Sunday, March 8, 2020

New Stakes Created in Cote d'Ivoire, Georgia, and Utah; Stake Discontinued in California

Cote d'Ivoire
The Church organized a new stake in Abidjan on March 1st. The Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Selmer Stake was organized from a division of the Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Niangon South Stake, Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Toit Rouge Stake, and the Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire Yopougon Attie Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Andokoi, Foncier, Nouveau Quartier 2nd, Selmer, Sideci 1st, and Sogefiha Wards. Mission leadership report more than 1,000 attended the special conference to create the new stake. The new stake is the Church's 13th stake to be organized in the Abidjan metropolitan area. Several additional stakes in Abidjan are ready to divide and additional stakes in the city will likely be created later this year.

There are now 15 stakes and 17 districts in Cote d'Ivoire

Georgia
The Church organized a new stake in the Atlanta metropolitan area on March 1st. The Winder Georgia Stake was organized from a division of the Athens Georgia Stake and the Lilbum Georgia Stake. The new stake includes the following eight wards: the Braselton, Collins Hill, Commerce, Cornelia, Dacula 1st,  Dacula 2nd, Fort Yargo, and Winder Wards. The new stake is the Church's 12th stake in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

There are now 18 stakes in Georgia

Utah
The Church organized a new stake in Bluffdale on February 23rd. The Bluffdale Utah Blackridge Stake was organized from a division of the Herriman Utah South Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Alpine View, Aurora Vista, Juniper Crest, Lookout Ridge, Patriot Ridge, and Province Point Wards. There are now 10 stakes in Herriman.

There are now 608 stakes and one district in Utah.

California
The Church discontinued another stake in California. The Granada Hills California Stake (organized in 1936) was discontinued and the seven wards in the former stake were reassigned to the Canoga Park California Stake or the North Hollywood California Stake. The Church has had a long-term trend of stake discontinuations in California since the 1990s. The Church has discontinued stakes in California at a rate of one per year since the mid-2010s, and most recently discontinued the Torrance California Stake (discontinued in 2019), the Garden Grove California Stake (discontinued in 2017), and the San Diego California Sweetwater Stake (discontinued in 2016). In contrast, the last time the Church organized a new stake in California was in 2013 which was the Lake Elsinore California Stake.

There are now 152 stakes in California.

147 comments:

Luke said...

California has a lot of issues with convert retention and active members leaving the church or moving to places like Utah or Texas.

Eduardo said...

Californians move a lot to other states: the ones mentioned, plus Nevada, Idaho, Montana.
After living in 4 cities of California for 8 years, I definitely see a malaise there that is not conducive to Gospel values. I am comforted by the 7 active temples and the 8th upcoming one there. But there are evil movements at play in the Golden State, for sure, which certainly involves the entertainment industry.

Ohhappydane33 said...

Umm yeah, Eduardo, because nothing evil EVER happens where you live. It's nothing but a gospel conducive Utopia, no doubt. And yes, stupid responses deserve stupid, sarcastic retorts.

Noel said...

News that all of Italy is on lockdown.

Wonder if Missionaries will be pulled out?
World is really gone into a panic.

Eduardo said...

Ohfeliz dane: is pornography bigger anywhere than the San Fernando Valley?
Did the Bloods and Crips get there thing on in Delaware, or Maine?
How many homicides happen per year in my wife's native city of San Bernardino?
How many of my former students have been killed there?
Where are the Hell's Angels based?
Where did the temple get protested for hating gays? Or people of our faith get fired for being active members?
I am not saying my place of residence is perfect, we had a guy shot to death within a mile of my house last night, but if you do not see evil elements in California, then I think you might be drinking the Netflix Kool Aid. Not sure what your perception of gangs and bad influences are, but I go weeks and weeks without the noise pollution of gang bangers blasting their bases where I live.
Remember Oakland folks cheering the deaths of law enforcement a few years ago? That is not normal. That is one section of California, and THAT is stupid.
I find you are vapid, not sure how or what you do for work.
No sarcasm there.

Ohhappydane33 said...

Yeah Eduardo because broad brushing a huge state of 40 million people somehow proves your point? What about Utah? All the pyramid schemes? All the child pornography rings? All the supposedly worthy members of the Church getting arrested for all crimes imaginable? And yes, I know you don't live in Utah, but near DC - corruption central. I get a little tired of people like you scapegoating California for all of America's ills, when there is plenty of EVIL that knows no geographic boundaries. And I find you a self-righteous, judgmental, hypocritical wacko. I support myself just fine in California, thank you very much!

ScottS said...

The Nampa Idaho YSA Stake was organized on March 8, 2020. It includes:
Black Canyon YSA Ward
Caldwell YSA Ward
Emmett YSA Ward
Kuna YSA Ward
Nampa YSA 1st Ward
Nampa YSA 2nd Ward
Ontario YSA Ward

This is the 133rd Stake in Idaho and the 16th YSA Stake in the state.

Andrew Reed said...

Eduardo, very happy to hear you're honest comments.... Just as the scriptures point out not all will be well in Zion in the last days. To be fair I try to be positive where it is merited, but unfortunately 10% of our ward does 90% of the work. We're ev n have the issue of Zacharias and Mary, both given a great experience in seeing an angel, but it was the temple attending Zacharias that was cursed not Mary. I know there's a huge problem in Australia with members failing to keep there hearts full of love.... The saviour did truly say that men's hearts would turn cold in the last days... Let's pray from a softening of hearts.

Bryan Dorman said...

Why all the hate on Cali, or Utah, or DC?

Every place in the world has its advantages and disadvantages. No matter if you live in sight of soon-to-be six temples in Utah Valley, or if you live thousands of miles away from an existing temple in a nation where missionaries have never been seen.

Sincerely, an American expat that lives in central Mexico

Ohhappydane33 said...

I don't hate any place really. I am just trying to point out the flaws in Eduardo's anti-California thesis. No matter where one goes in the world, people are people. People who do good things. People who do bad things. Both kinds are in all places. Writing off an entire state because of people who do bad things is a silly, nonsensical argument and again, I tire of this uninspired and vapid (using Eduardo's word) argument against California.

Eduardo said...

Utah and Virginia are not losing stakes consistently, but in fact are expanding. California, while adding a temple lately, has not added much membership appreciably for decades. I love the state, some of the best years of my life there, some of my favorite people, members and non-members, are there.
This whole blog is about Church growth, my friend, and it not simple economics that California is losing wards and stakes. Or why people beyond the Church move away.
Again, no where is perfect, but like Chile, a nation where I lived 3 years and had a lot of hopes for, membership has declined and apathy has gained momentum. I don't know all the reasons but there are evils involved.
Evil in DC? For sure, bro. But the wards keep growing out here. Thanks for paying your taxes. They say the capital region is an economic bubble, maybe so. The missionaries struggle here like everywhere, but the congregations keep growing.
Sorry if my comments are not up to your PHD standards, Dane. Not everyone can be a scholar or hater like you. Sarcasm included.

Danny said...

I know Pew is doing a religious faith census survey this year, and combined with the US government census, we should learn quite a bit more about religious affiliation vs population in the united states.



Ohhappydane33 said...

Your congregations keep growing due in large part to transplants from the west. Again, it likely has little or nothing to do with the perceived evilness of the area, but more to do with California being cost prohibitive to young families. But if nobody wanted to live in California, then our cost of living would be cheap. You love the state? You could have fooled me...

Chris D. said...

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/interfaith-concert-tabernacle-march-2020

Ohhappydane33 said...

BTW, take some time read up on Church growth in California. The Church grew by leaps and bounds from the 1940s through the 1980s, with tens of thousands of members moving from Utah for better job opportunities. In those days, Utah was a small state with much more limited opportunities and was a net out-migration state in the 60s and 80s. California was THE place to be, and all this growth happened in spite of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and lots of other social turmoil up and down the state. It could be argued that Church growth has indeed peaked here because our growth spurt was earlier and much more pronounced than in most other states.

