Temple Milestones in the Near Future

Hello, all! Today marks a special day indeed. The cultural celebration for the Tucson Arizona Temple will be held exactly two weeks from today, with the dedication following the very next day. Two months from today, both the Tokyo Japan and Memphis Tennessee Temples will close for their renovation projects (with the Memphis renovation anticipated to last until 2019, and that of Tokyo anticipated to last anywhere from 6-8 months longer than that.) If what I have heard is any indication, we are likely to see at least a few temple announcements during October General Conference. Two weeks after General Conference, we have the closure of the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple, and that event itself will be followed two weeks later (three months from today) by the groundbreaking for the temple in Port-au-Prince Haiti. As previously noted, Haiti's first temple will be considerably smaller than the only other temple in the Caribbean, which took 4 years and 1 month. I have ventured my estimate that construction on this first Haitian temple will take roughly 1.5 years less to construct than that first temple (as the 2 year, 7 month estimate feels reasonable). I further found out that the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple design is anticipated to be somewhat similar to that of the Kinshasa DR Congo Temple. And the very next day,the Asuncion Paraguay Temple will close for its renovation.

While we look forward to these milestones, there have not been many other developments in terms of those temples currently under construction, undergoing renovation, or announced. I did hear, however, that the Port-au-Prince site is being cleared. All going well, work should begin in earnest on that temple the Monday following the groundbreaking, rather than having it sit for days or weeks in the "construction pending" section.

What is not so clear is how soon we might see work begin in earnest on the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple. As I have previously noted, until that happens, I have renumbered the temples that are comparatively further along. Whenever that changes, I will reorder the temples based on whenever we can expect  Winnipeg to be completed. I daily hope for news on any temple, and will be sure to pass along any updates that come my way.

Until that time, thanks for the privilege of your time. Comments continue to be welcome and appreciated. Have a great weekend, and I will be back very soon with the next post. Until that time, all the best to all of you!

Minor Church News Update

Hello, all! This post will serve as a minor update about Church news that has been released in the last 3 days or so. First, in apostolic news, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (who serves both as an LDS apostle and as a member of the BSA National Executive Board) spoke to Aaronic Priesthood age scouts about their roles with the Sacrament. He was joined by the Young Men General Presidency. Brother Stephen W. Owen spoke at that meeting as well, and his first counselor, Douglas D. Holmes, conducted the meeting. Read that article here.

At the Seymour Institute Seminar on Religious Freedom in Princeton, New Jersey, Elder Quentin L. Cook spoke about how foundations supporting faith are being marginalized to a certain degree in an increasingly secular world. Click here for a summary of his remarks.

I am pleased to see the Church's ongoing efforts to emphasize the importance of religious freedom and to address that issue more frequently. Most of the apostolic news updates I have posted this year have included some mention of an apostle addressing this subject. It is obvious the Church and its leaders feel strongly about this subject. I am likewise pleased to be able to report frequently on how the Church has been reaching out to establish greater partnerships with other religions and leaders of nations. This shows that the Church is becoming more well-known, and its membership more widely respected and understood. I look forward to being able to continue to report on ongoing developments of this sort .

In the meantime, the other two articles I wanted to mention here were written in conjunction with the annual Mormon night which is held at Dodger Stadium every July. This year, Elder Steven E. Snow, a General Authority Seventy who also serves as Church Historian and Recorder, represented the Church in throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, which was caught by Elder Bruce E. Ghent, an Area Seventy who resides in the Los Angeles area. These brethren were accompanied by their wives, Sisters Phyllis Snow and Kathryn Ghent.

For those unaware, Mormon Night is the largest and longest running community event in Los Angeles, and it has been held each year for 40+ years and counting. Mykel, an up-and-coming LDS music artist from Highland, Utah, sang the national anthem. For more on the history of this event, including a list of past participants, click here.

In conjunction with Mormon Night, many partners of JustServe (which administers the Church's service initiative) were honored during Mormon Night with the Padres. For more on that, click here.

That does it for this Church news update. I am working on a few projects, which I hope to post sometime this weekend. Comments continue to be welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. All the best.

