Second Counselor in the Philippines Area.

David F. Evans is now the new Second Counselor in the Asia Area.

Carlos A. Godoy, the former First Counselor in the South America Northwest Area, is now the new President.

Walter F. Gonzalez, the former President of the South America South Area, is now the new President of the Caribbean Area.

O. Vincent Haleck, the former First Counselor in the Pacific Area, is now the new President.

Kevin S. Hamilton, the former Second Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area, is now the new President.

Allen D. Haynie, the former Second Counselor in the Philippines Area, is now the new First Counselor.

Jörg Klebingat has now been released as First Counselor in the Europe East Area.

James B. Martino is now the new First Counselor in the Europe East Area.

Jairo Mazzagardi has now been released as First Counselor in the Brazil Area.

Marcus B. Nash is now the new First Counselor in the Africa West Area.

S. Gifford Nielsen, the former Second Counselor in the Pacific Area, is now the new First Counselor.

Allan F. Packer is now the new First Counselor in the South America South Area.

S. Mark Palmer is now the new Second Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area,

Paul B. Pieper, the former First Counselor in the Mexico Area, is now the new President.

Rafael E. Pino is now the new Second Counselor in the Mexico Area.

Gary B. Sabin is now the new Second Counselor in the Europe Area.

Evan A. Schmutz is now the new Second Counselor in the Philippines Area.

Jose A. Teixeira, the former Second Counselor in the South America South Area, is now the new President.

Juan A. Uceda has now been released as President of the South America Northwest Area.

Arnulfo Valenzuela, the former Second Counselor in the Mexico Area, is now the new First Counselor.

Francisco J. Vinas has now been released as First Counselor in the South America South Area.

Terrence M. Vinson, the former First Counselor in the Africa West Area, is now the new President.

Area Seventies:

Siu Hong Pon has now been released as Second Counselor in the Asia Area.

Thanks so much for your interest and support.

Church Makes Donation to Assist Refugees/President Uchtdorf talks about his own refugee experience

Last night on KSL's 10 pm newscast, they featured a story about the LDS Church making a $3 million donation to help refugees. President Uchtdorf was the one who made the donation presentation to the World Food Programme, which ensures that refugees are well fed. President Uchtdorf also spoke of his own experience  as a refugee and how he was able to rise about that experience to become one who is sensitive to the needs of the refugees of today. President Uchtdorf also visited the Paris France and Rome Italy temple sites as part of his tour. Click here to read about and watch the interview. Thanks.

Temple Progress

Hello. Posting with another temple progress update. I won't post the full list this time; there are just one or two things I wanted to mention as happening. Site grading continues on the Durban South Africa temple, where the operators of heavy equipment have carved out a level platform for the foundation.

In the meantime, a monument sign has been placed at the Meridian Idaho temple. This is a significant milestone in temple construction.

Still no word on the completion and dedication/rededication dates for the Paris France and Idaho Falls Idaho temples.

There has also as yet not been an announcement of the official groundbreaking day for the Arequipa Peru temple, but that announcement is just a matter of time, I'm sure.

I will keep my eyes peeled for temple-related developments, and you can be sure and find that information here. Thanks for your readership and friendship.

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple Open House Photos

The open house for the Philadelphia Pennsylvania temple will start this week, running from Wednesday August 10-Friday September 9 (though no tours will run on the Sundays of August 14, 21 and 28 or September 4). In preparation for that open house, the Church has released a roll of images from the exterior and interior of the temple. Click here to view those images. The temple will be formally dedicated on Sunday September 18, following a cultural celebration the night before. How exciting to see these images! Enjoy!