Hello again, everyone! There have been a few developments reported within the last 12 hours or less in relation to temple construction. So let's dive right in to our discussion of those updates. First of all, information found earlier today indicates that President Nelson has asked his First Counselor, President Oaks, to dedicate the Barranquilla Colombia Temple this weekend. Later today, reports will come in about the youth devotional, and that will give us some idea of who is accompanying President Oaks from general Church leadership.
This was wonderful to find out about. I had wondered earlier this year how long it would be before President Nelson began sharing responsibilities for attendance at temple dedications with his counselors and the senior members of the Quorum of the Twelve. As we saw earlier this year, the two temples which were rededicated (Houston Texas and Jordan River Utah) were presided over by Presidents Ballard and Eyring respectively, who serve as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve and Second Counselor to President Nelson respectively.
I am not sure what that means for future temple dedications, but I imagine there will be some over which President Nelson presides as those dedications will be part of his ongoing Global Ministry Tour, while there will be others for which he taps his counselors or the senior members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Either way, President Nelson has, right out of the gate, shown a willingness to do things differently than they have previously been done, so we are almost certain to see that continue.
That said, let's move on to other temple updates. It has been noted earlier today that construction has officially been completed for both the Rome Italy and Kinshasa DR Congo Temples, where the placement of interior furnishings is underway, while both temples are being prepared for their open houses. The temple in Rome will have its' open house begin in roughly 7.5 weeks, with the open house for the Kinshasa Temple beginning on the last day of the Rome Temple's set dedication.
For the Fortaleza Brazil Temple, new information received earlier today notes that landscaping and construction efforts are in their final stages. It has additionally been noted that, if all goes well, the construction team assigned to that temple will be turning it back over to the Temple Department for the final touches within the next few weeks, at which point the open house and dedication information can and will likely be set.
Some of the sources I have available have moved the general estimate for this temple's completion back up to early-to-mid 2019, which I can understand. At the same time, however, given the dedication information set for the Rome, Kinshasa, and Port-au-Prince Temples (for March 10-12, April 14, and May 19 respectively), until more is known about the Fortaleza temple, or until the Church officially announces that information, I feel more confident standing by my recently-updated specific estimate of early-to-mid June.
A disclaimer here: I am not saying that the dedication of the Fortaleza temple couldn't happen somewhere in-between those already set. We have seen that occur a time or two. Instead, it is just my personal preference to be more cautious in the estimates I offer based on the information I have available. Either way, it was wonderful to hear that this temple is getting close to the point where its' open house and dedication could be announced.
In the meantime, there are a couple of other temple updates I wanted to mention here as well. At the Arequipa Peru Temple, lamp-posts and bollards are being installed, and sod is being laid on the temple grounds. And there has been a major update also reported on the renovation process for the Mesa Arizona Temple. New information indicates that water retention and irrigation systems are being installed, while excavation is underway for the underground parking area which will serve the Family Discovery Center.
I am grateful to have learned of these updates, and for the chance to pass them all along to you here. I will be sure to do the same with other major Church news and temple developments as I receive word of them. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments align with the established guidelines. 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.
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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Saturday, December 8, 2018
Temple Construction Updates Noted
Labels:
Apostolic Ministry & Travels,
Church President,
Estimated Time-frames for Future Temple Events,
First Presidency,
Scheduled Temple Event,
Temple Construction Update,
Temples Undergoing Renovation
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.
Friday, December 7, 2018
Revised Specific Estimates for Known Temple Events in the Near Future
Hello again, everyone! As promised, I am posting again now to share my revised specific estimates for known temple events in the near future. It should be noted, at the outset, that these estimates are subject to official confirmation through a Church announcement. That said, I have done my best to gauge the recent progress (or the lack thereof) on both new temples and those which are undergoing renovation, and, based on what is known through the sources I have available, I feel reasonably confident in offering these estimates. As time passes and more is known about whether each of these temples is on track, I will, of course, be altering those estimates as needed in the future.
The estimates follow below. If any of you have any questions on the reasoning behind the timing of these estimates, please let me know. So as not to disturb the flow of this 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, as long as such feedback falls within the parameters of the established guidelines. 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.
Specific Estimates for Known Temple Events in the Near Future
The estimates follow below. If any of you have any questions on the reasoning behind the timing of these estimates, please let me know. So as not to disturb the flow of this 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, as long as such feedback falls within the parameters of the established guidelines. 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.
Specific Estimates for Known Temple Events in the Near Future
2018:
Sunday December 9:
Dedication of the Barranquilla Colombia Temple (161st operating
temple; confirmed)
Note: President Nelson could (and probably will)
preside at this temple’s dedication, but he may also opt to delegate that to
one of his counselors or one of the six senior members of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles. I had also wondered if he (President Nelson) would be doing
another leg of his Global Ministry Tour in conjunction with this event, but
given that nothing official has been announced in that regard, it seems more
likely than not that the presiding officials will just do the temple
dedication, since anything else would detract from the focus on Christmas and
on Christ as the reason for this season.
Final note on
2018: I had heard that this year would be a potentially big one for temple
groundbreakings. Although the Abidjan
Côte d'Ivoire Temple unexpectedly had its’ groundbreaking in November 2018,
unless there is something of which I am not aware, it does not appear as though
any other temples will have a groundbreaking prior to the end of this year.
2019:
Wednesday January
16: Groundbreaking for the Urdaneta Philippines Temple (confirmed)
Note: On November 19, 2018, the First Presidency
announced the groundbreaking date for this temple, and that Elder Jeffrey R.
Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles would preside at this event. Until
more information is available regarding the anticipated duration of construction,
I have set a preliminary general completion estimate of early-to-mid 2021. If I
find any new information indicating that this temple will be completed sooner
than that, I will be sure to adjust this estimate.
Saturday January
26: Groundbreaking for the Bangkok Thailand Temple (confirmed)
Note: On November 27, 2018, just 8 days following
the afore-mentioned announcement of the groundbreaking information for the
Urdaneta Philippines Temple, the First Presidency also announced that the
groundbreaking for this temple would be held 10 days after that one. Since a
general completion estimate of 3-4 years has been given for the construction of
this temple, I have felt a more specific but still general estimate of mid-2022
would be appropriate.
Sunday March 10-Tuesday
March 12: Dedication of the Rome Italy Temple (162nd operating
temple; confirmed)
Note: The First Presidency announced the amended
dedication dates for this temple on November 8, 2018. Given that this
dedication will now be held over three days rather than the
previously-announced 8-day period, there may be only 2-3 of our 15 apostles
participating in this event. That said, it would not surprise me in any way if
this dedication was either the start or conclusion of another leg of President
Nelson’s ongoing Global Ministry Tour.
Saturday &
Sunday April 6 & 7: 189th General Conference
Note: Because 19 temples were announced in 2018,
and because President Nelson has expressed his commitment to continuing to
bring temples closer to the Saints around the world, I am sure we will see
several new temples announced during this General Conference.
Sunday April 14:
Dedication of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple (163rd
operating temple; confirmed)
Note: In view of the facts that the dedication of
this temple will occur after the April General Conference, and that following
the April 2018 General Conference, President Nelson began his Global Ministry
Tour, I could see President Nelson doing another leg of his tour in conjunction
with this temple’s dedication, whether that tour starts or ends with this
dedication, or whether a dedication is held sometime in the mid-point of that
tour.
Sunday May 19:
Dedication of the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple (164th operating
temple; confirmed)
Note: On November 14, 2018, the First Presidency
announced the open house and dedication for this temple. This means that the
more specific timing for all other temple events next year needed to be
similarly adjusted. President Nelson could dedicate this temple himself, or
begin delegating that responsibility to his counselors. If President Nelson
presides at this event, it would not shock me to find out that this dedication
might be part of another leg of his ongoing Global Ministry Tour.
Early-to-mid June:
Dedication of the Fortaleza Brazil Temple (165th operating temple)
Early-to-mid
August: Rededication of the Oakland California Temple
Mid-to-late
August: Rededication of the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple
Early-to-mid
September: Dedication of the Durban South Africa Temple (166th
operating temple)
Mid-to-late
September: Rededication of the Memphis Tennessee Temple
Saturday &
Sunday October 5 & 6: 189th Semiannual General Conference:
Note: Depending on what is done by this time to
clear the existing backlog of announced temples, it seems more likely than not
that several new temples will be announced during this weekend.
Mid-October:
Rededication of the Raleigh North Carolina Temple
Late October-early
November: Dedication of the Lisbon Portugal Temple (167th operating
temple)
Mid-to-late
November: Rededication of the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple
December: Rededication
of the Frankfurt Germany Temple
Final note on
2019: Given what I have heard about 2019, it seems more likely than not
that several temples will have a groundbreaking at some point during that year.
