The current area assignments of the apostles

It took me a while to get this information, but I have found data on which apostles are overseeing which areas outside the United States. The information about which apostles are overseeing the areas within the US and Canada could not be found. But I am excited to know this much. Here's the list:

President Russell M. Nelson—supervises the Philippines Area

Elder Dallin H. Oaks--assignment not known. They may be holding him in reserve because he is a senior member of the Twelve and young for being the third most senior apostle. Plus, with President Nelson periodically being absent from overseeing the quorum with his many assignments, the First Presidency may have wanted to have at least one member of the Twelve free from worldwide responsibilities.

Elder M. Russell Ballard—supervises the Europe and Europe East Areas

Elder Robert D. Hales—in view of his health being what it is, he may not be able to travel abroad. It is an unusual situation that needs flexibility.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland—supervises the Brazil, South America North and Middle East/Africa North Areas

Elder David A. Bednar—supervises the South America South Area

Elder Quentin L. Cook—supervises the Asia North and Central America Areas

Elder Neil L. Andersen—supervises the Africa Southeast and Pacific Areas

Elder Ronald A. Rasband—supervises the Africa West Area

Elder Gary E. Stevenson—supervises the Asia Area

Elder Dale G. Renlund—supervises the Caribbean and Mexico Areas

Let me know what you think.

Freiberg Germany Temple scheduled for rededication tomorrow

The Freiberg Germany temple will be dedicated tomorrow. What is unclear is who has been sent to preside at the event. There has not yet been a report of the cultural celebration. There are a couple of possibilities. Either President Uchtdorf has returned to his native Germany to rededicate the temple, or, if he has not been able to in view of the ill health of President Monson and Sister Eyring which may have made it impossible for President Uchtdorf to do it, and since Elder Ballard is a senior member of the Twelve with responsibility for the Europe Areas of the Church, he might have been sent. I will keep my eyes and ears peeled for news. Will post tomorrow with a link to the information about the dedication.

Yet another Temple Construction Progress Report

A few things have changed with temple construction progress, so I am posting the latest version of my progress report.

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 9/1/16)

Current Temple Status: 151 operating; 4 scheduled for dedication;1 rededication scheduled; 3 others undergoing renovation; 11 under construction; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).

Dedication scheduled:

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Public open house tours underway through September 9; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Public open house underway through September 10; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Accepting reservations for public open house, scheduled September 23-October 8; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Accepting reservations for public open house scheduled September 30-October 22; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; preparing for rededication, scheduled for Sunday September 4, 2016.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; finish work underway; resurfacing and restriping parking lot; rededication estimated sometime during the first quarter of 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Exterior cladding of visitor’s center nearing completion; stained glass installation underway; courtyard pavers laid; completion estimated sometime in early-to-mid 2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Angel Moroni placed on July 20, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Laying zinc shingles on tower roof; Angel Moroni installation expected soon; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Retaining walls in place; pouring parking lot curbing; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Pouring walls for base of tower; preparing to attach exterior panels; completion estimated sometime in late 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Foundation poured; waterproofing applied to basement walls; completion estimated sometime between late 2018 and early 2019.

163. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Foundation walls going up; Elder Renlund visits temple site in August; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

164.  Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Forms and rebar set in anticipation of pouring foundation walls; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

165. Durban South Africa Temple: Sinking piles for foundation and terracing soil; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated beginning in late 2016.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking pending.

169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Approval and permitting phase; community open house held August 25, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated to be set for early 2017.

170. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand 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 Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose numbers 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 numbers may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval, and groundbreaking.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

Elder Cook Visits Central America

Elder Quentin L. Cook visited Central America recently. He was accompanied by his wife, Mary, Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, and the Central America Area presidency. Click here for a recap of that visit. Thanks.

Elder Renlund visits Colombia and Peru

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently conducted a review of Colombia and Peru. He was accompanied by his wife Ruth and Elder L. Whitney Clayton, Senior President of the Seventy, and by the Area Presidency. For more details of this visit, click here. Thanks.

Temple Construction Progress Update

Here is the latest edition of my temple construction progress report. Enjoy!

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 8/31/16)

Current Temple Status: 151 operating; 4 scheduled for dedication; 1 rededication scheduled; 3 others undergoing renovation; 11 under construction; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).

Dedication scheduled:

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Public open house tours underway through September 9; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Public open house underway through September 10; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Accepting reservations for public open house, scheduled September 23-October 8; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Accepting free reservations for public open house beginning September 1 2016 @ noon EST; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; preparing for rededication, scheduled for Sunday September 4, 2016.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; finish work underway; resurfacing and restriping parking lot; rededication estimated sometime during the first quarter of 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Exterior cladding of visitor’s center nearing completion; stained glass installation underway; courtyard pavers laid; completion estimated sometime in early-to-mid 2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Angel Moroni placed on July 20, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Laying zinc shingles on tower roof; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Retaining walls in place; pouring parking lot curbing; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Pouring walls for base of tower; preparing to attach exterior panels; completion estimated sometime in late 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Foundation poured; waterproofing applied to basement walls; completion estimated sometime between late 2018 and early 2019.

163. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Foundation walls going up; Elder Renlund visits temple site in August; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

164.  Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Forms and rebar set in anticipation of pouring foundation walls; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

165. Durban South Africa Temple: Sinking piles for foundation and terracing soil; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated beginning in late 2016.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking pending.

169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Approval and permitting phase; community open house held August 25, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated to be set for early in 2017.

170. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand 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 Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose numbers 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 numbers may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval, and groundbreaking.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

Temple Construction Progress Update

Here is an update on the progress of temple construction:

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 8/29/16)

Current Temple Status: 151 operating; 4 scheduled for dedication; 1 rededication scheduled; 3 others undergoing renovation; 11 under construction; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).

