During the week of Aug. 2-8, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a series of short instructional videos about implementing the new Sunday schedule changes.
President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke to youth in Alaska over Zoom during their youth stake camp.
Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson announced an additional $65 million in donation funding on Friday, Aug. 7, to the Church’s initiative to help women and children.
Ground was broken for two temples: the Santos Brazil Temple on Saturday, Aug. 1 and the Naga Philippines Temple on Aug. 8.
The First Presidency announced the closure of the existing Anchorage Alaska Temple before the relocated structure is dedicated in 2027. They also announced that Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the Cody Wyoming Temple.
Elder Michael A. Dunn, a General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s United States Southwest Area, threw the first pitch at an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game on Monday, July 20.
In this week’s episode of the Church News podcast, Donny Anderson, an institute teacher at the Logan Institute of Religion in Logan, Utah, discusses the themes, structure and language of the New Testament in preparation for 2027’s “Come, Follow Me” study.
Leaders in Nigeria encouraged members to enroll in BYU-Pathway Worldwide during a local discussion.
The Church News reported on the miraculous story of 4-year-old Estelle Santiago, who contracted a serious illness while visiting Uruguay from the United States.
Read summaries and find links to these articles below.
1. Church releases instructional videos for September Sunday schedule changes
The Church released a series of short videos for leaders to use in preparation for the new Sunday schedule changes.
The changes will take place on Sept. 6, with a global Sunday instruction taking place globally on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6.
Read more about the instructional videos here.
2. ‘Camp Hesed’: How a tabernacle replica and a call with President Christofferson blessed 400 Alaskan youth
During a youth stake camp in Alaska, President Christofferson talked to the youth over a Zoom call on the importance of taking care of one another.
At the stake camp, the youth gathered in 12 tribes and pitched their tents toward the newly-built tabernacle replica.
Read more about the tabernacle replica in Alaska here.
3. More than 52 million women and children blessed by Church initiative
At a press conference on Friday, Aug. 7, President Johnson announced a $65 million investment for the ongoing initiative to assist in the well-being of women and children.
“Because of the impact and change the strong collaboration established and our confidence in this important work, I am pleased to announce a year-three commitment of $65 million,” President Johnson said.
Read more about the donation to women and children here.
4. 2 temple groundbreakings: Santos Brazil Temple and Naga Philippines Temple
Ground was broken for the Santos Brazil Temple on Aug. 7. Elder Ronald M. Barcellos, a General Authority Seventy, presided over the groundbreaking. This temple is now one of six Brazil houses of the Lord in the construction phase.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Naga Philippines Temple took place. Elder Steven D. Shumway, a General Authority Seventy and member of the Philippines Area presidency, presided over the ceremony.
Learn more about the Santos Brazil Temple groundbreaking here.
Learn more about the Naga Philippines Temple groundbreaking here.
5. Elder Gilbert to dedicate third house of the Lord in Wyoming, and the relocated Anchorage Alaska Temple to be dedicated next summer
Elder Gilbert will dedicate the Cody Wyoming Temple on Oct. 25. This will be Elder Gilbert’s first time dedicating a temple since becoming a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in February.
The Anchorage Alaska Temple has been undergoing a relocation, with a new temple structure under construction where a nearby stake center once stood.
The First Presidency announced that the current Anchorage temple will close on March 22, 2027, prior to the new structure’s dedication, which will take place June 13, 2027.
Read more about the Anchorage Alaska Temple relocation here.
Read more about the Cody Wyoming Temple dedication here.
6. Elder Dunn celebrates faith and family with first pitch at Arizona baseball game
On Monday, July 20, Elder Dunn threw the first pitch at an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game. Prior to the game, a choir of Church members and friends sang the U.S. national anthem.
Elder Dunn said throwing the first pitch at a baseball game was “a dream come true” for him, especially with his two sons and two of his grandchildren there to support him.
Read about Elder Dunn at an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game here.
7. Episode 306: New Testament themes for 2027 ‘Come, Follow Me’ with institute teacher Donny Anderson
On this episode of the Church News podcast, Anderson, who is an institute teacher at the Logan Institute of Religion, shares themes, structure and language of the New Testament ahead of the 2027 “Come, Follow Me” curriculum.
The New Testament includes Jesus Christ’s birth, life and teachings; His Atonement, Crucifixion and Resurrection; and the teachings of His apostles.
Listen to or watch the podcast episode here.
8. Church leaders in Nigeria inspire others through BYU-Pathway Worldwide enrollment
Bishops, stake presidents, their counselors, Area Seventies and members of their families are leading by example as they enroll in BYU-Pathway Worldwide and encourage members to do the same.
Read more about BYU-Pathway Worldwide enrollment in Nigeria here.
9. Family of 4-year-old who nearly died in Uruguay shares how God’s power helped save her life
Four-year-old Estelle Santiago was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome while visiting Uruguay with her family. Estelle was near death, but through faith and a miracle she recovered.
