BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Groundbreakings Set for Two South American Temples

Hello again, everyone! In the threads of my previous post, longtime readers Jim Anderson and ScottS shared some insights on major Church news today. For the first time in a while, I didn't catch that development soon after it was reported. Earlier this week, I was diagnosed with a minor infection unconnected to COVID-19. I am under treatment here at home for that (through an antibiotic course), but have been more wiped out as a consequence of dealing with that, so I've been allowing myself more time to rest as a result.

That being said, let's get right to the news of the day: On this day before General Conference begins, and less than 24 hours following yesterday's announcement of the groundbreakings for3 more temples, the First Presidency announced this morning that two South American temples will also have groundbreakings this year. The Mendoza Argentina Temple, for which a rendering was released in mid-June, and the Antofagasta Chile Temple, for which details were released today, will both have groundbreakings next month.

Late last night, I had become aware of new information indicating that the general contractor had been selected and that the site had been cleared for Chile's newest temple. So today's announcement was not too much of a surprise in that respect. The location for that temple has been confirmed as a 2.2-acre site around Avenida de Las Palmeras 44 in Antofagasta, Chile. That temple is planned to be a single-story edifice of roughly 23,000 square feet. Elder Juan Pablo Villar, who is a Chilean native currently serving as Second Counselor in the South America South Area Presidency, will preside at that event.

Meanwhile, Elder Allen D. Haynie, First Counselor in the South America South Area Presidency, has been assigned to preside at the groundbreaking for the Mendoza Argentina Temple, which will also be held in November 2020. For those of you following along at home, that means that each member of the South America South Area Presidency is assigned to preside over the groundbreaking for 1 temple in their area during November 2020. 

Could we be looking at a scenario where the Church will conduct all three groundbreakings on the same day in November, with three different teams of Church leaders making that possible? I think there might be more than an outside chance of that. It will be interesting to see what happens in that respect. Also, the total number of temple groundbreakings set to take place in November is now up to 8, so if the 3 in the South America South Area do take place on the same day, the other 5 could be held on individual dates throughout that month.

But it is also possible that the Church will continue with one final push to clear out the queue even more by the end of this year. If so, among the options to watch for a potential announcement appear to be the temples in Nairobi Kenya, Managua Nicaragua, and Salvador Brazil. And because the Pacific Islands have faired so well in their individual battles against the COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible that something more could also be announced for Neiafu Tonga, Pago Pago American Samoa, and/or Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temples.

That is especially true when considering that the Church may be setting up one scenario this year where each of the 3 South America South Area temples could have groundbreakings done on the same day by each member of that area presidency. With 3 members of the Pacific Area Presidency, and also area seventies available to go anywhere the area presidency may not be able to go, there may be a scenario in November or December coming down the pike where groundbreakings could take place for those 3 temples on the same day.

It is also possible that, with the Church moving ahead on the groundbreaking for the Bengalur India Temple before the end of this year, something similar could happen with the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple as well. Interestingly enough, it appears that President Nelson released the rendering and site information for the first Cambodian temple because he was in the neighborhood thereof during his first Global Ministry Tour in 2018. 

A few months later, the information for the Bengaluru India Temple was subsequently released. It appearst that priority between the next two larger Asian temples was given to India's first temple, which was originally announced six months before Cambodia's first. So something could happen with the temple in Cambodia before the end of the year as well.

Whatever might happen in that respect, one thing is abundantly clear: Last April, during General Conference, Elder Bednar noted that 18 temples were planned to have a groundbreaking before the end of this year. Although the Tooele Valley Utah Temple may have been part of that planned number originally, despite the delays experienced there, the Church has pressed forward with temple groundbreaking arrangements, even in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

As a result, though only 18 temple groundbreakings were mentioned by Elder Bednar last April, it appears that the theory I presented a few times in the past has been verified as correct. The Lord has seen the diligence of His servants in setting (and then working towards) the goal of the 18 groundbreakings, even in the midst of great obstacles, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, and has enabled that goal to not only be met, but also exceeded by 3 temples so far, with others possible before the year officially closes out.

I had prepared some additiona insights I wanted to share here about the temple construction program of the Church, but it appears that they were lost due to a system error with my computer, so I may provide those later. In the meantime, it is sufficient to note that, while I had conjectured as recently as yesterday that 8-12 new temples could be announced in this weekend's General Conference, with 13 temple groundbreakings currently in queue, the number of announced temples will go down from its' current 35 down to 22. As a result of that, I'd anticipate perhaps any double-digit number totaling up to 20 new temples could be announced.

