Temple Events Happening This Weekend/New President Called for Tokyo Japan Temple

Hello, all! Two significant temple-related events will take place this weekend. Tomorrow, the open house will start for the Tucuson Arizona Temple. Tours will continue for the next three weeks, excluding Sundays. That temple, as we know, will be dedicated in August. In the meantime, the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple will be rededicated in two days, following the cultural celebration tomorrow night. I have not yet been able to find out who among all of our Church leaders might be in attendance, but there appears to be a good chance that Elder David A. Bednar could be one of them. This article, written earlier this week, focuses on the 20-year anniversary since the Bednars first came to Rexburg to preside at Ricks College, which would, during his tenure, become BYU-Idaho on August 10, 2001. Just over three years later, Elder Bednar would be released from his tenure as university president in view of his call to the apostleship. From what the article said, it sounds like Elder Bednar has been in Idaho for the last several days, which leads me to believe he will play some role in this weekend's events, whether he or another senior apostle presides. More to come once more is known.

In terms of other temple news, a new president for the Tokyo Japan Temple was announced, (as the previous president had died during his active service on April 28. It appears that the First Counselor will be the new President. He will only have about 3.75 months of active service prior to that temple's already-scheduled renovation, so it is more than likely that this new president will serve until that closure, and then for 2-3 years after its rededication sometime during 2020.

That does it for this temple news and events update. Next to come are an update on the travels and ministries of the apostles. I also hope to post a new general update on Church News. And there might be an additional topic or two I will try to cover today as well. Stay tuned. Thanks.

From the LDS Church Growth Blog: Elder Bednar visits three African nations, becoming the first apostle to do so

Hello. According to this post from Matthew Martinich, Elder Bednar recently returned from a visit to three African nations, Guinea, Mali, and Senegal, becoming the first apostle to do so. It has also been reported that, while there, he dedicated Senegal for the preaching of the gospel. This is a wonderful sign of Church growth in Africa, and I have no doubt that the Lord has His hands on the expansion of His work there. In coming weeks, months and years, we will know more about what this means for the future of the Church in these nations. Just wanted to pass that along.

Wishing a Happy Birthday to President Henry B. Eyring

Tomorrow, President Henry B. Eyring will observe his 84th birthday. I wanted to take this opportunity to pay a brief tribute to his lifetime of extensive Church Service. His general Church service began when Elder Neal A. Maxwell, then Commissioner of Church Education, invited him to become the president of Ricks College, which is now known as BYU-Idaho. President Eyring would later go on to serve twice as Commissioner of Church Education himself between 1980 and 1986, and again between 1992 and 2004.

In the interim, he was called in 1985 to serve as First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric under future fellow apostle Robert D. Hales, and was sustained a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1992. Three years later, in April 1995, he became the first apostle called by President Gordon B. Hinckley, who called him 12.5 years later to serve as the new Second Counselor in the First Presidency following the death of President James E. Faust. When President Hinckley himself passed away just under four months later, President Eyring resumed his place in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for a week prior to being called as first counselor to President Thomas S. Monson on February 3, 2008.

In light of the recent Church announcement that President Monson will no longer be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the Church, President Eyring and Second Counselor President Dieter F. Uchtdorf will, in consultation with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will see to the day-to-day operations of the Church, including making any decisions that that do not need President Monson's input and consent. This will be a great opportunity for all 14 apostles to grow. In the meantime, while President Eyring is naturally showing some minor signs of his 84 years of life, he still seems to be healthy and operating at the fullest of his ability.

So, in preparation for his special day tomorrow, I would like to thank President Eyring for his many years of devoted service in the Church. He is known as one of the most tenderhearted of our current apostles, and has demonstrated time and time again his devotion to the Church and his concern for its members and what they are going through on a day-to-day basis. Speaking personally, I was initially surprised to hear President Hinckley announce that President Eyring would be joining the First Presidency those many years ago, but I have long since realized just how inspired that decision was. President Eyring, though he is the 7th in apostolic seniority at present, has been very devoted and committed to carrying on the work of the Lord under the direction of President Monson, and I have every confidence that he, President Uchtdorf, and the other apostles will continue to advance the marvelous vision President Monson has for the progression of the Church.

Best wishes to President Eyring as he observes his birthday tomorrow.  Comments are welcome and appreciated. Thanks to you all for taking time to read this.

Church News features an article on New Relief Society General President Jean B. Bingham

The Church News ran this article about newly appointed General Relief Society President Jean B. Bingham. It was great to learn more about her. Enjoy! As always, comments are welcome and appreciated. Thanks.

Temple News and Events Update

Hello. This will be the first in a series of rapid-fire posts I will do today. While no significant developments have happened with temple construction, I have learned a couple of neat things. First, the Tucson Arizona temple will officially open for tours this Saturday, though VIP and media tours are being conducted between now and then. The Church News ran this article about the open house, which will run for three weeks, excluding Sundays.

In addition, the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple will be rededicated on Sunday. While there has been no word yet about who might preside at that event, and who else might be in attendance, I have done further research on that. I found out that Elder Gary E. Stevenson was married in that temple years ago, so it is very likely he will be in attendance.

And while I originally theorized that President Eyring and Elder Andersen might be in attendance in view of their ties to Idaho, they represented top Church leadership at the Paris France Temple dedication just over a week ago. The Church seems to like rotating attendance at such events among all the apostles, which makes me think that President Eyring and Elder Andersen will not be participating in this event.

I still believe that President Uchtdorf, who broke ground for the Tucson Arizona Temple, will return for that temple's dedication in August. So it is my new theory that a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve will preside at this rededication, which has happened many times with other rededications. The only question is which senior apostle will do that. I had thought in passing that Elder Bednar, another apostle who has ties to Idaho, could do it, but it is more likely that he will be involved somehow with the Meridian Idaho dedication, as he was the one to break ground for that temple.

And in view of the fact that Elder Hales is still not in good health, and because I also found out that Elder Ballard has been somewhat involved of late with the Utah South Area, and in view of the fact that he and Elder Holland, who has extensive ties to southern Utah, might possibly be involved in the dedication of the Cedar City temple later this month, by process of elimination, I feel we could see either President Nelson or Elder Oaks preside at this rededication.

Those are just my thoughts on some temple news and events. As always, let me know yours. Thanks.