As noted above, the groundbreakings have been scheduled for the Urdaneta
Philippines and Bangkok Thailand Temples. I am also anticipating that a
groundbreaking for the Pocatello Idaho Temple will be held in mid-2019.
Additionally, based on what I know at the present time, I am keeping my eyes
open for information on the Saratoga Springs Utah, Nairobi Kenya, Lima Peru Los
Olivos, Harare Zimbabwe, Brasilia Brazil, and Greater Manila Philippines Temples,
most (if not all) of which could have a groundbreaking by the end of 2019.
2020:
Mid-February:
Dedication of the Arequipa Peru Temple (168th operating temple)
Mid-March:
Rededication of the Asuncion Paraguay Temple
Saturday &
Sunday April 4 & 5: 190th Annual General Conference
Note: Barring anything unexpected, I would
anticipate several new temples being announced during this weekend.
Mid-to-late April:
Dedication of the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple (169th operating
temple)
Mid-to-late May:
Rededication of the Tokyo Japan Temple
Mid-August:
Dedication of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple (170th operating temple)
Saturday &
Sunday October 3 & 4: 190th Semiannual General Conference
Note: Temple announcements are always possible, so
it is not hard to believe that a few could be announced during this General
Conference.
Mid-October:
Rededication of the Mesa Arizona Temple
Mid-November:
Dedication of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple (171st operating
temple)
Note: At the groundbreaking for this temple (which
occurred on November 8, 2018), Elder Neil L. Andersen, who presided at this
event and gave his remarks in French, noted that construction of the temple was
anticipated to take around two years. For that reason, I am moving my previous
estimate for this temple’s dedication up to this point.
Mid-December:
Rededication of the Washington DC Temple
Final note on
2020: Some of the announced temples that will have a groundbreaking between
now (early November 2018) and the end of 2019 could potentially be dedicated
during this year. And several other announced temples (I currently have 7 on my
radar) could have a groundbreaking during 2020 as well.
2021:
Saturday &
Sunday April 3 & 4: 191st Annual General Conference
Note: Depending on what happens between now (early
December 2018) and the dates for this General Conference, I could easily see
several new temples announced.
Mid-to-late April:
Rededication of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple
Early-to-mid June:
Dedication of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple (172nd operating
temple)
Note: Until we have a more general estimate for
this temple’s completion, a more specific one is being approximated here. It is
also likely that some temples which are yet-to-have a groundbreaking will be
dedicated before this one is, so the numbering is also approximated.
Saturday &
Sunday October 2 & 3: 191st Semiannual General Conference
Note: I am hoping that by the time this particular
General Conference weekend rolls around, the temple construction program of the
Church will have progressed to the point where some temples will continue to be
announced every six months.
Final note on
2021: If, as anticipated, several more temples are announced in 2019 and
2020, and any which have not yet had a groundbreaking have that occur within that
same time period, that in turn will multiply the number of known temple events
which will likely occur in 2021 and the years beyond. As more is learned about
future temple renovations, that will also have an impact on the number of
future events.
2022:
Saturday &
Sunday April 2 & 3: 192nd Annual General Conference
Note: Since the face of the Church’s temple
construction program will likely look entirely different by this time, I would
anticipate the announcement of several new temples.
Mid-August: Dedication
of the Bangkok Thailand Temple (173rd operating temple)
Note: Because this temple is significantly larger
than temples which have been built in recent years, delays in that construction
process are more likely than not. It is also worth noting that the official
number for this temple is almost certain to change as other temples have a
groundbreaking and construction and are potentially completed before this one
is.
Saturday &
Sunday October 1 & 2: 192nd Semiannual General Conference
Note: As
noted above (for the 2022 April General Conference), by this time, it is more
likely than not that the face of the Church’s temple construction program will
be looking entirely different. With that in mind, it seems more likely than not
that other temples could be announced during this General Conference.
Final note: As
noted a few different times here, within the four years or so between now and
the end of 2022, the face of the Church’s temple construction program will
likely look very different. We currently have a Church President who has
clearly prioritized bringing the temples to the people, and the fact that he
announced 19 new temples within his first year as such verifies that beyond
doubt. I also am equally certain he will do all he can to clear the existing
backlog of announced temples. With that in mind, there will likely be many more
temple events to add to this list in the future. I am committed to bringing
updates in that regard to you all as I receive them.
Labels:
Apostolic Ministry & Travels,
Church President,
Estimated Time-frames for Future Temple Events,
First Presidency,
Potential Future Temples,
Temple Construction Update,
Temples Undergoing Renovation
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, December 5, 2018
Additional Church News Reported
Hello again, everyone! Some additional Church news has been reported in recent days. Although this escaped my notice before now, it appears that yesterday, the Church updated its' statement on pageants, and the updates note officially which pageants will be discontinued and which will remain. So what has been decided in that regard? Let's talk about that.
The Nauvoo Pageant will continue with official support from Church headquarters. Following the completion of the renovation process for the Mesa Arizona Temple, the Mesa Pageant will continue under the direction of the North America Southwest Area Presidency. The British Pageant (which commemorates the arrival of the first missionaries to England in 1837) will now be held every 4 years (with the next one scheduled to be held in 2021) under the direction of the Europe Area Presidency.
Meanwhile, the Castle Valley and Clarkston pageants are now discontinued, and, as previously announced, the Manti Pageant will end next year. while the Hill Cumorah Pageant will have its' final run in 2020. I hope this clarification and additional information is helpful to you all. There were a couple of additional Church news stories as well, so we will conclude by discussing those.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently returned from a visit to the Church's Caribbean Area, where he was able to reiterate to the Saints in that area some of the things President Nelson had said during his recent visit. Elder Christofferson also talked about how the construction process for the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple and the October announcement of a temple for San Juan Puerto Rico are a manifestation of the resilience whereby Church members in that area continue to recover from the aftermath and impact of recent hurricanes.
And finally, on the campus of Brigham Young University-Provo, Elder David A. Bednar was the featured speaker at the weekly devotional, and he focused his remarks on how to find happiness amidst troubled times. This was a timely message. It was reported on the news yesterday that a student at BYU-Provo had plummeted from one of the campus buildings.
It has since been determined that the cause of death was suicide. BYU President and area seventy Elder Kevin J. Worthen made reference to this tragedy in brief remarks at the beginning of the devotional, and indicated that counseling and other resources are available for any student who needs that in light of this tragic occurrence.
In all scenarios, it is comforting to know that the general Church leadership are well aware of what's going on in the Church and throughout the world, and are taking steps to ameliorate such situations as best they can. I do continue to monitor any and all Church news and temple developments and will keep doing my level best to bring word of those to you all here as I receive it.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments conform to the established guidelines. 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.
The Nauvoo Pageant will continue with official support from Church headquarters. Following the completion of the renovation process for the Mesa Arizona Temple, the Mesa Pageant will continue under the direction of the North America Southwest Area Presidency. The British Pageant (which commemorates the arrival of the first missionaries to England in 1837) will now be held every 4 years (with the next one scheduled to be held in 2021) under the direction of the Europe Area Presidency.
Meanwhile, the Castle Valley and Clarkston pageants are now discontinued, and, as previously announced, the Manti Pageant will end next year. while the Hill Cumorah Pageant will have its' final run in 2020. I hope this clarification and additional information is helpful to you all. There were a couple of additional Church news stories as well, so we will conclude by discussing those.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently returned from a visit to the Church's Caribbean Area, where he was able to reiterate to the Saints in that area some of the things President Nelson had said during his recent visit. Elder Christofferson also talked about how the construction process for the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple and the October announcement of a temple for San Juan Puerto Rico are a manifestation of the resilience whereby Church members in that area continue to recover from the aftermath and impact of recent hurricanes.
And finally, on the campus of Brigham Young University-Provo, Elder David A. Bednar was the featured speaker at the weekly devotional, and he focused his remarks on how to find happiness amidst troubled times. This was a timely message. It was reported on the news yesterday that a student at BYU-Provo had plummeted from one of the campus buildings.
It has since been determined that the cause of death was suicide. BYU President and area seventy Elder Kevin J. Worthen made reference to this tragedy in brief remarks at the beginning of the devotional, and indicated that counseling and other resources are available for any student who needs that in light of this tragic occurrence.
In all scenarios, it is comforting to know that the general Church leadership are well aware of what's going on in the Church and throughout the world, and are taking steps to ameliorate such situations as best they can. I do continue to monitor any and all Church news and temple developments and will keep doing my level best to bring word of those to you all here as I receive it.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments conform to the established guidelines. 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.
