BREAKING NEWS: List of those who will attend the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple Rededication this weekend

Hello. I am excited to announce that I found out who all will be at the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple Dedication events this weekend. I had been correct in my original prediction that President Eyring would preside, though I am more than a little surprised that the Church is having him do two in a row. Accompanying President Eyring are Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy (this will likely be the last temple dedication he attends as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, as he will be released in just under two months), and Elders K. Brett Nattress and Bradley D. Foster.

I have not been able to verify this at all, but I believe that either Elder Foster or Elder Nattress, or both, might be among the assistant executive directors of the Temple Department. Click here to read more on all of this. This is very intriguing. I know I say this a lot, but it's even more true in this instance: I couldn't be more pleased that I was wrong in almost every respect about the possible attendees of this event.

You can depend on my keeping an eye out for news and information about the cultural celebration and dedication this weekend, and will be sure to pass anything along once I know of it. Thanks to you all for your interest and support.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: I was originally surprised to hear that President Eyring would be presiding at this rededication, as he presided at the Paris France dedication almost two weeks ago. But the fact that President Eyring will officiate there as originally anticipated strengthens my feelings that President Uchtdorf will preside at the Tucson Arizona Temple dedication in two months, as he broke ground for the temple. I looked but could not find any special connection Elder Rasband has to Idaho in general or to this temple in particular, but I'm glad the Church is spreading out apostolic attendance at these events.  I also found out that Elder Foster is the Executive Director of the Family History Department, which means he likely is a member of the Temple and Family History Executive Council. As for Elder Nattress, his General Authority assignments aren't known. But in doing research about him, I learned that he was born in Pocatello, so it is likely that, as an Idaho native, he feels a connection to this temple. According to this article, another General Authority Seventy, Elder Wilford W. Andersen, will be in attendance as well, and I know for sure he is both an Assistant Executive Director for the Temple Department, and, as a General Authority Seventy, has an additional leadership role within the Idaho Area of the Church. Just wanted to add that. Thanks again!

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.