On Sunday, Oct. 25, Elder Gilbert will dedicate the Cody Wyoming Temple.

The Cody temple will start a public open house later this month, running from Thursday, Aug. 27, through Saturday, Sept. 12, excluding Sundays. A media day is planned for Monday, Aug. 24, and invited guests will tour the sacred edifice Aug. 25-26.

As previously announced, the 10 a.m. dedication will be broadcast to congregations throughout the temple district. It will also be rebroadcast at 2 p.m. the same day.

The announcement that Elder Gilbert will dedicate this temple was published Friday, Aug. 7, on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

About the Cody temple

This Wyoming house of the Lord was announced by late Church President Russell M. Nelson on Oct. 3, 2021. It was one of 13 temples he announced in October 2021 general conference.

On Sept. 27, 2024, ground was broken for the temple. Elder Steven R. Bangerter — a General Authority Seventy and then the first counselor in the Church’s North America Central Area presidency — presided over the ceremony.

In his dedicatory prayer on the site, Elder Bangerter pleaded for blessings upon the temple and all those who enter its walls. “We ask that they may feel a spirit of peace wash over them, granting them comfort and assurance that the presence of the temple will bring added joy, prosperity, beauty and unity to their lives and their community.”

A single-story building of approximately 9,950 square feet, the sacred edifice was built on the northwest side of Skyline Drive and north of the Cody Canal.

The Church in Wyoming

This new house of the Lord in Cody will be the third in Wyoming. It follows the Star Valley Wyoming Temple, dedicated in 2016, and the Casper Wyoming Temple, dedicated in 2024.

Latter-day Saints entered the state as early as 1846 in their pioneer travels. The Oregon, California and Mormon trails crossed through the middle of Wyoming, so most Latter-day Saint companies traveled through the state in their westward migration.

By the end of 1847, more than 2,000 pioneer members had crossed Wyoming into Utah. Wyoming’s first stake was organized in Star Valley in August 1892.

Now home to nearly 67,000 Latter-day Saints, Wyoming has more than 170 wards and branches.

Relocated Anchorage Alaska Temple to be dedicated next summer

From 2024: Ground broken for 3rd temple in Wyoming

From 2024: Elder Cook dedicates Casper Wyoming Temple, pays homage to pioneer heritage

Read more Church News coverage of temples

Elder Hall’s talk summary

As he concluded his teaching, the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi wrote, “I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul” (2 Nephi 33:6).

“To Nephi, Jesus Christ was not someone distant or merely known by name. No, to Nephi, the name of Jesus was his salvation.”

The Book of Mormon missionary Ammon also experienced the joy of Christ’s redemptive power, writing, “We will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever” (Alma 26:16).

“Nephi and Ammon’s rejoicing fill my soul with gratitude. They inspire me to deepen my relationship with Jesus Christ and to rejoice in the many ways we can glory in Him.”

He is the Redeemer, the Good Shepherd, the Healer. He is the Advocate, the Lawgiver, the Deliverer.

“When life feels infuriatingly unfair and finding the strength to glory in the Lord seems difficult, reflect on the meaning of His divine names, and let Him restore peace to your soul.”

Draw near unto Him through a covenant relationship to receive direct access to His power. “I invite us to glory in Jesus Christ. He is my Jesus and yours.”

Read the full text of Elder Hall’s talk: ‘I Glory in My Jesus’

Notable quotes

“I glory in our Redeemer. His arms of mercy are extended towards us. He sends an invitation to all, saying, ‘Repent, and I will receive you’ (Alma 5:33). We are engraved upon the palms of His hands. I rejoice in the gift of repentance and the promise of forgiveness.”

“To draw near to Him, He invites us to learn of Him, listen to His words and to walk with Him. To find Him, He invites us into a covenant relationship where we can receive direct access to His power and an ‘extra measure of His love and mercy.’”

“I invite us to glory in Jesus Christ. He is my Jesus and yours.”

See more quotes, stories, video clips and other study helps for this talk

Who is Elder Hall?

