Hello, everyone! I hope you will all indulge me for a moment as I do a personal post. As some of you may be aware, I have had life-long health challenges, one of which has been pretty severe and significant daily head and bodily pain. I last saw the doctor who monitors that part of my health on the third Friday of last month, and I am scheduled to meet with her again this next Friday. When I tried last month to get a prior authorization processed through my insurance, I was subjected to three weeks of having to live without that medication. There was an issue getting my doctor to complete the process necessary to get that approval. While all of that was very difficult to deal with, one thing it did accomplish was to help me figure out what I could cut out of my daily medication. After three weeks of trying to figure out how soon I would be able to get that medication, I got word from my insurance earlier today that the prior authorization has been denied. The good news is that, if I can get past the symptoms I've been dealing with from not having access to the medication, I could be considerably better off not having to take it. Now that we have word from my insurance that they will not be covering the medication, I assume that they will suggest alternatives that would cover my pain well enough without having to be on a medication that would create additional health challenges. In the coming week, I will need to talk to my doctor, most likely even before the visit Friday, and figure out what the plan will be going forward. If it would be all right for me to ask for it, prayers in my behalf would be appreciated that my doctor and I will be able to figure out the best plan going forward.
I am very much appreciative of the support I get from those who have read my posts here in the past. I am also humbled by the fact that the latest reports about the readership of this blog show that I have gained readers from various countries all around the world. It touches me that the things I have felt a need to "sound off" about, especially those related to the faith I have loved and to which I have been devoted for my entire life, are of interest to so many. In fact, it is because of the faith I have that I have been able to deal with the life-long health issues I have had. The Lord has blessed me abundantly, and my blogging to share information about the faith that has sustained me through so much is a very small way to thank the Man who has experienced vicariously all that I have gone through, am going through, or will ever have to deal with. I hope that this offering on my part, meager though it may be, is an acceptable portion of the infinite gratitude I feel, not just for His having suffered the severest degree of the tribulations I have experienced in the almost 31 years I have lived, but also for blessing me with such an enthusiasm for learning about and passing along the developments related to His Church and kingdom in these latter-days. I know that one day I will stand accountable before Him for the way I have borne such tribulations and have moved along His work, and I hope that in that day, He will find those offerings acceptable. If it can be so, it will all have been worth it.
Thank you again for indulging me in sharing these thoughts with you all, and for your ongoing interest and support. That does it for this post. Any comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless each one of you in all that you do.
On this blog, I, James Stokes, share insights and analysis covering the latest news and developments reported about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My specific emphasis and focus is on the ministry of our current apostles, General Conference, and up-to-date temple information. This site is neither officially owned, operated, or endorsed by the Church, and I, as the autthor thereof, am solely responsible for this content.
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Friday, November 10, 2017
Prayers Would Be Appreciated
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Article About Probable Location for the Pocatello Idaho Temple/Further Changes Made to the Announced Temples Section of My Report
Hello again, everyone! Within the last few days, an Idaho news organization ran an article stating that, the Church could still opt to use any one of currently three sites that have been mentioned as potential locations for the Pocatello Idaho Temple, it appears that the location annexed into Pocatello City two days following the long-awaited announcement of that temple may be the best option. Of course, nothing is official until the Brethren make it so, but I thought that was worth mentioning. You can read more about that here. Because it is very likely that will be the location, and also because I needed to do so, I have again revisited the order in which I have listed announced temples on my temple construction progress report. A copy of those changes follows. That does it for this post. Any comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless each one of you in all that you do.
NOTE ON
ANNOUNCED TEMPLES: While I once felt confident in projecting potential
groundbreaking estimates for these announced temples, on October 28, 2017, I
determined that it would be best to simplify this section by listing these
temples in their announced order, with the exception of those that are farther
along. Then on November 10, 2017, I took another look at new information on
these temples and reordered them further. I will keep an eye out for any
developments and reorder this list again as often as that becomes necessary
going forward. Additionally, where I have felt it would be appropriate, I have
provided notes about some of the factors that may affect how soon future
groundbreakings will occur. Since we already know that 2018-2020 are going to
be busy years for temple-related developments, it would not surprise me at all
if, in view of Elder Wilson’s statement referenced above, we have at least ten
more announced during that same time, nor would it surprise me if many of the
temples in this section progress to a groundbreaking (and perhaps even a
dedication) during that time as well. I am keeping an eye on all of this and
will let you know once I find out more information.