Dedication scheduled:

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Public open house tours underway through September 9; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Public open house underway through September 10; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Accepting reservations for public open house, scheduled September 23-October 8; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Open house tickets available beginning September 1, 2016; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; open house tours underway through August 27; rededication scheduled on Sunday September 4, 2016.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime during the first quarter of 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Exterior cladding of visitor’s center nearing completion; stained glass installation underway; courtyard pavers laid; completion estimated sometime in early-to-mid 2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Angel Moroni placed on July 20, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Laying zinc shingles on tower roof; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Retaining walls in place; pouring parking lot curbing; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Pouring walls for base of tower; preparing to attach exterior panels; completion estimated sometime in late 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Foundation poured; waterproofing applied to basement walls; completion estimated sometime between late 2018 and early 2019.

163. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Foundation walls going up; Elder Renlund visits temple site in August; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

164.  Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Forms in place for pouring foundation walls; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

165. Durban South Africa Temple: Sinking piles for foundation and terracing soil; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated beginning in late 2016.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking pending.

169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Approval and permitting phase; community open house held August 25, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated to be set for early in 2017.

170. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand 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 Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose numbers 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 numbers may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval, and groundbreaking.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

Thanks to you all for your interest and support.

Important posts by Matthew Martinich

Matthew Martinich has done a couple of excellent posts about Church growth. Click here for a report on the forthcoming creation of Belize's first stake. Click here to read about the creation of four new stakes, along with an analysis of the growth in the North America Southwest area. Enjoy!

Major Temple Progress Updates

Posting today with some major temple news. A decorative granite urn, the last piece to be installed, is now in place at the Hartford Connecticut temple, which has also had a three-tiered granite fountain installed. Based on information obtained from the general contractor of the project, work on the Arequipa Peru temple is anticipated to begin in October of this year. A groundbreaking for Rio de Janeiro is anticipated soon as well, though an estimation for the date of that has yet to be given. Additionally, the Winnipeg Manitoba temple has become the third announced temple whose groundbreaking is expected soon. Right now the Church is in the approval phase and busy getting permits for the temple, with a groundbreaking anticipated in the early months of 2017. Click here for more details of this tremendous news.

In the meantime, I thought about things and decided I was not happy with the way I was tracking temple progress. I have therefore reorganized my temple progress report. To me, it makes more sense to list the temples in this order: scheduled for dedication; scheduled for rededication; undergoing renovation (not including those scheduled for rededication); and announced, with those closer to a groundbreaking listed ahead of those that are still in the planning (and, if applicable, approval) stage. I like this version better than any other way I've done it in the past. I include a copy of the newly ordered report for your review. Let me know what you think. As always, thanks for reading these posts.

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 8/26/16)

Current Temple Status: 151 operating; 4 scheduled for dedication; 1 rededication scheduled; 3 others undergoing renovation; 11 under construction; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).

Dedication scheduled:

152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Public open house tours underway through September 9; dedication scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.

153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Public open house underway through September 10; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 16, 2016.

154. Star Valley Wyoming Temple: Accepting reservations for public open house, scheduled September 23-October 8; dedication scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.

155. Hartford Connecticut Temple: Decorative granite urn added to temple; three-tiered fountain installed at temple entrance; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.

Rededication scheduled:

33. Freiberg Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; open house tours underway through August 27; rededication scheduled on Sunday September 4, 2016.

Undergoing Renovation:

8. Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime during the first quarter of 2017.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.

Under Construction:

156. Paris France Temple: Exterior cladding of visitor’s center nearing completion; stained glass installation underway; courtyard pavers laid; completion estimated sometime in mid-2017.

157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Angel Moroni placed on July 20, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Laying zinc shingles on tower roof; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Retaining walls in place; pouring parking lot curbing; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior work underway including some material replacement and rework; completion estimated sometime in the first half of 2018.

161. Concepcion Chile Temple: Pouring walls for base of tower; preparing to attach exterior panels; completion estimated sometime in 2018.

162. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Foundation poured; waterproofing applied to basement walls; completion estimated sometime between 2018 and 2019.

163. Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Foundation walls going up; Elder Renlund visits temple site in August; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

164.  Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Forms in place for pouring foundation walls; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

165. Durban South Africa Temple: Site grading and clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Ground broken on Saturday December 5, 2015; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

Announced:

167. Arequipa Peru Temple: General contractor selected; construction anticipated beginning sometime in October 2016, groundbreaking announcement anticipated soon.

168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans approved by local government; groundbreaking announcement anticipated soon.

169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Approval and permitting phase; community open house held August 25, 2016; groundbreaking announcement anticipated soon and to be set for early in 2017.

170. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.

172. Bangkok Thailand 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 Los Olivos Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose numbers 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 numbers may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval, and groundbreaking.

Red text denotes changes from the last posted temple progress update.

South America Northwest Area leadership change

There has been a change in the leadership of the South America Northwest Area Presidency. Effective August 15, Enrique R. Falabella succeeded Lawrence E. Corbridge as First Counselor in the Area Presidency. Carlos A. Godoy continues as Area President, and Hugo Montoya continues as Second Counselor.

Elder Falabella had been involved as an adviser to the Perpetual Education Fund. Elder Corbridge will now assume an assignment at Church headquarters. This is the first change in this particular area presidency since November of 2016, when the presidency was reorganized as a result of Bishop W. Christopher Waddell (who had been serving in that presidency) being called to the Presiding Bishopric when it was reorganized following Presiding Bishop Gary E. Stevenson's call to the apostleship. Probably more Church trivia than you wanted to know, but there it is.

My next post will focus on temple progress. As always, thanks for your readership and support.