President Dieter F. Uchtdorf will serve as the "Days of '47" KSL Parade Grand Marshal

Hello, all! As any who have read my recent posts know, up until today, the question of who will serve as the Grand Marshal of the "Days of '47" KSL Parade has been somewhat of a question mark. As you also likely know, the annual parade has been held on July 24 in Utah every year since 1849. The first such parade was held two years after the first Church leaders entered the Salt Lake Valley for the first time. Traditionally, a member of the Church's First Presidency has served as the Grand Marshal each year, with First Presidency members rotating that responsibility. In 2014 (prior to scaling down his duties for the first time), President Thomas S. Monson served as Grand Marshal. The next year, it was President Henry B. Eyring that did so.

Then last year, the precedent was broken when Elder M. Russell Ballard, a senior apostle, was asked to take on that role. Elder Ballard was likely given that opportunity because with the health struggles which President Monson and Sister Kathleen Eyring, wife of President Eyring, were experiencing, President Uchtdorf was needed to carry on the responsibilities of the First Presidency. But my favorite local news, KSL, just ran a story about the parade for this year, and President Uchtdorf will serve as Grand Marshal this year. That was exciting to hear about, especially as President Uchtdorf, as a German refugee, has a unique understanding of what it's like to leave his home in view of an unfavorable political and religious climate.

President Uchtdorf has long been a favorite of mine. I have always appreciated the kindness, compassion,and unique perspective he brings to everything he talks about in General Conference. While it is true that President Monson's two counselors were still comparatively junior apostles in 2008 when President Monson selected them to serve at his side (as only Elders Bednar and Cook were more junior), the nine years between now and then has seen them rise in seniority to now being the 7th (President Eyring) and the 8th (President Uchtdorf). Both of them have brought a unique perspective to their service and ministry, and are extraordinarily well qualified to carry on the day-to-day work of the First Presidency, which they have done remarkably well in the two months since the Church announced that President Monson would step away from an active role. And there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that the six who are their senior apostles unequivocally support these two men.

But getting back to the "Days of '47" Parade, no matter where life has taken me personally, I always make sure to watch that parade each year. I am so grateful to live in a state that traces its origins back to pioneers and that marks the celebration of those origins with a state holiday. And, as I do every year, I hope that this Pioneer Day will provide me an opportunity to reflect on those pioneers from all countries, religions, and ethnic origins who have made a difference for those like me who would follow in their footsteps.

On this eve of Pioneer Day, may we all remember such sacrifices and determine for ourselves that we will become pioneers in our own right, and that we will be true to the heritage they left us and expand that legacy to those who will follow us and who will hopefully look at our stories and recognize the difference we have made for them. That this may be true for all of us is my humble prayer in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Minor Update on Durban South Africa Temple

Hello, all! While no significant progress has been made on most of the temples now under construction or undergoing renovation, a minor update was reported on the Durban South Africa Temple. I reported previously that the basement floor walls were poured, and today I learned that the stairs of that basement floor were being installed. But I thought it was sufficiently significant to note. The study of general temple developments continues on an ongoing and frequent basis, and I hope that some few of you might find such updates interesting.  If time and circumstances allow, I will plan on hopefully posting more later this weekend. For now, I just wanted to note that update. Any comments are welcome. Thank you for the privilege of your time.

KUED offers temporary free streaming of documentary about Temple Square

KUED is offering a temporary free streaming of the documentary that it aired last year about the history of Temple Square. This is being done in conjunction with the annual Pioneer Day celebration. You can learn more about the documentary here. Enjoy!

Changes in Area Leadership Reported in the August 2017 Ensign

Hello, all! I got my copy of the August 2017 Ensign yesterday. As has been the Church's custom in the last 20-some-odd years, they released a copy of the Area Leadership Assignments that official go into effect 11 days or so from today, although some have taken effect already in view of other changes that have happened. I speak particularly of the changes hat resulted from Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong's call as a mission president.

