Paris France Temple Dedicated by President Henry B. Eyring as the 156th operating temple of the Church

Hello, all! The Paris France Temple was dedicated earlier today by President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency. I have before spoken of not knowing about his connection to France, and I still can't believe I missed that. However, I was also gratified to hear that, in addition to Elder Neil L. Andersen (a former missionary in France) and Presiding Bishop Gerald Causse (our first French General Authority), Elder Paul V. Johnson, president of the Church's Europe Area, was in attendance, along with Elder Larry Y. Wilson, the executive director of the Temple Department.

It sounds like all went well and that the visiting brethren are on their way back to Church headquarters. Though not a lot of news has been released regarding the dedication, we do have this article from the Deseret News and this one from the newsroom on the Church's website. I am keeping an eye out for other articles to be published on this, and will post those in the coming days as I become aware of them.

For now, I wanted to note that there have not been many other significant developments in terms of temple construction, aside from the fact that we now have 156 operating temples, and that the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple open house concluded yesterday, with its rededication anticipated two weeks from today. I had thought that President Eyring, Elder Bednar, and Elder Andersen might be in attendance at that rededication, and it could still happen that way.

But I also know that the Church has seemed to like to rotate dedication attendance among all of the apostles so everyone gets a chance to participate. I am keeping an eye out for updates on all fronts of temple news and will post that information as soon as I have it. For now, thanks for your readership and support. Comments continue to be welcome and appreciated.

Elder Glenn L. Pace Eulogized

This article contains a summary of the funeral proceedings for Elder Glenn L. Pace that were held earlier today. Representing the leading Brethren of the Church was Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who had shared many assignments with him. It sounds like it was a beautiful service. Just wanted to report that.

Report of the Paris France Cultural Celebration

Continuing what has been a big news day, the Church News just featured an article covering the Paris France youth cultural celebration. Click here to read that report. Sounds like a beautiful event. Stay tuned for more in the next 24 hours or so as reports come in about the dedication of this temple. The first dedicatory session will be held in about 6 hours (9 am in France is 1 am MST, an 8-hour difference). I pray the Lord's blessings on the wonderful French Saints who have waited so long for the dedication of their first temple, and also that the Lord will bless the Saints to put it to enough use that a second temple might be needed in France in the not-too-distant future. As with every other development, I am trying to keep abreast of it all. If I am missing anything at any time, please do let me know. Thanks to you all for your readership and support.

Church Loses Another Emeritus General Authority Seventy

The Church News reported last night the death of Elder Earl M. Monson (no relation to the prophet), who had served as a General Authority Seventy from 1998-2002. He died on Thursday at the age of 84. He served as a counselor in the Pacific Islands Area during his four years in the Seventy. His funeral will take place on Monday. Click here to read the Church News tribute article written in his memory, and here to read the one remarkable address he gave in General Conference. May God bless his memory and comfort his family at this time.

BREAKING NEWS: First Presidency Announces Mission Merge in Russia

As this subject implies, the Church has, under the direction of the First Presidency, announced the merging of two Russian missions, Russia Vladivostok and Russia Novisibirsk. The idea is to downsize the number of volunteers serving in Russia (the political climate there not being fully conducive to gospel progression.) Those serving in Vladivostock who would have been released in July will be coming home later this month, and those set to return in August will be reassigned to missions within the United States. The mission president and his wife, a couple by the name of Perkinson, who have presided over the mission for two years, have been released. It was further noted that the Europe East Area Presidency will have a direct role in supervising this mission combination.

This is an interesting time, where the work of the Lord and His Church is spreading so well in some places. In places like Russia, where the Church still might not be viewed with a favorable eye, a move like this makes a lot of sense. It is always interesting how missions change, grow, split, combine, and are sometimes closed. As with everything else, I support the Church fully in this decision.

Some of the details of this blog post were taken verbatim from the news release. To read the official version, click here. Comments are always welcome. Thanks, everyone!