Labels:
Apostolic Ministry & Travels,
Church Policies and Major Announcements,
Church President,
First Presidency,
General Church News
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.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
A General Apology and Reminder
Hello again, everyone! Within the last month or so, there has been somewhat of a decrease in terms of comments on recent posts. So, whether or not any of you feel that I need to, I wanted to post a general apology, reminder, and clarification on the subject of comments on this blog. Previous posts have seen good back-and-forth dialogue, between the readers of this blog and myself. I worry at times that some of you who have recently started reading this blog might misunderstand my motivations behind comments I add to those discussions.
In general, I am happy to let such dialogue continue, especially when wonderful insights are shared here. But at times, I do wonder if replies I have shared here are making me come across as a know-it-all who is more interested in asserting his own views than embracing corrections, clarifications, or any other input. I have never believed myself to know more about the subjects I cover and about the gospel than any or all of you do.
That said, I often come away from such conversations very inspired regarding the topics covered, and I hope the same is true for all of you. I made a resolve when my blog began to be more widely-read and recognized that I would do my best to reply to every comment by way of thanks for it or to acknowledge, inquire, or add further insights into comments which have been shared.
I also have worried more frequently of late that some of you may see such replies from me as an attempt on my part to end the dialogue on the topics covered in posts or comments published here. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am very much a people person, and hope that my comments here add insight, depth, or further context into what is posted or commented on.
While I recognize my own fallibility and imperfection, often, in relation to questions asked here, if I have one thing in my favor, it is that I know how to find necessary resources to provide the insights in my comments. And it happens more often than not that something said here does correct, clarify, or expand on what I have noted when putting together new posts. I greatly appreciate the chance to dialogue with all of you, and hope that the content which I post proves as interesting and illuminating as do the comments from you all.
If any of you feel that I have been abrupt, rude, discourteous, or disagreeable in my replies to your comments, I sincerely apologize. I am doing my level best to share accurate information in the things I post here, and because I am so far from perfect (which I freely acknowledge without hesitation), there have definitely been recent times where many of you will post such corrections, clarifications, or questions that successfully demonstrate errors I have made, and I am grateful for that too.
I would feel awful if I ever found out that any of my readers stopped visiting or commenting because of anything I said in response to their feedback. I hope that any of you will continue to feel free to contribute to the ongoing dialogue of anything discussed here. My hope in centering the focus of this blog around recently-reported Church news and temple developments was, is, and will continue to be to provide a safe place where such topics, along with accompanying comments from myself and each of you, can serve to uplift, encourage, and inspire us all, and allow a welcome reprieve from the craziness of the world today.
As that craziness continues and gets worse (which is a sign of the times that the Second Coming of the Savior is drawing ever closer), each of us will need to be extra inspired in our efforts to prepare for that, and to deal with the ramifications of a world which is rapidly changing and where political and public discourse becomes increasingly more uncivil. I have always believed we can have disagreements without becoming disagreeable, and I hope that that attitude has been reflected in both my posts and the comments I add to discussions here. As long as that continues to be the case for me and for each of you, then my efforts to stay on top of the latest developments will have paid off in the most important ways possible.
In addition to continuing to monitor Church news and temple developments, I am still very much committed to the projects I mentioned in a previous post, all of which I hope to take care of before the end of this year. I hope that many of you are looking forward to that upcoming content. I appreciate all of you and your ongoing efforts to add inspirational insights into topics covered here.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments conform to the established guidelines on the comment form. 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.
In general, I am happy to let such dialogue continue, especially when wonderful insights are shared here. But at times, I do wonder if replies I have shared here are making me come across as a know-it-all who is more interested in asserting his own views than embracing corrections, clarifications, or any other input. I have never believed myself to know more about the subjects I cover and about the gospel than any or all of you do.
That said, I often come away from such conversations very inspired regarding the topics covered, and I hope the same is true for all of you. I made a resolve when my blog began to be more widely-read and recognized that I would do my best to reply to every comment by way of thanks for it or to acknowledge, inquire, or add further insights into comments which have been shared.
I also have worried more frequently of late that some of you may see such replies from me as an attempt on my part to end the dialogue on the topics covered in posts or comments published here. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am very much a people person, and hope that my comments here add insight, depth, or further context into what is posted or commented on.
While I recognize my own fallibility and imperfection, often, in relation to questions asked here, if I have one thing in my favor, it is that I know how to find necessary resources to provide the insights in my comments. And it happens more often than not that something said here does correct, clarify, or expand on what I have noted when putting together new posts. I greatly appreciate the chance to dialogue with all of you, and hope that the content which I post proves as interesting and illuminating as do the comments from you all.
If any of you feel that I have been abrupt, rude, discourteous, or disagreeable in my replies to your comments, I sincerely apologize. I am doing my level best to share accurate information in the things I post here, and because I am so far from perfect (which I freely acknowledge without hesitation), there have definitely been recent times where many of you will post such corrections, clarifications, or questions that successfully demonstrate errors I have made, and I am grateful for that too.
I would feel awful if I ever found out that any of my readers stopped visiting or commenting because of anything I said in response to their feedback. I hope that any of you will continue to feel free to contribute to the ongoing dialogue of anything discussed here. My hope in centering the focus of this blog around recently-reported Church news and temple developments was, is, and will continue to be to provide a safe place where such topics, along with accompanying comments from myself and each of you, can serve to uplift, encourage, and inspire us all, and allow a welcome reprieve from the craziness of the world today.
As that craziness continues and gets worse (which is a sign of the times that the Second Coming of the Savior is drawing ever closer), each of us will need to be extra inspired in our efforts to prepare for that, and to deal with the ramifications of a world which is rapidly changing and where political and public discourse becomes increasingly more uncivil. I have always believed we can have disagreements without becoming disagreeable, and I hope that that attitude has been reflected in both my posts and the comments I add to discussions here. As long as that continues to be the case for me and for each of you, then my efforts to stay on top of the latest developments will have paid off in the most important ways possible.
In addition to continuing to monitor Church news and temple developments, I am still very much committed to the projects I mentioned in a previous post, all of which I hope to take care of before the end of this year. I hope that many of you are looking forward to that upcoming content. I appreciate all of you and your ongoing efforts to add inspirational insights into topics covered here.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments conform to the established guidelines on the comment form. 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.
Labels:
Personal News/Update
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.
Monday, December 3, 2018
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Celebrates His 78th Birthday Today
Hello again, everyone! I am back in the early morning hours of December 3 as I promised to be, with a post written in honor of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, who is celebrating his 78th birthday today. I have previously referenced the fact that Elder Holland is one of my favorites among the current apostles. His General Conference talks always seem to especially be covering topics related to things I am going through personally during any given General Conference weekend.
As I have also mentioned, when he was a young man, Elder Holland, who was born and raised in St. George, was my dad's dad's home teaching companion. I have very vivid memories of my grandfather expressing his wonderment that a boy like that could grow up to be an apostle of the Lord. Many members of the Church may be prone to putting our apostles on pedestals, forgetting about the paths which have taken such men from the circumstances of their births to the point where the Lord sees fit to call them to be His special witnesses.
The difference is in the choices they made which enabled them to be ready, worthy, and able to accept such calls when they have come. But on another level, each of us can do likewise to ensure that we are where the Lord needs us to be and will be ready to do what He needs us to do in any circumstance in which we find ourselves.
I also have another indirect connection to Elder Holland. My mom is a freelance proofreader, and in the early days of her marriage to my dad, she worked on many projects for the Church Educational System. Since that occurred at the time when Elder Holland was the Commissioner of the CES, he was essentially my mom's "boss." And she speaks warmly of the experiences she had working with him. And my dad also reconnected with him a few different times when he (my dad) worked for the Church in Salt Lake.
Personal connections aside, I wanted to share a brief biographical sketch of Elder Holland. Jeffrey Roy Holland was born inSt. George , Utah to Frank D. and Alice Bentley Holland on December 3, 1940. He served as a full-time missionary in the British Mission, during which time one of his two mission presidents was Marion D. Hanks, who at that time was serving as a member of the First Council of the Seventy. And one of Elder Holland's missionary companions, Quentin L. Cook, would later become a colleague in the apostleship.
Upon his return from his mission, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Terry, in 1963. They are the parents of a daughter and two sons. ElderHolland attended BYU, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in religious education. He went on to earn a doctorate degree in American studies from Yale. He then became a professor at BYU, serving as Dean of the College of Religion .
He served as Commissioner of Church Education from 1976-1980. While serving in that assignment in 1980, he led a search for someone to succeed the current BYU-Provo President, Dallin H. Oaks (who would also become an apostolic colleague in the future). He was surprised when President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then serving as Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called him one day to note that he (Jeffrey R. Holland) would be the next president of BYU.
