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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Saturday, October 15, 2016
Church speaks out on assisted suicide and recreational marijuana
The LDS Church, while it maintains neutrality regarding political candidates worldwide, does comment from time to time on important issues relating to politics. The Church recently published a statement on recreational marijuana and assisted suicide, both of which are issues up for a vote in the United States. The Church stated its absolute opposition to both practices, urging members to vote against these issues. For more details on the Church's reasons for so speaking out, please 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.
Major temple progress update
Since I last posted a temple progress report on the 4th, much has happened in the way of temple construction progress. As some of you may have noted, Rick Satterfield, webmaster of the LDS Church Temples site, commented on an earlier temple construction progress report that the Paris France temple was nearly completed and that open house and dedication dates were likely to be set within the first few months of 2017.
I have taken note on all the progress, and wanted to share the latest developments with you. As always, the changes since the last posted update 11 days ago are featured in red. Enjoy!
I have taken note on all the progress, and wanted to share the latest developments with you. As always, the changes since the last posted update 11 days ago are featured in red. Enjoy!
Temple Construction Progress Report
(current as of 10/15/16)
Current Temple Status: 152 operating; 3 scheduled
for dedication; 11 under construction; 3 undergoing
renovation; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).
Dedication scheduled:
153. Fort
Collins Colorado Temple:
Preparing for dedication, scheduled on Sunday October 16,
2016.
154. Star Valley
Wyoming Temple: Preparing for dedication, scheduled
on Sunday October 30, 2016.
155. Hartford
Connecticut Temple: Public open house tours underway through Saturday October
22; dedication scheduled on Sunday November 20, 2016.
Under Construction:
156. Paris France
Temple: Interior work underway; open house committee assembled; completion
anticipated sometime during the first
half of 2017.
157. Meridian Idaho
Temple: Adding landscaping structures; installing fence
posts and lamp posts; completion anticipated sometime in late
2017.
158. Cedar City Utah
Temple: Installing art glass; dropping posts for decorative fencing; completion
anticipated sometime in late 2017.
159. Tucson Arizona
Temple: Pouring concrete parking lot; interior work underway; completion
anticipated sometime in late 2017.
160. Rome Italy Temple:
Interior work progressing; completion
anticipated sometime in the first
half of 2018.
161. Concepcion Chile
Temple: Steeple framework going up; completion anticipated sometime in 2018.
162. Kinshasa Democratic
Republic of the Congo Temple: Foundation
poured and backfilled; pouring interior footings; completion
anticipated sometime in 2018.
163.
Durban South Africa Temple: Preparing to pour foundation; laying aggregate for
parking; street entrance cut; hydroseeding sloped land;
completion anticipated sometime in 2018.
164. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Foundation walls going up; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.
165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Forms and rebar set in anticipation
of pouring foundation walls; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.
166. Lisbon Portugal Temple:
Site clearing phase; construction fence erected;
concrete bleachers removed; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.
Undergoing Renovation:
8. Idaho Falls Idaho
Temple: Closed for renovation; finish work underway; resurfacing and restriping
parking lot; rededication anticipated sometime during early 2017.
20. Jordan River Utah
Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime in late
2017.
41. Frankfurt Germany
Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime in 2018.
Announced:
167. Arequipa Peru
Temple: General contractor selected; construction
anticipated to begin late 2016 or early 2017.
168. Winnipeg
Manitoba Temple: Permitting phase; temple
fireside held September 11, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated in either late 2016 or early 2017.
169. Rio de Janeiro
Brazil Temple: Construction preparation phase; plans
approved by local government; groundbreaking pending.
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Temple Construction Progress
In spite of the fact that there were no new temples announced this conference, some outstanding developments have taken place on the temple news front since my last posted update on September 30. As always, the changes since the last posted update are highlighted in red. Enjoy!
Temple Construction Progress Report
(current as of 10/4/16)
Current Temple Status: 152 operating; 3 scheduled
for dedication; 11 under construction; 3 undergoing
renovation; 11 announced (As many as 3 groundbreaking announcements may be made soon).
Dedication scheduled:
153. Fort
Collins Colorado Temple:
Preparing for dedication, scheduled on Sunday October 16,
2016.
154. Star Valley
Wyoming Temple: Public open house tours underway through Saturday October 8; dedication
scheduled on Sunday October 30, 2016.
155. Hartford
Connecticut Temple: Public open house tours underway
through Saturday October 22; dedication scheduled on Sunday
November 20, 2016.
Under Construction:
156. Paris France
Temple: Interior work underway; open house committee
assembled; completion anticipated sometime during the first half of 2017.
157. Meridian Idaho
Temple: Concrete slab in place for monument sign; planting trees and bushes;
completion anticipated sometime in late 2017.