Update on Construction of the Kinshasa DR Congo Temple

While no significant developments have been reported regarding other temples that are under construction, undergoing renovation, or announced, I am pleased to report that I heard today of a change in status for the Kinshasa DR Congo Temple. The exterior walls have now been completed, plywood is being attached to the roof trusses, and support is being poured for the baptismal font. I have also learned recently that the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple is anticipated to be somewhat comparable in design and layout to the Kinshasa DR Congo, and that both temples are among those of a more modest size that allows them to generally be built more quickly. Since construction in Kinshasa will have spanned roughly 2.58 years (2 years and 7 months) by the time of its dedication (if my estimates are correct), an estimate of 2 years and 7 months feels reasonable for the completion of the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple, which would put its completion sometime during either June or August 2020.

Whatever happens going forward with temple-related developments, the one thing upon which you can depend is that I will do my level best to keep track of it all and pass information along as I become aware of it. Thanks to you all for the privilege of your time, and your ongoing interest and support. I will post again soon. Until then, all the best.

October 2017 General Conference Predictions (again)

Hello, all! I am back again, this time to revisit the matter of my October 2017 General Conference predictions. Since I have posted just barely about new temple possibilities, this post will focus on speaking order and the changes in Church leadership that I am anticipating, which are either certain (from announcements already made) or probable (in view of what has traditionally happened in previous October conferences).

Before sharing those predictions with you all, I wanted to note some things: I have below ventured the prediction that President Monson and Elder Hales will speak back-to-back in the Sunday Morning Session. If I find information that indicates that neither will speak at all during this General Conference, then I can see President Monson asking President Eyring to speak at the beginning of the session, and having 2-3 extra speakers (such as General Authorities Seventies) take up that time. And if President Monson doesn't speak in the Priesthood Session, then a change in the speaking order might take place, including either adding a General Authority Seventy or having President Nelson speak instead. Once more is known on that, I will pass that along. It is also not unreasonable to believe that other members of the Presidency of the Seventy might speak instead of the two newest members (Elders Uceda and Kearon). But the patterns of the past have been to have any new members of that body speak in the next General Conference after that change. It is also not hard to believe that both the Sunday School General Presidency member (which, if I have the rotation right, should be the General President, Tad R. Callister) and Bishop Waddell (who hasn't spoken since his first address as a member of the Presiding Bishopric) could speak in different sessions than indicated here. And while it has been a general rule that the rotation of female auxiliary speakers has been pretty consistent in both the Women's session and the general sessions, there is no hard and fast rule about that rotation.

My point in mentioning all of this could be summarized as follows: there have been patterns of speaker rotation through all General Conferences, but those patterns are subject to change based on a variety of factors. I keep my eye on all of that, and after each General Conference, I analyze how any changes in that general pattern might affect how future predictions are put together. And anything that happens between conferences impacts those patterns as well (health issues or deaths of Church leaders, assignment changes, etc.) For my part, I am doing my best to keep an eye on all of that, and I will continue to pass such things along as I am able to do so going forward. For now, here are those predictions. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for the privilege of your time.

October 2017 General Conference Predictions

Speaking Order (Text in brackets indicated what actually happened.)

Session	Conducting	Speaker
General Women’s	Joy D. Jones	Christina B. Franco
		Sharon Eubank
		Bonnie L. Oscarson
		President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Saturday Morning	President Henry B. Eyring	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
		Bishop W. Christopher Waddell
		Jean B. Bingham
		Elder David A. Bednar
		Elder Massimo De Feo
		Elder O. Vincent Haleck
		Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Saturday Afternoon	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf	President Henry B. Eyring (Sustaining of Church Officers)
		President Russell M. Nelson
		Elder Dale G. Renlund
		Elder Larry Y. Wilson
		Elder Joni L. Koch
		Elder Ian S. Ardern
		Elder Quentin L. Cook
		Elder Ronald A. Rasband
Saturday Priesthood	President Henry B. Eyring	President Thomas S. Monson
		Elder D. Todd Christofferson
		Elder Patrick Kearon
		President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
		President Henry B. Eyring
Sunday Morning	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf	President Thomas S. Monson
		Elder Robert D. Hales
		Elder Juan A. Uceda
		Neill F. Marriott
		Elder Gary E. Stevenson
		Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella
		Elder Brian K. Taylor
		President Henry B. Eyring
Sunday Afternoon	President Henry B. Eyring	Elder Neil L. Andersen
		Tad R. Callister
		Elder David F. Evans
		Elder M. Russell Ballard
		Elder Taniela B. Wakolo
		Elder Jose L. Alonso
		Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Changes in General Church Leadership

Presidency of the Seventy: Elders Donald L. Hallstrom and Richard J. Maynes released from the presidency, Elders Juan A. Uceda and Patrick Kearon sustained. NOTE: These changes, announced on May 3, became effective on August 1. For that reason, they will likely be ratified by sustaining vote.