ElderHolland has served as a bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, and regional representative. Following the conclusion of his service as the president of BYU-Provo, he was sustained as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 1, 1989. After the First Presidency was reorganized following the death of President Ezra Taft Benson, President Howard W. Hunter took immediate action to fill the apostolic vacancy.
In the space of a few short hours on June 23, President Hunter issued a call to the apostleship to Elder Holland, gave him his apostolic charge, set apart and ordained him to that calling, had him join the other 14 apostles in their weekly meeting at the temple, and arranged a press conference to enable him to take questions from the media. That action was sustained by Church membership during the Solemn Assembly that was held less than three months later.
Elder Holland gave 3 talks prior to his apostolic call (one of which he gave in April 1983 as president of BYU during the Priesthood Session, with his son (a teacher at the time) also speaking during that session, and the other 2 while serving as a General Authority Seventy. And since his call to the apostleship, he has spoken 49 additional times, meaning he has given 52 addresses altogether in General Conference. To review any of these wonderful addresses, click here.
Some of my favorites among those 50 in recent years have been None Were With Him (from the Easter Sunday Morning Session of the April 2009 General Conference); Lord, I Believe (from the Sunday Afternoon Session of the April 2013 General Conference); and Songs Sung and Unsung (from the Saturday Afternoon Session of the April 2017 General Conference).
The last thing I want to mention about Elder Holland is that he is currently the second most-senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the fourth most senior of our 15 current apostles. He is also the fourth-oldest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and is the 7th oldest among all 15 apostles.
Although it is unlikely Elder Holland will ever read this personally, I am grateful for the chance I had to present this post in honor of his birthday today. I joyfully and whole-heartedly sustain each and every one of our 15 current apostles in their callings, and I look forward to seeing the way in which Elder Holland will continue his apostolic ministry in the future.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated,. on any post at any time, as long as such comments remain true to the established guidelines for this blog. 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.
As I have also mentioned, when he was a young man, Elder Holland, who was born and raised in St. George, was my dad's dad's home teaching companion. I have very vivid memories of my grandfather expressing his wonderment that a boy like that could grow up to be an apostle of the Lord. Many members of the Church may be prone to putting our apostles on pedestals, forgetting about the paths which have taken such men from the circumstances of their births to the point where the Lord sees fit to call them to be His special witnesses.
The difference is in the choices they made which enabled them to be ready, worthy, and able to accept such calls when they have come. But on another level, each of us can do likewise to ensure that we are where the Lord needs us to be and will be ready to do what He needs us to do in any circumstance in which we find ourselves.
I also have another indirect connection to Elder Holland. My mom is a freelance proofreader, and in the early days of her marriage to my dad, she worked on many projects for the Church Educational System. Since that occurred at the time when Elder Holland was the Commissioner of the CES, he was essentially my mom's "boss." And she speaks warmly of the experiences she had working with him. And my dad also reconnected with him a few different times when he (my dad) worked for the Church in Salt Lake.
Personal connections aside, I wanted to share a brief biographical sketch of Elder Holland. Jeffrey Roy Holland was born in
Upon his return from his mission, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Terry, in 1963. They are the parents of a daughter and two sons. Elder
He served as Commissioner of Church Education from 1976-1980. While serving in that assignment in 1980, he led a search for someone to succeed the current BYU-Provo President, Dallin H. Oaks (who would also become an apostolic colleague in the future). He was surprised when President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was then serving as Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called him one day to note that he (Jeffrey R. Holland) would be the next president of BYU.
Elder
In the space of a few short hours on June 23, President Hunter issued a call to the apostleship to Elder Holland, gave him his apostolic charge, set apart and ordained him to that calling, had him join the other 14 apostles in their weekly meeting at the temple, and arranged a press conference to enable him to take questions from the media. That action was sustained by Church membership during the Solemn Assembly that was held less than three months later.
Elder Holland gave 3 talks prior to his apostolic call (one of which he gave in April 1983 as president of BYU during the Priesthood Session, with his son (a teacher at the time) also speaking during that session, and the other 2 while serving as a General Authority Seventy. And since his call to the apostleship, he has spoken 49 additional times, meaning he has given 52 addresses altogether in General Conference. To review any of these wonderful addresses, click here.
Some of my favorites among those 50 in recent years have been None Were With Him (from the Easter Sunday Morning Session of the April 2009 General Conference); Lord, I Believe (from the Sunday Afternoon Session of the April 2013 General Conference); and Songs Sung and Unsung (from the Saturday Afternoon Session of the April 2017 General Conference).
The last thing I want to mention about Elder Holland is that he is currently the second most-senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the fourth most senior of our 15 current apostles. He is also the fourth-oldest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and is the 7th oldest among all 15 apostles.
Although it is unlikely Elder Holland will ever read this personally, I am grateful for the chance I had to present this post in honor of his birthday today. I joyfully and whole-heartedly sustain each and every one of our 15 current apostles in their callings, and I look forward to seeing the way in which Elder Holland will continue his apostolic ministry in the future.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated,. on any post at any time, as long as such comments remain true to the established guidelines for this blog. 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.
Labels:
Apostolic Age & Tenure Milestones,
Apostolic Ministry & Travels,
General Conference,
Missionary Work,
Sustaining the Brethren
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.
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Report on the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional/Overview of Definite Projects Which Will Be Posted on This Blog Before 2018 Ends
Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency's Christmas Devotional concluded about 2 hours ago, and I am pleased to be able to bring you a report on what occurred during that event. As expected, music was provided by the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
President Nelson asked President Oaks to conduct the devotional, which began with the Choir singing Joy to the World. An invocation was then offered by Brother Tad R. Callister, who serves as the Sunday School General President, after which the Choir sang "The First Noel". I should interject here that this year's devotional was more in line with previous traditions than the one held last year, with one speaker each from among the general officers of the Church, the Presidency of the Seventy, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the First Presidency.
The first speaker at the devotional this year was Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, whose remarks are summarized here.
The next hymn the Choir performed was somewhat of a surprise to me. It has been a tradition for most of the last several years for the devotional to end with the Choir singing Silent Night (and with the congregation being asked to join in on the final verse), but that occurred following Sister Eubank's remarks. I should perhaps amend my previous statement. The surprising thing was not in the fact that this hymn should be part of the devotional (as that has been somewhat standard in recent years), but rather because it was performed in the midst of the devotional rather than at its' conclusion.
The second speaker was Elder Terence M. Vinson, whose call to the Presidency of the Seventy was announced in General Conference last April, and who formally began that assignment on August 1. As some of you may be aware, he was born in Australia and has lived in various surrounding nations. Prior to his call in the Presidency of the Seventy, he had been serving in the presidency of the Church's Africa West Area, to which service he referred during his remarks.
It appears that there were additional opportunities for the Choir to sing in this year's devotional than there have been in years past. Directly following Elder Vinson's address, the Choir sang "How Far is it to Bethlehem?" After that, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (who was one of the Quorum members I projected might speak to us during this devotional) addressed us.
As anticipated, President Nelson was the concluding speaker. He talked about 4 gifts from the Savior. The Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square then concluded the meeting with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. The benediction was offered by Sister Becky L. Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency.
There were a few common themes I noticed in each of the four addresses which were given. Those themes included: memories of past Christmas experience, the life and mission of the Savior, how many Saints rose above hardships to make Christmas more meaningful in their lives, and the vital role of Christ as the reason for the Christmas season. But more than that, I continued to marvel at how energetic and awe-inspiring our beloved prophet really is, and how much he adds a gentle, grandfatherly, and very personal and personable tone to everything he says.
I am personally very happy to have the current group of 15 men whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators standing as special witnesses of Christ at this time. And although the passing of each apostle or prophet does cause some feelings of sadness and loss for so many of us, as was observed a few different times in last April's General Conference, the new apostles and prophets who are called in their stead can and will become as equally beloved to each of us as were their predecessors.
It has been a great honor for me to pass along this summary of tonight's Christmas Devotional. One more observation, if I may, by way of reiterating something I have previously noted. For the last several years, this devotional has almost always been held on the first Sunday in December. Next year, that devotional has been set to be held on the second Sunday.
My theory as to why it will be held on the second Sunday of December 2019 is that the First Presidency may be potentially wanting to keep that first Sunday open next year for either a temple dedication or rededication, which would allow such an event to occur without distracting or detracting from the Church's emphasis on Christ as the reason for the season.
And in that regard, I should also mention that I have begun the preliminary process of updating my more specific estimates for those near-future temple events that will occur, which I hope to publish here within the next few days. Likewise in the works is, as previously noted, another post which will, if all goes well, be published within the next 12-15 hours (but hopefully less) in honor of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's 78th birthday, which he will be observing tomorrow.
