I apologize for the tardiness on the May 2021 Newsletter - there were a lot of significant developments related to Church growth that month. Click here to access the newsletter. Also, the www.cumorah.com website has been restored after we suffered another malicious attack.
Saturday, June 5, 2021
A Late May 2021 Newsleter and Cumorah.com Update
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58 comments:
We had stake conference today, and I gave a couple a copy of this newsletter. Their son was a student of mine and is serving in Idaho,waiting to go to Moldova. She said they have been cleared for takeoff, and four elders in his MTC district will finally get there in June sometime. Sounds like they will all be on that one branch with 430 people of record? Or, will they also serve in Romania?
Hey, Matt. Thanks for these updates. Keep up the great work. For the information of all who reac this blog, the Church announced this morning that the Saturday Evening Session of General Conference wll be disctoninued, effective immediately, and spelled out the parameters for the October General Conference. More nformation is available through the following resources:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/general-conference-update-june-2021
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/event/october-2021-general-conference
https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-06-07/first-presidency-announces-changes-to-general-conference-discontinuing-saturday-evening-session-215558
https://stokessoundsoff.blogspot.com/2021/06/breaking-news-first-presidency.html
My thanks once again to you all.
The Assomada Cape Verde District was reorganized as a stake yesterday.
Do you have someone to protect against malicious attacks in the future?
A 4th new stake this weekend updated today on Classic Maps, and www.fullerconsideration.com :
13 Jun 08, 2021 Heber City Utah Old Mill Stake
https://classic.churchofjesuschrist.org/maps/#ll=40.494065,-111.403566&z=14&m=google.hybrid&layers=stakecenter&q=Heber%20City%20Utah%20Old%20Mill%20Stake&find=stake:2176734
Hello again, everyone! The Church announced this morning that ground will be broken for the Helena Montana Temple on June 26, the last Saturday of this month:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreaking-date-announced-for-helena-montana-temple
The temple, anticipated to have a modular design, is likely to be constructed within a 12-15 month period, which would see it completed in the mid-to-late part of next year.
And if most or all of the US temples announced in April (and/or their international counterparts) are of a similar design and size, that will be a great way for the Church to rapidly increase the number of operating temples, which will then allow the Church to announce more temples with a similar size and design, while also enabling the Church to focus on securing approvals for the temples that will not use that size and design. My thanks once again to you all.
The breaking temple news continues:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-temple-site-locations-announced-in-three-western-us-states
Casper and Elko will be the same size as Helena,so I anticipate a swift start to those two. Smithfield will be the same size as the temple in Lindon, so probably a similar design.
My thanks once again to you all.
Deleting the Sat. evening session was a forgone conclusion when the went to alternating several years ago.
Human nature what it is we like routines and alternating schedules simply does not work over the long term. It causes too much confusion and stress.
It's why the current alternating Sunday schedule is temporary; it won't be too long before they completely get rid of P/RS meeting on Sunday or SS. My bet is on getting rid of P/RS meeting on Sunday given the work trans/feminist crowd infiltrating the Church.
And further with no General world-wide meeting for Priesthood or Relief Society, it means de facto that RS and Priesthood are now devalued and not as important. There is no binding of local RS groups or local Priesthood groups with the larger body-i.e. the sense of each local group belonging to a larger body will absolutely disappear.
Once the sense of being part of a larger body ceases then the local bodies will end up ceasing to exist; either they will cease to exist or they will become radically different amongst each other with no sense of binding to a larger community.
It's going to be interesting.
I do wonder in its place, the BYU Women's Conference will become a bigger deal. I believe this year was the first year the BYU Women's Conference was broadcasted worldwide.
Perhaps there will be a Men's Conference counterpart at some point. These conferences can be flexible on schedule, and more participatory with panel discussions, and diverse speakers.
We'll see.
gte811i, you are certainly free to believe whatever you feel inclined to, but the Church getting rid of the Saturday evening sessions of General Conference is another way to differentiate between things that doctrinal (regular General Conferences) vs. traditional (targeted sessions for specific groups).
With that in mind, for weekly worship services, there are scriptural mandates (wherein the Lord has counseled that quorums are to meet together often to learn their duties, and wherein congregations are commanded to teach one another regularly from the scriptures so that "all may be edified of all."
