During the week of April 16-22, the Church News reported on President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, returning to Ontario and ministering in Toronto with Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ministered in Jerusalem. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was featured in the latest Church News video and podcast episode.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at Brigham Young University.’s graduation. The open house for the recently renovated Columbus Ohio Temple began. The Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple groundbreaking took place and the rendering for the Montpelier Idaho Temple was released.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square announced concerts in Mexico City, Mexico. The Church News feature the Church’s Military Advisory Committee, which supports service members and families worldwide. BYU–Pathway Worldwide President Brian K. Ashton and Sister Melinda Ashton taught about truth at BYU–Pathway’s first devotional of the spring semester.
Read summaries of these stories below.
1. President Ballard returns to Ontario; his heart, he said, is intertwined with Toronto, President Ballard, Elder Andersen minister in Toronto
Almost 50 years have passed since President M. Russell Ballard and his wife, Sister Barbara Ballard, arrived in Eastern Canada to lead missionary work in Ontario. But stepping into Toronto’s cold, wet weather this past weekend took the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles right back.
2. Elder Uchtdorf in Jerusalem meetings: ‘I am a disciple of Jesus Christ’
The Atonement of Jesus Christ and its role in helping God’s children repent and be worthy to return to Him served as a common refrain throughout Elder Uchtdorf’s messages at two meetings at the the BYU Jerusalem Center.
3. Video: Why Elder Bednar says there are ‘no small temples,’ Church News podcast, episode 133: Elder David A. Bednar on Latter-day Saint temples and the ‘power of godliness’ that comes through covenants and the ordinances
This Church News video titled “No Small Temples” features Elder Bednar talking about the house of the Lord.
In episode 133 of the Church News podcast, Elder Bednar testifies about the blessings of the house of the Lord and how covenants and ordinances connect Church members to the Savior Jesus Christ.
4. Preserve and sustain moral agency, Elder Christofferson tells BYU graduates
Preserve and promote moral agency. That was the plea given by Elder Christofferson to the more than 6,800 students graduating from Brigham Young University on Thursday, April 27.
In addition to Elder Christofferson, Thursday’s event included remarks by BYU President Kevin J Worthen, his final commencement ceremony before completing his time as BYU’s 13th president on May 1. With tears in his eyes, President Worthen stood as those gathered in the packed Marriott Center gave him an enthusiastic standing ovation.
5. See inside the Columbus Ohio Temple as recently renovated house of the Lord opens its doors
For the first time in nearly a quarter-century, the recently renovated Columbus Ohio Temple opened its doors literally and virtually Monday, April 24, as media day kicked off the public open house phase for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ house of the Lord in Ohio’s capital city.
6. Temple groundbreaking in Port Moresby a ‘beautiful occasion’ for Papua New Guinea, plus see the rendering of the Montpelier Idaho Temple
With the sight of green tropical foothills above and the blue waters of Walter Bay below, Elder Peter F. Meurs of the Pacific Area presidency offered the dedicatory prayer to commemorate the beginning of construction of the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple.
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released an artist’s exterior rendering of the Montpelier Idaho Temple, with its June 17 groundbreaking less than two months away.
7. Tabernacle Choir announces Mexico City concerts; travel to Mexico to be first of multiyear global tour
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square are going to Mexico City, Mexico, June 13-19 with concerts in the National Auditorium on June 17 and 18, the choir announced on Tuesday, April 25, on the Church’s Mexico Newsroom and ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Free tickets to the concerts will be distributed by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout Mexico City. The June 17 concert will also be nationally broadcast.
8. How the Church’s Military Advisory Committee is supporting service members and families worldwide
Established by the First Presidency during World War II, the Church’s Military Advisory Committee is dedicated to providing support and advocating for Latter-day Saint service members and their families worldwide. In coming years, the committee hopes to convey to more stake presidents and bishops the importance of developing relationships with military members and their families to participate in a special ministry.
9. God is ‘a source of truth that you can always trust,’ says president of BYU–Pathway
On Tuesday, April 25, President and Sister Ashton, taught about truth, at BYU–Pathway’s first devotional of the spring semester. Their messages centered on how to find truth in today’s confusing times.
