Temple Updates Provided

Hello again, everyone! I am pleased to be able to bring you word of several updates that have been reported on both new temples under construction and existing ones undergoing renovation. As some of you may have noticed, it has been a while since any major progress has been reported (aside from the announced calls of the presidents for all new temples anticipated to be dedicated sometime next year). So it is good to have these updates. I am in the initial process of evaluating if and how such updates might impact the general or more specific estimates I have previously provided.

That said, I wanted to note that, unless there is something of which I and the sources from which I pulled these updates are not aware, then there is most likely no need to alter such estimates too much. The Lord and those working on these projects are in control of those time-frames, and all of those events will unfold according to His timetable.

With my apologies in advance, the extensive nature of the updates provided on many of these temples necessitates my posting a fully-updated copy of my temple construction progress report. New updates and information continue to be noted in red text. As I said earlier, I will be taking time over the next few days or so to try and get a better feel for any alterations that might be needed to the general and more specific estimates I have provided in the report below.

One thing which I am still trying to evaluate is figuring out whether or not any temples other than the one in Bangkok Thailand will have a groundbreaking this year. Although there have been encouraging developments reported of late with both the Urdaneta Philippines and Saratoga Springs Utah Temples, it sounds like the Church may be looking to have a groundbreaking for the Pocatello Idaho Temple next year, which may perhaps occur before either of the other two, unless otherwise announced.

I do continue to monitor all such developments and will do my best to bring word of those to you all as I become aware of such information. The report follows below. So as not to disturb the flow of that information, I will end here and now as I always do. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time.

Particularly, if any of you have any specific comments or thoughts about what the recent updates (or lack thereof) on any of the temples under construction, undergoing renovation, or announced might mean in terms of altered time-frames for such events, please feel free to take your turn and "sound off" in the comments below. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

In the meantime, thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly-added content, please feel free to subscribe. 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.

Temple Construction Progress (current as of 9/23/18)

Note about future temple construction: I have previously referenced the statement made by Elder Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the Temple Department Executive Director, to the effect that 80 temples were on a list of locations that would be considered for an official announcement within the 15 years following that statement. And although we may not know whether or not those 80 locations have been announced by late April 2032, it seems reasonable to believe that the Church could (and likely will) have 200 operating temples by or before Saturday April 6, 2030 (which will mark the Church’s bicentennial anniversary). In order to do so, the Church would just need to complete the 30 temples in various phases, and announce and complete 11 others in the 11.54 years between now and then, which could be done if 3.55 temples are dedicated each year. Although this year will see only 2 temple dedications, there are 5 or 6 anticipated in 2019, and at least 3 that we know of so far the following year. So I am confident the Church will have at least 200 in operation by that time, whether or not an official goal is made to do so.

                        

Current temple status: The Church has 189 temples in various phases. There are 159 in operation, while 1 other has an open house underway; 2 more have a dedication scheduled; 8 others are in various phases of construction. In terms of temples undergoing renovations, 10 temples are currently closed for renovation (5 or 6 of which are anticipated to be rededicated next year), and 1 other, which closed for renovation in late 2017, is currently stalled in its’ renovation process. The remaining 19 are announced, with at least 2 that to have a groundbreaking by the end of 2018, while several others are likely to have a groundbreaking in 2019 and the years following that.

Public open house underway:

160. Concepcion Chile Temple: Public open house underway (will go through Saturday October 13, excluding the relevant Sundays); dedication scheduled to occur on Sunday October 28, 2018.

Dedication Scheduled:                                                                                         

161.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Exterior work completed; temple open house begins in roughly 2 months; dedication scheduled to occur on Sunday December 9, 2018.

162. Rome Italy Temple: Link to Church survey for those wanting to attend this temple’s dedication posted on Facebook on September 22, 2018; temporary information center closing tomorrow (will be replaced by a visitor’s center); dedication scheduled to occur from Sunday March 10-Sunday March 17, 2019.

Under construction, completion estimated during 2019:

163. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Installation of lamp-posts underway on temple grounds; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

Note: Having recently been reminded that this temple (for the moment, at least) will not include an angel Moroni statue, it is my feeling that we could see a dedication held in mid-April, unless it is scheduled to occur prior to the already-scheduled dedication of the Rome Italy Temple.

164. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Installation of exterior lighting underway; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

Note: Given the recent massive number of updates which we have seen provided for this temple, as long as it continues to steadily progress towards its’ completion, a rededication could be set for mid-to-late May, following Mother’s Day.

165. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Exterior cladding underway; new photograph shared on Facebook on September 12, 2018; completion estimated sometime during mid-2019.

Note: Although I have not found any updates for this temple in the recent past, if it has progressed at a steady rate, the dedication could be held for it in early-to-mid June. If I see information that leads me to conclude that will happen sooner, I will alter this estimate.

166. Lisbon Portugal Temple: New photographs shared on Facebook on September 12, 2018 show progress on exterior stonework for temple; installation of lampposts underway at adjacent meetinghouse; completion estimated sometime during mid-2019.

Note: Given the recent massive number of developments reported for this temple on the LDS Church Temples page, if construction continues at a steady rate, this temple could potentially be dedicated in mid-to-late August. I will alter this estimate as needed once more information is available.

167. Durban South Africa Temple: Installation of roof shingles nearing completion; completion estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: As previously mentioned, on July 19, 2019, the Church News identified the first president for this temple. Since we have not yet heard about the first presidents for the Fortaleza or Lisbon temples, there may be a possibility that this temple could be dedicated sooner than many (myself included) have anticipated. Until more is known in that regard, I am adjusting my previously-offered estimate to mid-October.

Temples estimated to be completed sometime during 2020:

168. Arequipa Peru Temple: Picture update posted to Facebook on September 22, 2018 shows Holiness to the Lord inscription stone in place; completion estimated sometime during early 2020.

Note: While this temple and the temples in Rio de Janeiro and Winnipeg may, in some ways, be interchangeable in terms of their future likely completion order, since this one seems to remain ahead for the moment, it could be dedicated sometime between January and March, but perhaps on the earlier side of that estimate, if progress continues at a steady rate.

169. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Exterior cladding continues; completion estimated sometime during early 2020.

Note: While I have not found a recent update on this temple, if progress has continued steadily, a dedication could potentially occur between February and April, but perhaps on the earlier side of that estimate.

170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Work continues on foundation for meetinghouse being built adjacent to the temple; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: Since there has been no change to the 20-month estimate in which this temple is anticipated to be completed, full-scale construction could conclude in February or March, in which case a dedication could follow between April and June. I will be keeping my eyes open for anything that would necessitate a change in that estimate.

Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated sometime during 2019):

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; updated photograph posted to Facebook on July 24, 2018; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

Note: Given the update noted above, I stand by my estimate that this temple could either be rededicated in February (prior to the already-scheduled dedication of the Rome Italy Temple) or in mid-to-late April. As more is known, if I need to adjust my thinking on this estimate, I will do so.

95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Closed for renovation; angel Moroni statue reinstalled on September 10, 2018; rededication estimated sometime during mid-2019.

Note: If the article about this temple’s renovation process, which was posted on the LDS Church Temples Facebook site on the date noted above, is any indication, then renovation efforts will conclude in April or May, which means that a rededication could potentially occur in either June or early-to-mid August, following the annual July recess for the General Authorities.

80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Closed for renovation; photograph posted on Facebook on July 24, 2018 shows progress on tower cladding; rededication estimated sometime during mid-2019.

Note: Although this temple has not progressed as consistently as the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple, it has continued at a steady pace. With that in mind, this temple could be rededicated in mid-September.

94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Closed for renovation; process of cladding exterior in stone will soon be underway; rededication estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: Given the recent steady progress made on this temple, and the comparatively less progress we have seen reported for the Raleigh North Carolina Temple, I am making a bold new prediction that this temple will be rededicated before that one, and that this could occur in mid-to-late October.

68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Closed for renovation; window openings boarded up; scaffolding installed around tower; preparation for stone cladding underway; cladding nearing completion on east side; rededication estimated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: Given the lack of a report showing that this temple is making steady progress in its’ renovation, and the relatively more substantial progress that has been noted on the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple, as noted above, I moved this one down on July 24, 2018. That said, this temple could be rededicated in either mid-November or mid-December, assuming all goes well.

Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated sometime during late 2019-early 2020)

13. Oakland California Temple: Closed for renovation; new photograph posted on Facebook on September 22, 2018; rededication estimated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Note: As I have previously noted, this temple is older, and is having its’ first renovation. With that in mind, depending on how consistently we hear updates on its’ progress, a rededication could occur anytime during December 2019-March or April 2020.

Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated sometime during 2020):

18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Closed for renovation; scaffolding put up around the exterior tower area; rededication estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: If this temple continues to make consistent progress, then we could see a rededication occur sometime during April-June, though that may be pushed back to August if delays occur.

7. Mesa Arizona Temple: Closed for renovation; alterations to window openings shown in new picture posted to Facebook on September 22, 2018; interior work continues; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

Note: On May 10, 2018, the Church released details of the renovation plans for this temple. Exactly three weeks later, the Church released additional details of plans to redevelop the area around the temple. Bearing in mind that this temple has been renovated before, and that it is a somewhat older and larger temple, its’ rededication could occur sometime between mid-August and late September.

16. Washington D. C. Temple: Closed for renovation; repairs underway on temple spires; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

Note: Since this is an older and larger temple undergoing its’ first renovation, a rededication could take place sometime between early October and mid-December. Once more is known about this temple’s progress (or the lack thereof), I will provide any adjustments to this estimate that may be needed.

Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated sometime during 2021):

11. Hamilton New Zealand Temple: Closed for renovation; photograph shared on Facebook on August 27, 2018 shows massive attendance at the temple the day before its’ renovation closure began; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2021.

Note: On July 24, 2018, the LDS Church Temples Facebook page confirmed that this temple had closed for renovation. While the extent of the renovation plans currently remain unknown (or at least uncertain), the temple may be subject to a complete exterior and interior overhaul, which may involve an expansion. Unless something occurs that delays this process, this temple could potentially be dedicated in mid-to-late April 2021. As more is known, any adjustments that are needed in terms of this estimate will be made.

Renovation process stalled; full-scale work pending:

112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Closed for renovation; full-scale renovation pending.

Note: Until formal renovation efforts are underway for this temple, it will be difficult (if not impossible) to pinpoint both a general and more specific completion estimate. Consequently, on July 24, 2018, I removed any estimates from this temple. If I hear renovation efforts are underway in the near future, I will then again add a general completion estimate, and offer a more specific estimate as well. Either way, it does not appear likely at this point that this temple will be rededicated in 2019, as was originally announced.

Note on announced temples: Although I have previously indicated that I was no longer comfortable or confident enough to venture general or even more specific time-frames for the groundbreakings of these temples, recent developments have made it easier to surmise how soon such events might happen, so, on May 31, 2018, I again added those estimates. As part of that process, I have once again altered, where new information necessitated, the order in which these temples are listed. That said, the timing of such events has always been up to the Lord, who reveals His will in that regard to His prophets. Whether or not the groundbreakings occur within the windows indicated here, I will embrace those whenever they actually take place.

Announced temples:

171. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning and approvals; artist’s rendering released on March 19, 2018; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2018.

Note: With the site identified and the release of the artist’s rendering, a groundbreaking for this temple may just be a matter of time. And since this November marks the 52nd anniversary of Thailand’s being dedicated for the preaching of the gospel, November may just be the month in which this groundbreaking occurs.

172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Site clearing activities underway; artist’s rendering anticipated to be released in the near future; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

Note: On July 6, 2018, the LDS Church Temples Facebook page reported the developments noted above, and with that in mind, an artist’s rendering may be released and a groundbreaking ceremony may be set at some point in the very near future. What is unclear for the moment is how soon that might occur. While I would anticipate that the Bangkok Thailand Temple, which is further along in the process for now, might have a groundbreaking first, I am certain a groundbreaking ceremony will be held for this temple by the end of this year. As more is known, I will be able to offer a more precise estimate.

173. Saratoga Springs Utah Temple: Planning and approval; designs underway; picture of presumed location shared on Facebook on August 27, 2018; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2018-early 2019.