Aside from that, I don't know what to expect for the upcoming General Conference weekend, but you can count on my monitoring all such developments and bringing word of them all to you here as they are announced. 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 comments are made 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.

Tribute to Elder Ulisses Soares, Who Is Marking His 62nd Birthday Today

Hello again, everyone! On this, the day before General Conference, I am pleased to bring you all a post honoring Elder Ulisses Soares, who is observing his 62nd birthday today. As I've mentioned previously, Elder Soares has a most unique life story and background, and I am grateful to share some thoughts about him with you all today. He was born on this day in 1958 in Sao Paulo Brazil to Apparecido Soares and Mercedes Carecho Soares. He has European and Amerindian ancestry. When an aunt joined the Church, that was how the Soares' family first learned of the gospel. His parents, after being taught by the missionaries, were baptized when young Ulisses was five years old. 

Regarding his experience with worshipping in the Church during his growing-up years, his small branch would meet in a tiny rental place that was located above a bakery. He served a full-time mission in Rio de Janeiro, Upon his return, he connected with Rosana Fernandes Morgado, who had served in the same mission at around the same time, but whom he had not met until after they both had returned. The two were married in the Sao Paulo Temple, and together they raised three children. His academic experience involved studying at the  Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, from which, in 1985, he would receive a bachelor's degree in economics and accounting. He then continued his studies at the National Institute of Postgraduate Study, where he earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration. He spent his professional career working for several multi-national companies (one of which was Pirelli Tire Company) as an accountant and an auditor. Donald L. Clark, who at that time was serving as director of temporal affairs for the Church in Brazil, convinced him to take a job with the Church as a senior auditor.

When Brother Clark was asked to serve as a mission president, Brother Soares took over for him as director of temporal affairs. He went on to fill a special assignment for the Church's Presiding Bishopric. Within the Church, Elder Soares has served as an elder's quorum president, counselor in a bishopric, stake high councilman, and as a regional welfare agent. When the São Paulo Brazil Cotia Stake was created in 1995, Elder Soares was called as the first president thereof. 5 years later, he served a three-year term as president of the Porto Portugal Mission. Less than two years after his return (during the April 2005 General Conference), he was called as a General Authority Seventy.

As a General Authority Seventy, he served as First Counselor in the Brazil South Area.from 2005-2007, as First Counselor in the Brazil Area from 2007-2009, and as President of that area from 2009-2011. He served from August 2011-January 2013 as First Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency, at which point he was called to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy, with responsibility for the North America Southeast Area  Then, in November 2015, Elder Soares was reassigned to oversee the Idaho and North America Central Areas of the Church. He still had oversight of both of those areas in 2018.

On March 31, 2018, Elder Soares was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and he was ordained an apostle on Thursday April 5, 2018. He thus became both the first Latter-day Saint apostle from Brazil and the first one from Latin America. Elder Soares has had many opportunities to grow into his new assignment. In the last 1.5 decades in which has has served as a general authority, he has given a total of 10 General Conference addresses, with the first 2 given as a General Authority Seventy, 3 more as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and the remaining 5 given since his 2018 call to the apostleship. He will, of course, be speaking to us again in General Conference tomorrow or Sunday, which will mark his sixth address as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his eleventh overall.

I gratefully and wholeheartedly sustain him and all the other prophets, seers, and revelators in their roles and responsibilities as special witnesses of Christ, and am grateful to have been able to provide this birthday tribute to him today. I continue to monitor all Church news and temple updates and will be sure to bring you all word of the major developments as I learn thereof. 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 comments are made 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Groundbreakings Scheduled for 3 More Temples

Hello again, everyone! During this unprecedented season of temple developments, it's almost impossible to gauge the likely course of events. At this time yesterday, 14 of the 16 groundbreakings to which Elder Bednar made reference in April had been scheduled, and it was unknown whether any others would take place. In the interim, I had offered the theory (which I couldn't substantiate) that the Lord, in seeing the diligence of the Church in working towards that goal, could open a way for that number to not only be met but exceeded.

A few minutes ago, breaking news was reported by the Church. Three more temples will have their groundbreakings before the end of this year, which, if no others are postponed, will bring the year-end total to 19, 1 above the 18 referenced by Elder Bednar. Let's get down to details. The three in question are in Bengaluru India, Davao Philippines, and Harare Zimbabwe. As part of today's announcement, the Church has also released an official rendering for the Harare Zimbabwe Temple.

