Current Apostolic Statistics: Part One—Updated Data for President Oaks, President Nelson, and Longest-Serving Apostolic Groups

Hello again, everyone! While I continue to welcome comments on any previous posts (particularly any feedback you have on the revised list of locations in which I have felt a temple could be announced), it is time once again to bring you all updated information on the latest apostolic statistics. This data will again be published in two posts. Again, all data is current as of today (Sunday August 4, 2019). As always, it is my sincere hope that most of you will find this information interesting and enlightening. With that said, I am fully aware that some of you may not be interested in this update. Consequently, I will not in any way be offended or bothered if any of you skip over this post and the next one.


This first post, as has been the case for previous updates, will address President Dallin H. Oaks’ tenure as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, then shift to explore where Church President Russell M. Nelson currently stands in terms of his age and tenure length among his prophetic predecessors. That will be followed by some observations about the tenure lengths of our current First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and all currently-living ordained apostles as a group. The more specific data about upcoming apostolic birthdays, the long-form and decimal ages of our 15 current apostles, and details about current and future apostolic nonagenarians will then follow in a second post, which will be published a few minutes after this one is.

My last such update was posted on Sunday June 16, and my next update will be coming on Sunday September 22. There is a lot to get to, so let’s jump right in. President Oaks has now served as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for a period of 1 year, 6 months, and 21 days. As I previously mentioned. President Oaks has moved up two spots on the list of the longest-serving Quorum Presidents, where he is now the 22nd longest-serving Quorum President. His next three milestones as such, as I mentioned in my last such update, will be observed consecutively, with one each in November and December 2019, and one more in January 2020. So it won’t be until my planned November 10 update that I will detail more particulars regarding those milestones.

Turning now to President Nelson, who was ordained and set apart as Church President on the same day he set apart President Oaks as President of the Quorum of the Twelve, his prophetic tenure has spanned 1 year, 6 months, and 21 days as well. He is also now 94 years, 10 months, and 26 days old. In my aforementioned post covering July apostolic milestones, I mentioned that President Nelson was set to observe his only prophetic age and tenure milestones two days apart. President Nelson is thus now the 15th longest-serving Church President, and also the 4th oldest-living Church President. He will not be moving up on either list until next summer.

In the meantime, as also noted previously, I have been keeping lists of the longest-continuously serving First Presidencies, Quorums of the Twelve Apostles, and apostolic groups as a whole. Those lists include 13 of each of those groups that have served together for the longest continuous periods of time. The current First Presidency will only be joining the list of other First Presidencies on Saturday April 20, 2024, so I will be outlining their future milestones on that list closer to the time.  As for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the current members will mark 3 years together on March 31, 2021, at which point they will join the list of the longest-serving Quorums of the Twelve Apostles in Church history. I will likewise be providing updates on those future milestones closer to that time. 

Interestingly enough, less than two months prior to that, the 15 apostles will make the list of the longest-serving such group (the exact date is February 8, 2021). With that said, I want to conclude this portion of the update. That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such feedback is in compliance 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Groundbreaking Ceremony Confirmed for the Belem Brazil Temple; Artist's Rendering Released

Hello again, everyone! With the planned groundbreaking for the Belem Brazil Temple set for Saturday August 17 (15 days from now), I have been anxiously awaiting confirmation on the arrangements and the release of the artist's rendering. The wait is finally over. The First Presidency has today confirmed those arrangements, and released the rendering for that temple. From that released information, I cannot tell exactly how big the temple might be, but I imagine on the day of the groundbreaking, if not before, those specifics will be provided.


And barring anything unexpected, I would anticipate that construction of the temple will take between 2-3 years to complete. So I'd like to offer late 2021-early 2022 as a preliminary general estimate for that temple's completion. Based on what all we learn about the temple between now and that groundbreaking, or on the day of the groundbreaking itself, there may be a need to adjust that estimate. If that was the only temple news I had to share today, I'd be content enough therewith.

But there are a few other updates on additional temples which I wanted to share as well, so let's get right into those. At the Pocatello Idaho Temple, while the work of pouring the temple's foundation and footings continues, decorative concrete blocks have arrived on-site for the retaining walls around the temple. If the work on the Pocatello Idaho Temple continues at the same pace it has lately progressed, then I think it very likely that the temple's general completion estimate might be pushed up from late 2021-early 2022 to mid-to-late 2021. But time will tell.