Note: Although a site confirmation is pending for this temple, because designs are currently underway, and because this is a Utah County temple (since temples in Utah always progress more swiftly than other temples elsewhere within the US), on May 31, 2018, I moved this temple up on this list. Then, on July 6, 2018, as a result of the developments relating to the Urdaneta Philippines temple, I moved this one down and adjusted my general estimate for its’ groundbreaking. I am not ruling out the prospect that the Church could hold a groundbreaking for this temple before the end of 2018, so if I feel a need to move this temple again in the near future, I will do so.

174. Pocatello Idaho Temple: Planning and approval; site confirmed and artist’s rendering released on September 6, 2018; groundbreaking anticipated sometime during early 2019.

Note: On the date mentioned above, with the site confirmation and artist’s rendering, the official announcement also noted that construction on the temple (which will take around 2-3 years) was anticipated to begin at some point next year. I have therefore moved my estimate for that process to early 2019, and could see a groundbreaking scheduled sometime between late March and mid-to-late April.

175. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

Note: In March 2017, the contractor for this temple indicated that a year of pre-planning would be needed for this temple site before a groundbreaking could be held. While it is unclear when that year began (or if that year has already passed), it seems safe to assume that the groundbreaking for this temple could occur within the next year, if not sooner.

176. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2019.

Note: Although an official site confirmation is pending, President Nelson visited a probable location during his world tour in April 2018. If that site location is officially confirmed in the near future, then a groundbreaking could easily follow within the next 15 months or less.

177. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; media event held June 14, 2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2019.

Note: During President Nelson’s recent visit to Kenya, a national newspaper noted that the site for this temple had been selected, and that because this temple was anticipated to be a smaller one, its’ dedication might occur sometime during 2021. With that in mind, it is not hard to believe that an official site announcement and groundbreaking could occur within the next 15-18 months.

178. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning and approval; site inspected by Church engineers on June 21, 2017; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: Although a site inspection occurred one year ago for this temple, the prospective groundbreaking timeframes offered for the temples above necessitates a change in my previously-offered thoughts about the imminence of that groundbreaking. While I would hope that the Brazilian Saints would not have to wait another 1.5 years for this temple’s groundbreaking, until more is known, it seems wiser to be conservative in this estimate.

179. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

Note: Although this temple may also be further along in its’ progress towards a groundbreaking than other temples above it, in view of the factors noted on the others above this one, it has seemed wiser to be more conservative in my estimate for this temple’s future groundbreaking. Additionally, since getting the Urdaneta Philippines Temple underway may be more of a priority for the Church, this one may only have a groundbreaking within the next 16-19 months.

180. Layton Utah Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Note: While I would anticipate that, for this temple in Utah, its’ construction will likely get underway sooner than other temples on this list, and while that could happen sooner than indicated above if the Church confirms that the land that was bought in Layton two days before the temple was announced in that city will serve as the site for that temple, it has seemed wiser to be more conservative in my estimate for this temple’s potential groundbreaking. I will be delighted to move it up on this list if I see a good enough reason to do so.

181. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early 2020.

Note: This is the last of the three temples announced in April 2015 that may have a groundbreaking. The Church in the Ivory Coast has seen sufficient enough growth that a second (and perhaps even a third) temple may be announced to serve the Saints in this nation, but that may not occur until this temple makes further progress. We have seen recent developments on other temples in Africa, which gives me hope that this temple could have a groundbreaking ceremony around the estimated time noted above, but time will tell how accurate that might prove to be.

182. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: While the first Ecuadoran temple had a 14-year wait between its’ announcement and groundbreaking, with the progress the Church has made in South America within the last two decades, this temple (to be built in the Ecuadoran capital city) will likely not see a wait nearly that long. I personally hope that this groundbreaking will occur sooner than indicated above, but until more information is available, I have felt a need to be more conservative.

183. Richmond Virginia Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: Although an official site confirmation is pending for this temple, a Virginia newspaper noted in mid-April 2018 that the Church had procured several acres of land in Richmond sometime during 2015. If the Church confirms in the near future that one of those plots will be the official temple site, then a groundbreaking could easily occur within the next two years, but possibly less, since temples in the US generally have construction begin well in advance of their international counterparts.

184. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning and approval; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2020.

Note: Although this temple was announced one year before the Brasilia Brazil Temple, that temple is further along in the approval process and will likely therefore have its’ groundbreaking before that occurs for this temple. In preparing these updated thoughts, it occurred to me that the Church may opt to hold off on beginning construction of this temple until both the Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro Temples are dedicated. With that in mind, I have felt that the groundbreaking could occur at around this time, but I will alter this estimate as needed once more is known.

185. Managua Nicaragua Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2020.

Note: Since then-Elder Nelson had publicly proposed this temple in 2012, and President Nelson himself made the announcement, I would imagine the Lord will allow him to be very much involved in the process of this temple’s construction and eventual dedication. With that in mind, I could see a groundbreaking occur within the next 24-27 months, but hopefully sooner if all goes well.

186. Salta Argentina Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2020.

Note: While the time-frames offered for the temples above this one has resulted in this temple’s estimate being delayed as well, it would not surprise me if a groundbreaking for this temple happens sooner than estimated here.

187. Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

Note: While I would anticipate that this temple will likely not have a groundbreaking until significant progress has been made on both the Urdaneta and greater Manila area temples, it is not impossible to believe that a groundbreaking could occur for this newest Filipino temple within the next 2.5-2.75 years, but perhaps sooner if all goes well.

188. Bengaluru India Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2021.

Note: As previously noted, President Nelson had not originally intended to announce a temple for India during the April 2018 General Conference, but was inspired to do so the night before that conference began. Although India may have some political obstacles that would need to be cleared before this temple has a groundbreaking, I fully anticipate that the Lord could enable a groundbreaking to occur within the next three years, but possibly sooner, especially since President Nelson has also urged the members to hurry and prepare so it can be built.

189. Russia: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official location and site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2021.

Note: Although both a specific city and a site location for this temple have yet to be identified, President Nelson did have supervisory responsibility for Eastern Europe for the last several years he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. With that in mind, he may have connections that would enable an acceleration of the process to get this temple built, which is why I am being conservative in my offered estimate above, but will not in any way be surprised if the Lord clears all obstacles to allow that to occur sooner than indicated here.

Final note: If recent statements from Church leaders (regarding how President Nelson’s legacy as a temple-building Church president will outpace and overshadow the previous legacy set by President Hinckley) are any indication, we may soon enter an era where the volume of temple-related developments will be multiplied. As more is known in that regard, I will add any needed elements to this report.

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose numbers already exists (for renovations), or is certain due to a scheduled dedication, as well as information that is certain, such as dedication or groundbreaking dates.

Italicized numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval, and groundbreaking.

Changes since last report are highlighted in red.

"This Week on Social"

Hello again, everyone! The Church News published another article in their ongoing series "This Week on Social". This week's edition consisted of post from several female leaders, in addition to those in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency reflected on the analogies she saw between the storms the Philippines experienced while she was on assignment there during Typhoon Mangkhut and the storms each of us experience as a matter of course during this earth life.

Both Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President, and Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles posted about the additional details I discussed in my last post relating to the Church's new activity initiative for those aged 3-18. And Church President Russell M. Nelson posted his thoughts about speaking to a congregation earlier this month from a baseball field.

Sister Reyna I. Aburto, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency described her experiences visiting with survivors of a recent volcanic eruption in Guatemala. And President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, highlighted the importance of temple attendance.

I am grateful that in the age of technological advances, our Church leaders are embracing that technology to share highlights from their teachings and worldwide ministry efforts. I continue to monitor any and all Church news and temple developments and will pass those along to you all ASAP after I learn of them.

That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated on any post at any time. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly-added content, please feel free to subscribe. 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.

Church Clarifies A Few Points Regarding New Initiative for Youth and Children

Hello again, everyone! As most of you probably recall, the Church announced earlier this year that, effective on January 1, 2020, the programs for youth and children in the Church would be completely revamped and replaced. This will involve the discontinuation of the Church's relationship with the Boy Scouts of America (including for Cub Scouts), but it will also replace Faith in God, Activity Days, Duty to God, and Personal Progress. At the time the announcement was originally made, it was noted that more details would be forthcoming.

