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Friday, September 16, 2016

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple Will Be Dedicated This Sunday/Temple Strides/Updated Temple Progress Report

The Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple will be dedicated this Sunday. It will be the 152nd operating temple in the Church. This leaves us with the question of who will preside at this dedication. The most likely candidate in my mind is President Henry B. Eyring, who broke ground for the temple. The only way he won't be there is if his wife's health makes it impossible. As to who might accompany him apostle-wise, that's anyone's guess.

In the meantime, there have been some major strides in temple construction progress. Among the highlights are the fact that we now have two temples preparing for dedication, and two more having their open house. Also, the Cedar City temple received its Angel Moroni yesterday. There was a great turnout for that event, even though it had not been formally scheduled. Additionally, work has finally begun on the Lisbon Portugal temple, with the report coming in that site clearing is underway.

With these important strides, I have felt it appropriate to repost my temple construction progress list. Since it has been a week since I have done so, the report contains a lot of red text, indicating changes from the previous report. One change I wanted to note is that I have put the temples under construction higher on the list than those being renovated, as no rededications have been announced. Please enjoy the list and let me know what you think.

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 9/16/16)
Current Temple Status: 151 operatingscheduled for dedication; 11 under construction; 3 undergoing renovation; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).
152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Preparing for dedication, scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.
153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Preparing for 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.

Under Construction:
156. Paris France Temple: Stained glass installation underway; entrance landscaping progressing; completion estimated sometime in early-to-mid 2017.
157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Concrete slab in place for monument sign; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.
158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Angel Moroni placed on September 15, 2016; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.
159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Retaining walls in place; pouring concrete parking lot; 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 and backfilled; 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: Site clearing underway; completion estimated sometime in 2019.

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.
20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.
41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in 2018.
Announced:
167. Arequipa Peru Temple: No groundbreaking date set, however, construction is pending, and, according to the contractor for the project, that construction may begin later this year.
168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: No groundbreaking set. However, construction anticipated to begin late this year or early next year.
169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Approval and permitting phase; temple fireside held September 11, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated 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.

Friday, September 9, 2016

General Conference Predictions--Final Version

I am posting a list of all of my predictions for General Conference next month. Please note that I have trimmed down my list of temples that may be announced soon to the final 15 or 16. Let me know what you think/ Thanks for your readership and interest.

October 2016 General Conference Predictions
Speaking Order (Text in brackets indicated what actually happened.)
Session
Conducting
Speaker
General Women’s
Linda K. Burton
Bonnie H. Cordon


Carole M. Stephens


Bonnie L. Oscarson


President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Saturday Morning
President Henry B. Eyring
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf


Elder Robert D. Hales


Elder Craig C. Christensen


Joy D. Jones


Elder Yoon Hwan Choi


Elder Juan A. Uceda


President Russell M. Nelson
Saturday Afternoon
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
President Henry B. Eyring (Sustaining of Church Officers)


Elder Gary E. Stevenson


Elder Dale G. Renlund


Elder W. Mark Bassett


Elder Mark A. Bragg


Elder Weatherford T. Clayton


Elder Quentin L. Cook


Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Saturday Priesthood
President Henry B. Eyring
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland


Bishop Gerald Causse


President Dieter F. Uchtdorf


President Henry B. Eyring


President Thomas S. Monson
Sunday Morning
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
President Thomas S. Monson


Elder David A. Bednar


Elder Lynn G. Robbins


Linda S. Reeves


Elder Dallin H. Oaks


President Henry B. Eyring
Sunday Afternoon
President Henry B. Eyring
Elder Ronald A. Rasband


Elder M. Russell Ballard


Brian K. Ashton


Elder Valeri V. Cordon


Elder Joaquin E. Costa


Elder Massimo De Feo


Elder Neil L. Andersen

 Changes in General Church Leadership
General Authority Seventies: Elders Daniel L. Johnson and Francisco J. Vinas released from the First Quorum of the Seventy and Elder Kent F. Richards released from the Second Quorum of the Seventy and granted emeritus status.
NOTE: Since the First and Second Quorum members are referred to as General Authority Seventies, any releases and emeritus statuses will be mentioned in a group.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Only Elder Richards is 70 currently, but the Church has been known to release and grant emeritus status to brethren that turn 70 within a given year. In this case, that means that those born in 1946 who will be 70 by the end of the year are most likely to be granted emeritus status. There may be more releases, as last October, one general authority seventy was granted emeritus status for a reason not specified, and that particular GA Seventy was under 70 and had been in the Second Quorum for six years. The following additional brethren who have served in the Second Quorum for seven years may therefore also be granted emeritus status: Bradley D. Foster and Gregory A. Schwitzer. If I had to fine-tune this prediction, I would say that only Elders Johnson, Richards and Vinas will be granted emeritus status.
RESULT:
Area Seventies: Releases and sustainings.
NOTE: It has generally been a rule that most changes in Area Seventies happen during April General Conference, when President Dieter F. Uchtdorf leads out in the sustaining of Church officers. It also has generally been a rule that only a few changes in Area Seventies happen during October General Conference, when President Henry B. Eyring leads out in the sustaining.
RESULT:

Temple Predictions:
3+ temples announced in any of the following cities and states:
Managua Nicaragua, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea; Bentonville Arkansas; Freetown Sierra Leone; Kampala Uganda; Nairobi Kenya; Lehi/Layton Utah; Budapest Hungary; Pocatello Idaho; La Paz Bolivia; El Paso Texas; Puebla Mexico; Edinburgh Scotland; Brasilia/Belo Horizonte Brazil; Neuquen Argentina.
RESU;LT: The following (# of temples announced goes here) were announced, much to my great delight:

Temple Construction Progress--Major milestones reached

There have been some major milestones in temple construction of late. To share just what has happened in the last few days, I will be posting my progress report. Enjoy!

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 9/9/16)
Current Temple Status: 151 operating; scheduled for dedication; undergoing renovation; 11 under construction; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).

Dedication scheduled:
152. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple: Open house ends today; preparing for dedication, scheduled on Sunday September 18, 2016.
153. Fort Collins Colorado Temple: Open house ends tomorrow; preparing for 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.

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.
20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.
41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in 2018.

Under Construction:
156. Paris France Temple: Stained glass installation underway; entrance landscaping progressing; completion estimated sometime in early-to-mid 2017.
157. Meridian Idaho Temple: Concrete slab in place for monument sign; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.
158. Cedar City Utah Temple: Laying zinc shingles on cupola; paving parking lot; light posts installed; completion estimated sometime in late 2017.
159. Tucson Arizona Temple: Retaining walls in place; pouring concrete parking lot; 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 and backfilled; 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: No groundbreaking date set, however, construction is pending, and, according to the contractor for the project, that construction may begin later this year.
168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: No groundbreaking set. However, construction anticipated to begin late this year or early next year.
169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Approval and permitting phase; community open house held August 25, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated 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.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Updated list of temple progress and upcoming events

Here is an updated list of temple progress and a list of upcoming temple-related events, followed by an updated temple progress report. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

Upcoming Temple Events:

1.      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.
2.      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.
3.      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 since 2014 and as he may not be in the best of health, it is more likely that President Eyring will preside.
4.      Sunday November 20—Hartford Connecticut Temple Dedication (155 operating, 11 under construction, 11 announced, 3 undergoing renovation)
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 will likely be asked to preside.

NOTE: More temple dedications, rededications, and groundbreakings are anticipated to be announced and may take place before the end of the year. We will have to see what happens there and add such events when the time is ripe.

Temple Construction Progress Report (current as of 9/7/16)
Current Temple Status: 151 operating; scheduled for dedication; 3 undergoing renovation; 11 under construction; 11 announced (As many as 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 tours 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 scheduled September 30-October 22; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 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.
20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in late 2017.
41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication estimated sometime in 2018.

Under Construction:
156. Paris France Temple: Landscaping has progressed to building front; sidewalks being poured; flowers filling planter boxes; lamppost being installed at entrance; art glass installed around entry door; 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 cupola; paving parking lot; light poles installed; 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: No groundbreaking date set, however, construction is pending, and, according to the contractor for the project, that construction may begin later this year.
168. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: No groundbreaking set. However, construction anticipated to begin late this year or early next year.
169. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Approval and permitting phase; community open house held August 25, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated 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.

Freiberg Germany temple rededicated/Church news conglomeration

The Church News ran several excellent articles about the Freiberg Germany temple rededication. I thought I would use this post to share those articles in addition to pertinent Church news, and there have been several items of import. Here we go!

First, the Freiberg Germany temple was rededicated on Sunday. President Uchtdorf did indeed preside over that event, and he was accompanied by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I didn't recall hearing this, but I found out from the articles that the Church News ran that Elder Bednar actually served his mission there. So it makes sense that he was accompanying President Uchtdorf and that it was President Uchtdof, a native German, who represented President Monson in the former's native Germany.

Click here for a report of the Cultural celebration. Click here to read about what made being at this event so special for President Uchtdorf. This news story discusses how iconic the temple is, and what makes it historically significant.

In other Church news, please see this article to read about how President Russell M. Nelson and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy and Bishop Dean M. Davies (first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric) and Sister Neill F. Marriott (Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency and a Louisiana resident) administered relief to those impacted by recent flooding.

For a report on the new stakes created and stakes reorganized during August 2016, click hereClick here to read about the dedication of a new bishop's storehouse in Twin Falls Idaho. For a report on the Auxiliary training that will be about teaching in the Savior's way, including a list of those invited, click here. The Church has also given an update on the reassignment of some volunteers in Russia. To read about that, click here.

I will be posting later with an update on temple news and events.