General Authority Seventies: Elders Stanley G. Ellis, Larry R. Lawrence, and W. Craig Zwick released as General Authority Seventies and granted emeritus status. NOTE: Elder Ellis turned 70 in January this year, just as Elder Zwick did in June, and Elder Lawrence did in August, so it would make sense if these men were released and granted emeritus status. RESULT:

Area Seventies: Releases and sustainings. NOTE: It has been customary for most changes in area seventies to take place in April, when President Uchtdorf leads out in the sustaining vote, and for only a few to take place in October, when President Eyring leads out in the sustaining. Since we are talking about an October General Conference, it would make sense if only a few changes happened this go-round. RESULT:

My Updated List of Near-Future Temple Site Possibilities

Hello, all! The last time I posted the list I had put together of possible future temple sites, I was not able to get feedback on it because of the issue preventing all of you from doing so. Now that that issue has been resolved, I wanted to post my list again here so that I can get everyone's feedback on them. I also wanted to note that I have made a few changes on this list since I last posted it. These are temples that I feel have the best chance to be announced within the next 1-7 years. I have another list I am working on of temples that may be announced within a 10 year period after that, which I will post at another time. My main concern with this current list is considering the most likely possibilities for next conference.

In that regard, as already noted, the 85+ that Elder Wilson said are anticipated to be announced within the next 15 years means that we are likely to see at least a few temples announced during every General Conference for the foreseeable future, as well as perhaps a few being identified here and there between each April and October. For my part, I will do my best to keep on top of all of those ongoing developments as they happen, and will pass along reports of the latest news in that regard, as well as ongoing updates to my projected timeline for future events.

For now, in the absence of new developments, I have a few things to finish up. Here is the list I have come up with. I appreciate the chance to put it up again right now, and look forward to the discussion of my selections. As always, I have listed them first by the geographical area of the Church under which they fall, then by likelihood within that area. I am constantly looking for potential sites to add when I am not busy with other things, so if there are any glaring omissions, please let me know. Posts such as this always seem to have increased interest and comments. Enjoy! As always, thanks for the privilege of your time.

Temple Predictions:
3+ temples announced in any of the following locations:

NOTE: Since it is difficult at best to know where the Lord feels a need for a temple and temple locations are not as cut-and-dried as I have originally believed them to be, I am doing a preliminary list, which I will refine as the time for General Conference draws closer. I will look forward to seeing what happens with those possibilities, if any are announced at all. So far between 2015 and this year, the 12 newest temples were announced during the April General Conference. If any temples are announced, there may only be a few. But that is just my own opinion. So far between 2015 and this year, the 12 newest temples were announced during the April General Conference. If any temples are announced, there may only be a few. But that is just my own opinion, and the Lord has been known to prove me wrong. I continue to hope for temple announcements during every General Conference, and nothing is set in stone.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: After thinking further about those temples I feel are most likely in the near future, I first narrowed down then expanded these selections again. I am again listing them by the geographical area of the Church under which they fall and then by likelihood within each of those areas.
Africa Southeast: Antananarivo Madagascar; Lubumbashi DR Congo
Africa West: Lagos Nigeria; Kumasi Ghana; Freetown Sierra Leone; Praia Cape Verde
Asia: Phomn Penh Cambodia; Jakarta Indonesia; Ulaanbaatar Mongolia; Singapore Hyderabad/Rajahmundry India
Brazil: Belo Horizonte; Salvador
Central America: Managua Nicaragua; San Pedro Sula Honduras; Guatemala City Guatemala (2^nd temple)
Europe:Budapest Hungary; Vienna Austria
Mexico: Puebla; Queretaro; Mexico City (2^nd temple)
North America Central: Missoula Montana; Green Bay Wisconsin; South Dakota Rapid City
North America Northwest: Salem Oregon
North America Southeast: Bentonville Arkansas
North America Southwest: Fort Worth Texas; Flagstaff Arizona; Henderson Nevada; Joplin Missouri North America West: Bakersfield/Ventura California
Pacific: Auckland New Zealand; Port Moresby Papua New Guinea
Philippines: Davao/Cagayan de Oro
South America Northwest: Valparaiso Chile; Neuquen Argentina; Maracaibo Venezuela; Santa Cruz/La Paz Bolivia; Iquitos Peru
Utah North: Layton Utah
Utah Salt Lake: Tooele Utah
Utah South: Mapleton Utah