With that in mind, I wouldn't hold my breath and wait for this change if I were you. But having said all of that, in the unlikely event that the Lord proves you correct on this, I'd be more than willing to come back so that you can say: "I told you so." Thanks.
Huzzah!
If Helena is completed next year (possibly), then I can potentially attend the open house. Also it's probable that either Helena or Spokane will be my newly assigned temple then (they're slightly farther than Cardston, but we'll see if the Canadian border opens up again by next year).
I think there will be some new ways of comunicating things to specific audiences like just the priesthood or the relief society. We just don't lmow how or what yet as that may be stlll early in the discussion stages.
The new 2022 Come, Follow Me manuals are up, the Sunday School lessons are about two pages each and since they alternate there is enough where as needed both can be taught the same Sunday, but typically they are not.
Another sifting may be happening as you say, but it is not cler this time what, mostly it may be due to factors that are a combination of things, the return after the pandemic and some thinking that home meetings should be it. Heard Elder Holland talked with some area seventies in Utah County and one asked about the need to reintegrate. Elder Holland said 'We need to have this conversation' and I believe they did to the extent they could that night, and it showed up within a couple weeks in some local meetings.
As to the temple site and size announcements, the fact that the very small temples are back with a presumably more efficient design than the late 90's batch, that opens up the possibility of more of them in areas that have low population, leaving larger ones to metro areas and mid-size cities. Got a few that I think will see announcement soon.
Tulsa OK (metro area)
Charlotte NC
Jacksonville FL (similar to Tallahassee, it is maybe 3-4 hours away)
Rapid City SD (local stake, a district in NE)
Eastern WI (30k sq. ft.)
Knoxville TN (same)
Des Moines IA (local coordinating council said to be working on getting ready so one can be announced
Fargo ND (one stake, 4 hours drive from 2 existing temples, 10k design)
Mississippi (not Gulfport-Biloxi due to hurricane storm surges)
Austin TX (30k size, needed due to growth, growing I-35 traffic between there and San Antonio
El Paso (3 stakes, border crossing, border crossing congestion issues)
Colorado Springs (freeway widening will do litle, extra lane will be tolled, larger city)
Not got a handle on International possibilities but many already discussed are very likely/
Discontinue the women's and priesthood meetings, the Church does not say the real reason, they only give generalities, it is respectable, although to be honest, very few people see these general meetings, 2 times a year.
I remember, when in Chile we received the videos of the conference, and it was difficult to see them, because they had to send them to my neighborhood.
I am very happy to know that the grounds or models of the new temples have been announced, it does not matter that they are small, what matters is that they will be closer to the baptized, who wish to attend.
Before the pandemic, there were quite a few temples that weren't being used properly, so the rumor goes.
What makes me happy is that despite the pandemic, the good announcements continue.
Proud feminist here. Sorry not sorry for "infiltrating the Church."
Jim, when we're talking about Des Moines, I think that opens up a few more opportunities for the Midwest. I'm thinking places like Cincinnati or Wichita or even Champaign IL.
Recently organized the "Moshi Branch - 2181312" in northern Tanzania, east of the Arusha Branch.
https://classic.churchofjesuschrist.org/maps/#ll=-3.417394,37.226201&z=9&m=google.hybrid&layers=stakecenter&q=Moshi%20Branch&find=ward:2181312
Looking at the stake map, here are the minimum number of stakes of the above temples listed would serve:
Tulsa OK (3 stakes)
Charlotte NC (8 stakes)
Jacksonville FL (6 stakes)
Rapid City SD (1 -2 stakes)
Eastern WI (Madison or Waukesha - 6-7 stakes. Rockford, IL is ?)
Knoxville TN (4 stakes)
Des Moines IA (3 stakes)
Fargo ND (1 stakes)
Mississippi (Jackson - 3-4 stakes)
Austin TX (8 stakes)
El Paso (4 stakes)
Colorado Springs (8-9 stakes)
I believe temples could soon be also announced for the following locations to take pressure off of smaller temples:
1. Wichita, KS (4 stakes)
2. Coeur d'Alene, ID (5-6 stakes, a 3rd stake in CdA looks likely)
3. Flagstaff, AZ (8 stakes)
4. Bakersfield, CA (7 stakes)
5. Modesto, CA (7 stakes)
6. Fort Worth, TX (9 stakes)
El Paso - area council, which includes Las Cruces in NM asking members to do their part and also pray for a closer temple. That makes 4 stakes in that area.