As time and circumstances allow, I will also be hard at work on finalizing my April 2019 General Conference predictions, which I am hoping to get published on this blog at some point before December 16, the day on which I have promised to bring you an update on the latest apostolic statistics and upcoming milestones. One week later (two days before Christmas, I will be posting the final apostolic birthday tribute for 2018 in honor of Elder Gerrit W. Gong, who will be marking his 65th birthday on that day.
And as per my usual tradition, 8 days after that, which will coincide with New Year's Eve 2018, I will be providing a look back at how much progress has been made on temples during this year. Of course, I will also do my level best to keep bringing word of any major Church news stories or temple developments. As you can see, I have my work cut out for me on this blog for the remainder of this year. And I would not in any way be shocked to find out about a few more breaking news updates which I am also committed to passing along to you all here as I become aware of them.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are in accordance with the established guidelines. 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.
President Nelson asked President Oaks to conduct the devotional, which began with the Choir singing Joy to the World. An invocation was then offered by Brother Tad R. Callister, who serves as the Sunday School General President, after which the Choir sang "The First Noel". I should interject here that this year's devotional was more in line with previous traditions than the one held last year, with one speaker each from among the general officers of the Church, the Presidency of the Seventy, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the First Presidency.
The first speaker at the devotional this year was Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, whose remarks are summarized here.
The next hymn the Choir performed was somewhat of a surprise to me. It has been a tradition for most of the last several years for the devotional to end with the Choir singing Silent Night (and with the congregation being asked to join in on the final verse), but that occurred following Sister Eubank's remarks. I should perhaps amend my previous statement. The surprising thing was not in the fact that this hymn should be part of the devotional (as that has been somewhat standard in recent years), but rather because it was performed in the midst of the devotional rather than at its' conclusion.
The second speaker was Elder Terence M. Vinson, whose call to the Presidency of the Seventy was announced in General Conference last April, and who formally began that assignment on August 1. As some of you may be aware, he was born in Australia and has lived in various surrounding nations. Prior to his call in the Presidency of the Seventy, he had been serving in the presidency of the Church's Africa West Area, to which service he referred during his remarks.
It appears that there were additional opportunities for the Choir to sing in this year's devotional than there have been in years past. Directly following Elder Vinson's address, the Choir sang "How Far is it to Bethlehem?" After that, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (who was one of the Quorum members I projected might speak to us during this devotional) addressed us.
As anticipated, President Nelson was the concluding speaker. He talked about 4 gifts from the Savior. The Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square then concluded the meeting with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. The benediction was offered by Sister Becky L. Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency.
There were a few common themes I noticed in each of the four addresses which were given. Those themes included: memories of past Christmas experience, the life and mission of the Savior, how many Saints rose above hardships to make Christmas more meaningful in their lives, and the vital role of Christ as the reason for the Christmas season. But more than that, I continued to marvel at how energetic and awe-inspiring our beloved prophet really is, and how much he adds a gentle, grandfatherly, and very personal and personable tone to everything he says.
I am personally very happy to have the current group of 15 men whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators standing as special witnesses of Christ at this time. And although the passing of each apostle or prophet does cause some feelings of sadness and loss for so many of us, as was observed a few different times in last April's General Conference, the new apostles and prophets who are called in their stead can and will become as equally beloved to each of us as were their predecessors.
It has been a great honor for me to pass along this summary of tonight's Christmas Devotional. One more observation, if I may, by way of reiterating something I have previously noted. For the last several years, this devotional has almost always been held on the first Sunday in December. Next year, that devotional has been set to be held on the second Sunday.
My theory as to why it will be held on the second Sunday of December 2019 is that the First Presidency may be potentially wanting to keep that first Sunday open next year for either a temple dedication or rededication, which would allow such an event to occur without distracting or detracting from the Church's emphasis on Christ as the reason for the season.
And in that regard, I should also mention that I have begun the preliminary process of updating my more specific estimates for those near-future temple events that will occur, which I hope to publish here within the next few days. Likewise in the works is, as previously noted, another post which will, if all goes well, be published within the next 12-15 hours (but hopefully less) in honor of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's 78th birthday, which he will be observing tomorrow.
As time and circumstances allow, I will also be hard at work on finalizing my April 2019 General Conference predictions, which I am hoping to get published on this blog at some point before December 16, the day on which I have promised to bring you an update on the latest apostolic statistics and upcoming milestones. One week later (two days before Christmas, I will be posting the final apostolic birthday tribute for 2018 in honor of Elder Gerrit W. Gong, who will be marking his 65th birthday on that day.
And as per my usual tradition, 8 days after that, which will coincide with New Year's Eve 2018, I will be providing a look back at how much progress has been made on temples during this year. Of course, I will also do my level best to keep bringing word of any major Church news stories or temple developments. As you can see, I have my work cut out for me on this blog for the remainder of this year. And I would not in any way be shocked to find out about a few more breaking news updates which I am also committed to passing along to you all here as I become aware of them.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such comments are in accordance with the established guidelines. 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.
Labels:
Apostolic Age & Tenure Milestones,
Apostolic Ministry & Travels,
Church President,
First Presidency,
General Church News,
Scheduled Temple Event,
Sustaining the Brethren
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.
A Christmas Message for My Readers
Hello again, everyone! Although I do plan to provide coverage of the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional and to also post a birthday tribute to Elder Holland within the next 40 hours (but hopefully less, if all goes well), and will continue to do my best to provide ongoing coverage of all major Church news and significant temple developments as they occur, I feel I would be very remiss in my ongoing efforts to encourage, uplift, and inspire you, my readers, if I did not pause at the beginning of this month to share a Christmas message on this blog.
As we know, the mission of the Savior neither began with His birth as a baby in Bethlehem, nor concluded as He wrought the price of our atonement with His perfect blood in the Garden of Gethsemane and as He hung on Calvary's cross. In the great council in Heaven before any of us came to earth, our Father presented a plan whereby a Savior would be provided to atone for the sins and feel all the pain, illness and sorrow any of us would ever fill in this life.
Our brother, Lucifer, presented an alternate version of that plan, whereby he would eliminate our agency and force us to live good enough lives to return home to Heaven, for which efforts he wanted all the glory. Jesus Christ, as the oldest of all of our Father's offspring, said He would work out our salvation with a process of atonement, so that all who laid hold on that promise would be able to repent and learn from their mistakes, and would have the effects of that atonement come into play when (rather than if) we ever transgressed the laws or commandments of our Father.
There followed a war between two sides: those who accepted the Father's plan (including the recognition of a need for a Savior) and those who wanted Lucifer's plan to be utilized. The idea of agency and free will was so precious to our Father that He allowed Lucifer and his followers (which comprised roughly 1/3 of all of our Father's children) to be cast out.
For a period of roughly the next 4,000 years or so (as a result of the fall of Adam), prophets and those who heeded their words looked forward with great anticipation to the future birth of the Savior. The heavens then manifested the sign that the Savior had been born of a virgin, and shepherds (and later wise men) hastened to come and see for themselves that the prophecies of His coming had been fulfilled.
Even from a very early age, He knew exactly what He had been sent here to do. Aside from His experience at age 12 talking with the rabbis in the temple and answering their questions, pretty much everything we know about His life until His mortal ministry began is summed up in a single sentence: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature: in favor with God and man."
He began His mortal ministry when He was around the age of 30. The next three years or so were spent healing the sick, raising the dead, and bringing many miracles to pass. But as His ministry progressed, many people either did not see Him for who He was or took issue with the reports of what He had been doing. Although He was overwhelmed by the weight of our sins, sorrows, and suffering through His atonement, He was determined to see it through. He was then betrayed by one of His own disciples, after which He was subjected to inquiries by the governmental leaders of His day. Although they could "find now fault in this man", they gave in to the demands of an angry crowd, who were insistent as they said: "Crucify Him!"
After the excruciating pain of hanging on His cross (with thieves on either side of Him), He commended His spirit unto the care of His Father. While His body lay entombed for three days, His spirit preached the gospel of repentance unto those who had passed away before that time. He was then resurrected, breaking the bands of death with the eternal promise that all who came unto Him would be saved from the effects of sin and death.
Roughly 1800 years or so following His ascension back to His Father, the two presented themselves to Joseph Smith, ushering in the last and the greatest of all dispensations. Among one of many tidbits the Lord has revealed as this dispensation has continued to unfold, it was made known that the Savior's birth occurred in April. But since much of the secular and religious leaders of the world mark the milestone of His birth near the end of each year (on December 25), that day has long been accepted as Christmas. And without Christ and His mission, there would be neither a Chrstimas or an Easter.