Notes about potential temple sites:
1. For the Africa Southeast Area, the two possibilities listed seem to be the most likely ones. With the growth of the Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a second temple seems imminent, even without knowing how the one that will be dedicated in Kinshasa will affect any potential future temples. While Elder Neil L. Andersen proposed a temple for the Kasai region, Lubumbashi seems more likely. As always, I will pass any new information along as I become aware of it. 2.In the Africa West Area, second temples for Ghana and Nigeria seem likely, especially now that all Nigerian cities have been reached by the Church. And Sierra Leone may also get a temple soon simply by virtue of being so far distant from the temple district under which it falls. Additionally, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde come in at #6 and #10 respectively in terms of the top ten countries/dependencies with the strongest LDS presence but without a temple, making them very viable candidates for the future, if not immediately. I have also heard some say that a second and possibly a third Ivory Coast temple may be announced within the next 10-15 years depending on how quickly the first one progresses. 3. While I was double-checking for additional temple sites, I quickly figured out that Asia could be a great candidate for several new temples, and these are the most likely locations that I could find. While all of them make sense in terms of President Monson’s desire to have every Church member within 200 miles of a temple, I have grouped them by the number of Church units. Additionally, I know that temples have been proposed for New Delhi India (in 1992 by Elder Maxwell) and for Singapore (in 2000 by President Hinckley). Church membership in these Asian countries stand as follows: Cambodia: nearing 14,000; India: just over 13,000; Mongolia: nearing 11,500; Indonesia: nearing 7,300; Singapore: nearing 8,400. According to a statistical profile written by a Church Growth expert, India may not actually get a temple until there is a stronger Church presence to support it. For now, it seems that the order I have placed them in may be the most likely order by which they might be announced.  As more information comes to light, I will make any adjustments that might be necessary. 4. In Brazil, the two cities above seem to be the most imminent possibilities. It would also not surprise me at all if the Church held off on announcing any other Brazilian temples until the two under construction and the other two announced ones are closer to completion. As I have mentioned previously, I had felt prior to General Conference last April that Brazil's next temple would be built in Brasilia, but didn't think it would be announced until the one in Belem made more progress. So more Brazilian temples may be announced soon, but they also might not. Once more is known, I will make any adjustments needed. 
5. While I said when posting my last list of possibilities that any new European temples might be put on hold until the Church evaluates how the dedications of the Paris France and Rome Italy Temples and the rededications of the temples in Freiberg and Frankfurt Germany have affected temple attendance for European Saints, in going over the current and future districts, I was reminded that I had heard from several people that Budapest Hungary would be the next European temple. And Vienna Austria makes sense in terms of President Monson's expressed goal to have every member within 200 miles of a temple. Until more information is known, these additions seemed to be sound. 6. Of the many cities in Mexico, I know Puebla has been widely mentioned as the most likely site for the next temple in that nation. I have also felt at times that Queretaro could be a feasible possibility, as could a second temple for Mexico City. If and when I feel I can narrow down the options, I will do so. 
7. In the Pacific, I know that these two cities have been mentioned to me as having sites purchased, and once Church growth and temple activity from these areas warrant an official announcement for them, it will happen. Of the two, Auckland seems more likely.
8. While Church growth in the United States has stagnated somewhat of late, except in the “Mormon corridor” of Idaho, Utah, and Arizona, I have heard at one time or another that each of the temples I listed above could potentially be possible. In the course of recent deeper research on the matter, I recalled that many of these cities have been mentioned to me at one point or another as very likely possibilities. As part of my efforts to expand my predictions, I decided to include these cities again on this list. Until I know more about US growth, these seem to be sound changes. I also know, as I have previously noted, that land has been set aside in Bentonville Arkansas and Missoula Montana for future temple sites, with an official announcement anticipated once unit growth and activity in the current temple districts warrant that happening.
9. As a state that is constantly expanding its outreach, Utah has 18 temples either in operation or in various stages of construction. Layton and Tooele have often been mentioned to me by name as possibilities. In the course of my study, I learned that Mapleton may be a good possibility as well. And there are any number of others that may also be announced. I didn’t want to go overboard with Utah possibilities, but if there are any strong contenders I am missing, I will hopefully be able to add them in the future. 