Announced temples:
171. Lima Peru Los Olivos
Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
NOTE: As
previously noted, the contractor for this temple said that a year of
preliminary work would be needed prior to this temple’s groundbreaking. If, as
previously indicated, that year began in March 2017, this temple could easily
have its groundbreaking in the early-to-middle part of next year.
172. Brasilia Brazil Temple:
Planning and approval; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017.
NOTE: This
temple is this far up on the list because it has had a site identified and
inspected. How soon a groundbreaking might happen is unclear. But since a site
has been identified and inspected, it may be sooner rather than later.
173. Greater Manila
Philippines Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official name announcement.
NOTE: As
with the Brasilia temple, this temple is in this position on this list because
a site has been identified. An official name is anticipated to be announced for
this temple at some point in the near future. How soon a groundbreaking might
happen is anyone’s guess. But with a site identified already, it may be sooner
rather than later/
174. Pocatello Idaho Temple: Planning and approval; probability increases for likely temple site; official
confirmation is pending.
NOTE: On
November 10, I received word of additional evidence that is indicative that the
land annexed into Pocatello two days after its April 2017 announcement would
indeed be the location for the temple. I
am keeping my eye on all of this and will continue to pass along any and all
updates as I make them.
175.
Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site
announcement.
NOTE: If,
as some members have speculated, an existing Church office building is
reconstructed into a multi-purpose building that will serve as not only an
office building, but a chapel and the temple as well, and if that is confirmed,
we could easily see a groundbreaking for this temple sooner rather than later.
176. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Awaiting government
approval and official site announcement.
NOTE: This
temple, announced in October 2010, has been subjected to numerous delays. While
I hope to see a groundbreaking for it sooner rather than later, there could be
more delays in store for this temple. That said, the reports I have received
indicate that a site announcement and groundbreaking could occur in short order
next year. If that does happen, we could see a groundbreaking sooner rather
than later.
177.
Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site
announcement.
178.
Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site
announcement.
NOTE: While
the first Ecuadoran Temple had a 14-year waiting period between its
announcement and its subsequent groundbreaking, this temple is not anticipated
to take anywhere near that long between its 2016 announcement and whenever its
groundbreaking occurs. As with everything else, I am keeping my eye out for
devel
179.
Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site
announcement.
NOTE:
Shortly after this temple was announced (in April 2016), Elder Kevin S.
Hamilton, who presides over the Church in the Africa Southeast Area, stated
that a site announcement and groundbreaking would occur in short order during
2017. Since that time, no progress has been made in that regard. Hopefully that
will change soon.
180.
Belem Brazil Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site
announcement.
181.
Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site
announcement; media event held June 14, 2017.
NOTE: While
the media event is a good initial step for providing information on this
temple, in his remarks at this event, Elder Sitati (our native Kenyan GA
Seventy, who also has a role as an Assistant Executive Director of the Temple
Department (both of which make it understandable that the Church would ask him
to represent them for the event), Elder Sitati indicated that it usually takes
the Church 2-3 years after an announcement to locate a suitable site (whether
owned by the Church or not) plan and conduct a groundbreaking, and start the construction
progress. With that in mind, it may be 2019 or 2020 before the groundbreaking
occurs for this temple. I hope we will not have to wait that long to have all
of that happen for this temple, but time will tell.
182. Saratoga Springs Utah
Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement.
NOTE: Though Utah temples
(particularly those in Utah County) have been known to have a site
announcement, groundbreaking, and construction process much more quickly than
temples elsewhere, until a site is announced, it has felt wise to have this
temple at this spot on this list. As soon as anything changes in that regard, I
will pass such news along.
ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: As I
have repeatedly emphasized, Elder Wilson stated in late April 2017 that the
Church had a list of 80 potential temple sites that are under active
consideration for a subsequent announcement during the 15 years following that
statement.
