During the week of March 19-25, the Church News featured the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 2023 Easter message and “Rise,” an Easter video from the Church. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced a new BYU president — C. Shane Reese. Elder Holland was also featured in new Church News video, titled “Destiny of the Restoration.”
The Church News also reported on Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaking to missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center and Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles meeting with the Tongan prime minister in Nuku’alofa. And the 2022 Caring for Those in Need report was published.
In temple news this week, the Salt Lake Temple renovation completion date was updated, dedication and open house dates were announced for the Feather River California Temple, and Richmond Virginia Temple open house began and interior images were released.
Ryan Eggett, a music manager for the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department was featured in the latest episode of the Church News podcast and shares miracles through music in the MTC. Also, find out about the April 2023 general conference schedule.
Read summaries of these stories below.
1. First Presidency’s 2023 Easter message: Savior’s sacrifice gives ‘hope for joy and peace’
President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, testify of the Savior and His Resurrection in their 2023 First Presidency Easter message in the April 2023 Liahona magazine, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and in the Gospel Library app.
A new video released this month on the Church’s Come Unto Him YouTube channel shares a message of hope and encouragement for this Easter season. Also, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is streaming “He Is Risen: A Special Easter Celebration,” along with other Easter music and performances.
2. Elder Holland announces a new BYU president
Elder Holland, speaking on behalf of President Russell M. Nelson, announced Tuesday, March 21, that C. Shane Reese will serve as BYU’s 14th president — filling the “huge shoes” of BYU President Kevin J Worthen, who has served for nine years as leader of the Church’s flagship university and will complete his time as BYU’s 13th president on May 1.
During President Worthen’s time as president, he was involved with many changes and adaptations.
3. New Church News video features Elder Holland on the early Apostles’ missions to England and its role in building the Church
This Church News video, titled “Destiny of the Restoration,” features Elder Holland while he traveled to England with President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Holland praises Joseph Smith, early British missionaries and President Ballard’s example and leadership. “We love you, President,” he said. “We love you with all our heart.”
4. Approach missionary work with urgency, says Elder Quentin L. Cook at the Provo MTC
Addressing full-time missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center — and in other missionary training centers across the globe — Elder Cook offered a powerful promise. He also invited them to approach missionary work with urgency.
5. Elder Soares meets with Tongan prime minister in Nuku’alofa
While visiting Prime Minister Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni in his offices in the capital of Nuku’alofa on Thursday, March 16, Elder Soares and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, presented the leader with a statuette of a family.
6. 2022 report: Church expenditures total more than $1 billion for those in need
With a desire to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and live the two great commandments, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints engaged in 3,692 humanitarian projects in 190 countries and territories in 2022 — with 6.3 million hours of volunteer work and $1.02 billion in expenditures.
The Church’s new 2022 Caring for Those in Need annual report was released on March 22. on Caring.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
7. Temple news: Salt Lake Temple renovation timeline; Richmond Virginia Temple open house begins; open house, dedication date set for Feather River California Temple
March 2023 updates to the Salt Lake Temple’s multiyear seismic renovation efforts and the overall Temple Square renovation project include an amended completion date of 2026 for the temple. A 2025 completion date had been previously announced for the iconic Salt Lake Temple.
Also, the doors opened to the new Richmond Virginia Temple, allowing media, community members and the general public a rare look inside the first house of the Lord in the state of Virginia. The First Presidency announced the dedication and open house dates for the Feather River California Temple — the state’s first temple dedication in nearly 17 years.
The Church also released a site location for a new temple in Guatemala and an exterior rendering for a new temple in Florida.
8. Latest Church News podcast episode features Ryan Eggett, a music manager for the Church, on the power of music
Ryan Eggett, a music manager for the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department — and the former director of the Provo Missionary Training Center choir and the choir at the Utah Valley Institute of Religion — joins this episode of the Church News podcast.
9. What is the schedule for April 2023 general conference?
General conference — a semiannual, worldwide gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with messages centered on following the Savior Jesus Christ — will be April 1-2. April 2023 general conference — the Church’s 193rd Annual General Conference — will have five general sessions.