Has anyone heard any whisperings about the Nairobi Kenya Temple, being the last Pres Monson temple left in the announced phase?
Historia Familiar Valenzuela Escobar, you mentioned that no one suggested the "real reason" for discontinuing the late Saturday night sessions. I assume you mean that women would try to attend the Priesthood session and maybe men might go to the Women's Session. But I seem to remember hearing that they would not be turned away, unless they disrupted the proceedings, because that could spoil the spiritual nature of the meetings. But it could also be that this third long session in one day, plus the need for a well-planned Sunday morning session just a few hours later may be a big challenge for our general authorities. Age may be a consideration. President Nelson will be entering his 98th year soon (he was born Sept. 9, 1924).
A couple of other thoughts hit me. First, I don't buy into the notion that discontinuing the Saturday evening session of General Conference will result in a devaluing of Priesthood Quorums or congregational Relief Society groups. Since the topics in General Conference are not assigned, there will be ample opportunities in any of the talks given in the four general sessions to have a focus on counsel to priesthood holders or Relief Society sisters.
Also, among other examples, in what turned out to be the final Priesthood Session of General Conference, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles directed his remarks to bishops:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/31cook?lang=eng
In that address, among other elements, he specifically mentioned that bishopric have a primary obligation to watch over the youth, and that in order to facilitate that, Elders' Quorum and Relief Society presidents should take more responsibility to counsel with and provide assistance to anyone over whom they have stewardship.
Additionally, the mist recent updates to the Church Handbook have included clarifications and additions relating to the Elders' Quorums, Relief Societies, and Sunday School.
I've also previously mentioned the anecdotal report of Presidents Oaks and Eyring coming out of a First Presidency meeting and marvelling that President Nelson had just outlined changes and the timing for each other hat would be made over the next several years. Even if that account is inaccurate or false, the recent updates to the Handbook sections focused on the Sunday School, Elders' Quorums, and Relief Societies would not have been made, nor would Elder Cook and other leaders have emphasized the bishoprics' focus on the youth and Elders' Quorum and Relief Society presidents taking more of a role in counseling with and caring for their members to enable the Presiding High Priests I. each ward to focus on the youth if discontinuing either of the second-hour meetings was anywhere on the horizon.
Regarding your Mississippi prediction, I have Hattiesburg on my “dark horse” list. It would be a fairly central location for serving ~5 stakes, and is inland enough not to have to worry about storm surges (though winds and flooding during a hurricane would still be a concern, but that is an inescapable challenge in that part of the country).
A basic knowledge of organizations, group hierarchies and how groups work is all that is necessary to understand that it is absolutely a de facto devaluing of Priesthood and RS.
Anyone who has every been in any kind of business organization understands this. If one is a manager, there is always a special meeting for "just the managers" under the higher organization. Each manager represents a group of people below them. The managers meetings binds all the groups of people together. The manager meeting provides the glue, the binding between all the sub-groups that the managers represent to the larger organization.
This glue or binding of each group happens at every level. There is always a "company-wide" meeting for all the employees. There is always a "company-wide" meeting for all the managers, there is always a "company-wide" meeting for all the division chiefs, etc. etc. etc.
This meetings are CRITICAL to bind people together so that they know, feel and understand that each individual member is in reality a member of the larger group.
When an organization states we are no longer going to have a company-wide annual meeting for xyz group, the organization is de facto stating that they do not value the binding of those members together at a top-level. The top-level organization is stating unequivocally that there is no such group at that level of reality which is composed of submembers. That is just the way it is-it is reality.
There is no longer any such thing as a General Relief Society membership nor a General Priesthood membership. Yes, I recognize that the vestiges still exist but there is no binding together of RS or Priesthood for all it's members at a top-level.
And this lack of binding will flow down from the top to the sub-structures. Since there is no unified binding at the highest level of reality for the Priesthood or RS, then the binding at each sub-component level of reality will absolutely weaken. Why? Because the sub-components take their queues from the top-level.