So earlier today, the Church released additional details through Mormon Newsroom. Specifically, it was announced that camps and outdoor activities would still be part of the plan for the new initiative. The Church has consistently encouraged its' members to not let ourselves lose sight of the beauty all around us as created by our Heavenly Father, and so the fact that camps and outdoor activities will be included in this new initiative is not surprising to me at all.

Along with the new details, the Church has released two very specific new answers to questions about that initiative, which can be found via links found in the article I cited above. I continue to monitor all Church News and developments and will do my level best to pass word of those along to you all as I receive it.

That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any subject at any time. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly-added content, please feel free to subscribe. 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.

Further Additional Church News Reported

Hello again, everyone! Since my last report sharing general Church news update two days ago, a few additional developments have been reported via the Newsroom on the Church's official website and on the Church News website. So let's dive right into the discussion of those new articles.

We start in the Newsroom, where two new articles have been published within the last 48 hours. First, as some of you may be aware, Elder Joseph W. Sitati, our first General Authority Seventy from Kenya, has been serving as First Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency since August. He was invited to speak at the 3rd All Africa Congress on Religious Freedom last week. He talked to the religious leaders, government officials, and scholars about how human flourishing, in all aspects of an individual's life, is a result of religious freedom. This continues the Church's tradition of speaking in public forums on the role religious freedom plays in the betterment of people worldwide. The Newsroom provided both this general summary of what he said and the complete transcript of his remarks. The conference this year was held in Rwanda, where the Church is still in its' infancy.

And the Newsroom essentially killed the proverbial two birds with one stone with this article highlighting both the winners of the annual "Faith Counts" Video Contest, in addition to sharing another account of the ongoing ministry of our Church's female leaders as details were provided about how Sister Lisa L. Harkness, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, not only attended the Faith Counts Awards Ceremony, but also made outreach visits to an Ohio resettlement agency built to help serve refugees and immigrants, in addition to a stop at Columbus Global Academy, which teaches English as a Second Language. I am grateful, as I stated around 36 hours ago, for the additional ways in which the ministry of the female members and leaders of our Church are being highlighted more fully of late.

Turning now to the Church News website, one story highlights how 4,000 citizens in the Philippines have found refuge at Church meetinghouses. In the meantime, the Church News shares a recent interview done by local Utah radio station KUER with the same Church leaders that have represented the Church on the previously-mentioned coalition which includes faith leaders, prominent political figures from Utah, and medical professionals, who expressed concerns about the current wording of the proposition going before Utah voters this November which would legalize the use of medical marijuana but which provides insufficient regulations to ensure that illegal use of it is still discouraged.

The three Church leaders, (Elder Jack N. Gerard, who heads up the Church Public Affairs Department; Elder Craig C. Christensen, President of the Utah Area; and Sister Harkness) spoke during the KUER radio show to further explain why the Church would gladly support the legal use of medical marijuana for those who need it, but why the Church and the members of the coalition have come out against the initiative in its' current form. You can read more about that radio interview here.

With the open house for the Concepcion Chile Temple now well underway, the Church has provided a video for those who wish to virtually tour the temple (if they cannot get to the open house). And finally, Elder David A. Bednar recently returned from an extended visit to Mexico, where he ministered to members and missionaries, taking time to address concerns on an individual basis and to conduct Church business while he was there. The Church News provided this report of that visit. It would not surprise me in any way to learn that he spent some time while there looking at potential temple locations. As I mentioned previously, the Church has at least two and perhaps double that amount of potential locations where a temple would make sense. Given that the latest information I have indicates that the largest temple district in Mexico is in its' capital city, I could see the Church potentially splitting that at least two ways.

Although the Church in Mexico has recently seen mass consolidations of wards, branches, districts, and stakes, I do not see anything that would give me a reason to suggest that future temples for Mexico should not be on the radar in the near future, especially if President Nelson's temple-building plans prove to be as extensive as so many have indicated.

I continue to monitor any and all Church news and temple developments and will do my level best to bring word of those to you all as I receive it in the near future. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated on any post anytime. Thank you for the privilege of your time. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly-added content, please feel free to subscribe. 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.