Eduardo said...

Dane, you are either too thin skinned or too obtuse to realize that I love California, I love Chile, I love Mexico, and most other places, but it is okay to offer conjecture as to why bad things and trends happen in these places. What do you get paid to do? How do you use your analytical skills?

John Pack Lambert said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
John Pack Lambert said...

The issues in Calufornia are complex. The rise and fall of stakes is in some ways a matter of lical issues. Thus at play are as much issues of Granada Hills and not issues of the state as a whole.

Ohhappydane33 said...

Actually no JPL. Utah experienced a recession in the 80s. Don't believe me? Google: Utah 1980s out migration. The only reason why Utah County, for example, grew during the 80s was because of natural increase. And feel free to believe whatever evil California conspiracy theory you want. Interesting judgment considering you have probably never lived here. I see lots of evil things going on everywhere and Utah is certainly no exception.

Ohhappydane33 said...

Granada Hills is generally an older developed area of the San Fernando Valley that is no longer expanding in development. And yes, very pricey.

Ohhappydane33 said...

E: What does me being allegedly thin skinned have anything to do with whether I think you love California? Not that I really care because I don't, but you do seem very conflicted.

Eduardo said...

No, I am not conflicted when I recognize that I love the United States, the West Coast, the Golden State, the Inland Empire, LA, San Diego, Imperial Valley, San Joaquin Valley, the Monterey area, the Bay Area, and on an on, but recognize that there are BAD people and influences that perpetuate their trades in all those places.
Utah has bad apples, but not nearly the gang and homicide rate of California. Same difference with public schools. Cali's got issues. Utah pays among the least for education but gets some of the best results.
The nuclear family? Compare.
Of course Utah has issues, I know plenty in Utah who become drug addicts and lise their faith and bearing. Happens everywhere.
But my wife's house has had six cars boosted from there residence in San Berdu. Where would that ever happen in Utah? Not even the worst hood in gang ridden Ogden, ese.
Ahi te watchas, vato.
Get real.
Of course I'm conflicted between emotions and facts. That es la vida, or as my mom would say, c'est la vie.
I am smart enough to entertain conflicting feelings and the base realities.
Again, California has unique issues, the Lord will take care of all of it. Even Salt Lake, even Provo, even Santaquin.
If you think about it, state borders are merely human contrivances. Having lived a combined 16 years in California, Utah, and Chile, all three are very similar in so many ways.
Good and bad in each one.
I consider myself thick skinned, but pretty offended when someone claims that my thoughts are stupid or vacuous. Check yourself young man, and try to contribute assessments other than puerile insults.

martinml said...

Three new branches were just organized in Tete, Mozambique. Also, the first branch in Bandundu, DR Congo was just organized with 200+ in attendance. Lastly, the Chilae Branch was also just organized in Sri Lanka!

Eric S. said...

Great to hear, martinml! Thanks for passing it along.

Anonymous said...

Can’t we all just get along? Lol.

I grew up in California, moved out of state for 13 years and then returned. My view is that California is a great place to live, especially when I apply good thinking and ignore all the crap I can’t do anything about.

OC Surfer said...

I'm often in San Fernando Valley (Granada Hills area) for work, and know members who live in the Valley, so here are a very reasons (in my opinion) why the Church shrunk in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.

1) Huge demographics shifts

Back in 1950s-1980s, San Fernando Valley was Brandy Bunch style, suburban white (90%+), with good schools, and a more responsive LA City government.

Then Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) issued forced busing as part of desegregation plan, busing African American and Latinos from other areas in LA into the San Fernando Valley. Over time, this caused white flight in a lot of San Fernando Valley neighborhoods, and the quality of the schools began to decline.

Then in the 1990s-2000s, a huge influx of Latinos (mainly from Mexico) immigrated into the older parts of the SFV, to the point the Church has created a Spanish speaking stake (San Fernando CA Stake) to cover the SFV.

In more affluent areas, huge communities of Armenians, Persians, Arabs, and Jews have moved in, along with Koreans and Filipinos, and other groups.

I would guessimate the SFV is only 20-30% white overall today.

While the Church has made some inroads reaching out to the different communities, there are not Farsi (Persian), Arabic, Armenian, or Tagalog speaking units of the Church in the Valley. There is a Korean speaking branch, however.

Many of these communities, see the Church as an "Old Skool American White Church", and not a diverse inclusive church for them.

Many old timer members of the Church who live in the Valley still hold on to how the Church "used to be" in the Valley, and still have a church culture that makes it difficult for newcomers other backgrounds to feel included.

Essentially, SFV is now more urban, less suburban, and the Church has been slow to respond with the changes.

2) Cost of living

Average cost of a starter home (3 bedroom, 2 bath) in the SFV in a decent neighborhood, is above $600K. Condos start at $400K to go up from there. Nicer neighborhoods have homes $1M-$2M+ range.

So this makes attracting young families to move in more difficult, unless they wanna the play the equity game.

Long time members who live in the Valley cash out their equity and retire out of state like Utah, Nevada, or Arizona. Younger families move to nearby suburbs where the schools are a lot better (Santa Clarita or Agora Hills) when their kids go to school, or move out of state to Utah or Texas. So with members moving out, there are not enough new members to replace the outflow.

Hopefully, this can be a turning point, where new converts of different backgrounds, new members moving in, and having a solid and active YSA, MSA, and SA program and wards, can all help to strengthen the Church in the San Fernando Valley.

Mario Miguel said...

My family used to live in the Valley many years ago when I was a kid. My dad always says he'll never go back to California for economic, social, and political reasons. I think alot of active church members of all demographics leave simply because better employment and lower living costs await them elsewhere. Like many Central American immigrants most of my family started out in LA and half have made their way over the last 20 years to Nevada, Georgia, Oregon, and elsewhere. Hopefully convert baptisms will eventually keep up with the rate of moving out.

JMR said...

I find it real sad that on a website where we are talking about the growth of the only true church on the earth, that we have bickering and contention going on.

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

@OC Surfer and Mario Miguel

Thanks for breaking down the factors of what's happening with church growth in the SFV. Interesting to read. Hope we continue to see growth with the non-english-speaking groups.

Eduardo said...

Bickering and contention happen when some people feel persecuted based on emotions attached to perceived attacks on their equities. Yes, sad but true.
I was a branch president in San Bernardino, also a mission leader, also worked in the elders quorum presidency in Highland.
The reasons given by Surfer are valid, appreciated, thanks.
I saw too much crime that turned off members of the Church, which included me. Oh yes, racism and cultural superiority, and really poor educational cultures.
Pardon me if I call this evil, but it is, and sorry if that comes across as accusatory or contentious.
I knew many people who left Cali for Utah and other places because of jobs, crime, lifestyle.
Stakes and wards are disappearing, unfortunately.
Trying to be honest and analytical to a degree, not offend.
Glad to see that 8th temple in Yuba City! Yay.
Correct, Satan is the author of contention, and we should not write his script about Church growth or any subject.

Ohhappydane33 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ohhappydane33 said...

The thing about stakes being discontinued is that before the 1990s, a discontinued stake was an extraordinarily rare, almost unheard of event, anywhere in the world. But these days/years/decades, stakes seem to be discontinued with surprising frequency and regularity and in many parts of the world, not just California. Heck, not even Utah is immune from an occasional stake discontinuation.

To me, this just shows that the Church cannot be lulled into complacency and while a stake's creation is surely an achievement, there are no longer any guarantees of membership bases increasing or even being maintained in areas for that matter.

Chris D. said...

Nampa Idaho YSA Stake

https://classic.churchofjesuschrist.org/maps/#ll=43.61206,-116.51545&z=18&m=google.road&q=Nampa%20Idaho%20YSA%20Stake&find=stake.ysa:2151316

Deivisas said...