Additionally, other assignments may have been effective for a time as well based on whenever it might have been practical to initiate that process. I also wanted to note that there are a couple of minor updates in these assignments from what was announced in the Church News in late May/early June. Minor changes, but still significant.

In the meantime, I also wanted to note that none of the August Church magazines showed any change in the editor and advisers of those magazines. That does not mean nothing has changed. Typically, the assignment of editor rotates every two or three years, while any other assignment changes (including in anticipation of a GA Seventy adviser being granted emeritus status or starting service in an area presidency outside the US) will affect that too. It is not uncommon for such changes not to be effective by the time the August Ensign is printed.

As previously noted, when there is a change in the general auxiliary presidencies, it takes one or two months for any subsequent change in advisers to be noted in the list of advisers on the magazine's information box. So it may take until the September or October magazines are published to see any change there. But I will report on that ASAP once I learn of it.

For now, here is the list of those changes, along with those corrections reported in the August 2017 Ensign. Enjoy, and thanks for your interest and support. Any comments are welcome.

Changes in Area Leadership August 2017

NOTE: Where applicable, I am also noting changes that are likely in the advisers of the Church magazines in view of these assignments, which appear in bold type.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: There is one case, noted in italics below, where the noted changes will likely take place sooner than August 1, in view of Elder Wong’s call as a mission president.

Presidency of the Seventy:

Elders Donald L. Hallstrom (who has been supervising the North America Northwest and North America West Areas) and Richard J. Maynes (who has been supervising the North America Southeast Area) will be released from the Presidency of the Seventy and, as noted, will take other assignments at Church headquarters.

Elders Juan A. Uceda and Patrick Kearon will fill the resulting vacancies in this presidency, with Elder Uceda overseeing the North America Southeast Area (succeeding Elder Maynes) and Elder Kearon overseeing the North America Northwest and North America West Areas (succeeding Elder Hallstrom).

Additionally, in view of his new assignment in the Presidency, Elder Patrick Kearon will be released as President of the Europe Area.

NOTE: In the August 2017 Ensign, other changes were noted in the assignments of the Presidency members; most notably that the previously announced assignments of Elder Lynn G. Robbins and Elder Juan A. Uceda would be reversed, with Elder Robbins overseeing the North America Southeast Area, and Elder Uceda taking Elder Robbins’ former assignment of overseeing the North America Southwest Area.

General Authority Seventies:

Marcos A. Aidukaitis released as First Counselor and called as President of the Brazil Area.

Jose L. Alonso released as Second Counselor in the Central America Area Presidency and called as Second Counselor in the Caribbean Area Presidency.

Wilford W. Andersen released as the junior administrator of the Middle East/Africa North Area, and called as the senior administrator (referred to for the first time as Area President.)

NOTE: While the Church News article on this assignment (which was published on May 3, 2017) noted this somewhat different title, no mention of that was subsequently made in the August 2017 Ensign in the article discussing this year’s changes.

Ian S. Ardern called as Second Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency.

W. Mark Bassett released as Second Counselor and called as First Counselor in the Brazil Area Presidency.

Craig A. Cardon released as Second Counselor and called as First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency.

Valeri V. Cordon called as Second Counselor in the Central America Area Presidency.

Claudio R. M. Costa released as President of the Brazil Area Presidency.

Joaquin E. Costa called as Second Counselor in the Brazil Area Presidency.

Massimo De Feo called as Second Counselor in the Europe Area Presidency.

Kevin R. Duncan released as President of the Central America Area Presidency.

Stanley G. Ellis released as First Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency.

David F. Evans released as Second Counselor and called as First Counselor in the Asia Area Presidency.

NOTE: Elder Evans is succeeding Elder Wong, as noted below. It is therefore likely that we will see this change happen sooner than August, if it has not already taken place.

Robert C. Gay called as President of the Asia North Area Presidency.

Christoffel Golden called as First Counselor in the Europe East Area Presidency.