As recorded in scripture, we have the additional promise that He will come again. But as time has worn on, the Christmas season has become more commercialized, while the true reason for the season has in many ways been completely forgotten. While Christmas each year gives us the opportunity to gather with family and friends and exchange gifts, the greatest gift any of us ever have or ever will receive is that of a Savior.
It would be beneficial for all of us, in the midst of our celebrations of the season, to remember the true meaning of Christmas. The tragic reality of our modern age is that, over time, so many of us are so wrapped up in other things which have taken our focus away from the actual reason for the season, The promise of Christmas is not merely the hope for better things or the idea that we can and will be saved from our sins as we lay hold on the gift of His salvation , but also the covenant that He can and will come again.
So as this Christmas season continues to be celebrated, I hope none of us will forget the gifts of His birth, His ministry, and His atonement. I also hope and pray that we will likewise retain in remembrance the promise that He will come again. It is up to each of us to prepare ourselves for that future event. Will we be ready when that day arrives? I certainly hope so.
I have previously shared on this blog a copy of a poem which appeared in the ward newsletter one December while I was a young Aaronic Priesthood holder. The poem conveys the high importance of our being prepared for the day when He will come again. Here once again is a copy of that poem:
It is my hope and prayer that all of us may keep the spirit and the true meaning of Christmas with us not just through this season when we celebrate that, but also all year round, and that we and our families may be able to make room in our hearts for Him. I likewise hope that each of us will take time away from the hustle and bustle of this season to make resolutions regarding how we will retain Him and His incomparable sacrifice ever in our memories. As we make the effort to put Christ back into Christmas, may His blessings continue to attend us all. I offer my witness that He lived and died and lives again for all of us, that He will come again, and that we need Him in our lives now more than ever before. Each of us has the choice as to whether or not we will let Him in. May each of us do so is my humble prayer for this Christmas season and all year round, which I gratefully offer in the name of Him who is the reason for the season, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
As we know, the mission of the Savior neither began with His birth as a baby in Bethlehem, nor concluded as He wrought the price of our atonement with His perfect blood in the Garden of Gethsemane and as He hung on Calvary's cross. In the great council in Heaven before any of us came to earth, our Father presented a plan whereby a Savior would be provided to atone for the sins and feel all the pain, illness and sorrow any of us would ever fill in this life.
Our brother, Lucifer, presented an alternate version of that plan, whereby he would eliminate our agency and force us to live good enough lives to return home to Heaven, for which efforts he wanted all the glory. Jesus Christ, as the oldest of all of our Father's offspring, said He would work out our salvation with a process of atonement, so that all who laid hold on that promise would be able to repent and learn from their mistakes, and would have the effects of that atonement come into play when (rather than if) we ever transgressed the laws or commandments of our Father.
There followed a war between two sides: those who accepted the Father's plan (including the recognition of a need for a Savior) and those who wanted Lucifer's plan to be utilized. The idea of agency and free will was so precious to our Father that He allowed Lucifer and his followers (which comprised roughly 1/3 of all of our Father's children) to be cast out.
For a period of roughly the next 4,000 years or so (as a result of the fall of Adam), prophets and those who heeded their words looked forward with great anticipation to the future birth of the Savior. The heavens then manifested the sign that the Savior had been born of a virgin, and shepherds (and later wise men) hastened to come and see for themselves that the prophecies of His coming had been fulfilled.
Even from a very early age, He knew exactly what He had been sent here to do. Aside from His experience at age 12 talking with the rabbis in the temple and answering their questions, pretty much everything we know about His life until His mortal ministry began is summed up in a single sentence: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature: in favor with God and man."
He began His mortal ministry when He was around the age of 30. The next three years or so were spent healing the sick, raising the dead, and bringing many miracles to pass. But as His ministry progressed, many people either did not see Him for who He was or took issue with the reports of what He had been doing. Although He was overwhelmed by the weight of our sins, sorrows, and suffering through His atonement, He was determined to see it through. He was then betrayed by one of His own disciples, after which He was subjected to inquiries by the governmental leaders of His day. Although they could "find now fault in this man", they gave in to the demands of an angry crowd, who were insistent as they said: "Crucify Him!"
After the excruciating pain of hanging on His cross (with thieves on either side of Him), He commended His spirit unto the care of His Father. While His body lay entombed for three days, His spirit preached the gospel of repentance unto those who had passed away before that time. He was then resurrected, breaking the bands of death with the eternal promise that all who came unto Him would be saved from the effects of sin and death.
Roughly 1800 years or so following His ascension back to His Father, the two presented themselves to Joseph Smith, ushering in the last and the greatest of all dispensations. Among one of many tidbits the Lord has revealed as this dispensation has continued to unfold, it was made known that the Savior's birth occurred in April. But since much of the secular and religious leaders of the world mark the milestone of His birth near the end of each year (on December 25), that day has long been accepted as Christmas. And without Christ and His mission, there would be neither a Chrstimas or an Easter.
As recorded in scripture, we have the additional promise that He will come again. But as time has worn on, the Christmas season has become more commercialized, while the true reason for the season has in many ways been completely forgotten. While Christmas each year gives us the opportunity to gather with family and friends and exchange gifts, the greatest gift any of us ever have or ever will receive is that of a Savior.
It would be beneficial for all of us, in the midst of our celebrations of the season, to remember the true meaning of Christmas. The tragic reality of our modern age is that, over time, so many of us are so wrapped up in other things which have taken our focus away from the actual reason for the season, The promise of Christmas is not merely the hope for better things or the idea that we can and will be saved from our sins as we lay hold on the gift of His salvation , but also the covenant that He can and will come again.
So as this Christmas season continues to be celebrated, I hope none of us will forget the gifts of His birth, His ministry, and His atonement. I also hope and pray that we will likewise retain in remembrance the promise that He will come again. It is up to each of us to prepare ourselves for that future event. Will we be ready when that day arrives? I certainly hope so.
I have previously shared on this blog a copy of a poem which appeared in the ward newsletter one December while I was a young Aaronic Priesthood holder. The poem conveys the high importance of our being prepared for the day when He will come again. Here once again is a copy of that poem:
‘Twas the Night Before the Savior Came
‘Twas the night before Our Savior came and all through
the house,
Not a person was praying, not one in the house.
Their scriptures were lain on the shelf without care,
Thinking Our Savior would not come there.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the late show, while I took a nap.
Where out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But angels proclaiming that our Savior was here!
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
I knew in a moment it must be the day!
The beauty of His face made me cover my head,
It was Our Savior returning just like he said....
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the names of every saved man.
He spoke not a word, as He searched for my name.
Then He said, “It’s not here.” My head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to His father above.
With those who were read, He rose without a sound,
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late.
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and cried as they rose out of sight,
“Oh, if only I’d been ready tonight.”
In the words of this poem, the meaning is clear,
The coming of Our Savior is drawing near.
There is only one life and when comes the last call,
We will find that the scriptures were true,
after all.It is my hope and prayer that all of us may keep the spirit and the true meaning of Christmas with us not just through this season when we celebrate that, but also all year round, and that we and our families may be able to make room in our hearts for Him. I likewise hope that each of us will take time away from the hustle and bustle of this season to make resolutions regarding how we will retain Him and His incomparable sacrifice ever in our memories. As we make the effort to put Christ back into Christmas, may His blessings continue to attend us all. I offer my witness that He lived and died and lives again for all of us, that He will come again, and that we need Him in our lives now more than ever before. Each of us has the choice as to whether or not we will let Him in. May each of us do so is my humble prayer for this Christmas season and all year round, which I gratefully offer in the name of Him who is the reason for the season, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
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.
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Some Preliminary Thoughts on the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional
Hello again, everyone! With the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional now less than 24 hours away, I wanted to offer some thoughts leading up to it. From its' commencement up through 2012, when this devotional was held annually, the members of the First Presidency each spoke, interspersed with music from the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Then in 2013, the First Presidency announced that other Church leaders would speak during that same devotional, which would still feature the members of the First Presidency, but on rotation.
So the 2013 devotional featured remarks from Church President Thomas S. Monson, then-Primary General President Rosemary M. Wixom, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, then a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and then-Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The following year, the featured speakers were Elder Richard J. Maynes, then of the Presidency of the Seventy, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, who was then Young Women General President, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and President Henry B. Eyring, then-First Counselor in the First Presidency.
By 2015, as most of you are probably aware from previous content posted here, President Monson had begun to scale back his role in public Church events. The devotional that year consisted of talks from Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy, Sister Linda K. Burton, who was serving as Relief Society General President at the time, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who was serving as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
In view of President Monson taking a reduced role the previous year, 2016's devotional featured remarks from then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Craig C. Christensen, then of the Presidency of the Seventy, Brother Douglas D. Holmes, First Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, and President Eyring again.