There will be Area Authority Presidents and Stake Presidents who will now start to think the following: I guess it's not really important that the entire Church Priesthood Body has annual meetings; if it's not really important that the entire Church Priesthood Body has annual meetings then maybe it's not really important if the entire Stake Priesthood Body has annual meetings; and if it's not really important for the entire Stake Priesthood Body to have annual meetings, then is it really that important for the Ward Priesthood Body to have separate meetings?
This disaggregation of Priesthood and Relief Society absolutely will and must happen, because it is how reality works, unless something replaces it.
This is a very, very big deal. Mormonism is deconstructing itself and people are cheering it on and they don't even see it . . .until 20+ years go by and it ends up being a shell of it's former self.
President Nelson has streamlined a lot of meetings, and the Saturday night session is another one. The Lord, if in fact in charge, guides the leaders, His Church, and its people the way it should go. Change is a constant, for sure.
Principles never change but policies always do.
Brother Ray, I share what you say about the advanced age of the prophet,
In my personal case, I like general conferences, listening to the choir is very edifying, what I enjoy the most about conferences are the announcements of temples. In general, the messages are life experiences and reach the heart.
I am from Santiago de Chile, a hug
There is a streamlining of the way the church organised itself a d functions. The three hour block schedule revolutionised the church in the 80’s. The removal of the local 70’s quorum was a practical solution. The discontinuation of high priest quorums removes a key criteria to build wards and stakes. The inclusion of single people in key roles opens up a larger pool to service potential new wards and stakes. I feel there will be a further streamlining of callings to facilitate the development of new wards and stakes moving forward. This is in conjunction with youth and women being able to function as witnesses for ordinances. By removing strict parameters around how the church organises itself and functions, it can then move forward with an easier model for members to participate in. The more efficient temple and attractive smaller temples are an investment in local communities. The complete re-imagining of temple square including the temple itself is an organisation going through significant change management. Saturday night sessions discontinued is another streamlining of programmes. Perhaps this could be reduced to April only? Or less sessions? We have seen the church also cancel or curtail pageants. What further changes will occur moving forward?
All of these changes and the ones yet to come will change the way the church presents itself to the world and the membership base. Interesting times ahead.
The Longueuil Quebec Stake was reorganized today (June 12). The Quebec District was created with the following units: Alma, Chicoutimi, Levis, Quebec, Rimouski and Victoriaville. All are branches (except Quebec, which was a ward).
The Yorktown NY stake was renamed the Fairfield Connecticut Stake, one new ward was created, and a variety of stake and ward realignments near the NY-CT border took place at that time. The stakes involved were Yorktown New York and New Haven CT. A stake nearby may have also been involved
Very interesting thoughts about the Saturday evening session. I had two thoughts when I heard the announcement. One is along the lines of what Matt was saying that BYU Women's conference will become a possible template to future women gatherings. President Nelson certainly is stressing the global nature of the church and reaching all members across the globe and the broadcasting of BYU women's conference probably won't be the last time that has happened. Secondly I believe the priesthood may have a similar setup in the future. Pres Nelson invited priesthood holders to ponder about what it means to be part of a quorum. It is more than a Sunday meeting. Is there a possibility of a pre recorded message by a member of the 12 that the stake watch together. Will there be more stake gatherings as priesthood holders. Certainly it will be interesting to watch as this transformation takes place to be more global in its programs/meetings for gathering.
@gte811i: It was interesting to read your most recent comment. And I am interested to see the streamlining of the Church continue. I am confident that the Lord really is in charge and that the effects of the recent change will be fine. I’m guessing we will still have some talks directed to Priesthood holders and to Relief Society members and that it will be good for everyone to hear talks directed to other groups. I think the two groups will work together better as they each become more aware of the others’ doings.
In the consolidation that Matt posted here, of the "Musashino Japan Stake - 515140" with the "Machida Japan Stake - 513067", the latter was renamed the "Tokyo Japan West Stake - 513067".
https://classic.churchofjesuschrist.org/maps/#ll=35.570916,138.923721&z=9&m=google.hybrid&layers=stakecenter&q=513067&find=stake:513067
And the "Saitama Japan Stake - 510076", was consolidated with the "Tokyo Japan Stake - 505560", or with the "Kiryu Japan Stake - 513555". I don't know which or both, with no name change, it appears.
