During the week of Sept. 11-17, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke at a BYU devotional and was featured in a Church News video talking about the “Teachings of Women” in his life. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles addressed Ukrainian Church members.
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, returned to Portugal where they served as mission leaders. BYU–Idaho President Henry J. Eyring and Ensign College President Bruce C. Kusch spoke at the schools’ opening devotionals for fall semester. Temple updates this week included the renovations for Stockholm Sweden Temple and the open house and dedication dates for the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple.
The RootsTech team participated in a Facebook live Q&A about what RootsTech 2023 will look like. Leeds England community members and the JustServe organization worked together to help children. The Church News podcast episode 101 featured what Church News editor Sarah Jane Weaver now knows after 100 episodes of the podcast.
1. President Oaks speaks at BYU devotional
As Brigham Young University celebrated its centennial in 1975, Church President Spencer W. Kimball gave his “Second Century Address,” calling on BYU and its students to be unique.
President Dallin H. Oaks returned Tuesday, Sept. 13, to the same BYU Marriott Center nearly a half-century later to revisit President Kimball’s address. In remarks titled “Going Forward in the Second Century,” the 90-year-old President Oaks called on BYU faculty and students to continue to be unique and to dare to be different.
Read what President Oaks said at the BYU devotional
2. President Oaks shares about the ‘Teachings of Women’ in his life
After his father died, President Dallin H. Oaks’ mother suffered a serious nervous breakdown. “I was almost immediately an orphan,” said President Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency.
In this Church News video, titled “Teachings of Women,” President Oaks details the influence of his grandmother during his childhood.
Watch the video as President Oaks reflects on the women in his life
3. Elder Cook addresses Ukrainian Church members
Exactly 200 days after armed conflict erupted in Eastern Europe, Elder Quentin L. Cook promised Ukrainian Latter-day Saints that for those completely focused on the Savior, Jesus Christ, a brighter day will come.
Speaking during a member devotional originating in Riga, Latvia, and broadcast to Ukraine on Sunday, Sept. 11, Elder Cook said among the most frequently asked questions of Church leaders are: “Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people?” and “Why are those who are righteous and in the Lord’s service not immune from such tragedies?”
Read what Elder Cook said to Ukrainian Latter-day Saints
4. Elder and Sister Soares return to Portugal
In March 2000, Church leaders announced that 41-year-old Ulisses Soares and his wife would serve as the incoming mission leaders of the Portugal Porto Mission. He and his wife, Rosana Soares, had three young children and anticipated the new role would come with its share of challenges for the entire family.
Returning to Portugal two decades later, in September 2022, gave Elder Soares, now a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the chance to reflect on how much has changed since that calling for his family.
Read about Elder and Sister Soares’ experience returning to Portugal
5. President Henry J. Eyring speaks at BYU–Idaho devotional and President Bruce C. Kusch at Ensign College devotional
BYU–Idaho President Henry J. Eyring spoke during a BYU–Idaho devotional on Tuesday, Sept. 13, about living a consecrated life, the fruits of consecration and his parents.
Also that day, Ensign College President Bruce C. Kusch drew upon some of the things that President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, shared at the same pulpit during a devotional last May in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.
Read what President Henry J. Eyring said at the BYU–Idaho devotional and what President Bruce C. Kusch said at the Ensign College devotional
6. Stockholm Sweden Temple renovations and San Juan Puerto Rico Temple open house and dedication
The Stockholm Sweden Temple will close in 2023 for extensive renovations, with the planned three-year project to include an expansion to 31,000 square feet, nearly double its current 16,366 square feet.
The First Presidency has also announced the dates for the dedication and open house of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple, the Church’s first on the U.S. territory island and the third in the Caribbean.
Read more about the renovations for Stockholm Sweden Temple and the dedication of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple
7. In live Q&A, RootsTech team answers what the 2023 event will look like
The RootsTech team answered several questions during a live question-and-answer session on Tuesday, Sept. 13, streamed on FamilySearch’s YouTube and Facebook accounts. Questions were submitted by participants worldwide and answered by Jen Allen, director of events at FamilySearch; Jonathan H. Wing, RootsTech creative manager; and Brandon Beckstead, RootsTech logistics manager.
Read what is to be expected come 2023
8. JustServe and community members in Leeds England unite to help children
A youth club in Leeds, England, has given dozens of children in an underserved community a place to belong — and the club is flourishing thanks to JustServe.
The Hawksworth Community Youth Club began four years ago when Robert and Sam Esterine saw a need for children in their neighborhood to have a safe place to participate in activities and be with their peers.
Read how community members in Leeds England are partnering with JustServe to help children
9. Church News podcast episode 101 features what Church News editor Sarah Jane Weaver now knows after 100 episodes of the podcast
On Oct. 20, 2020, the Church News launched a new podcast with a goal to connect members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Almost two years later, the Church News uploaded its 100th episode.
Thanks to a faithful and growing audience, producers now look forward to the next 100 episodes. In celebration of this landmark, this 101st episode of the podcast offers a few “best of” moments from past podcasts, as well as reflections on “what we all know now,” after listening to and learning from the many podcast guests.