• Elder Aaron T. Hall was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 5, 2025.
• Born in Provo, Utah, he was serving as an Area Seventy in the Utah Area at the time of his call.
• Elder Hall married Sister Kimberly Hall in the Logan Utah Temple, and they’re the parents of four children.
• He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Utah and worked as an executive for technology and private equity firms. He later worked as a director in the Church’s Missionary Department.

What has Elder Hall done recently?

• In April 2025, he joined a Church News podcast, along with other newly called General Authority Seventies. He testified of a living Prophet on the earth, saying, “As we follow his counsel, we are blessed.”
• In a BYU–Idaho devotional in March, Elder Hall compared triathlons to the process of becoming like the Savior.

Read more general conference addresses about Christ’s redemptive power.

April 2026 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries, photos, session highlights

Elder Wong’s talk summary

Five verses in the Book of Mormon use the phrase “remember, remember.” They teach these principles:

1. Those who keep God’s commandments can dwell with Him “in a state of never-ending happiness” (Mosiah 2:41). “Keeping God’s commandments is a blessing, both temporal and spiritual.”

2. Those who don’t keep God’s commandments will “be cut off from his presence” (Alma 37:13). “God reminds us that His commandments are firm and that obedience to them brings promised blessings.”

3. Salvation comes “only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ” (Helaman 5:9). “Every assurance of eternal life flows through Him.”

4. Disciples who build their foundation upon Jesus Christ “cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12). “He is the very foundation of the whole plan of salvation and exaltation.”

5. Heavenly Father “hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free” to act wisely (Helaman 14:30). By internalizing Book of Mormon messages, “we will be guided to discern right from wrong.”

Remember, remember the Savior, especially in this Easter season. “He wants us to come unto Him. Let us pray unitedly that we will keep His commandments, use our moral agency wisely every day and prepare for His glorious return.”

Read the full text of Elder Wong’s talk: ‘Remember, Remember’

Notable quotes

“Keeping God’s commandments is a blessing, both temporal and spiritual. If we can endure to the end, we will dwell with Him in a state of never-ending happiness.”

“Jesus Christ stands at the very heart of God’s plan of salvation and exaltation. Every promise of redemption, every hope of resurrection and every assurance of eternal life flows through Him.”

“Let us remember, remember our Savior, especially in this Easter season. He is resurrected. He wants us to come unto Him. Let us pray unitedly that we will keep His commandments, use our moral agency wisely every day and prepare for His glorious return in His resurrected body.”

See more quotes, stories, video clips and other study helps for this talk

Who is Elder Wong?

• Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, born in Hong Kong, was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 5, 2014.
• He and his wife, Sister Carol Lu, were sealed in the Laie Hawaii Temple and are the parents of four children.
• Elder Wong has degrees in accounting and computer science and earned an MBA from Hong Kong Open University.
• He was a founder and partner of a business and quality consulting company.

What has Elder Wong done recently?

• In the April 2021 general conference, he invited listeners to choose to let God prevail by establishing their lives upon His rock.
• Elder Wong accompanied Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in May 2025 during parts of his 10-day ministry in the Philippines.
• In August 2025, he spoke to more than 2,000 youth and young single adults in Davao City, Philippines, gathered for “Festival 2025: A Youth Concert.”
• He presided over a launch event for Giving Machine kiosks in metro Manila, Philippines, in late November 2025.

Read Elder Wong’s previous general conference addresses.

April 2026 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries, photos, session highlights

Elder Stevenson’s talk summary

Far more sacred than checking a bag at an airport, “I wonder what it is like for a loving Heavenly Father to send His most precious belongings, His children, away from their heavenly home, knowing they must pass through challenges of mortality.”

His great comfort is knowing they don’t travel alone. “Blessed are those who care for and nurture others.”

Be thoughtful and “intentional handlers of His precious cargo, His children,” through ministering assignments and strengthening the rising generation.

First, “consider your ministering assignment as ‘Christlike caring’ of the Lord’s most treasured possessions.” Contemplate how to provide Christlike love and service, offer help and comfort, seek prayerfully the guidance of the Spirit and help prepare families to make and keep sacred covenants.