I, for one, find most Elders' Quorum meetings painfully boring and didn't miss them at all during the you-know-what. I wouldn't consider them any great loss.
Fun fact: the women's meetings didn't exist until 1986 (and weren't designated as actual General Conference sessions until 2014). Apparently, then, the Relief Society itself didn't exist until 1986 because that is how reality works.
Another fun fact: "Mormonism" - a term that the prophet has asked us not to use, which I think is wise counsel because it brings to mind a kooky Western American sect with a lot of weird cultural baggage that nobody outside of Utah finds endearing, and does nothing to facilitate global growth - has been changing from the moment it was founded. That's kind of the entire point of a "living church" founded on the principle of continuing revelation. Joseph Smith would barely recognize the Church if he saw it today, and if it looked the same as it did in 1830, it would probably be back down to six members.
Many changes in the past decade have had to do with women's roles, and these changes obviously will and must continue. The Western world, at least, is feminist - that is to say, it holds the prevailing socially acceptable opinion that women are just as intelligent and talented and capable as men and should be treated as such. The Church can adapt to that reality or it can become irrelevant. Women's roles are one of the biggest reasons why people, especially young people, leave the Church. An increasing number of women don't want to be told that they don't need the same rights and privileges as men because they're special (a tactic that was also used to deny them suffrage). They don't want to be told that their divinely ordained role and highest calling in life is to wash dishes and make beds. They don't want to be told over and over again that they're equal to men in the Church, because if that were true we wouldn't need to keep saying it. They don't want to be put on a pedestal and told how spiritual and righteous and wonderful they are, they just want to be treated like human beings.
Does the recent General Conference change have anything to do with that? Perhaps. I don't believe at all that it will inevitably lead to the closure of local gender-specific meetings, but it does considerably downplay the Church's very vocal emphasis on the differences between men and women. Perhaps a course correction is underway. Men and women *are* different, but they are far more alike than different, and perhaps it's high time we as a people recognized that fact.
@JimAnderson mentioned this new Stake in Connecticut.
Welcome to the new: Fairfield Connecticut Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - composed of all of the Connecticut based Wards in Fairfield County.
The old Yorktown New York Stake - was renamed - the Trumbull and the Bridgeport Wards were added to the new Fairfield Connecticut Stake and at the same time Danbury and Newtown Wards, although also in Fairfield County - were added to the New Haven Stake.
The Yorktown Ward was added to the neighboring New York Stake.
The First Bishop in New England was Bishop G. Roy Fugal (1906-1979) who was called to lead the Bridgeport, Connecticut Ward on Sunday, 28 February 1960. The church building in Trumbull, Connecticut was started in 1959 (see: Bridgeport Post (Bridgeport, Connecticut) 24 May 1959, page 32) and was dedicated August 12, 1962. I started attending that ward the next year.
The new Bridgeport ward became part of the New York, New York City Stake. The Ward had 140 members.
The Bridgeport Branch was organized Febraury 11, 1940, with G. Roy Fugal (1906-1979) as the first Branch President. For the first few months meetings were held at the Bridgeport Art League until the home at 511 Clinton Avenue was purchased. The Branch met there for the next 20 years. Branch Presidents during that period included G. Roy Fugal, John M. Cameron and then G. Roy Fugal was called to serve again.
All of the Wards in Fairfield County descend from the Bridgeport Branch/Ward. Back in the early 1800s the Church was first organized in the 1830s with the Westport-Norwalk Branch.
It's most famous member from that early Church period was Sister Jane Elizabeth Manning (1822-1908) who was born in Wilton, Connecticut. She heard Charles Wandell and another missionary preach the gospel and accepted it along with her brothers and sisters.
True to the call of the times in 1843 she set out with her 8 younger siblings for Nauvoo – walking the entire trip. In 1847 she was among the first wagon loads of pioneers arriving in Salt Lake City. Her home was just a doors away from Brigham Young's home.