Let's now get into details. The first in that group to have a groundbreaking will be the Davao Philippines Temple. That will take place in November 2020 (exact date not specified), which brings the total number of temple groundbreakings announced to occur sometime in November to 6. Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, president of the Philippines Area, will preside over that event. 

That temple, originally announced in October 2018, saw its' location confirmed and rendering released less than one month ago. Not since early last year, when the initial details were announced for the Yigo Guam, Praia Cabo Verde, and San Juan Puerto Rico Temples shortly before each of their groundbreakings were announced, has the Church had such a small period of time between releasing the first information about a temple and announcing its' groundbreak9ing arrangements.

Meanwhile, ground will be broken for both the Bengaluru India and Harare Zimbabwe Temples in December 2020. Elder Robert K. William, an area seventy whose location is identified as Bangalore India (that city was renamed Bengaluru in 2014), will preside at the groundbreaking for the temple in his home city. The site location and rendering for that temple were both released earlier this year (on January 15). 

As some of you might recall, in April 2018, the Bengaluru India Temple was among the first President Nelson announced during his first General Conference as prophet of the Church. As he later shared with the Saints in India, his intention was to only announce six new temples that weekend. But on the evening before General Conference began, he reported that the Lord instructed him to announce a temple in India, which is why he did so.

That brings me to the final temple. With the Harare Zimbabwe Temple set to have a groundbreaking in December 2020, as previously mentioned, that is the third of the four temples originally announced by President Monson to have a groundbreaking occur this year, and it leaves the Nairobi Kenya Temple as the last remaining temple announced by President Monson.

It seems feasible that some action could be taken on Kenya's first temple soon as well, especially with a native Kenyan serving as president of the Africa Central Area. But speaking of individuals native to regions in which temples will be built, the groundbreaking for Zimbabwe's first temple is set to be presided over by native Zimbabwean General Authority Elder Edward Dube, who became the First Counselor in the Africa South Area Presidency just two months ago in August of this year.

Some thoughts about the size and design of that temple. If I am evaluating that correctly, the temple is set to be a single-story edifice, with an approximate area of 17,250 square feet. Unlke the other two temples mentioned in today's announcement, it does not appear that any other buildings will be part of the temple project in Zimbabwe. The temple will rise at 65 Enterprise Road Highlands in Zimbabwe's capital city. 

I have not yet been able to ascertain whether the location confirmed today was one of those visited by President Nelson during his first Global Ministry Tour in April 2018. Meanwhile, the specific details for the other two temples were provided in the original announcements about their locations and renderings. And that brings the total number of temple groundbreakings in the current queue to 11. Once all of those take place, that will leave 24 others (that we know about so far) remaining in the queue of those announced.

In view of that fact, and because it has previously been noted that President Nelson likes to keep the queue of announced temples at or around 35, I am reasonbly certain that he could and will announce either the standard number of at least 8 new temples this weekend in General Conference (as has been the case every six months since April of last year), or perhaps up to 12, similar to what we saw him do in October General Conference in 2018. I am not, however, ruling out th prospect that he could easily announce any other number of temples, if he feels impressed to do so.

This means that there is now even more of a reason for me to reevaluate my previously-offered thoughts as contained in my temple files. Also, based on my research, there may be a chance, however slim, that other temples could have groundbreakings set to occur prior to the end of this year, whether or not full-scale construction efforts formally begin on the last of those before the end of the year. There is also an outside possibility, however remote, that any temple groundbreakings set for November currently could take place in late October, with any set for December potentially taking place in November, if the circumstances are right for that to occur. 

The general rather than specific windows for each event offers a degree of probable flexibility in that respect. And in any case, it looks as though 2021 and the years that follow are going to be even busier than we thought in terms of temple events. I am, of course, monitorng all such developments as closeely as I am able to do so, and will be sure to bring word of those to you all here as I become aware of such things. In the meantime, I first learned of this news through a breaking news alert on the Church News mobile app, and can recemmend that article to you all as well.

In conclusion, I know that what was breaking news when I began working on this post may have been reported by multiple sources in the meantime, but I wanted to take time to provide context and insight into this latest announcement, so I am still using the "Breaking News" label for this post. Based on today's surprise announcement, I can only imagine what may be coming down the pike for General Conference weekend. I may have some thoughts to pass along on what we can exxpect in that regard, which, if I do post them here, will be up for your enjoyment within the next 24 hours or less.