Final note: As with everything else I put together, these are no more than my own thoughts, feelings, and observations based on the research I have done and the reports I have received. I hope that is absolutely understood and accepted. No one can know the mind of the Lord relating to His Church except those authorized to receive revelation regarding their own spheres of responsibility. While I am always gratified when my predictions turn out to be correct, I am even more appreciative of the many times developments do not take place as I project they will. At the end of the day, the Lord is the only one who can determine best how to further His work, and He manifests His will to those authorized to lead the Church and make decisions. Just wanted to end on that note.

Unit Gains and Losses Signal Somewhat Significant LDS Congregational Growth

Hello. While I do not speak much of unit growth here on my blog (since Matthew Martinich does a wonderful job of that, and I would never want to take that from him; he's better at the analysis of such trends and I respect him for that), the unit growth thus far this year is quite profound. There has been a net increase of 34 stakes this year. while the number of districts have decreased by a net amount of 14, and the total number of wards and branches have seen a net increase of 30 so far this year. Matt is working on analysis of all of that, and has added this post describing the significance of the Church having reached 3,300 stakes. More analysis will follow from him, which can be found on the main page of his blog here. As the year is more than halfway over, it may be hard to tell how the rest of the year will affect the total number of units in the Church, but, for my part, I will continue to offer updates as more information comes to my attention. Thanks to you all for your interest and support.

Minor Update Reported on Rome Italy Temple

Today, I learned an interesting tidbit about the Rome Italy Temple. The construction trailers that housed on-site missionaries that are fielding questions about the temple have been donated to community organizations. The on-site missionaries have been relocated to the on-site patron housing, which is far enough along to allow that to happen. This development confirms my feelings that the Rome Italy Temple is almost certain to be the first new temple dedicated next year. What is not so clear is whether that dedication will happen prior to, between, or after the rededication of the Jordan River Utah and Frankfurt Germany Temples. I am studying all of that, in addition to all other temple-related milestones, and hope to have an update to my timeline for temple-related events before the end of this week. For now, this new information is an update from what I had previously said about the Rome Italy Temple. While I wish it hadn't taken almost 10 years after its announcement (8 years after its groundbreaking) to finish, but I have always said that temples outside the US have typically taken between 5-15 years from announcement to completion, so it is fitting that this temple was finished within this time. Just wanted to note those things, for what the information may be worth to you all. Thanks for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Hope you all are well. I will be back with another post before too much longer. Until then, may the Lord bless you all.

Open House begins for Provo MTC Expansion

Hello, all! As some of you might be aware, the Provo MTC was recently expanded. Today marked the start of the open house being held prior to the dedication of those buildings that have been added or renovated (including expansions). The Church News put out this article about media tours, while this article was published in the Mormon Newsroom on the Church's website. The open house will run until the latter part of August, when free tours will be offered to those participating in BYU's annual Campus Education Week. And, as may have been noted previously, this open house marks the completion of just the first part of the process of expanding and renovating buildings within the MTC. But missionaries at the MTC are quoted as saying that the Spirit is quite strong already just with the changes that have been made up to this point. That does it for this report. Thanks for the privilege of your time. Comments are always welcome and appreciated.

The LDS Newsroom Blog Shares News Stories From Other Countries

The LDS Newsroom Blog shared this article, which contained links to many news stories from other countries. These stories were very intriguing to read. Check them out! Thanks.

What happens when a prophet steps back from active service?

I realize that among those who regularly read my blog, there may be some who are too young to remember the last time a prophet stepped back from active service (which was true for both President Spencer W. Kimball and his successor, President Ezra Taft Benson). I was one who was too young to see it happen with President Kimball, and barely old enough to comprehend it happening during President Benson's tenure, but I read extensively about it in old Ensigns, which my parents kept in the basement. I thought it might be somewhat illustrative for some of you if I posted more about what has been done in the past, and about some of the options the Church has in light of President Monson stepping back from his duties. Most of what follows are my own words. Where possible, I include paraphrased thoughts from others that fit the bill much better, in my opinion. Here is what I put together in that regard:

Prophetic Decline—Latest Examples: Presidents Kimball and Benson

This will be an overview of the subject of prophetic decline due to health, old age, or both. Before President Monson became Church President, the previous examples of that were President Spencer W. Kimball and his successor in the Presidency, Ezra Taft Benson.