Missionaries to certain MTCs to attend virtually and all General Conference update:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/coronavirus-update-february-27-2020

Deivisas said...

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/april-2020-general-conference-format-change

Noel said...

General Conference will be closed to the Public.
MTCs in Provo and Preston to train online.

Sorry lost link

Deivisas said...

"Beginning March 16, 2020, all missionaries scheduled to enter missionary training centers in Provo, Utah, or Preston, England, will be trained remotely by video conference. Other missionary training centers will continue to function as usual, but they will not receive any missionaries from regions where government officials are restricting activity. Missionaries from those areas will also be trained by video conference."

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/covid-19-mtc-adjustment

Deivisas said...

"After considering the counsel of governmental, ecclesiastical, and medical leaders around the world and our own prayerful reflection, we will postpone stake and leadership conferences and other large gatherings in Church Areas where illness caused by COVID-19 is a challenge, including,

Asia
Asia North
Europe
Europe East
All Areas in the United States and Canada
These temporary adjustments will take effect March 16, 2020."

"In relation to weekly worship services, activities and other meetings, members should follow the guidance of their local leaders, who will receive direction in the usual manner."
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/covid-19-impact-large-gatherings-latter-day-saints

Anonymous said...

I was catching up with a Mission friend from the Milan area today. He said he has tested positive for COVID-19 along with most of his immediate family. He also said that the situation in that part of Italy is dramatic and out of control. He said there are people laying down and dying in the streets because the healthcare system is too overburdened to help them. And Italy (largely because of its history with large earthquakes and other large-scale natural disasters) is ahead of the U.S. in terms of emergency preparedness, number of ICU beds, testing ability, and most other relevant criteria that are going to decide about successfully controlling the spread of COVID-19. In other words, when this virus comes to America (and really most other countries) in earnest like it has come to Italy, the implications will be disasterous.

What I'm saying is...there are almost certainly much bigger changes coming. Living in the epicenter of the German COVID-19 outbreak, which is somewhere in severity between Italy and the U.S., I don't anticipate to have Church this Sunday. Or any other Sunday after that until at least this summer. Nothing is official, but I know our stake leaders will probably be very proactive here, and they are for a fact discussing alternatives to in-person meetings to be implemented immediately as necessary.

John Pack Lambert said...

I think the issue with Armenians etc not joining the Church needs to be looked at a little differently than OC Surfer describes it.

The biggest issue we have to bear in mind is the Armenianness is an ethno-religious identity. The reasons that Armenians do not join the Church in larger numbers has a lot to do with their ethnicity being tied up in the Oriental Orthodox Armenian Church.

One issue that also needs to be born in mind is that due to how long people live and children leaving home, areas that do not have new housing developments going in and just has the same population remain there will often see population declines. In the 1970s and 1980s this was a key factor behind population declines in some inner-ring Detroit suburbs.

Here in Metro-Detroit we in general have more Church members who are Hispanic/Latino than who are Middle Eastern. Yet there are way more Middle Easterners in Metro Detroit. This applies even if we exclude from our study the two areas of Metro Detroit that have Spanish-language branches.

Many of our Latino members joined in their home countries.

A thing to keep in mind is growing up in Michigan California origin Church members were probably the third most common group after those from Idaho and Utah. Several of these were people who had joined the Church in california, some of them as college students in places like Santa Cruz at the heart of the 1960s protest times.

One of my bishop's had been ward mission leader in the area of California most effected by the 1992 riots. He was given the responsibility of deciding when the situation was calm enough to send missionaries back out. Actually, he might have been stake mission president. He was a more recent migrant from California, I think he left it for Michigan in 1993.



Luke said...

@Pascal Friedmann thank you so much for the update. I hope you can stay safe and healthy.

On another note- do you know if the Frankfurt and Freiberg temples are closed/closing soon? I have seen no church announcement regarding that, but have been informed that church meetings in Germany and the UK are annulled. I would think the temples and missionaries are affected, but thus far I am unaware. Thank you so much

Deivisas said...

The TRC at the MTC will also be indefinitely closed to TRC volunteers starting on Monday.

Chris D. said...

Asunción Paraguay Temple now 1 of 8 temples to close due to COVID-19 virus

https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-11/coronavirus-asuncion-paraguay-temple-closes-176877

Pills & Pillows said...

Four more temples closed: In addition to the closure of the Asunción Paraguay Temple announced earlier today, four other temples will be closed: the Boston Massachusetts Temple, Copenhagen Denmark Temple, Louisville Kentucky Temple and Manhattan New York Temple. There are a total of 12 temples now closed worldwide in response to the virus.

L. Chris Jones said...

Please go to FamilySearch.com and do indexing and family history while the temples are closed. That way the work can still continue and you will have many names prepared for when these temples do open. Nothing can prevent the progress of the work. We indexing is easy and can be done on your own time. It is an essential part of gathering family history information for temple work as well as for the general public throughout the world.

L. Chris Jones said...

What is the TRC?

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

If I remember right, the TRC is the "Training Resource Center" at the MTC where you could go volunteer to have the missionaries practice teaching you discussions.

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

The 2020 NBA Season and E3 2020 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) have also been canceled until further notice due to precautions about the virus, for those into basketball and video games. One member of the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert, was the first NBA player diagnosed with the virus so far, just today, prompting the cancellations.

Anonymous said...

@Luke, thank you. For the most part, the panic level in the German population remains low, and 99.99% of people are remaining calm and collected. This may be one of the reasons why our temples remain open, even today. The other explanation could be that Germany is heavily federalist in its disaster response (more so than the U.S.), and that neither Friedrichsdorf nor Freiberg (which I think have one case each in their respective districts) are particularly heavily hit yet.

coachodeeps said...

Training Resource Center. Members can come in and volunteer to act as investigators for the missionaries training in the MTC. The missionaries teach the "investigators" in a home-like setting. Then they are given feedback by other missionaries that are training and their instructors.

James Anderson said...

Philadelphia Temple goes offline for just over a week

Philadelphia PA Temple closed

Philadelphia Temple will be closed Thursday, 12 March 2020 - Saturday, 21 March 2020
Due to concerns over the Corona Virus COVID-19, the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple is closed until further notice. For questions about living ordinance appointments, please call the main phone number. Thank you for your understanding.

Chris D. said...

Groundbreaking date for Auckland New Zealand Temple announced

https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-12/groundbreaking-date-auckland-new-zealand-
announced-176972

John Pack Lambert said...

The Church has is sending all senior missionaries in European missions home. Also any young missionaries deemed at health risk.

It appears that Gov. Huntsman's directive against meetings of over 100 will mean no sacrament meeting the last two Sundays in March.

John said...

Philadelphia temple is now closed except for some pre-scheduled living ordinances.

Michael Worley said...

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/gatherings-worldwide-temporarily-suspended

As promised in our letter of March 11, 2020, we continue to monitor the changing conditions related to COVID-19 throughout the world. We have considered the counsel of local Church leaders, government officials and medical professionals, and have sought the Lord’s guidance in these matters. We now provide the following updated directions.

Beginning immediately, all public gatherings of Church members are being temporarily suspended worldwide until further notice. This includes:

Stake conferences, leadership conferences and other large gatherings
All public worship services, including sacrament meetings
Branch, ward and stake activities
Where possible, please conduct any essential leadership meetings via technology. Specific questions may be referred to local priesthood leaders. Further direction related to other matters will be provided.

Bishops should counsel with their stake president to determine how to make the sacrament available to members at least once a month.

We encourage members in their ministering efforts to care for one another. We should follow the Savior’s example to bless and lift others.

We bear our witness of the Lord’s love during this time of uncertainty. He will bless you to find joy as you do your best to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in every circumstance.