NOTE: Elder Golden’s new assignment will necessitate his release as an adviser to the Church Magazines. Follow-up note (added on 7/20/17): If such a change has been made, it is not reflected in the August 2017 Ensign.

Paul V. Johnson released as First Counselor in the Europe Area Presidency and called as the Area President.

Larry S. Kacher released as First Counselor in the Europe East Area Presidency and called as Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency.

Larry R. Lawrence released as the senior administrator of the Middle East/Africa North Area.

NOTE: It is likely that Elder Lawrence will be granted emeritus status in October, which would also necessitate his release as an adviser to the Church magazines. Follow-up note (added on 7/20/17): If such a change has been made, it is not reflected in the August 2017 Ensign.

Joni L. Koch called as Second Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency.

Hugo E. Martinez released as Second Counselor in the Caribbean Area Presidency.

Peter F. Meurs called as Second Counselor in the Asia Area Presidency.

NOTE: Elder Meurs replaces Elder Evans, who is succeeding Elder Wong, as noted below. It is therefore likely that we will see this change happen sooner than August, if it has not already taken place.

S. Gifford Nielsen released as First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency.

Adrian Ochoa released as First Counselor and called as the President of the Central America Area

S. Mark Palmer released as Second Counselor and called as First Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency.

Anthony D. Perkins called as the junior administrator of the Middle East/Africa North Area (referred to for the first time as the First Counselor of that area).

NOTE: While the Church News article on this assignment (which was published on May 3, 2017) noted this somewhat different title, no mention of that was subsequently made in the August 2017 Ensign in the article discussing this year’s changes.

Gary B. Sabin released as Second Counselor and called as First Counselor in the Europe Area Presidency.

Vern P. Stanfill released as Second Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency.

Scott D. Whiting released as President of the Asia North Area.

Chi Hong (Sam) Wong released as First Counselor in the Asia Area Presidency.

NOTE: Elder Wong, who has been asked to serve as president of the Canada Vancouver Mission starting in July, has likely already been released from this assignment to allow him to prepare for this new one.

Jorge F. Zeballos called as First Counselor in the Central America Area Presidency.

Church News Update (includes article about Christina B. Franco, new Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency)

Hello, all! This blog post will highlight some Church News items that I have not posted about previously. These items may not be new as of today, but they are significant.

As the final article on new Church leaders sustained last April, the Church ran this one about Christina B. Franco, who is the new Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency. As she had been serving with her husband in a mission presidency until the beginning of this month, she is just now starting her service in the new assignment. Her story is quite unique. It was good to get to know her better. Enjoy!

The Church News also gave us a little insight into the question of how Elder Robert D. Hales is doing in terms of his health by publishing this article to describe his reaction to being honored as a pioneer of progress. It sounds like he is having more difficulty but continues to soldier through. No indication on whether or not he will be well enough to speak during this next General Conference, but I imagine if he can, at any length, the Church will give him the opportunity to do so. Nice to see him up and about.

The Church News also ran this article to summarize counsel given by the leaders of the women's auxiliary presidencies to new mission presidents and their wives. Unless there are address we don't know about, this seems to complete the Church News report of that seminar. Again, for an overview of the seminar addresses as a whole, click here. Please note that a link to this newest address has not yet been added to that overview article, but it likely will be soon.

The Church News continued their series of articles leading up to Pioneer Days with this article highlighting the legacy of faith left to all of us by early pioneers, and this article detailing how miracles experienced by the pioneers helped them to overcome the obstacles they faced. At a time when Pioneer Day is just around the corner (it will be celebrated on Monday here in Utah), it is wonderful to consider the sacrifices these early Saints made to trek to Zion.

As we consider those sacrifices and the pioneer legacy of these early Saints, my prayer is that we will always remember that we too can be pioneers in our own right. As we continue to live the gospel daily and strive for righteous goals, we can, with that pioneer spirit, make choices about our lives that will be a blessing to the generations that will follow us. And it will be up to each of us to determine how that will happen in our own lives. May the Lord bless us all in our endeavors to do so.