BREAKING NEWS: Church Issues Statement on President Monson's health

Hello, all! I am posting today to note this statement as an update on President Monson's condition. This is a change from what I previously reported about that. I am grateful for a system in place in the Church that allows the work to continue unhindered. In the days ahead, we will learn more about what this statement means in terms of President Monson's condition. More to come once more is known. Thanks to you all for your interest and support. Comments are welcome and appreciated, but any that are derogatory of the Church or our prophet will be deleted. In the meantime, I too am grateful that there is a system in place that allows the work to proceed uninterrupted. I pray also for the blessings of heaven for not only our prophet, but his noble counselors and our wonderful apostles. May God bless them all.

Update: My favorite local news, KSL, just released this article relating to the statement I linked to above. It provides a link to a great talk President Gordon B. Hinckley, as the only active member of the First Presidency for the last three years of President Kimball's life, gave relating to the condition of the Church. That talk can be found here. We have seen this before. The Church is in good hands. Instead of being concerned about that side of things, let us unite our prayers in behalf of President Monson, his counselors, and the other apostles that will carry on the work to the best of their ability, consulting with the prophet when needed. I would also like to remind everyone that we are still lead by a living prophet, so any talks of granting President Monson some kind of emeritus status is not helpful, nor is it the Lord's way. He may not be able to function actively as the prophet right now, but that no less diminishes his mantle as such. All major decisions will be under his direction. In the meantime, we can take comfort in knowing that there are 14 other apostles to carry on the work, most of whom are able to function fully, so the Church and its future are in good hands. Thanks again.

Additional note: The Church News published this article about that statement, including again a link to the talk that then-Elder Nelson gave on sustaining the prophets, and quoting President Monson himself from a talk he gave years ago. Enjoy, and thanks again.

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.