Lots of Church News happening right now

In addition to what I have reported of late, lots of other Church news is happening. Two MTCs have completed the process of renovations, and public tours are available. To read about the Provo MTC, click here. To read about what was done with the one based in the Philippines, click here.

Regarding other Church news developments, there have been so many in the last several days that I cannot blog about it all. It would take far too long. But below, I am providing links that will lead any who are interested to these latest developments. Thanks for your readership and continued support. Enjoy!

LDS Church News stories
Unit updates and developments
Temple News and construction status
Church News and Events
Mormon Newsroom

Travels of the Apostles

Hello, all! Here I am again with the next post I promised regarding the latest report of the travels and ministries of the apostles around the world. Enjoy!

Elder Dallin H. Oaks made a visit to Japan and Korea to conduct the annual review of the Asia North area from May 19-28, accompanied by his wife Kristin, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife Susan, and the Asia North Area Presidency members and their wives: Scott D. and Jeri Whiting, Kazuhiko and Tazuko Yamashita, and Yoon Hwan and Bon Kyung Choi. For more on that visit, click here.

During this same time (May 19-28), Elder Quentin L. Cook visited the Asia Area to conduct its annual review, accompanied by his wife Mary, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife Rosana, and Bishop W. Christopher Waddell and his wife Carol. The members of the Asia Area Presidency and their wives were also in attendance (Randy D. and Andrea Funk, Chi Hong (Sam) and Carol Wong, and David F. and Mary Evans). As Elder Wong and his wife were getting ready to return to the United States, where they have been asked to preside over the Canada Vancouver Mission, Elder Peter F. Meurs and his wife are joining that area presidency and were in attendance for this area review, signalling the transition was nearly complete. Click here to learn more about what that visit entailed.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband toured the Africa Southeast Area between May 18-29 to conduct an area review, accompanied by the members of the area presidency: Kevin S. Hamilton, Stanley G. Ellis and and S. Mark Palmer. While it is not explicitly stated in the article,  I imagine that the wives of these brethren (Melanie Rasband, Claudia Hamilton, Kathryn Ellis, and Jacqueline Palmer). For more details on that visit, click here.

Aside from traveling, there has been other apostolic news. Elder Oaks, Elder M. Russell Ballard, and Elder Cook, in company with Presiding Bishop Gerald Causse, were present when Utah's senior senator and Church member Orrin Hatch was named BYU Management Society's 2017 Distinguished Utahn award, for his efforts to represent the state and get things done without compromising his morality or beliefs. Senator Hatch has served for a number of years, and is right now third in the line of succession to the Presidency of the United States. Tributes were offered by Elder Ballard and Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zion's Bank. The event also featured musical tributes by Kurt Bestor and Paul Cardall. To read the full report of the event, click here.

In additional apostolic news, Elder Neil L. Andersen joined other religious and civic leaders in a panel discussion attended by 400 leaders from 70 countries. The purpose of the panel was to discuss how societies can develop togetherness, faith and trust to combat spiritual, economic, and political problems. You can read more about this panel discussion here and here.

As is not a surprise at all, the apostles have been kept busy of late, and with President Monson stepping back from active participation in discussions and decisions, the other 14 apostles will be much busier as they continue to make an effort to get in touch with the needs of the Church as a whole, as well as regional, local, familial, and personal needs.

That does it for this update. Comments are always welcome and appreciated. Thanks for your readership, interest, and support.

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.