Noel said...

All church meetings worldwide suspended.
Sacrament to be offered monthly to members.

I know the prophet put emphasis on conference. But that it could be our first chance to hear messages from any of our leaders for a month was not in my mind.

Christopher Nicholson said...

All church meetings worldwide are cancelled indefinitely. https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/3/12/21177623/mormon-church-lds-meetings-canceled-worldwide-coronavirus-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR3pDh9GDl5tLiqXHc-xwOPJAhwGYs73aoWK5J8zK_Sg5GF4GTthOeVKd6s

Christopher Nicholson said...

Sorry Michael, your comments hadn't shown up yet when I wrote mine.

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

BYU and Weber State Cancel Classes.

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

Classes on March 13, 16 & 17 are canceled. All courses at BYU & its Salt Lake Center, will resume March 18 through remote instruction. BYU stated that since some courses cannot reasonably meet remotely, college deans will communicate with their departments about any specific exceptions. 2 hours ago

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://universe.byu.edu/2020/03/12/byu-cancels-classes-march-13-17-due-to-covid-19/&ved=2ahUKEwj47t_ojZboAhWMGs0KHWgWB3cQFjABegQICxAH&usg=AOvVaw2BS_94Q0e1Y0BfVoS9QI_w

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

Utah’s colleges and universities closing classes, moving to online courses

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/03/12/coronvirus-plans-utah/

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

Seminary Cancelled in Ogden, Utah.

Unknown said...

Hartford Connecticut Temple officially closed until further notice.

ScottS said...

With today's announcement aren't all the temples closed?

martinml said...

The Denver Colorado Temple is still open I called them earlier this evening.

Unknown said...

I have called all temples in the United States and Canada since 4pm this evening. All said (with the exception of the ones already closed) something along the lines of: "We are open until further notice. The First Presidency will be telling all the temples of the world whether or not they will remain open." I spoke to a few temple presidents as well, and they said they believe it will be an 'all or none' type of thing as they did with church meetings; as in either all the temples will remain open or all of them will be closing temporarily.

Unknown said...

Also, the Montreal Quebec Temple is closed until future notice.

-Luke

Unknown said...

I failed to mention that the First Presidency will be notifying the temples tomorrow.
-Luke

coachodeeps said...

Governor Herbert, not Huntsman.

coachodeeps said...

My parents in Hawaii says Laie Temple was still open last night. An email they received talked about the chain of command and decisions coming from Area Presidencies as they discuss with General Church Leadership.

James Anderson said...

Tonga is open, just had an ordinance done for a shared name there overnight our time in the US

Some have been done at my temple this morning and some baptisms my ward did last night showed up also this morning although dated last night when they were done. So far, none of the Utah temples except those obviously closed for renovation, have shut down.

Anonymous said...

Ogden is still open, as evident by the same thing happening to me as just did to James Anderson. I don't believe the Church will just close all its temples without first announcing it. Trust me, it's coming in the immediate future, likely today or tomorrow, but it won't be done in secret.

James Anderson said...

Just in: A hybrid approach to dealing with the matter

https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-13/coronavirus-covid-19-temples-close-worldwide-177054?fbclid=IwAR071Fv5azZekBFD5LyFOrA4VaGRankGq7xrox_yf9__ASajFiMrPitjDdQ

brycen said...

Looks like all temples will be closed except for living ordinances in temples where legal authorities allow them to remain open. We also have had all Church meetings cancelled temporarily, even Sacrament meetings, although bishops and stake presidents are to consult on how to provide the sacrament once a month to the members.

I was telling someone at work - we just got a home- and family-centered curriculum put in place in the last 2 years - I said it's almost like they, the Church leaders knew what was coming.

Unknown said...

The prophet is truly a revelatory man. I'm so grateful for him and church leaders that help guide us during these times.

Ryan said...

Senior Missionaries(Americans) in the DRC being sent home. Don't know about other African countries.

Mon Chou said...

Do we know if they are still taking names on the prayer roll? If they are doing live sessions, the prayer roll should still be in effect, correct?

James Anderson said...

FamilySearch also announced that RootsTech London will not be held this year. The Family History Library will also close at 5pm today for, like everything else, an undetermined amount of time.

Anonymous said...

It appears now that all foreign missionaries are being evacuated from the Germany Frankfurt Mission, placed in isolation for 14 days, to be then reassigned at the end of the crisis or released. This is not officially confirmed, but I know for a fact that the missionaries serving in my ward (minus one who is from Germany) will all be evacuated this weekend. There is no indication that this is not mission-wide.

James Anderson said...

Some in Finland were released this week, one personally who is a relative on account of asthma, which makes one more vulnerable. Will arrive in the states tomorrow.

James Anderson said...

FamilySearch and other Church Internet presences are all up, but FamilySearch for the next 2 1/2 days will have intermittent outages on some features as there have been reports of issues with viewing some records including US Census records, that has been the biggest issue recently, some features involving comparing hints with the tree person have been AWOL, they had been working on solving several issues and this weekend was apparently the planned time to put in the fixes.

John Pack Lambert said...

Most temples are technically not closed. They are still doing liver ordinances but not proxy ones.

James G. Stokes said...

JPL, you are both technically correct and technically incorrect. You are correct in the sense that "most temples are not closed." The closures as described will go into worldwide effect on March 16, which is Monday. So for today (Saturday) the temples whose closures were previously noted are the only ones to which that will apply. But when the work ends in each temple on Saturday evening, the closure will go into effect.

As for the restrictions that will be in place as of Sunday (when most temples are usually closed anyways), there are 3 parts to them. The first part: "Where government or other restrictions on public and/or religious gatherings would, in effect, preclude temple activity, proxy and living ordinances will temporarily be suspended." Given Governor Herbert's direction, that will apply to a full closure of all Utah temples for two weeks beginning on Monday. Other states and nations may have similar regulations in place, but knowledge on that front is someone else's to share, as I have no direct knowledge in that respect. So all temples in Utah will fully close for two weeks after work wraps up on this Saturday night.

THe seocnd part: "Where government or other restrictions do not preclude all temple activity, the following temple ordinances for living persons will be accommodated as capacity permits by appointment only: husband-and-wife and child-to-parents sealing ordinances and living initiatory and endowment ordinances. On a temporary basis, proxy temple ordinances will not be performed." So some temples, based on that recommendation, will have to determine capacity and patron safety for live ordinances in areas or states where the restrictions are not as stringent. I imagine that for a live endowment, the others in the sesion will be able to do proxy work in that scenario, but that would again be determined by temple leadership. Either way, for a live endowment or sealing, it wouldn't make sense to just have the individuals for whom the live ordinances are being done there on their own, which will also need to be reconciled in some way.

And the third part: "All patron housing will be closed." That means in places like South Africa, where people might be coming a long distance, the fact that no housing would be available for them when coming to do live ordinances could be a deterrent. Aside from the announced adjustments, it was noted that vulnerable populations (including the older temple workers) would need to enact measures to protect their health. So that essentially ensures that older or unwell indviduals won't be coming to the temple for as long as these regulations are in effect.

Maybe that won't completely halt temple work, but it will have a profound impact on the ability to do ordinances for the living and the dead. Particularly in busier temples (Mount Timpanogos and Provo Utah come to mind, among those with which I am familiar), having an enforced closure that will be 2 weeks at minimum will have a profound impact on the work being done. The Church will literally have to hit the pause button on two of the three-part mission thereof during this time (when proclaiming the gospel and redeeming the dead may be hindered), so there will need to be a heightened focus on perfecting the Saints during that time.

Of course, thesee are just my own thoughts in response to your comment, JPL, which may technically be based on a misinterpretation of your meaning, so anyone who reads this comment can take or leave my thoughts as they may feel inclined to do so.

coachodeeps said...