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 comments are made 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.

Review of Temple Construction Progress During the Third Quarter of 2020

Hello again, everyone! As the final minutes of September 2020 move ever closer towards their conclusion here in Utah, I am pleased to provide a look back at temple construction progress which has occurred during this third quarter of this year (spanning from June 1 until today). During that time, the opening of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple, and its' subsequent dedication, which had been announced at the end of April, has been postponed. During the third quarter of this year, groundbreakings have been held for seven temples (Alabang Philippines, Auckland New Zealand, Feather River California, Orem Utah, San Pedro Sula Honduras, and Brasilia Brazil).

During this quarter, groundbreakings have been announced for the Brasilia Brazil, Taylorsville Utah, Moses Lake Washington, Red Cliffs Utah, Bentonville Arkansas, McAllen Texas, Coban Guatemala, and Okinawa City Japan Temples. Meanwhile, the arrangements for the groundbreaking of the Salta Argentina Temple were originally announced (with that event first scheduled to be held on Saturday August 15), but twice postponed due to COVID-19 conditions, being pushed back first to Friday October 9, then to an unspecified date in November. And this quarter saw all groundbreakings following that of the Brasilia Brazil Temple scheduled to occur during a general month, rather than a specific and exact date, which will result in us not knowing the specifics of when each of those will take place until the Newsroom reports that each has been conducted.

In addition, sites have been  confirmed for 6 more temples during this third quarter, 5 of which have also had a rendering released. As I've previously noted, in last April's General Conference, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles noted that the Church was planning to break ground on 18 temples this year, and with those scheduled thus far, there will have been 16 temple groundbreakings when each of those have taken place.  At this point in time, it's just about impossible to know how feasible it would be for the Church to plan 1 of the other 2 groundbreakings for sometime in October, or if subsequent groundbreakings could take place in November above and beyond the 5 already scheduled. 

It is similarly hard to know for sure whether one or both of the remaining 2 could take place in December, since the Church would need to make arrangements for those around Christmas and New Year's festitivities. But I have also previously cited the example of how President Hinckley's goal to have 100 operating temples dedication prior to the end of the year 2000 was able to not only be met, but also exceeded by 2. Due to that past precedent related to temple construction, I have perhaps wondered whether the Lord, seeing how diligent His servants have been in working towards that goal despite the complications caused by both the COVID-19 pandemic and other disasters and calamities throughout the world, will open the way for more than 18 temples to have a groundbreaking.

Whatever might occur in that regard, given the fact that Elder Bednar, who chairs the Temple and Family History Executive Council, publicly (and for what I believe was the first time it had ever happened) announced a specific number of temples would have a gorundbreaking this year, it wouldn't shock me if, whenever he speaks during General Conference next weekend, he was to give a progress update on this year's efforts and outline any preliminary plans the Church has for any number of groundbreakings next year. It could also be possible that either President Nelson, or Elder Bednar with the prophet's approval, could make an announcement about any other groundbreakings that will take place before the end of this year, and/or that revised dates for the open houses and dedications/rededications of temples could be noted as well.

And of course, with General Conference set to get underway in less than 72 hours, there will almost certainly be more new temples announced. It will be interesting to see all of that unfold, and to the best of my ability, I will continue to document those events as they happen. With those preliminary comments in mind, I'd like to remind you all where the Church stood in terms of temple developments as 2020 began and where things stood by the end of the first quarter of 2020, just 3 days prior to the April 2020 General Conference, where things stood at the end of the second quarter (also first half) of 2020, and how things look today as 2020's third quarter concludes.

With the sheer number of breaking news developments relating to temples that have been shared by the Church since June 1 of this year (which marked the start of the most recent quarter) it will be interesting to see what announcements come down the pike through the remainder of this year. Whether or not any other temple groundbreakings take place beyond what has already been announced, I personally hope that for some of the smaller temples nearing completion (Winnipeg Manitoba, Yigo Guam, and Praia Cabo Verde) could have some carefully-controlled openings of some kind announced, even if that meant strict regulations on the number of people attending at one time, which could be achieved by having more extensive open houses.