BREAKING NEWS: First President Called for the Fortaleza Brazil Temple

Hello again, everyone! It was just brought to my attention a few minutes ago that the Church has called the first president for the Fortaleza Brazil Temple. That news was first reported in the Church News 4 hours ago, but due to my having a somewhat busy afternoon, I was actually not the first to find this news originally, which has not happened in a while. That said, the new president is someone known to the people of Brazil, a native Brazilian who has served in Brazil as an area seventy, mission MTC, stake and branch president, a patriarch, and a temple sealer. In other words, he is well known to, and loved and respected by the Brazilian Saints and will be a good fit for the first president of the Fortaleza Brazil Temple.

Now, I also wanted to note a caution here: While I appreciate the optimism expressed by many who see the calls of the presidents for all the new temples anticipated to be dedicated next year as a positive sign that such events could occur sooner than anticipated, and while I am not dismissing the prospect that part of President Nelson's plan in having the temple department hire a number of new employees could be to add manpower to the construction of temples already in progress, which could potentially accelerate the temples now under construction, in addition to enabling new ones to be rapidly built, the latter point seems to be a less likely prospect.

I say that because my brother took a class in high school in which he was part of a construction crew for existing projects in American Fork. And no matter what they were working on, the size of the crew was far more likely to diminish than increase as some of them either quit the project and the class or were transferred to another project. I recognize that the Church projects may be more contractual than a job done by a high school class, but, that said, nothing I have heard through the sources I have available have indicated that the most recent estimates offered for the temple events anticipated to occur next year will be accelerated beyond the more general time-frames I have previously provided.

As a review, when I posted the news of the first president for the Lisbon Portugal Temple one week ago today, in that same post, I provided the latest general estimates I had for temple events anticipated to occur in 2019. Unless there is something big about which I and the sources which I have available for such information are not aware, AFAIK, those estimates have not changed at all.

That same post from one week ago shared the complete list I had assembled of temples which have had or may yet have a new president called. I refer you to that full list for any information on those temples. But that brings the total number of temples which have had a new president announced this year to a grand total of 66, with the only other temple on my list of those which may get a new president being the one in Washington DC. But wait, you might be saying, didn't that temple close for renovation in March of this year, and isn't it only anticipated to be rededicated in 2020?

Yes, that is the case. But the Asuncion Paraguay Temple, which closed almost a year ago (last November) and for which, AFAIK, the renovation process has yet to fully begin, had a new president announced earlier this year (as evidenced by the list I linked to earlier). So it would not be unreasonable, in my opinion, to assume that a new president could similarly be announced for the Washington DC Temple.

Sorry for that aside. Getting back on topic, once all 6 of the new temples anticipated to be completed next year are dedicated, the total number of dedicated temples will increase to 167. That means that roughly 40% of all operating temples will get a new president within the next 12-15 months, which makes sense, given that temple presidents serve for a period of roughly 3 years, so roughly 1/3 (or 33.33% of all temples) will have a new president announced each year. 

The new temple presidents announced during this year is slightly above that average, but when we subtract the 6 temples for which a dedication will not occur until next year, that means 161 temples will be in operation by this year's end, and that 60 temples will have new presidents start serving this year, and that works out to 37%, which is closer to the average I mentioned above.

That does it for my report of this development. But before I end in the usual way, I also wanted to mention what I have coming up on this blog in the near future. In addition to reporting important Church news and temple developments, which I monitor on an ongoing basis, my hope this weekend is to publish another update on the ages and tenure milestones of our current apostles in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I will also continue to fine-tune my General Conference predictions as needed. So if any of you want to comment on either of the posts I did on that subject recently, you can find the summary of what molded those predictions here, and the updated version of those predictions here. I will continue to accept comments on those predictions up until Monday October 1 (so I will have time to do any updates that are needed on them and post them here before General Conference weekend begins the following Saturday).

As always, I continue to monitor all Church news and temple developments and will try to bring word of those to you all here as I become aware of them. That does it for this post. Any and all comments on any post are, as always, welcome and appreciated at any time they are made. Thank you for the privilege of your time, and for wading through another lengthy post from me. If you enjoyed what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly-added content, please feel free to subscribe. 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.