There are now 4 parts to the mission of the Church. The 3 you mentioned and Help the Poor and Needy. So, Perfecting the Saints and Help the Poor and Needy will be of great focus. However, as James Anderson points out, Redeeming the Dead can continue through family history and indexing. Missionary work continues via online and over the phone work. So, all 4 gam continue with 2 still able to be strongly focused upon during the restrictions. An emphasis of reaching out (even via electronic means) to those in need in your own areas has been made and will continue to be made.

coachodeeps said...

From my parents in Hawaii, explaining how the restrictions are affecting their assignment and how the temple will administer the restrictions:
"So we are to serve at the Temple Tuesday morning and evening. Then Friday morning and evening. Then Saturday morning. It will be for live ordinances only. A Presidency member and matron, the engineer, recorder, the full time senior couple missionaries, and a few from Laie (to be notified by phone) like Sealers are the only ones for six weeks.
Only 8 guests for a live sealing. Only 8 or less for a live (initiatory) endowment session. All must be by appointment."
They had been serving a 6 hour shift Tuesday through Saturday housing between morning, afternoon and evening shifts.

coachodeeps said...

From my parents, continued:
(Laie) Visitors' Center sister missionaries told us as we walked home that it was closed. They are only doing missionary work by phoning. They are thinking the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is closed. We haven't heard from anyone officially, yet."

Christopher Nicholson said...

I don't think the church leaders literally knew what was coming. If they did then they're jerks for not warning anybody. But I think God knew what was coming and inspired them to take certain steps in advance without knowing specifically why.

MainTour said...

Christopher Nicholson - I very much disagree! One of the most prophetic things Pres Nelson did was 18 months ago (Oct 2018 G.C.) The brethren started introducing the concept of "Come Follow Me" and "Home Centered Church". Now all families of the church are now ready to conduct church in the home in isolation.

coachodeeps said...

The PCC will close after tonight's performance.

Ohhappydane33 said...

All families of the Church are now ready to conduct church in the home in isolation? I would say that is a bit of a stretch to say the least.

Ohhappydane33 said...

Heck, as is rightly pointed out in an above comment, 10 percent of a typical ward does 90 percent of the work.

Nancy said...

I can confirm what coachodeeps said. We are ordinance workers at the Monticello Temple. They are now closed for proxy work, but will be open for live ordinances by appointment only. No more than 8 people can attend a live ordinance.(So a few incidental proxy ordinances will apparently be allowed.) There is not a 2 week closure. I think this shows prudent consistency. If Sacrament meeting should not take place, in order to keep the virus from spreading, then temple work, with it's close quarters and lots of person to person contact, should also be limited. Hopefully these measures will slow down the spread of this virus. Praying for us all!

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

Perhaps these changes will encourage the parents and families that comprise that 90% to take more responsibility in their own spiritual matters, rather than relying heavily on the more active 10% that you're referring to.

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

Or at least, encourage more of that 90% to.

Christopher Nicholson said...

Unknown, thanks for assuming I'm an idiot but I clearly said in my comment that "I think God knew what was coming and inspired them to take certain steps in advance without knowing specifically why." I never denied that President Nelson did "prophetic things", I simply doubt very much that he specifically foresaw the coronavirus pandemic happening. Again, if he did, he's a jerk for not warning anybody.

John Pack Lambert said...

Does the 8 max include temple workers?

John Pack Lambert said...

The bishop's storehouse is still in operation. With all the disruption to income caused by travel related businesses shutting down this is a good thing.

New York City has shut down schools after 5 deaths and with more than 320 cases. Michigan shut down schools when there were fewer than 20 cases and no deaths.

I think the leaders of the Church were wise to cancel all meetings. At the same time I am shocked by how many dioceses still are doing mass.

In my family we made a lot of progress with Come Follow Me today.

Chris D. said...

https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2020-03-16/lds-mormon-missionaries-coronavirus-removal-shorten-time-service-177342

Chris D. said...

https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2020-03-16/sister-missionary-reported-kidnapped-guatemala-released-177375

Anonymous said...

By the way, I still need to correct myself on the suspected closure of the Germany Frankfurt Mission. Two of the three missionaries are getting released around a month earlier than anticipated. The third one is leaving for another area to fill in for another early-release missionary. As a result, we're down to one companionship, and someone new actually just came in.

How Missionary work is supposed to happen right now, I don't know. Germany is not on lockdown like Italy and Spain, but from the limited amount of time I've spent outside these last few days, it's functionally the same. There is just no one around.

Unknown said...

As of the late afternoon of today, all temples in California have been fully closed temporarily. This basically means no proxy OR live ordinances. The area presidency does not have an anticipated reopening date.

-Luke

John Pack Lambert said...

Non-native missionaries are being removed from the Philippines.

I think the issue in Germany is that more and more there is less and less places where missionaries can do much beyond online contacting, calling their teaching pool etc. Maybe a few visits. Also in some ways the worse move is to relocate people at this time. This has become a pandemic, so relocation is not really going to help.

John Pack Lambert said...

I fear the new stake in metro-Orlando will be delayed until at least next month by the stop of meetings.

It still surprises me that not all Catholic dioceses in the US have suspended mass.

James Anderson said...

WDIV/Detroit said the cathedral there livestreamed mass this last Sunday

Unknown said...

I'm wondering what the church did during various flu pandemics of 1918, the 1950's, 60's; and cholera in 1910, etc. in regards to missionaries. We could possibly get a taste as for what the church may do.

Noel said...

1918/19 Spanish Flu coincided with the end of the Great War. Not sure if we can learn much at that point.

coachodeeps said...

Over major change from the 1918 pandemic, ther Church started to have individual cups used for the sacrament. Amazing other churches still use one cup for their communion.

Eduardo said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
twinnumerouno said...

It's not clear from what I can see- he died of pneumonia brought on by pleurisy, wikipedia does not say whether it was caused by the Spanish flu and only mentions that flu with regard to the fact that there was not a public funeral.

I had thought his son Hyrum M. Smith (Pres. Ballard's grandfather) had died from the flu earlier that year, but wikipedia says it was from peritonitis.

MainTour said...

Apr 1919 GC and the sustaining of Heber J Grant as new church president was pushed back a few months. And other trivia here : https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/looking-back-at-general-conference-in-the-age-of-influenza-outbreaks-and-world-war-i?lang=eng

Chris D. said...

Salt Lake Temple sustains minor damage as 5.7 magnitude earthquake hits Utah

https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2020-03-18/utah-earthquake-salt-lake-city-temple-angel-moroni-177657

Ohhappydane33 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Eduardo said...

No more talk of Sherem or Korihor, or those types.
My original comment had conjecture, which was brought to me by my wife, that Joseph F. Smith died of the Spanish flu, which appears to be otherwise.
I also commented that it is good by signs of growth in the South that the Church is growing there, probably faster than the northeast or midwest.
Hard to explain why California keeps losing so many units.
The Inter-mountain west and Northwest continue to grow, and I think Alaska, too.
Is Hawaii growing?
Man, I miss the LDS Almanac.
Although Cumorah does well on trends and stats, I guess.
We all know how the web can be a tricky customer. But some sites are pretty reliable, unlike the pabulum of us trolls and cyber-goblins.

Rodrigo Jofre said...

I wouldn't say the South is growing, but simply getting those who relocate from places like California, which has very long commutes, high taxes, and very expensive housing. Places like Florida or Texas can also have long commutes in some areas but taxes are low or very low. And in the case of Texas housing can be very cheap.

I live in the Midwest and people leave as soon as possible, usually to Arizona or Florida, or their original state which is commonly Utah because they just can't stand the cold winters or they simply miss their extended family. We basically have very very low baptism rates too, at least in the English speaking units.

coachodeeps said...