But in any case, in addition to those 3, it will be interesting to see if, when, and how soon the Church is also able to reopen the Washington DC, Tokyo Japan, Mesa Arizona, and Hamilton New Zealand Temples. The leading Brethren of the Church, and all who continue to assist them in the work, have become very experienced at rolling with the punches as far as working through COVID-19 circumstances as that has become necessary, and I'm sure that will continue to be the case going forward. Either way, with what we know so far, 2021 is shaping up to be a big year for temple dedications, rededications, and groundbreakings.

You can depend on my monitoring all such developments, along with any updates in any respect related to general Church news, and that I will provide those updates ASAP as I hear about them. In the meantime, 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 comments are made 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Groundbreakings Announced for Coban Guatemala and Okinawa Japan Temples

Hello again, everyone! In these early-morning hours, I am pleased to share that the First Presidency has announced the groundbreakings for two more temples: Coban Guatemala and Okinawa Japan. Elder Brian K. Taylor, Central American Area President, will oversee the former in November 2020, with Elder Takashi Wada, Asia North Area President, presiding over the latter in December. Both will take place on unspecified dates.

This news marks the groundbreakings for two more temples originally announced in 2019 (in October and April of last year respectively) and means that the Church has scheduled 16 of the 18 temple groundbreakings to which Elder David A. Bednar made reference last April. Whether or not the Church is able to meet that goal, it's wonderful that such developments are bringing that goal closer. Given that there are now five temples set to break ground in November, it seems extremely likely that one or more thereof could occur on the same date.

I continue to monitor all such developments and other Church news, and will be sure to bring word of all such updates here as I learn about them. 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 comments are made 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 allin everything you do.

UPDATED: October 2020 General Conference Predictions

Hello again, everyone! As I have recently mentioned, I found a few minor errors and oversights in my predictions for the October 2020 General Conference. After reconfiguring a few things, I have updated my predictions for the poteential speaking ordeer, the most likely changes in general Church leadership, and the list of locations in which a temple might be announced. The updates largely speak for themselves, but I am happy to field any questions any of you might have about them. 

In the meantime, if there is anything I may have overlooked, underestimated, or failed to consider, please let me know that as well As previously noted, the open commenting period on these predictions remains in effect until 10:00 PM MDT on Thursday October 1, which will allow me roughly 36 hours to finalize my predictions before General Conference commences on Saturday October 3 at 10:00 AM MDT. I look forward to any input any of you have to offer.

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 comments are made 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Church Postpones Salta Argentina Temple Groundbreaking Yet Agaimn

Hello again, everyone! As many of you will no doubt recall, the Church had originally planned to hold the groundbreaking for the Salta Argentina Temple on Saturday August 15, subsequently moving that back to Friday October 9.

Fast forward again to today. As confirmed by both the Church News and the Newsroom, COVID-19 conditions in Argentina have necessitated that the groundbreaking arrangements for that temple be pushed back once again

That event will now take place on an unspecified date in November, whenever local conditions allow that and the appropriate arrangements can be made. The Newsroom will provide an acknowledgement and coverage of that once it has occurred.

This brings the total number of temple groundbreakings set to occur in November to a grand total of 4. It will be interesting to see what happens in that respect. I am grateful to have learned about this so I could pass it along to you all here.

I continue to monitor all Church news updates and temple developments, and will be sure to bring word on those to you all as I become aware of any such reports

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 comments are made 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.

BREAKING TEMPLE NEWS: Church Confirms Location, Releases Rendering for Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple

Hello again, everyone! Echoing recent trends, late this Monday night (which is mid-day Tuesday in the Pacific), the Church has confirmed preliminary details for yet another announced temple, namely the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple. 

The confirmed details for yet another temple originally announced in October of last year includes confirmation of the site location (Muniogo Crescent, Badili, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea), and an exterior rendering (another without the angel Moroni statue).

The temple is anticipated to be a single-story edifice of roughly 9,550 square feet. A meetinghouse currently on-site will be demolished to make way for missionary and patron apartments, a residence for the temple president, and a Church distribution center.

Although a groundbreaking date has not been set, project leaders will begin working with government and community leaders through the approvals process. As I've previously mentioned, the Church appears to be laying the groundwork for temple groundbreakings that will take place at some point within the next year What a wonderful season this has been for so many temple developments. I continue to monitor all such things and will bring word thereof to you ASAP after I learn about them. 

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 comments are made 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. 

BREAKING NEWS: Groundbreaking Announced for Moses Lake Washington Temple;; First Presidency Announces Further Guidelines for Resuming Church Activities

Hello again, everyone! The First Presidency made two major announcements this morning. Area Seventy Elder David L. Stapleton will preside at the October groundbreaking ceremony (for which the exact date has not been specified) for the Moses Lake Washington Temple.