In addition to these developments, early this morning, I was also advised that the Church had purchased land in Moses Lake Washington that may be used for the temple announced in that city by President Nelson last April. Of course, nothing is official in that respect until an announcement from the First Presidency confirms it, but it is an interesting tidbit. And given that a new stake center has been built to house the Okinawa Japan Stake, some speculation points to the idea that the land on which the former stake center sat could potentially be used for the temple in that city. But I have nothing more than speculation on that at this time,which is something someone else suggested, not my own idea.

Either way, if nothing else, I anticipate that at least 2 other temples might possibly also have a groundbreaking between now and the weekend of the October General Conference, but I have nothing more than my own theories in that respect at this time, and nothing more definitive for the moment. Rest assured, however, that I will continue to monitor all Church news and temple developments, and will do my best to pass word of those along to you all as I become aware of it.

That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such feedback is in compliance 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.

Latest Apostolic Milestone Observed; Upcoming Developments Which Will Be Reported on This Blog

Hello again, everyone! On this last day of July, I would be remiss indeed if I did not focus a new post on upcoming developments which will be a focus of future coverage on this blog. So let's go over those. The highlights will include 3 apostolic birthdays, the beginning of one temple open house, the end of that open house coinciding with the day of the next temple groundbreaking ceremony and the beginning of another open house, and the end of that same open house.


Before we talk specifics about that information, I would also be remiss if I did not note that today, the next apostolic milestone is being marked. As of today, the lifespan of President M. Russell Ballard matches that of President Boyd K. Packer. Barring anything unexpected, President Ballard will still be very much alive tomorrow, so I have moved him ahead of President Packer on the list of apostolic nonagenarians. President Ballard now thus ranks as the 14th oldest apostle overall. His next milestones on that list will be observed roughly three weeks apart in late March and mid-April of next year.

With that sidenote out of the way, let's talk specifics about what will be upcoming. First, I wanted to note that some of these developments will be the focus of new posts on this blog, while others will be merely mentioned in the comments on existing blog posts. I can say that I am planning new posts for the latest apostolic milestone update (a two-part series on that subject will be published on this blog this upcoming Sunday, August 4).

Next, I also intend to provide posts in tribute to the 3 apostles who will have birthdays in August. Two days after my aforementioned apostolic update (on Tuesday August 6), Elder Gary E. Stevenson will be observing his 64th birthday. Just three days later (on Friday August 9), Elder Neil L. Andersen is set to mark his 68th birthday. And three days after that (on Monday August 12), the final August apostolic birthday will be observed: President Dallin H. Oaks' 87th.

In addition to these developments, several temple milestones will be observed as well. On Thursday August 8, the open house for the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple will begin. The conclusion of that open house on Saturday August 17 will coincide with two other temple events: the beginning of the open house for the Lisbon Portugal Temple (which will end two weeks later on Saturday August 31) and the groundbreaking for the Belem Brazil Temple.

Regarding the Belem Brazil Temple, with that groundbreaking being 2.5 weeks away, I am more than slightly surprised that we have not yet seen an official acknowledgement of any kind from the Church about this event, nor a release of its' artist's rendering or any indication of how long construction is anticipated to last. It could be that the last two elements may be detailed more fully by Elder Aidukaitis as part of the groundbreaking ceremony itself.

While I may only give a passing mention of the open house developments for the Haiti and Portugal Temple open houses, as coverage is made available, I will be sharing analysis of the Belem Brazil Temple groundbreaking. So just with these developments alone, I will be busy providing content for this blog. But I also intend to cover all Church news and other temple developments, either through new posts or through comments on existing posts.

I wanted to note in relation to that temple that new information indicates that the site is being cleared, and that surveyors are staking the site in preparation for that event. Based on the photographs of the process of the site staking, it appears that the Belem Brazil Temple might be slightly larger than I originally thought, which may impact how long the construction process for that temple might take. It was also recently noted that a choir is conducting practice sessions in preparation for their involvement in the groundbreaking ceremony for this temple.

That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such feedback is in compliance 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.