My parents are coming home. Seems all senior missionaries are being sent home.

coachodeeps said...

https://www.ksl.com/article/46731917/non-native-latter-day-saint-missionaries-in-africa-philippines-will-return-to-their-home-countries

John Pack Lambert said...

I had thought Hyrum M. Smith had died from flu as well, but saw Wikipedia attributed it to other causes. Hyrum M. Smith's wife may have died from flu though. Wikipedia's list article on flu deaths has a major lack of sources and was nominated for deletion by me.

Chris D. said...

Read about these 5 new temple presidents and matrons

https://www.thechurchnews.com/callings/2020-03-19/read-about-these-5-new-temple-presidents-and-matrons-177426

....."Justo Pausides Casablanca, 69, Lake Mary Ward, Lake Mary Florida Stake, called as president of the new SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO Temple. President Casablanca’s wife, Lucy Rius Casablanca, will serve as temple matron. He is a Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple presidency counselor and a former Colombia Bogota South Mission president, stake president, bishop and patriarch. A retired manager and senior representative of an aviation organization, he was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Pausides Alejandro Casablanca and Modesta Garcia."....

John Pack Lambert said...

Glad to hear they have called a president for the Sa an Juan Temple.

General Conference is further limited. Only 1st presidency, speakers and prayer givers for each session. Music was pre-recorded.

John Pack Lambert said...

I have been trying to learn more of the Casablancas. I am guessing Sister Casablanca is likely the daughter of parents from Puerto Rico. Most people with Spanish last names in New York City in the 1950s were Puerto Rican, although there were more Cubans than we realize, unless we are overly influenced by the most noted TV show set in 1950s New York having a Cuban costar.

Brother Casablanca was also area executive secretary for the South America South Area. This was an assignment as a missionary in 2009 serving with his wife.

John Pack Lambert said...

Another calling not listed for Brother Casablanca was as a regional representative of the 12. Sister Casablanca was also a seminary teacher, Sunday School teacher and family history consultant all not listed.

Brother Casablanca was stake president of the Carolina Puerto Rico Srake from 1991-1993. As a regional representative ge lived in Puerto Rico but seems to have overseen the Church in the Domini CD an Republic.

John Pack Lambert said...

The new president of the Toronto Ontario Temple is the son of the man who was president of the temple in 1995-1999. His father was also a,counselor to M. Russell Ballard when President Ballard presided over the Canada Toronto mission.

MainTour said...

I'm pretty sure these two entry on Matt's list of new 2020 stakes will be postponed indefinitely :

7. Orlando Florida (4th stake)** - March 29th, 2020
8. Nampula Mozambique* - April 19th, 2020

James Anderson said...

I am beginning to hear rumors, some rather rabid, about this conference and the last days. President Nelson in a viral Youtube and social media video said 'this too shall pass' and although it looks like it, I do not see this as the bad sickness that will come ahead of the Second Coming although on the face of it I can see why some think this is it.

Other rumors about announcements of programs, etc., have not materialized from what I have been able to see.

James G. Stokes said...

I appreciate the comments which have been shared here since I last checked in. I need to set the record straight on something I noted earlier: the report that all Utah temples would close for two weeks was apparently a preliminary prediction on the part of one of the KSL reporters covering COVID-19 in Utah, based on the initial guidelines released by Governor Herbrt. The subsequent official announcements that have come down from Church headquarters supercede both that personal interpretation and what I passed along earlier based on that inaccurate information. I apologize of jumping the gun on that.

In the meantime, the COVID-19 situation and the earthquake here in Utah have rapidly changed the information and Church policies and procedures. As things have continued to evolve, I have done my best to cover all of those developments, in addition to finally finishing the updates to my predictions for the April 2020 General Conference. Among those updates has been a complete restructuring of the references accompanying my predictions, in addition to including several new locations on the list of those that I could see having a temple announced over General Conference weekend. I am hosting an open commnting period on those on my blog for the next two weeks or so before I need to refine those prior to General Conference weekend:

https://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com/2020/03/third-edition-april-2020-general.html

And speaking of potential new temples, based on information of which I have become aware recently, it does appear extremely likely that President Nelson could detail his temple construction plans more specifically and announce a higher-than-usual number of temples. We have also seen the First Presidency delay the open house and dedication for the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple indefinitely until large gatherings are deemed safe, it is also possible that a delay could occcur for the open house and rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple, and that at least one or two of the temples now scheduled to have a groundbreaking would either see that rescheduled or the plans for it tweaked to minimize a potential e of COVID-19. It is also possible that, at some point, temple construction could come to a complete halt, though I'm sure the Church would take every possible step to prevent that.

James G. Stokes said...

Changing circumstances change situations as a result, so there will likely be more adjustments to come. But I am grateful we have a prophet in President Nelson at this time, because I believe he is best equipped, by virtue of his former career as a surgeon and as one who has taken an innovate approach to adjustments in the Church, to handle the changing circumstances. By saying that, I don't mean to imply that no previous or future Church president could handle such a situation, just that President Nelson seems uniquely prepared to handle the current crisis and to help the Church adapt thereunto in the most effective ans seamless way.

As far as how much the prophets might know about things like COVID-19 in advance, from a temporal perspective, I understand why it might be considered a jerky move to not have warned anyone about it. Knowledge is a powerful thing, but it also needs to be used in reasonable ways. I am convinced, based on my observations of this unfolding situation, that it may be the type of situation where, if the prophet said something about this too soon, it would serve to incite panic rather than inspire confidence or encourage preparation. And we already have seen far more wide-spread panic than theere should reasonably be. Anrd one common theme we see in the scriptures is that sometimes, when prophets see things, they are not permitted by the Lord to pass them along to the people over whom they have stewardship, at least not at the time they receive that information. A prime example of that is found in 2 Nephi 32:7. In that verse, Nephi notes that he "cannot say more, for the spirit stoppeth ]his] utterance." That could be a similar scenario to what President Nelson could have dealt with if he had been forewarned about this. He'd need to know what to do to prepare the Church, but he might not have been permitted to say too much about why. And that would be the Lord's wise way of preparing the Church for just such a scenario like this.

But these are no more and no less than my own thoughts on the matter, which may not accurately reflect what really happened. I suspect that unless President Nelson point-blank states he had been forewarned about this situation and was unable to tell the Church due to strict instruction from the Lord, we may never find out what actually happened there. Hope these observations, such as they are, are helpful to all who read them.

Eduardo said...

Prophets warn us all the time to repent, turn to the Lord, obey the commandments, avoid destruction.
Not all are privy to the nature or time of the threats. Jesus Himself did not share many times, dates, or methods of how His prophecies would occur.

James G. Stokes said...

Well said, Eduardo. I'm reminded of that passage in the Doctrine and Covenants the prophet Joseph Smith noted that he'd asked the Lord when His Second Coming might occur, and the Lord gave him the cryptic answer to the effect that, if Joseph lived to be 80 years old, he would see the Lord face-to-face. The Prophet in that scenario gave three separate interpretations of what the Lord could have meant thereby, noting that he couldn't settle that question himself based on the information the Lord gave him.

As we also know, Brother Joseph was martyred before he had even lived halfway to 80, and I fully believe the Lord knew that would be the case. I know that there are so many people in this dispensation that have wracked their brains trying to interpret how much the prophets of the Church did or did not know about certain subjects. The reality of it is, even though President Nelson has appeared to be more transparent about the volume of revelation he has received for the Church, there are literally thousands of other examples where change, or the lack of it, surely have been directed by the Lord, without the prophets point-blank having to say that that is the case.

I see that as the most likely reason President Nelson was inspired to introduce the home-centered Church-supported concept 1.5 years before the Church would need to draw on that experience. I believe it was President Monson who said something to the effect of. "when the moment of decision arrives, the time for preparation is passed." Sorry if I butchered that quote. I was just thinking about that quote this last Sunday. Up until this last week, the approach that I took towards the home-centered Church-supported curriculum had been different for me as a homebound individual than it was for my wife, who had been able to make it to Church more regularly.