She wrote of her arrival in Nauvoo in 1843:
“We walked until our shoes were worn out, and our feet became sore and cracked open and bled until you could see the whole print of our feet with blood on the ground.
We stopped and united in prayer to the
Lord, we asked God the Eternal Father
to heal our feet and our prayers were
answered and our feet were healed
forthwith.”
I am back with some additional observations about the 'business" scenario alluded to in recent subsequent comments on this matter.
You know, if we were discussing a business that was successful in the world, if they made similar significant changes to their business models, changes, your assessment would indeed be accurate.
But we are talking about the Church of Jesus Christ here. And the Lord reminds us in Isaiah that His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. Numerous times in the scriptures and during many occasions in the very recent past, the important role of prophets being inspired in specific ways. So if you're looking at this by the worldly definitions, your argument would be accurate. But the Lord inspires prophets to act on the revelation they receive.
Given the fact that President Nelson announced this change before the October General Conference, he might shed more light on why this adjustment was made, and what it does or does not change. Until that happens, I'd defer to what has actually been said about this change and what the relevant scriptures have to say on that matter. And with that in mind, can anyone here point to anything in the scriptures on recent General Conferences that supports the conclusions mentioned in the recent comments on this blog? If there is a doctrinally-defined argument I'm somehow missing on this matter, I'd like to be made aware of those resources. Thanks.
@Historia Familiar Valenzuela Escobar
What do you mean when you said, "Before the pandemic, there were quite a few temples that weren't being used properly, so the rumor goes."?
Did you mean that people were misusing the temples, or that the temples were under-utilized (as in, the temples were being filled up to full capacity by the local members?)
Usted puede responder en español si quiere, así que lo hablo yo también.
Our missionaries here in Frankfurt just had transfer calls and one of ours said in her farewell testimony that she is getting transferred to Weiden in der Oberpfalz to open a new area. To my knowledge no branch has ever functioned in that part of northeastern Bavaria near the Czech border. It is quite remote, mostly small towns, with quite a few mountains and forest. Probably not near the top 50 locations in the Frankfurt Mission I would have expected to next have missionaries assigned.
@Pascal Friedmann
Maybe Weiden is just the place where the missionaries of the Grafenwöhr Ward live. The Grafenwöhr Ward is mostly English speaking (millitary even tough not designated as such). Maybe the are just got reopend after it was closed because of lack of missionaries during covid pandemic.
Another possibility is that they want to establish a member group in Weiden from the german speaking members of the Grafenwöhr Ward.
This does not surprise me. Since the Westchester New York Stake was formed I have ling expected Yorktown New York Stake to become a Connecticut Stake.
I seem to recall that stake generally priesthood meeting hapoened twice a year but I could be wrong.
June 13th, there was a special Stake Conference merging the Fujisawa Japan Stake, and Yokohama Japan Stake into the new Kanagawa Japan Stake. This newly combined Stake has 12 units (10 Wards, 2 Groups).
Actually this part of a major restricting of stakes in the Greater Tokyo area. 2 other stakes were dissolved (Saitama Japan Stake and Musashino Japan Stake), bringing to total stakes in the Greater Tokyo area from 9 stakes to 6 stakes.
Dedication dates have been announced for the Pocatello Idaho Temple. I am hoping new dates may soon be announced for Winnipeg and Rio de Jainero and a rededication date for Washington DC. I am also hopeful Yigo and San Juan will have dates announced soon.
Confirmed today on Classic Maps, the "Yorktown New York Stake - 510629" has been renamed "Fairfield Connecticut Stake - 510629". And has added the Stamford and Trumbull Wards in Connecticut.
https://classic.churchofjesuschrist.org/maps/#ll=41.138299,-73.357433&z=9&m=google.hybrid&layers=stakecenter&find=stake:510629
Also Mesa and Tokyo are ready for re-dedication, and Hamilton NZ probably will be soon.
I saw the announcement of a new stake in Heber City. How many does that valley have now? The growth there seems to me to make the likelihood strong of a temple announcement soon.
I think a temple for Heber City will be announced soon. There's four stakes in Heber City. Two stakes in Midway. And then there's three additional stakes in Park City,Kamas, and Coalville.
I also think a temple will be announced for Springville / Spanish Fork area. Between those two towns and Mapleton - 21 stakes.
