During the week of March 26 to April 1, Acting President M. Russell Ballard and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were featured in a new Church News video reflecting on their missions in the British Isles. Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ministered in the Pacific. Primary, Young Women and Relief Society leaders ministered in Mexico.
The exterior rendering of the Cody Wyoming Temple, groundbreaking dates for three new temples and dedication and open house dates for the Bangkok Thailand Temple have been released. Sunday School General President Mark L. Pace spoke in a BYU–Pathway devotional. The Church published a recap of the news of the Church throughout the past six months.
The latest Church News podcast was released. A status update was given for the 118 temples announced by President Nelson. Information and photos of the 2023 Mesa Easter Pageant were published, as well as information about a new Easter concert.
Read summaries of these stories below.
1. 2 Apostles reflect on missions to British Isles, strength of Latter-day Saint women, in new Church News video
In this Church News video, titled “Faithful Sisters,” President Ballard reflects on his own mission and the strength of Latter-day Saint women who held the Church together during and after World War II.
2. How members in the Pacific helped Elder Soares feel ‘closer to the Savior’
After traveling to four countries in the Pacific Area earlier this month, one of the things Elder Soares said he will never forget is the singing.
Throughout his ministry March 10-19, Elder Soares was joined by his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, as well as members of the Pacific Area presidency and their wives at various times.
3. Primary, Young Women and Relief Society leaders minister in Mexico
The weekend of March 17-20 in Puebla, Mexico, included training, ministering visits, devotionals and meetings with government representatives for Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency; Sister Michelle D. Craig, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, and Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency.
The leaders also visited the site of the Puebla Mexico Temple, which is nearing completion.
4. A first look at the Cody Wyoming Temple after Church releases its exterior rendering, see groundbreaking dates for 3 new temples, dedication and open house dates announced for Bangkok Thailand Temple
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released an exterior rendering of the Cody Wyoming Temple.
The First Presidency has announced groundbreaking dates for the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple and the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple and a rescheduled groundbreaking date for the Port Vila Vanuatu Temple, which was postponed after a pair of cyclones hit and damaged the Pacific island nation last month.
Also announced were the dedication and open house dates for the Bangkok Thailand Temple, not only the first temple in Thailand but the first for mainland Southeast Asia.
5. Seek Christ through scripture study, President Pace says at BYU–Pathway devotional
In a BYU–Pathway Worldwide devotional broadcast on Tuesday, March 28, President Pace said the “fondest desire” of his heart is that Latter-day Saints will increasingly come unto Christ through scripture study.
6. See a recap of news of the Church over the past 6 months
On March 29, the Church released the April 2023 edition of the World Report, a video that compiles the news of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the past six months.
This edition highlights major humanitarian projects; the ministry and travels of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders; temple news; and other events since last October.
7. Latest Church News podcast features Mary Richards on JustServe
In this general conference special edition of the Church News podcast, produced in connection with KSL NewsRadio, Mary Richards talks with numerous guests about JustServe: Isabelle Harris, a high school senior from Heber City, Utah, who started a JustServe Club at her school; Doraleen Taulanga, who uses JustServe in her calling with young adults in her Samoan-speaking ward in Woods Cross, Utah; Wendy Tibbitts and her son, Joshua Tibbitts, who use JustServe to find service opportunities as a family; and Amy Dott Harmer, executive director at the Utah Refugee Connection, who uses JustServe to connect businesses and individuals looking to serve the refugee community.
8. What’s the current status for the 118 temples announced by President Nelson?
Since becoming President of the Church in January 2018, President Russell M. Nelson has announced locations for 118 temples, beginning with seven identified during the April 2018 general conference and on through the 18 locations announced in the concluding session of October 2022 general conference.
9. Learn about and see photos of the 2023 Mesa Easter Pageant; new ‘The Redeemer’ Easter concert celebrates Christ’s life, ministry
Believed to be the largest annual outdoor Easter pageant in the world, it is also one of three that Church leaders authorized in 2018 to continue worldwide. Accompanying that announcement was a statement that said “the goal of every activity in the Church should be to increase faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to share His gospel message throughout the world.”
“The Redeemer: An Easter Celebration” is a new Easter concert portraying the life and ministry of the Savior Jesus Christ through sacred music, inspired artwork, video scenes and scripture.