Second, nurture the rising generation “by motivating, teaching and encouraging our young people to receive the holy name of Jesus Christ in their hearts and minds.”

Each of God’s children is a precious soul who will “one day be redeemed by its holder.” Disciples of Jesus Christ rise with renewed determination to care for them.

“That we may fulfill that mission for ourselves and diligently care for others as they seek to return to His heavenly embrace is my prayer.”

Read the full text of Elder Stevenson’s talk: ‘Lost Luggage, Redeemed Souls’

Notable quotes

“In a reverent way, I wonder what it is like for a loving Heavenly Father to send His most precious belongings, His children, away from their heavenly home, knowing they must pass through challenges of mortality. I suppose His great comfort is knowing that they do not travel alone.”

“I invite you to implement small acts of kindness and care into your ministering, becoming better ministers of Jesus Christ.”

“As disciples of Jesus Christ, we rise with renewed determination to succor and care for those with whom we come in contact.”

See more quotes, stories, video clips and other study helps for this talk

Who is Elder Stevenson?

• Elder Gary E. Stevenson was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Oct. 3, 2015. He had been serving as the presiding bishop since 2012.
• Elder Stevenson has lived more than nine years in Japan — first as a missionary serving in the Japan Fukuoka Mission, then as president of the Japan Nagoya Mission from 2004 to 2007, and as area president of the Church’s Asia North Area from 2008 to 2012. In 2016, he joined President Russell M. Nelson, who dedicated the Sapporo Japan Temple, and later accompanied President Henry B. Eyring as he rededicated the Tokyo Japan Temple in 2022.
• He met his wife, Sister Lesa Jean Higley Stevenson, at Utah State University. The couple married Aug. 20, 1979, in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple and are the parents of four sons.

What has Elder Stevenson done recently?

• Elder Stevenson taught in the October 2025 general conference about being peacemakers.
• A week later, he dedicated the Elko Nevada Temple, on Oct. 12, 2025, as “a place of solace and sacred communion.”
• In a National League of Cities summit in Salt Lake City, Elder Stevenson invited representatives from around the country to become “architects of peace” through service, in November 2025.
• Elder Stevenson offered several messages reflecting the Savior’s love during a ministry in the Church’s Mexico Area in February, including meeting with the State of Mexico’s governor.

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Read more of Elder Stevenson’s general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X/Twitter.

April 2026 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries, photos, session highlights

All three pieces depict key firsts in His earthly ministry:

• The first recorded declaration from Christ that He is the Messiah.
• The first apostles ordained to establish His church.
• The first person to witness He was resurrected.

These new statues illustrate the following:

1. Jesus Christ With the Woman at the Well: In John 4:5–42, Jesus declares to a woman of Samaria that He is the Messiah.
2. Jesus Christ Ordains Apostles: In Mark 3:13–19, the Savior ordains 12 apostles “that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils” (verses 14–15).
3. Jesus Christ and Mary at the Tomb: In John 20:11–18, the resurrected Christ appears at the empty tomb to Mary Magdalene and asks her to bear witness to the apostles that He overcame death.

Information about and photos of the new statues — installed July 15-16 — were published July 27 on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

According to the news release, two more statues will be unveiled in the coming weeks:

• Jesus Christ With Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42)
• Jesus Christ Blessing the Children (Mark 10:13–15)

Statues across the grounds and exhibits throughout the Temple Square Visitors’ Center testify that Jesus Christ is at the center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Other recent Temple Square news

A July 21 episode of the Church News podcast explained what Salt Lake Temple Celebration visitors can expect in April to October 2027, from selfie stations to faith-building exhibits to a virtual tour.

In late June, the multiyear seismic upgrade was completed on the Salt Lake Temple. The pioneer-era house of the Lord now rests on its new base isolation system, allowing it to move 5 feet in any direction during an earthquake.

The Salt Lake Temple’s refurbished oak doors were reinstalled on the east side of the structure June 23-25. The west doors returned in early June.