158. Cedar City Utah
Temple: Pouring concrete
curbing and walkways; installing fence posts; completion anticipated
sometime in late 2017.
159. Tucson Arizona
Temple: Pouring concrete parking lot; interior work underway; completion
anticipated sometime in late 2017.
160. Rome Italy Temple:
Interior work progressing; completion
anticipated sometime in the first
half of 2018.
161. Concepcion Chile
Temple: Steeple framework going up; completion
anticipated sometime in 2018.
162. Kinshasa Democratic
Republic of the Congo Temple: Foundation
poured and backfilled; pouring interior footings; completion
anticipated sometime in 2018.
163.
Durban South Africa Temple: Preparing to pour
foundation; laying aggregate for parking; street entrance cut; hydroseeding
sloped land; completion anticipated sometime in 2018.
164. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Foundation walls going up; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.
165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Forms and rebar set in anticipation
of pouring foundation walls; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.
166. Lisbon Portugal Temple:
Site clearing underway; completion anticipated sometime in 2019.
Undergoing Renovation:
8. Idaho Falls Idaho
Temple: Closed for renovation; finish work underway; resurfacing and restriping
parking lot; rededication anticipated sometime during early 2017.
20. Jordan River Utah
Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime in late
2017.
41. Frankfurt Germany
Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated 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 anticipated to begin sometime
during late 2016.
168. Winnipeg
Manitoba Temple: Permitting phase; temple
fireside held September 11, 2016; groundbreaking anticipated in either late 2016 or early 2017.
169. Rio de Janeiro
Brazil Temple: No groundbreaking set. However, construction anticipated to
begin in either late 2016 or 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.
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.
Changes in General Church Leadership/The Health of the Brethren
During General Conference this weekend, many changes were announced in relation to Church leadership. Daniel L. Johnson, a General Authority Seventy since 2006, and Francisco J. Vinas, a General Authority since the time of President Benson, were released from the First Quorum of the Seventy, and Elder Kent F. Richards, a General Authority Seventy since 2009, and Jairo Mazzagardi, a General Authority Seventy since 2010, were released from the Second Quorum of the Seventy. These brethren were all granted emeritus status and received a vote of thanks. This also marked the first time in several years when an actively-serving General Authority has passed away while serving. President Eyring, who led out in the sustaining, paid tribute to Elder Per G. Malm, who died of cancer earlier this year.
As has been customary the last few conferences, when the leading brethren who hold the sacred calling of apostle were sustained, several people vocally expressed their opposition to their sustaining. Despite the constant invitation given to these people, rather than taking the matter up with their stake presidents, they continue to oppose the vote to sustain. If that weren't enough, the sustaining, which is supposed to be a silent vote of support, became the target of vituperative people who chose to verbally state their opposition. These people were hell-bent on stirring up trouble. But as has been the case during the sustaining, those opposed were treated with great respect.
It is tragic that the ritual of sustaining of our Church leaders has been marred by people who only want to stir up trouble. I take comfort in the knowledge that these people will one day stand accountable before God for failing to sustain the leaders the Lord has put into place.
We also were witness to how the Brethren are doing health-wise. President Monson looks frail. I will be amazed if he makes it to the next General Conference. And Elder Hales's talk sounded a lot like a final testimony to me. I hope I am wrong on both counts. But if these brethren are meant to pass, I take comfort in knowing that there is a system of succession in place. We never again have to ask what will happen if any of these brethren pass. And we can take comfort in the fact that if and when that happens, the Lord's plan is perfected to the point where we never again have to wonder what will happen to the Church.
By contrast, our oldest apostle, President Nelson, is looking as hale and hearty as ever. I have a feeling he will live to become the oldest living apostle/prophet in Church history. At 92, he shows no signs of slowing down. And he will live for several more years, I'm sure. I would be very much surprised if he does not become the next prophet. When that will happen remains to be seen.
Just by way of information, as of Sunday, the average age of the First Presidency members is 82.79, while the average age of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is 74.34, and the average age of the 15 apostles together is 76.03. It is interesting to note that some of the apostles are much older than the average, and some are much younger. How blessed we are to have constant, continuous access to the words of these great men. Hope you enjoyed this post.
As has been customary the last few conferences, when the leading brethren who hold the sacred calling of apostle were sustained, several people vocally expressed their opposition to their sustaining. Despite the constant invitation given to these people, rather than taking the matter up with their stake presidents, they continue to oppose the vote to sustain. If that weren't enough, the sustaining, which is supposed to be a silent vote of support, became the target of vituperative people who chose to verbally state their opposition. These people were hell-bent on stirring up trouble. But as has been the case during the sustaining, those opposed were treated with great respect.