First, let’s talk about President Kimball. In 1981, he recognized his declining health and that of his counselors (Tanner and Romney). As a result, he called President Hinckley as a counselor. By 1982, took less active role except for decisions requiring his approval. Starting in 1981, he scaled back his conference speaking and appearances. He wrote two talks for April 1982; one was read by his personal secretary D. Arthur Haycock (during the Saturday Morning Session), and a brief, one paragraph talk which he stood to give, his last public appearance. For April 1985, a video was shown during the Priesthood Session featuring extracts of previous Priesthood Session addresses President Kimball had given. He died on November 5, 1985, four years after his decline began and 3.5 years after stepping back from an active role in Church leadership.

As noted above, President Tanner was declining in health as well. His General Conference speaking was limited to a maximum of two addresses in the April 1980 General Conference (one of which was leading out in the Sustaining of Church Officers), and to one address per conference during the final five General Conferences during which he lived. In October 1980, he spoke briefly after President Kimball’s address opening the Conference (the address was just over 2.5 minutes). In April 1981, President Tanner was the second speaker during the Sunday Morning Session (giving a talk that was just over 6 minutes). The following October, President Tanner closed the conference with an address that (again, in a talk that was just over 6 minutes). In April 1982, President Tanner preceded President Kimball’s final address with a talk just short of 5 minutes. And six months later, just short of two months before his death, President Tanner gave his last General Conference talk, closing out that conference with another talk under 5 minutes.

President Romney held out slightly better than Presidents Kimball or Tanner. Though not in great health, he was able to push through to fill a semi-active role in First Presidency, giving multiple addresses in General Conference until about the time that President Tanner passed away, and wasn’t able to participate too much after his call as First Counselor to President Kimball. The last address President Romney wrote for delivery in General Conference was read in the April 1983 General Conference was read at his request by his son George J. during the Saturday Morning Session. Though rarely seen in public by the time of President Kimball’s passing in 1985, President Romney, being junior to President Ezra Taft Benson, was, by virtue of apostolic seniority, named the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Because his health was not good, Elder Howard W. Hunter served as the Acting President to provide active leadership in the quorum for President Romney’s tenure, which spanned just over 2.5 years.

With the day-to-day responsibility of First Presidency matters falling to President Hinckley as the only active member of that body, he turned to President Benson as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to help him with things, as per Church policy and procedure. President Benson was very loyal to President Hinckley during this time, which was not a surprise, as President Hinckley was his junior in the apostleship but his senior in terms of his sole active role in the Quorum of the First Presidency. Starting in April 1983, President Benson assisted President Hinckley with his General Conference responsibilities, including leading out in the Sustaining of Church Officers as requested, and giving two talks per conference, which took place as follows:

April 1983: As noted above, led out in the Sustaining of Church Officers. Preceded President Hinckley’s closing address during the Priesthood Session, and was the first speaker during the Sunday Morning Session

October 1983: Gave the second actual address during the Saturday Morning Session (following President Hinckley’s talk, which itself had followed President Hinckley’s shortened version of the Sustaining of Church Officers) and preceded again President Hinckley’s concluding remarks during the Priesthood Session.

April 1984: Was the second to speak during the Saturday Morning Session (following President Hinckley’s combined Sustaining of Church Officers and first address) and again preceded President Hinckley’s concluding remarks during the Priesthood Session.

October 1984: The same as April 1984.

April 1985: Once again, was the second to speak during the Saturday Morning Session (following President Hinckley’s combined opening address, Sustaining of Church Officers, and review of a then new policy of having area presidencies serve on site within the US and internationally). Spoke this time at the beginning of the Priesthood Session.

October 1985: Again spoke directly after President Hinckley’s opening remarks (although the Sustaining of Church Officers was delayed during this conference until the top of the Sunday Afternoon Session), and again was the first speaker during the Priesthood Session.

President Benson’s declining years:

President Benson was fully active and functional for the first few years of his presidency, but starting in 1989, scaled back his public appearances and General Conference addresses for the last five years of his presidency. Thankfully, both of his counselors, Presidents Hinckley and Monson, were fully able to function during this time (though each had minor health issues that were dealt with during this time, including minor hospitalizations and procedures), and they alternated both an increase in addresses and responsibilities during this time. As a result of President Benson’s condition, the following was done in terms of General Conferences:

April 1989: President Benson asked President Hinckley to read his still-remembered address about pride being a universal sin and a horrible vice at the top of the Saturday Morning Session, and President Monson to read his address directed to the children of the Church at the close of the Sunday Afternoon Session. Both counselors spoke during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions.