You can see that the devotionals between 2013 and 2016 followed a typical pattern of featuring one member each from the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Presidency of the Seventy, and from one of the general auxiliary presidencies of the Church. It seemed that pattern would continue to be the standard, until the devotional aired last year. The 2017 Devotional consisted of only 3 addresses: we heard from Sister Cristina B. Franco, Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy, and then-President Uchtdorf again.
So what does that mean for this year's devotional? As I mentioned earlier, President Nelson has showed his willingness to approach standard patterns of the past with a willingness to vary them. That said, there have been a couple of groups among general Church leadership which have not been tapped as of yet to participate in the Christmas Devotional since the format changed: the Presiding Bishopric and the Sunday School General Presidency. So this year could see one or both groups asked to participate. We might also hear from a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with my theory being that either President Ballard, Elders Holland or Uchtdorf (the latter of whom has done so in previous years), Elders Cook, Andersen, Stevenson or Renlund.
I honestly do not know if the First Presidency would ask either Elders Gong or Soares to speak this year, but could potentially see that happening for one of them. And although all three current members of the First Presidency have spoken at this event in recent years, if we assume only one member will speak, my vote goes to our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. And if that turns out to be the case, he may ask either President Oaks or President Eyring to conduct (but likely the latter, since he has done so before).
Again, these are just some observations I wanted to pass along to you all as we prepare for the devotional tomorrow evening. Whether I am correct or absolutely dead-wrong about the likely speakers for this devotional, I will greatly enjoy the devotional either way, and I will be carrying a full report of that event here either tomorrow night or ASAP on Monday. The Lord has always inspired this event and the featured speakers thereof, and that will continue to be the case.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as they conform to the established guidelines which I have set up here. 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.
So the 2013 devotional featured remarks from Church President Thomas S. Monson, then-Primary General President Rosemary M. Wixom, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, then a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and then-Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The following year, the featured speakers were Elder Richard J. Maynes, then of the Presidency of the Seventy, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, who was then Young Women General President, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and President Henry B. Eyring, then-First Counselor in the First Presidency.
By 2015, as most of you are probably aware from previous content posted here, President Monson had begun to scale back his role in public Church events. The devotional that year consisted of talks from Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy, Sister Linda K. Burton, who was serving as Relief Society General President at the time, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who was serving as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
In view of President Monson taking a reduced role the previous year, 2016's devotional featured remarks from then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Craig C. Christensen, then of the Presidency of the Seventy, Brother Douglas D. Holmes, First Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, and President Eyring again.
You can see that the devotionals between 2013 and 2016 followed a typical pattern of featuring one member each from the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Presidency of the Seventy, and from one of the general auxiliary presidencies of the Church. It seemed that pattern would continue to be the standard, until the devotional aired last year. The 2017 Devotional consisted of only 3 addresses: we heard from Sister Cristina B. Franco, Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy, and then-President Uchtdorf again.
So what does that mean for this year's devotional? As I mentioned earlier, President Nelson has showed his willingness to approach standard patterns of the past with a willingness to vary them. That said, there have been a couple of groups among general Church leadership which have not been tapped as of yet to participate in the Christmas Devotional since the format changed: the Presiding Bishopric and the Sunday School General Presidency. So this year could see one or both groups asked to participate. We might also hear from a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with my theory being that either President Ballard, Elders Holland or Uchtdorf (the latter of whom has done so in previous years), Elders Cook, Andersen, Stevenson or Renlund.
I honestly do not know if the First Presidency would ask either Elders Gong or Soares to speak this year, but could potentially see that happening for one of them. And although all three current members of the First Presidency have spoken at this event in recent years, if we assume only one member will speak, my vote goes to our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. And if that turns out to be the case, he may ask either President Oaks or President Eyring to conduct (but likely the latter, since he has done so before).
Again, these are just some observations I wanted to pass along to you all as we prepare for the devotional tomorrow evening. Whether I am correct or absolutely dead-wrong about the likely speakers for this devotional, I will greatly enjoy the devotional either way, and I will be carrying a full report of that event here either tomorrow night or ASAP on Monday. The Lord has always inspired this event and the featured speakers thereof, and that will continue to be the case.
That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as they conform to the established guidelines which I have set up here. 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.
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.
Additional Church News and Temple Developments Reported
Hello again, everyone! Within the 24 hours since my last post on this blog, a few more Church news updates and temple developments have been reported. Let's get right into all of those. First, the Church news updates. In light of the report late last night that former US President George H. W. Bush had passed away, the First Presidency issued an official statement earlier today expressing gratitude for his legacy of service to the United States, condolences and love to his family, and an invocation of God's peace to attend them at this time.
Also, two leaders of the Church (Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, who also serves as chair of LDS Charities; and Elder Anthony D. Perkins of the Seventy, who is serving in a few different Church headquarters assignments), responded to an invitation from Baroness Emma Nicholson, who spearheaded the creation of AMAR, in speaking on the subject of religious intolerance at a conference in Baghdad.
That city, located in the Middle Eastern countries, happens to fall under Elder Perkins' responsibility, as he is the Senior Administrator for the Church in the Middle East/Africa North Area. You can read more about that in this article from the Newsroom.
In the meantime, we turn now to the additional temple updates of which I spoke earlier. Other developments have been noted on the construction process for the Durban South Africa Temple. While work continues on painting, millwork, plumbing, and electrical systems, tiling has begun to be installed inside that temple as well. Meanwhile, on the grounds of that temple, the exterior planter boxes are being plastered, and installation is underway on the water feature which will be part of the temple grounds.
It has also been reported that the angel Moroni statue was installed atop the Arequipa Peru Temple yesterday (November 30). Having said that, I need to offer a disclaimer here: While this milestone is significant, there is nothing currently which indicates that the dedication of that temple will occur any sooner than early 2020, and I don't see that changing in the future, unless the Lord knows something that I don't (which He does, by the way).
In the meantime, with the process of setting piles for the construction barrier on the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple nearing completion, work has now turned to setting up the poles within the construction barrier that will mark the areas where the footings of the temple foundation are to be poured.
It is most wonderful to see the day-to-day Church news updates and temple developments which are being reported on a consistent basis, and I was happy to bring you word of the latest here on this blog. I continue to monitor all such updates and will bring you word of the major ones as I receive them. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, so long as such comments align with the established guidelines.
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.
Also, two leaders of the Church (Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, who also serves as chair of LDS Charities; and Elder Anthony D. Perkins of the Seventy, who is serving in a few different Church headquarters assignments), responded to an invitation from Baroness Emma Nicholson, who spearheaded the creation of AMAR, in speaking on the subject of religious intolerance at a conference in Baghdad.
That city, located in the Middle Eastern countries, happens to fall under Elder Perkins' responsibility, as he is the Senior Administrator for the Church in the Middle East/Africa North Area. You can read more about that in this article from the Newsroom.
In the meantime, we turn now to the additional temple updates of which I spoke earlier. Other developments have been noted on the construction process for the Durban South Africa Temple. While work continues on painting, millwork, plumbing, and electrical systems, tiling has begun to be installed inside that temple as well. Meanwhile, on the grounds of that temple, the exterior planter boxes are being plastered, and installation is underway on the water feature which will be part of the temple grounds.
It has also been reported that the angel Moroni statue was installed atop the Arequipa Peru Temple yesterday (November 30). Having said that, I need to offer a disclaimer here: While this milestone is significant, there is nothing currently which indicates that the dedication of that temple will occur any sooner than early 2020, and I don't see that changing in the future, unless the Lord knows something that I don't (which He does, by the way).
In the meantime, with the process of setting piles for the construction barrier on the Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple nearing completion, work has now turned to setting up the poles within the construction barrier that will mark the areas where the footings of the temple foundation are to be poured.
It is most wonderful to see the day-to-day Church news updates and temple developments which are being reported on a consistent basis, and I was happy to bring you word of the latest here on this blog. I continue to monitor all such updates and will bring you word of the major ones as I receive them. That does it for this post. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, so long as such comments align with the established guidelines.
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.
Labels:
Church Policies and Major Announcements,
Estimated Time-frames for Future Temple Events,
First Presidency,
Temple Construction Update
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.
Friday, November 30, 2018
Temple Construction Updates/Further Adjustments to Specific Estimates Now Necessary
Hello again, everyone! During the time I was stuck at the hospital, a whole new set of temple developments were reported. I have taken time over the last 16 hours or so as my health has allowed to update my temple construction progress report with the latest updates and changes. Due to the extensive nature of the reported developments, I will need to post my entire report this time, for which I apologize profusely. And in view of the changes noted in red text, it looks like another revision will be needed for my more specific estimates for future temple events. Look for that within the next 7-10 days as time, circumstances, and my health allows that to be put together.