But this Sunday marked a change for both of us, as we allowed ourselves to be more on the same page. Just past noon here in Utah, I received an e-mail from my bishop that he'd sent out to all members of the ward with e-mail contact enabled. In the e-mail, he gave authorization for all priests and Melchizedek Priesthood holders to administer the Sacrament in their homes at least once a month (but more regularly where possible). As a result of that authorization, after my wife and I watched one of the Book of Mormon videos together, I prepared what was needed and administered the Sacrament for the two of us.

I have had several opportunities in settings inside and outside of Church to administer the Sacrament, but the experience I had doing so this last week, in this highly unusual situation, seemed markedly different, as it likely won't just be something I do once or twice and will then not have to worry about once regular Church services resume. With regular Church services suspended until further notice, all of us as individuals and families have a more significant opportunity to step up and do home-centered worship. So for me, I'm not so much concerned about whether or not President Nelson knew about this coming before it actually happened as I am about whether I am doing what I should in this particular scenario to keep my small family on track. Again, just my own thoughts and observations, based on what I've recently experienced with all of this happening. Hope these additional insights are similarly helpful to all who read them.

John Pack Lambert said...

The Church has moved all MTCs the remote training. The Philipines, Mongolia, South Korea and now all of Africa have seen non-native missionaries removed. In Africa it is not clear this means in all cases all foreigners. It mb at mean in say the Brazavilke Mission all from outside the mission.

Hong Kong appears to be the only mission fully shut down.

Here in Michigan we are now getting over 200 confirmed cases a day and have had 4 deaths. Yet 88% of the cases are in the Detroit tri-county area that has no more than 40% of the population.

Unknown said...

Missionaries from my stake serving in New Jersey Morristown, Ivory Coast Abidjan East, Philippines Cagayan, and Spain Barcelona missions have all been evacuated and removed from their respective locations and sent to their home. They were told to self-quarantine for 14 days, after which they would recieve a new 'temporary' assignment somewhere else In the states.

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

@James Anderson

I hope the rumors aren't too rabid, then people will need to self quarantine! ;P

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

I agree with James.

I'm reminded of Amos 3:7 that many of us know from seminary:

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

The Lord may have just told our current Prophet general details about what was coming, or he may have been very specific, telling him exactly what type of pandemic was on its way (as well as about the Utah earthquake and other potential forthcoming events). If the Lord did share specifics, he may have also given President Nelson the admonition to keep the details to himself (like James quoted from 2 Nephi 32:7 - the keyword here being "secret" from Amos 3:7), but warn the people to be prepared all the same.

Either way, the results are the same, and the people are forewarned and we trust in the Lord's Mouthpiece to guide us. I think we have to be very careful when using words like "jerk" to refer to the Lord's Anointed.

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

"...my bishop...gave authorization for all priests and Melchizedek Priesthood holders to administer the Sacrament in their homes at least once a month (but more regularly where possible)."

"With regular Church services suspended until further notice, all of us as individuals and families have a more significant opportunity to step up and do home-centered worship."

I agree with James again here.

I had the chance to participate in the Sacrament from home last week, as it was administered to me by the teenage young men in my household. It was great to see them acting together and being good examples to their younger siblings (there are seven boys in my home - seven potential priesthood holders, as well as two young ladies, plus two current adult priesthood holders (myself included) and one member of the Relief Society).

I felt the Spirit in that home Sacrament meeting - the same Spirit I usually feel during the ones held at Church, but this one was a bit more special and personal, regarding my closeness to the people involved.

Based on that experience, and James' comments above, I had the thought that this time of quarantine might be a special opportunity for the priesthood holders of the Church.

Fathers and sons will get to bless and pass the Sacrament together more regularly, whereas during many regular circumstances in a typical large ward the dads would send their teenage sons up by themselves to do the ordinance with the other boys or their leaders.

This will also give the opportunity to other elderly High Priests and Elders, who would normally have the Sacrament given to them by someone else, to take the opportunity and responsibility to administer to their wives in their homes (or just to themselves if they live alone).

One more benefit is that it will encourage members to visit the families and individuals on their Ministering lists and see how they're doing, form bonds and friendships, as well as give the Sacrament to them.

This may be a time where we see the Priesthood Power utilized on Sundays by more members of the Priesthood Body than we ever have before.

Think of that.

Johnathan Reese Whiting said...

One other thought that occurred to me is that it will give those homebound members (since everyone is homebound for now) who have felt socially isolated from the main body of the Saints, and those who are physically isolated by distance from attending wards or branches in their area (in certain parts of Europe and other areas of the world), a sense of unity with the rest of the members of the Church.

Whereas in the past they may have felt forgotten, outcast or apart, perhaps now they will have the knowledge that others understand better their circumstances and (hopefully) the main body of Church members will feel more inclined to follow their assignments to go out, visit, and Minister to them.

Already, some of the members of my ward and I have been taking opportunities to visit one another (in small groups, of course, for those without symptoms), play board games, do some sports, have a bonfire with s'mores (where a less active neighbor and her grandson came), and I've been able to help an elderly neighbor personally in his home with one on one family history work.

Take the opportunity, brethren and sisters! Times like these don't come around every day (hopefully).

James G. Stokes said...

Jonathan Whiting, the passage you quoted from Amos 3:7 can be understood on a much deeper level by consulting the JST thereof, which changes the word "but" to the word "until". To rephrase that, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing until he revealeth his secrets unto His servants, the prophets." I am sure that in this dispensation, there are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of examples of how prophets have been forewarned specifically about something without being able to reveal the full details thereof on a wide-scale basis. And with that kind of instruction, I imagine that the prophet's possible inquiries about how much he might be at liberty to share is three-fold, as it generally is for any of us when we pray and ask about certain things. The three answers are, "Yes", "yes, but not yet", and "no".

And for me personally, there are times when, in thinking about it, I do in many ways feel more sorry for the prophets and apostles than I ever do for anyone else. That statement warrants further exmplanation. I say that because, in cases where such foreknowledge has been given and no one is permitted to mention it on a wide scale, I am sure the loneliness of the burden of bearing that knowledge can be all at once inspiring and amazing, while also leading to a significant heaviness of heart and soul, all while, due to the knowledge obtained, the Brethren have needed to rally together to prepare the Church for what's to come. It's what President Hinckley once referred to as the loneliness of leadership.

Anyways, maybe I diverted from the subject a bit too much here. My intended point was to illustrate that if President Nelson was forewarned about this or any other current or future crisis, and if all he could do was to do his best to prepare the Saints for the current cirucmstances, it was likely not something he relished withholding information about. Of course, it is all speculation either way unless and until President Nelson clarifies the exact circumstances of the scenario.

But that being said, the introduction of the home-centered and Church-supported curriculum, along with that being aligned with Come Follow Me, seminary, and the Children and Youth initiative, ensures that all of us know how to do what needs to be done as the world continues to deal with COVID-19, for which, as a consequence thereof, the First Presidency has canceled any congregational meetings until further notice. And it gives all of us an opportunity to ensure that we are stepping up and taking opportunities to more fully get out of our Sabbath Day worship whatever we may put into it.

Anonymous said...

Do y’all think COVID-19 will affect His work long-term? Catalyst? Hasten?

One thought is that some areas will be like trees: 1) pruning allows roots/trunk/large limbs to strengthen 2) water restrictions in early years results in roots growing deeper for a stronger more resilient tree.

Thoughts?

Eduardo said...