October 1989: President Benson asked President Monson to read his address directed to the elderly members of the Church. Both counselors spoke during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions. At President Benson’s request, President Hinckley closed the Sunday Afternoon Session not by reading an address for him, but by using his own words to assure Church members that the Lord did, was, and would continue to direct His work even in the wake of a prophet’s decline.

April 1990: Presidents Hinckley and Monson both spoke during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions. At President Benson’s request and with his consent, President Monson opened the conference and President Hinckley closed it with addresses that quoted many of President Benson’s prior teachings.

October 1990: Same as above, but President Hinckley opened the conference and President Monson closed it, again with addresses quoting previous teachings by President Benson.

April 1991: No different from April 1990.

October 1991: No different from October 1990.

April 1992: Same as the previous two Aprils.

October 1992: Same as the previous two Octobers.

April 1993: Similar to the past three Aprils, but the counselors shared updates about President Benson’s health, conveyed his love and concern for the Church and its members, and made it more clear that the words of President Benson they were sharing were as requested and directed by him.

October 1993: This conference was somewhat different, and more like they have been for us since 2015. The conference began with the Sustaining of Church Officers by President Hinckley, saw both counselors speak during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions, and neither counselor giving an actual address at either the opening or concluding sessions of conference.

April 1994: The final conference during which President Benson was Church President. The conference featured the Sustaining of Church Officers in its traditional slot at the top of the Saturday Afternoon Session, with both counselors again speaking during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Session. At President Benson’s request, President Monson closed the conference with a benedictory address using his (President Monson’s) own words. As both counselors were able to speak when President Benson couldn’t during these years, the only different thing is that more General Authorities spoke during this conference to compensate for the absence of a formal message directed by or using President Benson’s previous counsel.

President Monson:

At this point, President Monson is older than both Presidents Kimball and Benson were when their active role in day-to-day Church operations ended. And President Monson will have lived longer than President Kimball if he is still alive in March 2018. And if, by 2022, President Monson is still living (which may be possible, as both Presidents Kimball and Benson lived several years without being actively involved in day-to-day Church business), he will have lived longer than President Benson. And President Monson also had several more years of active service as Church President than either of the other two prior to when he started scaling back his role. Here is a timeline of significant notes on President Monson’s presidency:

2008-2010: Functioned fully as Church President, including presiding at every temple dedication or rededication, conducting 3 of the 5 general sessions of conference, and speaking 4-5 times during General Conference (4 talks in the general sessions, and once every three conferences at the General RS/YW Meeting); last conducted a General Conference session in April 2010.

October 2010-present: Delegated responsibility of conducting General Conference sessions to his counselors.

2011-2014: Alternated with his counselors in presiding at temple dedications and rededications (including having Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, preside at the dedication of the temple for his native Brigham City Utah).

2013: A change is made to include other General Authorities in the annual Christmas Devotional; President Monson’s last address in such a devotional.

2014-present: Has delegated temple dedications and rededications entirely to his counselors. (Though three of the six dedications done during 2016 were presided over by three of the six senior apostles); continued to give 4 or 5 General Conference talks every six months; last spoke in the General Relief Society meeting in October 2013; has had his counselors alternate speaking duties since then for the RS/YW meeting, and, since 2014, in the General Women’s Meeting, which was designated as an official General Conference session in October that same year.

2015-2017: President Monson only speaks twice in each General Conference. He asks his counselors to take turns speaking in the General Women’s Session and being the first speaker in the Saturday Morning Session or the last one during the Sunday Morning Session.

2015: For each of the General Conferences held, the two addresses he gave took a total around half an hour.

2016-2017: For each of the three General Conferences held during this time, the two addresses he gave in together totaled just under 10 minutes.

2016: At the invitation of the First Presidency, Elder M. Russell Ballard serves as Grand Marshall of the annual Days of ’47 KSL Parade (for Utah’s pioneer day), marking the first year in a long time that a First Presidency member did not do so.

April 2017: President Monson only attends three of the six General Conference sessions. An article on the website of the LDS Church News notes that President Eyring presided at the other three sessions, while the conference edition of the Ensign, for the first time in many years, does not list that information. This General Conference marks the first time President Monson speaks at the beginning of the Priesthood Session rather than the end of it.