I had thought that the Church could schedule more groundbreakings for a few smaller temples around those previously announced, and it's wonderful to have that confirmed in this case. 

This announcement means that, when all currently-scheduled groundbreakings have occurred, there will only be 4 left for the Church to make the total 18 mentioned by Elder Bednar during General Conference five months ago.

Parenthetically, based on all that is and is not known about the specific timing and order for groundbreakings in October, since the Salta Argentina Temple is the only one with an exact date set, I have moved both the Taylorsville Utah and Moses Lake Washington Temples below Salta on my list of scheduled temple groundbreakings.

Also, further guidelines have today been provided to allow members worldwide to safely resume normal activities.  As communicated to congregational leaders by area seventies following approval from each area presidency, members worldwide may cautiously resume regular in-person or virtual attendance at Church block meetings, as long as governmental and medical guidelines regarding  appropriate precautions are followed.

For those congregations allowing virtual participation, it's recemmemded that the Sacrament administration potentially be held at the end of each Sacrament Meeting. This is because the Sacrament portion is not to be virtually broadcast, since members cannot virtually partake of the Sacrament, and because that part of weekly worship is sacred and should not be broadcast publicly outside the meetinghouse from which it originates. The timing and extent of these changes as they impact each congregational meeting can be implemented ASAP as local conditions and tnrestrictions allow once the appropriate approvals are received

Meanwhile, effective November 1, as determined by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and as communicated by area presidencies through area seventies to congregational leaders, Stake Conferences can resume in-person or virtually based on COVID-19 guidelines from medical experts and governmental leaders.

I was grateful to learn about and share these developments here today. I continue to track all Church news reports and temple updates and will be sure to pass those along ASAP. 

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 comments are made 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.

Church President Russell M. Nelson Marks His 96th Birthday Today

Hello again, everyone! I am back once again, this time to share a post in tribute to our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, who, following the recent worldwide celebration for his 95th birthday, is officially marking that milestone today (September 9, 2019). So let's talk about this wonderful man whom we sustain as the President of the Church and as a prophet, seer and revelator. Russell Marion Nelson was born in Salt Lake City Utah to Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson on this day in 1924 (just a day before the birth of Boyd K. Packer, his future immediate predecessor to the Presidency of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) . Though he grew up in a loving family, his parents were not active in the Church. As a teenager, he went looking for books about the Church at Deseret Book. His parents allowed him and his siblings to be baptized when he was 16.

President Nelson married his first wife, Dantzel, in the Salt Lake Temple. They have nine daughters and one son. When his wife unexpectedly died in 2005, he described having "inconsolable grief" for a time. He married Wendy Watson, a BYU professor, the following April. He studied at LDS Business College and went on to obtain his BA and MD at the University of Utah. He simultaneously trained as a surgeon and did doctoral studies at the University of Utah. He was part of the research team that developed the heart-lung machine that was used in 1951 on the first open-heart operation on a human being. He spent two years on medical duty for the US Army during the Korean War, then underwent another training period in Boston at the prestigious Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital.

At one key point in his medical career, the University of Chicago was anxious to get him to come and teach at their school of medicine, so the president of that university asked Dallin H., Oaks, then a professor at the law school, to try and persuade him to come. Then-Brother Oaks did his best to convince then-Brother Nelson to accept the offer. But Church President David O. McKay advised Brother Nelson not to go, so he turned down that opportunity. In 1955, he accepted a teaching opportunity at the University of Utah School of Medicine, where he built his own heart-and-lung machine. Around a year later, he was on duty to perform the first pediatric cardiac operation. In 1960, he performed the first successful operative repair of a tricuspid heart valve. Being worried that a surgical procedure he had been asked to perform was too risky for anyone, he requested and received a blessing from then-Elder Spencer W. Kimball, who was one of his patients.

That surgery was a success, and he later w used the same technique to operate on Elder Kimball himself, a risky procedure, which only moved forward following a pointed directive from President Harold B. Lee, who at that time was serving as First Counselor in the First Presidency. While performing that operation, Brother Nelson had the overwhelming feeling that President Kimball would one day be President of the Church. As a result of that operation's success, Church members were blessed to enjoy the counsel and ministry of President Kimball for almost another decade and a half. The doctor-patient relationship he experienced with President Kimball enabled Brother Nelson to write a letter of assurance about President Kimball's health when the latter was called as Church President.