Every change and movement, trend or danger affects us in regards to the Gospel in some way or another. Sometimes I think certain entertainments and distractions stop us from growing closer to Jesus and His Kingdom. Could be video games, a movie or characters, or political ideas.
Some prophets of the 20th century warned about Communism, Darwinism, and I think Freudianism.
This unique disease/illness is certainly turning things upside down.
Who would have foreseen all this? A fellow member today assessed that the economic fallout from this pandemic will be worse than physical.
And as you noted, there are myriad spiritual effects to this crisis.
I am glad that Ensign Peak has saved 100 billion, but perhaps by now much of the value has decreased with the world markets?

John Pack Lambert said...

The new mission president of the Louisuana Baton Rouge mission is an African American as is his wife. He and his wife are natives of Louisiana but currently live in the Lake Mary Florida Stake. I believe that is the same stake the new president and Mateo of the San Juan Temple live in. Although it appears the Casablancas may actually be in the Dominican Republic as counselor and assistant matron there.

This means come July there will be 3 African-American mission presidents in Louisiana, England and Jamaica. Note that those are just African-American mission presidents.

This also will bring 3 missions in the US to having black mission presidents. The Columbia South Carolina Mission is getting a Ghanaian mission president and the Baltimore Maryland Mission has a Congolese president.

So the bigger change may be that Louisiana is getting a Louisiana-born mission president. I do not know how long after birth president Amos lived in Louisiana.

John Pack Lambert said...

President Amos as of 2015 was an engineering director for Siemens. He was 2nd counselor in the presidency of the newly formed Lake Mary Florida Stake at that time. He was born in about 1962 so would have been 16 at the time of the revelation on the priesthood. Since he did not serve a mission I suspect he joined the Church after turning 20, more likely after 25, so no earlier than 1982 and probably after 1987, but that is just a guess on my part that may be wrong.

John Amos is on my list of people I hope are called as general authorities. I don't think any non-area seventy I have ever had on that list has been called as a general authority.

James G. Stokes said...

Anonymous, I'd like to weigh in on your question. I believe that for some individuals, this current crisis will serve as motivation to step up, and do everything that can be done to hasten the work and share light and faith during this time. Others may not be ready for the responsibility to step up and do what's needed, which could cause a halt or retrogression of the work in areas where there are enough of those types of people. There will also surely be others for whom their fear of the situation blocks out their faith and capacity to act, which could potentially have negative consequences on the work.

I was just thinking earlier today that the current crisis, depending on its' impact, could potentially delay the ability of new mission leaders' training to be held in-person, so that might be remotely handled. It will be interesting to see also how this crisis impacts the ability of outgoing and incoming mission leaders and area presidency members to begin their new assignments.

I'm also grateful to JPL, who is great at sharing insights about new mission presidents, because among the latest group(s) for which the Church News has published biographies are several current stake presidents or stake presidency members. It has been a tradition in the Church for current stake presidents or presidency members who are called as mission presidents to be formally released from those assignments prior to beginning their new roles as mission presidents. Depending on how soon those so serving are able to depart for their field of labor, the process of releasing them from their current assignments may be delayed, handled remotely, or acknowledged in some other way.

James G. Stokes said...

One or two other thoughts. While I don't anticipate this crisis will delay any plans the prophet has to announce new temples and detail his temple construction plans, since we saw a postponement of the open house and dedication for the Rio de Janeiro Temple, the opening dates for Washington D.C. and other dedications/rededications could be postponed. It's possible that construction and renovations could come to a temporary halt if need be. And if the groundbreakings scheduled currently for 4 new temples do go ahead as plans, attendance will likely be limited, with those in the area permitted to view it through social media or the Church's website via secure video feed.

Aside from that, I have one other observation. Earlier in this thread, Joseph Smith's statement on "The Standard of Truth" was quoted. I'd like to reiterate and expand on one thought from that. The part I want to focus on is "no unhallowed had can stop the work from progressing." That is absolutely true, and it applies by extension to circumstances beyond the control of the Saints, such as the Lord excusing early Saints from the directive to build a temple in Jackson County Missouri, since their expulsion from that region precluded and prevented them from following through on the completion thereof. So anything that would have been done by any of the Saints at any level during this current crisis may see the Lord accept the intent thereof in place of the actual deed.

But I also want to observe that the reverse of that one statement is also true. While no unhallowed hand can or will stop the work from progressing, no unhallowed hand will be able to help the work move forward. And that is as true, if not more true in the midts of COVID-10's wide-spread impact on day-to-day Church practices and procedures than it is under normal circumstances. As I have also observed in prior comments on this thread, the current crisis is giving all of us an opportunity to step up in ways some of us might never have done so before. Are we prepared for it? Can we make it work? Will our faith bring us through this successfully? Depending on where any of us are in our sojourns here on Earth, the answers to those and other relevant questions will be different. But the Lord's promise as found in verses 2-5 of the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" are appropos, especially in this period of time, in proving that as we do our part, the Lord will make up the difference for anything and everything we lack, especially in those areas where day-to-day Church operations are impacted. As we make sure our hands remain hallowed, then nothing can stop the work from progressing, especially not COVID-19. Hope that answers your question.

Downtownchrisbrown said...

I believe this crisis will lead to a sifting of the wheat from the chaff or separation of the sheep and the goats, but we will see

Eduardo said...

This unique time gives us all time and opportunities to get closer to God and serve Him in new and different ways, and hopefully be inspired and privy to revelation. It will try many, and is a preview of more tribulations to come.
Stay on board and keep the faith, trust the Lord.
I made calls and texts to my minister visit assigned people today, and my wife attended ward council via Internet, and our family observed a missionary homecoming (from my former mission in Concepcion, Chile), and we held sacrament as a family.
Blessed to have electricity, water, food, and good weather.
And the Church of Jesus Christ restored.

twinnumerouno said...

Agreed, Eduardo. There are many blessings in this trial- including a look at how well we have followed the counsel to be prepared.

Patty said...

In case this hasn't been noted yet (too many comments to read through), the new stake as reported : The Church organized a new stake in Bluffdale on February 23rd. The Bluffdale Utah Blackridge Stake was organized from a division of the Herriman Utah South Stake. The new stake includes the following six wards: the Alpine View, Aurora Vista, Juniper Crest, Lookout Ridge, Patriot Ridge, and Province Point Wards. There are now 10 stakes in Herriman.

The new stake is in Herriman. It is the Herriman, Utah Blackridge Stake. There's something with the zip codes that makes this area pop up as Bluffdale, but it is really Herriman. I live in the stake. You may want to make the change so it is correctly named. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Still haven't changed the name of the stake to Herriman Utah Blackridge Stake.

Thanks so much for your hard work on this blog.

Unknown said...

OC Surfer...you make some good points (Huge demographics shifts and Cost of living) as for reasons of decline in membership and discontinuation of stake and wards. However, I'd like to add:
1) Diversity. Diversity is so important to success in Los Angeles city/county. There is no way around that. The Church in San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) can not grow if we only target the white population. Church meetinghouses have signs that read "visitors welcome". We need to take that into action. We need to embrace our diverse community (black, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latinos, LGBTQ, homeless people, etc).
2) Ministry and Missionary work. Ministry to diverse population without regards to any characteristics. We need to welcome and minister to all. Be welcoming to black visitors, Middle Eastern visitors, LGBTQ visitors...what the heck, welcome a "drag queen" to our meetings. We have no choice (per the Lord's direction), we are to minister to "all people".
3) Separation of Church and State (aka Politics). There is no reason and need to endorse political views. We are the community (San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California). We are "blue"...as a community, and therefore we need to reach out to the "blue mass" (moderate / liberal views). Having our Sunday School teacher endorsing a man who brags about assaulting women, praising a man who lies, and inciting a deadly riot...has no place in our Church. I understand we are a "conservative church", but to embrace Los Angeles...we must be a reflective image of our community. If we promote and endorse conservative views only...we have eliminated a great majority of our community (Los Angeles) and therefore it's "game over" and we failed to fulfill the Lord's mission.