JPL, most of Brazil still reels under terrible pandemic conditions. Between mismanagement by national and state leaders, a failure to follow medical recommendations, very low vaccination rates, and the resurgence of one or two more deadly strains of the virus, the opening of Rio may be deferred again until next year.
Additionally, there has been the same problems of more severe strains, mismanagement, and failure to take medical restrictions and recommendations, including in regards to vaccination, impacting the safety of large public gatherings in Mesa Arizona, the reopening of that temple may also be delayed into next year. If pandemic conditions and civil unrest settle down sufficiently in Washington DC, that temple's reopening might take place by the end of this year.
New Zealand had the pandemic well under control, so the Hamilton temple could be the first renovated one to reopen this year. It's possible that the open house and rededication for Hamilton could become the first for this year, even perhaps before Pocatello reopens.
The big question marks are the Quito Ecuador and Yigo Guam Temples. A more lengthy open house might be held for both, with an increased duration for those dedications to accommodate smaller groups.
The Church has not yet named the first president and matron for Quito, which suggests that the temple might have a slight delay to its opening. And the anticipated completion of the San Juan Puerto Rico and Praia Cabo Verde Temples has shifted to between late 3021 and early 2022..
With that in mind, each of the temples mentioned will be open when that can occur safely, with a slight adjustment possible for the parameters of the open houses and dedications/rededications for each temple.
The good news is that if a queue of temples that are awaiting their announced arrangements does build up at all, given the recent precedent of President Nelson delegating those dedications/rededications to his 14 fellow apostles, it might only take 1-4 months to clear any backlog. Hope this information is helpful to all who read this.
I did tell someone I think Heber City will be the next temple in Utah, but I xould be wrong.
Heber City is a good bet for the next Utah temple. I think Herriman and Spanish Fork are the other two really good bets for now. Of course, after Ephraim, who knows. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if we got Delta and Morgan next instead. Part of the fun of this "game" of temple predicting is letting the Lord prove us all wrong.
Over the last couple of years I have found the metric I use to guess and speculate future temples has flown out the door and no longer applies the same way it use too. Temples can happen in surprise places.
I think a Temple will be announced soon for Lehi, Herriman, and Spanish Fork. Heber could happen, but I see the others as more likely to be sooner.
The pattern for temple announcements as far as regions go, seems to go like this:
At least one (if not more) in these regions
Utah
United States generally
Latin America
Asia (every couple of groups or so)
Island nations
Africa (not as frequent after recent announcements)
Europe (not as frequent)
Utah possibilitiesL
ski
Cottonwood Heights (single-ward building on road to resorts on large parcel)
Herriman (possibly on long-rumored 48th West site
Lehi or Highland (near border of both or west of that)
Heber Valley (city itself has at least 32k, not counting Midway, Charleston, etc.
I do not see south of Provo quite yet, Provo City Center has issues getting called workers, mainly since half of the stakes assigned are BYU-based YSA stakes and students can be in the district for as little as one term, and two or three regular stakes on Grandview may be moved to Orem when that district is finalized.
I think I was the first one to float the idea of the cottonwood heights meetinghouse with a single ward that had caught fire. It turns out that they have not restored the building and they decided to put it up for sale. This has upset the neighbors and they want the city to perchase the green space in the back to keep it as a park.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/05/22/why-utah-developer-says/
I am wondering if the Winnipeg announcement will be postponed until the Canadian border opens up again for Americans. Since it's usually an Apostle who dedicates temples, I don't know if they would restrict travel for them from Salt Lake to Manitoba, even if they've been vaccinated.
Responding to some of the comments about temple announcements...We in Grand Junction were waiting anxiously for confirmation of the location of the temple, as the rumors had been widely circulating. That announcement came, and the temple IS located where the rumors had been predicting. What was totally unexpected for me was the large size, 25,000 sf. I assumed we would get one of the standard 10,000 sf ones, such as Helena, so I'm really trying to read the prophet's mind to figure out why this one will be larger. At this point we are 4 stakes that would be served, with a future probability for a new stake formation for Fruita. Using Helena as an example of moving forward quickly, we look forward to a ground-breaking announcement soonish.
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