During the week of May 14-20, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement regarding his health. President Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, welcomed the president of the General Assembly of the United Nation for a first meeting of its kind. President Eyring was featured in a new Church News video.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced Elder Alvin F. Meredith III as the new BYU–Idaho president. The Helena Montana Temple open house began. Dedication and open house dates were announced for the McAllen Texas Temple.
Songwriter Janice Kapp Perry was featured on the latest Church News podcast. Former and current Primary, Young Women and Relief Society leaders met for an emeritus luncheon. With combined efforts of missionaries, local leaders and members result in 104 people being baptized in Mangu, Nigeria, in March and April.
Read summaries and find links to these nine articles below.
1. President Nelson issues a statement on his health, saying ‘little challenges with balance should be the least of our worries’
President Nelson issued a statement about his health on his social media pages May 16, writing that he is using a walker to help with balance issues.
“You may have heard a rumor that someone saw me somewhere using a walker or a wheelchair,” wrote the 98-year-old Church leader. “Well, it’s not a rumor.
2. United Nations General Assembly president meets with First Presidency
For the first time, a president of the General Assembly of the United Nations has met with the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Csaba Korosi met with President Nelson and his counselors, President Oaks and President Eyring, at Church headquarters in Salt Lake City on May 16.
3. Video: Almost 90, President Eyring reflects on his own baptism, covenants
This Church News video, titled “Covenant of Baptism,” features President Eyring sharing his testimony of covenants. As he approaches 90, President Eyring still holds the strong feeling he had at his baptism. He knows his commitment to Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is “really serious,” he said.
4. Elder Christofferson announces Elder Alvin F. Meredith III as new BYU–Idaho president
Elder Christofferson announced in front of thousands of students and faculty gathered in the BYU–I Center on May 16 that Elder Meredith III will be the 18th president of Brigham Young University–Idaho. President Henry J. Eyring has served for the past six years and will complete his time as BYU–Idaho president on Aug. 1.
5. Helena Montana Temple open house begins with proper focus, not fixation on size, construction technology or design elements
Just 27 months after plans were announced to build a temple in Montana’s capital city and less than two years after start of construction, the Helena Montana Temple opened its doors to the public with a news conference and media tour Monday, May 15.
6. Dedication, open house dates set for McAllen Texas Temple
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the dedication and open house dates for the McAllen Texas Temple.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the house of the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 8, in two sessions, at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. local time. The dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to all units in the McAllen temple district.
7. Episode 136: Prolific songwriter Janice Kapp Perry on sharing her testimony of the Savior through her music
Janice Kapp Perry has composed 3,000 songs and hymns beloved by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her well-known repertoire includes Primary hymns, “A Child’s Prayer,” “I Love To See the Temple” and “I’m Trying To Be Like Jesus.” She started her music career later in life after two lucky breaks — a broken TV and an injury — took her from the sports court to roadshow music writing.
Janice Kapp Perry joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss the power of music, sharing her testimony of the Savior and the profound lessons she has learned during her remarkable and varied life.
8. Consecration honored at Church women organizations’ emeritus luncheon
While looking around the room before a combined Primary, Young Women and Relief Society emeritus luncheon, one word came to mind for some of the attendees: “consecration.”
“You can feel the power of consecration and the power of consecrated women who have given so much of their lives to serve the Lord,” said Sister Liz Darger, a member of the Young Women general advisory council.
9. More than 100 people baptized in remote Nigerian city
For people who live in Mangu, Nigeria, the closest meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a nearly two-hour drive away. Many members don’t have vehicles in this remote area. Attending church was nearly impossible. But in early 2023, things changed.