He has served in many positions on different hospital boards and has received several awards for his pioneering work. He likewise had many service opportunities in the Church. He served as a stake president for over six years, during which time he served alongside another future apostle, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. In mid-1970, Ernest L. Wilkinson, then president of BYU, submitted his resignation, which went into effect early the following year. As Neal A. Maxwell, Commissioner of Church Education, searched for a replacement, Brother Nelson was one of the candidates considered for the position, which was in due course filled by Brother Nelson's future apostolic seatement, Dallin H. Oaks.

In the meantime, Brother Nelson was called in June of 1971 as the Sunday School General President (during which time, Brother Wirthlin would again serve alongside him.) Brother Nelson would go on to also serve in the now-defunct calling of regional representative, during which time, having been present when President Kimball suggested that some of them should learn Mandarin Chinese, took on that task in obedience to the prophet's counsel. In April 1984, with the advice and consent of President Spencer W. Kimball, President Gordon B. Hinckley, then Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called Brother Nelson to fill one of two vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Then-Brother Oaks was called to fill the other vacancy, and the two have sat side-by-side in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since that time.

Over the next 31.25 years, each one of the living apostles junior to President Monson but senior to Elder Nelson would pass away. When President Boyd K. Packer died on July 3, 2015, Elder Nelson became the de facto President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was officially set apart in that capacity 12 days later, on Wednesday July 15, 2015, by Church President Thomas S. Monson, who had by that time begun to decrease his involvement in the day-to-day administration of the Church. When the Church released an official statement in mid-May 2017, which noted that President Monson would no longer be taking an active role in leading the Church, as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Nelson filled a vital role in assisting President Monson's counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and then-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, in taking care of the day-to-day administration of the Church.

When President Monson passed away on January 2. 2018, President Nelson directed the affairs of the Church as the senior apostle (and the de facto Acting President of the Church) for 12 days before his ordination as Church President. After meeting individually with each of the other 12 apostles, he selected his seatmate, Elder Oaks, and Elder Eyring, who had served as a counselor to both Presidents Monson and Gordon B. Hinckley, as his First and Second Counselors, respectively, in the First Presidency. As a result of that reorganization, Elder Uchtdorf again took his place in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. During the broadcast and subsequent press conference when the new First Presidency was introduced to the world on Tuesday January 16, President Nelson paid tribute to his predecessor's counselors and mentioned that both were willing to now serve where they were most needed. And the responsibilities assigned to Elder Uchtdorf were those previously held by the senior three apostles of the Church, Presidents Nelson and Oaks, and the new Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, M. Russell Ballard. Even prior to serving as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, or subsequently as President of the Church, President Nelson took great care of his fellow Brethren in the apostleship.

Many of you will recall how, in the midst of an address about charity, the pure love of Christ, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin began shaking uncontrollably, In a silent demonstration of what his colleague was teaching, Elder Nelson stood by and supported Elder Wirthlin until he closed his address, then gently helped him back to his seat. Not long after Elder Richard G. Scott underwent a needed surgical procedure, he was surprised to learn that President Nelson had stood inside the operating room observing the procedure in its' entirety. And, of course, as recounted during the funeral of Elder Robert D. Hales, following the Sunday Morning Session of the October 2017 General Conference, President Nelson felt impressed skip his lunch break and go immediately to the hospital to visit Elder Robert D. Hales, who passed away within a few minutes after President Nelson arrived.

President Nelson has demonstrated a keen intellect, a willingness to seek for and follow revelation from the Lord, and an undeviating loyalty and full commitment to his family, his Church, and his apostolic colleagues. We have seen him respond swiftly to such revelation, and perhaps the greatest details of the revelation he continues to receive regularly are yet-to-be revealed in the upcoming General Conference. I have always been impressed and touched by President Nelson's remarks. He has given 91 addresses thus far in General Conference, including 65 followsing his call to the apostleship, 5 given while he served as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and 21 so far which he has given since becoming President of the Church. I am grateful for the chance to have paid this birthday tribute to President Nelson. He and all of the other apostles have my unequivocal and everlasting support and sustaining vote.

I know for myself that President Russell M. Nelson is a prophet of God, that he will not lead us astray, that he speaks for and in behalf of the Lord and that we will be blessed by the Lord as we follow the counsel given by His chosen mouthpiece. 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 comments are made 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.