Unless the First Presidency
elects to do so between now and then, General Conference in April 2018 would be
the next opportunity for such announcements. And though not all of the 80
currently on the list will go on to be announced within that time, and while
others may be added to that list in the coming years, with 14 years remaining,
if anywhere close to 80 temples are announced, that works out to around 6 new
temples per year. I am keeping an eye on all of this, and will be sure to post any
additional news once I hear of it.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
BREAKING NEWS: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Will Preside Over Dedicatory Services for the Meridian idaho Temple
Hello again, everyone! I am posting with breaking news that answers the question I posed in a blog post about a week or so ago: Who will be presiding at the Meridian Idaho Temple dedication? According to this article, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, will do so. I fully anticipate that Elder David A. Bednar, who was called to the apostleship at the same time as President Uchtdorf, will be in attendance. Just wanted to pass that information along. That does it for this post. Any comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray the Lord will bless you individually in everything you do.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Updated Estimates For Future Temple-related Events Anticipated Between Now and 2020
Hello again, everyone! I am posting in the early hours of November 9 to share updated estimates for future temple-related events that I put together in view of additional study on my part about climate and temperature of different parts of the world within the general time-frames that are anticipated for such events. I look forward to discussing your thoughts on these changes. Those altered estimates follow. That does it for this post. Any comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
Revised time-frame for future temple-related events:
Sunday November 19, 2017: Dedication of the Meridian
Idaho Temple (158th operating temple; already confirmed)
Sunday December 10, 2017: Dedication of the Cedar City
Utah Temple (159th operating temple; already confirmed)
2018:
January: Raleigh North Carolina Temple Renovation Closure
(already confirmed; exact date may not be as set in stone as I once believed)
February: Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple Renovation Closure
(already confirmed; exact date may not be as set in stone as I once believed)
Sunday March 4: Washington DC Temple Renovation Closure
(already confirmed)
April or May: Full-scale construction anticipated to
begin on the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple
May: Mesa Arizona Temple Renovation Closure (already
confirmed; exact date not yet released)
Sunday May 20: Jordan River Utah Temple Rededication
(already confirmed)
Sunday August 5 or 12: Frankfurt Germany Temple Rededication
Sunday August 19 or 26: Kinshasa DR Congo Temple
Dedication (160th operating temple)
Sunday September 16 or 23: Concepcion Chile Temple
Dedication (161st operating temple)
Sunday November 11 or 18: Barranquilla Colombia Temple
Dedication (162nd operating temple)
2019:
Mid-April: Memphis Tennessee Temple Rededication
Mid-to-late April: Rome Italy Temple Dedication (163rd
operating temple)
Early-to-mid May: Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple
Rededication
Mid-May: Asuncion Paraguay Temple Rededication
Late May-early June: Durban South Africa Temple
Dedication (164th operating temple)
Mid-June: Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple Dedication (165th
operating temple)
Early-to-mid August: Fortaleza Brazil Temple Dedication
(166th operating temple)
Mid-to-late August: Rio de Janeiro Temple Dedication (167th
operating temple)
Mid-September: Raleigh North Carolina Temple Rededication
Mid-October: Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple Rededication
Mid-to-late October: Lisbon Portugal Temple Dedication
(168th operating temple)
Mid-November: Arequipa Peru Temple Dedication (169th
operating temple)
Mid-December: Oakland California Temple Rededication
NOTE: The Church indicated when announcing the renovation
of this temple that it would reopen in 2019. That said, it is an older temple,
and as such, may take longer than anticipated. I could see it being rededicated
in 2020, if the process is delayed for any reason.
2020:
Mid-to-late April: Winnipeg Manitoba Temple Dedication
(170th operating temple)
Mid-May: Tokyo Japan Temple Rededication
Early-to-mid September: Mesa Arizona Temple Rededication
Mid-November: Washington DC Temple Rededication
NOTE: If, as I expect, almost all of the temples that are
currently announced have a groundbreaking in either 2018 or 2019, then it is more
likely than not that many of them could be dedicated during 2020. For now, the
only events that are anticipated to happen in 2020 are listed here. As the next
two years unfold, I will be adding future events to this list.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Revisiting my thoughts yet again about the potential timeline for future temple-related events
Hello again, everyone! I know I have posted quite a bit today, but I wanted to post again now and let you all know that I have recently heard from a wide variety of sources that I may need to rethink things yet again in terms of the potential timeline for temple-related events within the next three years or so. That is an ongoing and evolving process. It appears that there are so many more factors to consider in that regard than just climate and temperature. Back to the drawing board I go about all of that. It will be interesting to see how my ongoing study about such things will change these estimates. Just wanted to pass that along. That does it for this post. Any comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish each one of you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
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