I do continue to monitor all major Church news and temple developments and will do my level best to bring word of those to you all here as I receive such information. In the meantime, the updated report follows below. So as to not 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, so long as those comments follow the established parameters and guidelines. 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.
I do continue to monitor all major Church news and temple developments and will do my level best to bring word of those to you all here as I receive such information. In the meantime, the updated report follows below. So as to not 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, so long as those comments follow the established parameters and guidelines. 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 11/30/18)
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 at least 200 operating temples by or before
Saturday April 6, 2030 (which will mark the Church’s bicentennial anniversary).
With the 12 temples
announced during the October 2018 General Conference, the Church now has a
total of 201 temples in any phase. With that and plans to accelerate the temple
construction process in mind, it is more likely than not that there will be 200
operating temples by or before Saturday April 6, 2030 (which will mark the
Church’s bicentennial anniversary), whether or not an official goal is made to
do so. The Church would just need to complete 40 of the temples in various
phases in the 11.35 years between now and then,
which could be done if 3.52 temples are
dedicated each year. Since 6 or 7 more temples
will be dedicated within the next year, I can easily see the Church having 200
temples in operation by that date, and would anticipate there being more than
that. Time will tell, but it seems to be a safe bet.
Current
temple status: The Church
has 201 temples in various
phases. There are 160 in
operation; 1 of which is preparing for its’ dedication; 3 more for which a dedication has
been scheduled; 7 others
which are currently in various phases of construction; and
2 additional temples for which a
groundbreaking has been scheduled. Also, 11 temples are currently closed for renovation (6 or 7 of which are anticipated to be
rededicated next year). The remaining 28 are announced, several of which are
likely to have a groundbreaking in 2019 and the years following that.
During the October General Conference, President
Nelson also announced that many more operating temples will be renovated in the
near future, including several pioneer-era temples (most significantly the Salt
Lake Temple), and that more information will be released in the coming months
about which temples are closing, and what the renovations will involve and
entail.
Preparing
for dedication:
161. Barranquilla
Colombia Temple: Preparing for dedication, which is scheduled for Sunday December 9, 2018.
Dedication
Scheduled:
162. Rome Italy Temple: Interior
finish work underway; volunteers being sought for public open house; dedication
scheduled for Sunday March 10-Tuesday
March 12, 2019.
163. Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Landscaping
nearing completion; interior finish work underway; dedication scheduled
for Sunday April 14, 2019.
164. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Stone cladding
continues on exterior walls; open house and dedication dates announced on
November 14, 2018; dedication scheduled for Sunday May 19, 2019.
Under construction, completion
anticipated during 2019:
165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Interior finish work
underway; completion estimated sometime during mid-2019.
166. Durban South Africa Temple: Painting,
millwork, plumbing, and electrical progressing; information technology
equipment delivered; completion estimated sometime during mid-to-late
2019.
167. Lisbon Portugal Temple: Angel
Moroni installed; stone cladding nearing completion; installation of stained
glass windows underway; meetinghouse gardens being planted; completion estimated
sometime during late 2019.
Temples anticipated to be completed
sometime during 2020:
168. Arequipa Peru Temple: Stone
cladding the cupola; completion estimated sometime during early 2020.
169. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Scaffolding
placed around tower; stone cladding of exterior walls continues; installation
of stained glass windows underway; completion estimated sometime
during early 2020.
170. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Pouring
footings for temple foundation; new rendering released; completion
estimated sometime during mid-2020.
Temples anticipated to be completed sometime during 2020 or 2021:
171. Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire Temple:
Setting piles for construction barrier; completion estimated sometime
during late 2020-early 2021.
Groundbreaking scheduled:
172. Urdaneta
Philippines Temple: Official rendering released;
preparing for groundbreaking, which is scheduled for Wednesday January 16, 2019; completion estimated sometime during early-to-mid 2021.
173. Bangkok
Thailand Temple: Site cleared; scaffolding and debris
netting placed around old Church office building; preparing for groundbreaking,
which is scheduled for Saturday January
26, 2019; completion estimated sometime during mid-2022.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication estimated
sometime during 2019):
13. Oakland California Temple: Closed for renovation;
Christmas lights on display as work progresses on
interior; rededication estimated sometime during mid-2019.
95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Closed for renovation; baptismal font oxen in place; laying tile; installing
millwork; adding hard landscaping elements; rededication estimated
sometime during mid-2019.
80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Closed for renovation; angel Moroni installed on November 29, 2018; rededication
estimated sometime during mid-2019.
68. Raleigh North Carolina Temple: Closed for renovation; stone
cladding front exterior walls and tower; rededication estimated sometime during
mid-to-late 2019.
94. Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple: Closed for renovation; process of
stone cladding the exterior walls has begun; rededication estimated sometime
during mid-to-late 2019.
41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; laying pavers for expanded parking lot; renovating
exterior walls of villa; completion estimated sometime during 2019.
112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Closed for renovation; interior
and exterior work underway; rededication estimated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication
estimated sometime during 2020):
18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Closed for renovation; exterior
and interior renovations underway; rededication estimated sometime during early-to-mid
2020.
16. Washington D. C. Temple: Closed for renovation; interior
completely dismantled; exterior renovations progressing; rededication may take
place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.
8. Mesa Arizona Temple: Closed for renovation; removing windows; grading
the grounds; clearing visitors’ center site; rededication may take place
sometime during mid-to-late 2020.
Undergoing Renovation (rededication
estimated sometime during 2021):
11. Hamilton New Zealand Temple: Closed for renovation; dismantling
interior; rededication may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2021.
Note on announced temples: On October
30, 2018, I reviewed the information I had available, and I accordingly
reordered the temples in this section splitting them into two sub-categories.
The first contains those for which there is sufficient information, based on
which I have provided a rough groundbreaking estimate, which will, of course,
be subject to alteration in the future as more information is available. The
second section contains those temples which are ordered based on the
information currently available, but for which more information will be needed
before they can join the first list. And for that second list, I do not feel
comfortable offering any groundbreaking estimate until more information is
available.
Announced Temples (for which
sufficient information has me confident enough to venture a general
groundbreaking estimate):
174. Pocatello Idaho Temple: Government approval process;
streets around temple site opened; groundbreaking anticipated in early 2019.
175. Saratoga
Springs Utah Temple: Government approval phase; probable site identified;
awaiting official confirmation and artist’s rendering; groundbreaking could
occur in mid-2019.
176. Nairobi
Kenya Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement;
media event held June 14, 2017; groundbreaking could occur in mid-2019.
177. Lima
Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting
official site announcement; President Nelson visited probable site on October
20, 2018; groundbreaking could occur in mid-2019.
178. Harare
Zimbabwe Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement; President Nelson visited potential site on April 17, 2018;
groundbreaking could occur in late
2019-early 2020.
179. Brasilia
Brazil Temple: Planning and approval phase; site inspected by Church engineers
on June 21, 2017; groundbreaking could
occur in mid-to-late 2019.
180. Greater
Manila Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official name
announcement; groundbreaking could occur in mid-to-late
2019.
181. Layton
Utah Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1, 2018; awaiting
official site announcement; groundbreaking could occur in early 2020.
182. Richmond
Virginia Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1, 2018; awaiting
official site announcement; groundbreaking could occur in early-to-mid 2020.
183. Managua
Nicaragua Temple: Announced April 1, 2018; awaiting official site announcement;
groundbreaking could occur in early-to-mid
2020.
184. Salta
Argentina Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1, 2018;
awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could occur in mid-2020.
185. Bengaluru
India Temple: Planning and approval phase; announced April 1, 2018; awaiting
official site announcement; President Nelson toured potential locations on
April 19, 2018; groundbreaking could occur in mid-2020.
186. Phnom
Penh Cambodia Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement; groundbreaking could occur in mid-2020.
187. Auckland
New Zealand Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement; groundbreaking could occur in mid-to-late
2020.
Announced Temples (for which more
information is needed before I provide an estimated groundbreaking time-frame):
188. Quito
Ecuador Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
189. Belem
Brazil Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.
190. Cagayan
de Oro Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
191. Russia Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official location
and site announcement.
192. Mendoza
Argentina Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
193. Salvador
Brazil Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.
194. Yuba
City, California Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
195. Praia
Cape Verde Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
196. Yigo Guam
Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.
197. Puebla
Mexico Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site announcement.
198. Lagos
Nigeria Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
199. Davao
Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
200. San Juan
Puerto Rico Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official site
announcement.
201.
Washington County Utah Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting official
city and site announcement.
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.
Labels:
Estimated Time-frames for Future Temple Events,
Scheduled Temple Event,
Temple Construction Update,
Temples Undergoing Renovation
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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