Tuesday May 23, 2017: The Church announced President Monson would no longer actively participate in meetings, decisions, or deliberations of the leading brethren, leaving the day-to-day operations of the Church to the other 14 apostles. He will be consulted on any major decisions requiring his approval, but will no longer take an active role. This was verified by the recent report that President Monson did not participate at all in the recent Seminar for New Mission Presidents.

Friday June 30, 2017: President Monson’s tenure length makes him the 8^th longest serving Church President.

Monday August 21, 2017: President Monson’s 90^th birthday (no word yet on whether or not there will be a public celebration of this milestone)

Saturday September 23 & 30 & October 1: 187^th Semiannual General Conference

Speaking of the upcoming General Conference (and this also applies to any other that may occur during whatever remains of President Monson’s life), it is unknown at present how the above-mentioned announcement may impact President Monson’s ability to speak for a few minutes in the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions. I have inquired with the Church about that very question. If he is not able to, past precedent indicates a few possibilities for what might happen:

1.      Other speakers in the session will take up those few minutes, including an additional speaker or two if needed.

2.      A counselor in the First Presidency, a member of President Monson’s family, or his personal secretary could read an address from him containing either new counsel or quotations from previous addresses he has given, including announcing any new temples, which would be done with President Monson’s permission.

3.      President Nelson, as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, could be asked to give a second address at some point, perhaps during the Priesthood Session.

In considering what might happen in October, I would also like to mention one other thing. Elder Hales also did not speak during the Mission President’s Seminar. He has missed previous General Conferences, so it is possible he might not speak this October either. Until more is known, my predictions for next General Conference have President Monson and Elder Hales speaking back-to-back at the top of the Sunday Morning Session. If neither can speak at all this conference, obviously that will change things, and anywhere from 1-3 other speakers could take that time.

For now, that is what my study on the subject of past precedent in this situation has involved. While there are general guidelines and past precedents to ensure the work of the Church can continue unhindered and without interruption during the declining years of a Church president, one thing is sure: any call for President Monson to “retire” or be granted some kind of emeritus status is not the Lord’s way, and the same holds true for all other apostles and prophets. Anyone perpetuating those ideas is not under the direction or influence of the spirit of the Lord. There is, as noted many times previously, a reason why Church doctrine and practice has been, is, and always will be for all apostles and Church Presidents to serve until death. The only other way out of the apostleship is being disfellowshipped or excommunicated, and that has not happened in this Church since 1943. Though President Monson, Elder Hales, and perhaps one or two others may be struggling with issues of illness and old age, to a man, each of our current 15 apostles are righteous men that have lived lives in harmony with God’s will and have absolutely been prepared and foreordained prior to this life for the apostleship.

Some of our current apostles will live to succeed President Monson. Others will pass away. And the Lord has, does, and will continue to guide how and when such apostolic transitions occur. It is our solemn duty to sustain these brethren. Our opportunity to sustain them was, is, and always will be a time to silently voice our support for them. Unless anyone knows of any grievous transgressions on the part of any of these 15 men, it is a sacred obligation to sustain them. To adapt statements previously made by Church presidents Brigham Young and Gordon B. Hinckley, and doctrines taught by then-Elder Nelson in October 2014, and Elder Bednar one year later, anyone who asserts or implies that these men are guilty of great or malignant sins, or who assert that they are unrighteous, “out of touch”, “too old for the job” or “should be released from active service, or who organizes efforts meant to vocally express opposition to sustaining these men, while failing to make the effort as invited to resolve such concerns through proper channels, are not being moved upon by the spirit of God, and are on the high road to apostasy. And if they do not repent, they will eventually apostatize as surely as God lives.

In my opinion, (as I continue to paraphrase statements made in the above-mentioned addresses), the beauty of having men of maturity at the head is that they will not be blown about by every wind of doctrine. And the fact is, were it not for being asked to serve until their dying breaths, we would have missed out on so many sermons from good men seasoned by years of experience. Those are not my words, but as surely as I know God lives, I know they are true. The Lord has, is now, and will continue to control how the leadership of His Church changes hands, and, for my part, I am content to leave it in His hands. Just as the origins of this Church are divine, so is the process by which the leadership thereof changes at His will. Of these things I gratefully testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.