During the week of May 7 to May 13, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Richmond Virginia Temple. President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, wrote a letter to local Church leaders about young adults. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was featured in the latest Church News video, titled “Protections for All.”
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at the Provo Missionary Training Center. In college devotionals during the week, Sister Rebecca L. Craven, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, spoke to BYU–Hawaii students; Elder Michael A. Dunn, a General Authority Seventy, spoke at Ensign College;e and Elder Mark D. Eddy, a General Authority Seventy, spoke at BYU–Idaho. In a Church News profile, newly called Elder J. Kimo Esplin tells of learning the gospel brings happiness, even amid tragedy.
Rededication and open house dates for the St. George Utah Temple were announced. A new episode of the Church News podcast, featuring Holly Richardson, was released. A BYU study was published on how family history can improve psychological well-being of young adults.
Read summaries of these stories below.
1. Richmond Virginia Temple dedicated; read President Oaks’ dedicatory prayer
President Oaks presided at the dedication of the Richmond Virginia Temple.
The temple is the Church’s 177th dedicated worldwide, with 315 temples total in various stages — dedicated and operating, under renovation, under construction, or announced and in planning and design.
2. President Ballard shares resources for ‘Blessing Young Single Adults’
President Ballard sent a letter on May 1 titled “Blessing Young Single Adults.” The letter to local Church leaders outlines some of the ways they can best support and minister to young single adults in their wards, stakes and missions.
President Ballard wrote that the resources included in the letter’s attachment will help leaders “in providing young single adults with opportunities to gather and strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.”
3. Video: How Elder Cook says the roots of religious freedom provide ‘Protections for All’
In this Church News video, titled “Protections for All,” Elder Cook talks about the freedom of religion and the influence of his mission president in solidifying his career choice of becoming a lawyer.
4. How focusing on their purpose can sustain missionaries in service and life
Elder Soares emphasized some of the principles in “Preach My Gospel” — understanding the nature of one’s calling, knowing what it means to be a successful missionary and acknowledging the Lord’s promises — during the Tuesday, May 9, devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center. Conducted before about 525 missionaries in the Provo MTC, the devotional was also broadcast to the Church’s other nine MTCs worldwide.
5. When doubts or challenges arise, don’t back up, Sister Craven tells BYU–Hawaii students; Elder Dunn and Elder Eddy also speak at college devotionals.
Sister Craven spoke to BYU–Hawaii students during a devotional on Tuesday, May 9.
The same day, Elder Dunn spoke in a devotional to students and staff members at Ensign College. His message highlighted that through work, determination and God’s help, students can accomplish the seemingly impossible.
Elder Eddy explained the importance of transformative faith in Jesus Christ to BYU–Idaho students and faculty.
6. Elder J. Kimo Esplin learned the gospel brings happiness, even amid tragedy
A few months after returning from his full-time mission, Elder Esplin, sustained last month as a General Authority Seventy, and his father were involved in a head-on collision, killing his father. Just a few months later, with his mother sitting beside him, his car was struck from behind by a car going more than 100 mph; his car rolled, and his mother and baby niece were killed.
Elder Esplin called that period a switch point in his life. “You start to take life a little more seriously.”
7. First Presidency announces open house, rededication dates for renovated St. George Utah Temple
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced rededication and open house dates for the historic St. George Utah Temple, the Church’s longest-operating house of the Lord.
The St. George temple will be rededicated on Sunday, Dec. 10, in two sessions, at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The presiding authority will be announced later, and the dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to all congregations in the St. George Utah Temple district.
8. Episode 135: Utah Policy editor Holly Richardson on how her testimony has helped her tackle the unpredictabilities of motherhood
As Mother’s Day approaches, this episode of the Church News podcast looks at the power of love, service, faith, community involvement and recognizing and elevating the potential we see in others — just as so many mothers do every day.
Holly Richardson speaks about her journey in life as a writer, politician, educator and mother — and, most important, how her testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ has helped her tackle the unpredictabilities of life.
9. BYU study shows family history can improve psychological well-being of young adults
Researchers at Brigham Young University published their study in The Journal of Genealogy and Family History in April found that those who participate more in family history work have higher self-esteem, reduced anxiety and greater resilience.