BREAKING NEWS: Boundary Changes for Asia & Asia North Areas Announced

Hello again, everyone! Around an hour ago, I was made aware of a breaking news development relating to the Asia and Asia North Areas. In a formal joint letter to members and priesthood leaders from the Asia and Asia North Area Presidency members, with the approval of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and also probably with input from members of the Church's Boundary and Leadership Change Committee, the nation of Mongolia has been officially transferred from the Asia Area, where it had been for at least the last decade or more, to now being part of the Asia North Area.


The move makes perfect sense to me. I also want to note that, as recently as earlier this year, I was almost certain that, at some point within the next 2-3 years or less, the Asia North Area would be merged into the Asia Area. In light of Mongolia's relocation to the Asia North Area, the nation may provide a strong-hold for the area that will put off the need to do that in the shorter or even longer term. And while I don't know at this point whether the offices for the Asia North Area, which are currently based in Tokyo Japan, may be relocated to Ulaanabaatar Mongolia. I shouldn't think that they will, since Mongolia is the geographical downstairs neighbor nation to China, and the headquarters of the Asia Area are in Hong Kong, but I thought I'd mention that thought, since I'd entertained it briefly.

This move will, as I said above, add strength to the Asia North Area, which the nations thereof have lacked to a certain degree in particular ways before now. And since I strongly suspect that Ulaanbaatar Mongolia will be the next Asian city to have a temple announced, I will need to move that prospect from the Asia Area to the Asia North Area for the next time I publish my list. Just as a reminder, I continue to welcome comments on my latest list of future temple prospects until Monday September 30, at which point I will need to finalize that list before the weekend of the October 2019 General Conference.

That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such feedback is in compliance 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.

Grand Marshal of the Days of '47 KSL Parade Identified; Preliminary Insights Gleaned From August 2019 Ensign

Hello again, everyone! While I hope any of you will continue to feel free to continued to comment on my revised and expanded list of potential locations for which a temple may be announced in October, I wanted to share two things in this post. First of all, the grand marshal for the "Days of '47" KSL Parade has been identified. In somewhat of a break frrom tradition, neither a member of the First Presidency nor any member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will serve in that capacity this year. 


Instead, Elder Craig C. Christensen, a General Authority Seventy with pioneer ancestry, who is also currently serving as President of the Utah Area, has been asked to fill that assignment. KSL carried a one-on-one interview between one of the anchors and Elder Christensen, who discussed the honor he felt at having been asked to represent the Church and the Brethren in responding to this assignment.

Additionally, I have a couple of preliminary insights to offer due to the August 2019 Ensign being made available in its' HTML format earlier this afternoon. As has been the tradition for at least the last 20 years or so, the area leadership assignments, as they were announced in late April, were confirmed therein. Two takeaways from that: For the first time in a year or two, there have been no changes whatsoever in those assignments since the original announcement was made.

Also, beyond a general statement confirming the merging of seven North American areas into three, the specifics were not spelled out. One or two sidenotes as well: first, for the last several years, the August edition of the Ensign has featured the area leadership assignments on pages 14-15, but this year, that edition of the Ensign has those featured on pages 36-37, which I assume is where they had space for them.

And secondly, until the PDF version of the magazine is made available, there is no way currently to tell if there has been any change in the magazine editors and advisers, as has typically been the case each year. But I will be watching for that information and will pass it along here once I learn of it. In that respect, I am only anticipating 3 changes.

Brian K. Ashton, who served as Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency until April of this year, was released as an adviser to the Church magazines as a result of his release as a general officer of the Church, so he is likely to be replaced by a new member of that same presidency. Last month, Elder Erich W. Kopischke was also released as an adviser to the Church magazines, in view of his new assignment ias a member of the Europe Area Presidency.

And Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, who has been an adviser to the Church magazines for a couple of years now, will observe his 70th birthday in just 4 days. Since he will likely be granted emeritus status during the upcoming October 2019 General Conference, I would anticipate his release as an adviser has occurred as a result. Insofar as I have been able to ascertain, official confirmation of this information is still pending. But when I find anything more solid in that respect, I will be sure to bring it up here.

I continue to also monitor any and all Church news and temple updates and will bring word of the significant highlights to you all here as well. That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such feedback is in compliance 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.

In order to not disturb the flow of that information, I will end here as I always do: That does it for now. Any and all comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated, on any post at any time, as long as such feedback is in compliance 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.