It is tragic that the ritual of sustaining of our Church leaders has been marred by people who only want to stir up trouble. I take comfort in the knowledge that these people will one day stand accountable before God for failing to sustain the leaders the Lord has put into place.
We also were witness to how the Brethren are doing health-wise. President Monson looks frail. I will be amazed if he makes it to the next General Conference. And Elder Hales's talk sounded a lot like a final testimony to me. I hope I am wrong on both counts. But if these brethren are meant to pass, I take comfort in knowing that there is a system of succession in place. We never again have to ask what will happen if any of these brethren pass. And we can take comfort in the fact that if and when that happens, the Lord's plan is perfected to the point where we never again have to wonder what will happen to the Church.
By contrast, our oldest apostle, President Nelson, is looking as hale and hearty as ever. I have a feeling he will live to become the oldest living apostle/prophet in Church history. At 92, he shows no signs of slowing down. And he will live for several more years, I'm sure. I would be very much surprised if he does not become the next prophet. When that will happen remains to be seen.
Just by way of information, as of Sunday, the average age of the First Presidency members is 82.79, while the average age of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is 74.34, and the average age of the 15 apostles together is 76.03. It is interesting to note that some of the apostles are much older than the average, and some are much younger. How blessed we are to have constant, continuous access to the words of these great men. Hope you enjoyed this post.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
General Conference Predictions Results
Here are the results of how my predictions for General Conference turned out.
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 [Jean B. Bingham]
|
Carole M. Stephens
|
||
Bonnie L. Oscarson
|
||
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
||
Saturday Morning
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
Elder Robert D. Hales
|
||
[Carol F. McConkie]
|
Elder Craig C. Christensen
|
|
[Elder Craig C. Christensen]
|
Joy D. Jones
|
|
[Elder Juan A. Uceda]
|
Elder Yoon Hwan Choi
|
|
[Elder J. Devn Cornish]
|
Elder Juan A. Uceda
|
|
[Elder Neil L. Andersen]
|
President Russell M. Nelson
|
|
Saturday Afternoon
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
President Henry B. Eyring (Sustaining of Church
Officers)
|
[Elder Quentin L. Cook]
|
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
|
|
[Elder Gary E. Stevenson]
|
Elder Dale G. Renlund
|
|
[Elder D. Todd Christofferson]
|
Elder W. Mark Bassett
|
|
[Elder W. Mark Bassett]
|
Elder Mark A. Bragg
|
|
[Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita]
|
Elder Weatherford T. Clayton
|
|
[Elder Dallin H. Oaks]
|
Elder Quentin L. Cook
|
|
[No one]
|
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
|
|
Saturday Priesthood
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
|
Bishop Gerald Causse [Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr.]
|
||
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
||
President Henry B. Eyring
|
||
President Thomas S. Monson
|
||
Sunday Morning
|
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
|
President Thomas S. Monson
|
[President Russell M. Nelson]
|
Elder David A. Bednar
|
|
[Elder Peter F. Meurs]
|
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
|
|
Linda S. Reeves
|
||
[Elder M. Russell Ballard]
[Bishop Dean M. Davies]
[Elder Lynn G. Robbins]
|
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
|
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
||
Sunday Afternoon
|
President Henry B. Eyring
|
Elder Ronald A. Rasband [Elder David A. Bednar]
|
Elder M. Russell Ballard [Brian K. Ashton]
|
||
Brian K. Ashton [Elder Carl B. Cook]
|
||
Elder Valeri V. Cordon [Elder Ronald A. Rasband]
|
||
Elder Joaquin E. Costa [Elder Evan A. Schmutz]
|
||
Elder Massimo De Feo[Elder K. Brett Nattress]
|
||
Elder Neil L. Andersen [Elder Dale G. Renlund]
|
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: Daniel L. Johnson, Jairo Mazzagardi, Kent F.
Richards, and Francisco J. Vinas were released and granted emeritus status.
|
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: One area seventy was released and two were
sustained.
|
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.
RESULT: No new temples were
announced.
Note that I gave myself a point for the fact that, while she did not speak, Sister Joy D. Jones did participate in the Saturday Morning Session, she said the opening prayer. I also am giving myself a point for the fact that Bonnie H. Cordon gave the closing prayer in the General Women's Session, so she did have some involvement in the session,
89.75/138=65.04%
I was once again blown away by what actually transpired during General Conference vs. what I had predicted. Some things I was absolutely right about, and so many curveballs were thrown. As always, I enjoyed conference greatly. I am pleased to announce that the transcripts for the talks are up now. Click here to review those wonderful, inspiring messages. The next couple of posts I will do will deal directly with conference-related developments. 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.
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