In preparation for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, the Church has provided resources to involve members around the globe. A toolkit provides communication materials, planning guides and ideas for local participation, even for those not in Utah.

With these resources, leaders and members can focus local efforts on Jesus Christ, engage the rising generation and all people worldwide, coordinate efforts for the celebration and related activities and strengthen faith by inviting others to learn about the blessings of the temple.

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What to know about the Salt Lake Temple open house, ‘a celebration unlike anything else in the Church’

2 new statues on Temple Square depict Christ’s ‘greater love’

Video: First look at the Temple Square Visitors’ Center

Read more Church News coverage of Temple Square

“As you look at that plaque and you face the temple, you see all the flags around the world leading to the temple,” said Elder Brent H. Nielson, an emeritus General Authority Seventy and coordinator for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration.

Elder Nielson recalls the late Church President Russell M. Nelson “used to regularly say, ‘This is a fulfillment of that prophecy, that all the nations of the world will come to this temple.’ And that’s what’s going to happen during this celebration.”

From April 5 to Oct. 1, 2027, seven days a week, everyone is invited to tour the recently renovated Salt Lake Temple before its rededication. More than an open house, though, this is a “celebration.”

“President Nelson said, ‘This needs to be a celebration,’” recounted Richard Sutton, a senior director in the Temple Department. “And so we went from a Salt Lake Temple open house to a Salt Lake Temple Celebration under prophetic direction.”

In a recent episode of the Church News podcast, Sutton and Elder Nielson gave a preview of next year’s celebration, highlighting information, key experiences and traffic arrangements for visitors to know.

What will the celebration offer?

Salt Lake Temple’s open house tours will start inside the adjacent Conference Center, with visitors shown a short video. Accommodations are being made to welcome guests speaking different languages.

In addition to the open house, attendees can find dozens of faith-building experiences across the grounds.

“I don’t think we have the hours and hours it would take to describe everything that’s being planned,” said Sutton. “There is so much that’s going to be new and renovated on Temple Square.”

For example, celebratory concerts will engage audiences, especially the youth, with uplifting music.

Sacred music will also be played around Temple Square, and lighting will illuminate the temple each night.

What exhibits will be available on Temple Square?

Several buildings and areas around Temple Square will feature exhibits that add to the open house experience, like:

• Selfie stations: Areas that allow for photo opportunities. Nearby volunteers will also be available to take photos.
• Joseph Smith Memorial Building: New exhibits highlighting the Savior’s role.
• Salt Lake Tabernacle: Projections shown on the dome ceiling.
• Relief Society Building: An exhibit highlighting the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary organizations, showing the impact of Latter-day Saint women on communities throughout the world.
• Church History Museum: New Church history displays.
• FamilySearch Library: New family history displays.
• Temple Square Visitors’ Center: Statues, artwork, miniature models and replicas that teach of Jesus Christ and His role in temples.

How can individuals participate online?

For those around the world not able to attend in person, the Church will release a virtual tour, three video projects and a music album. The videos will also be shown in various venues across Temple Square. Digital media include:

• A virtual tour of the Salt Lake Temple.
• “Dedicate”: A six-episode series where young adults from several countries testify of Christ, temples and temple covenants. It will be available for streaming after the October 2026 general conference.
• “Unshaken”: A film about the Salt Lake Temple’s multiyear renovations. It will be available for streaming in 2027.
• “Beacons of Light”: A film showing the beauty of houses of the Lord around the world. It will be available for streaming in 2027.
• An album of music to prepare people to come to and learn about the temple.

A Salt Lake Temple Celebration Toolkit offers additional communication materials, planning guides and ideas for participation around the globe.

How can open house tickets be reserved?

Starting Sept. 1, free tickets to the Salt Lake Temple open house can be reserved on TempleSquare.org.

Tickets are currently also available every other Monday for the “Inside a Temple” tour in the Temple Square Visitors’ Center.

Besides those two exceptions, other experiences on Temple Square will be accessible without a ticket.

What traffic arrangements are being made?

Several traffic arrangements are in the works to limit road congestion. North Temple and West Temple streets, for example, will be closed around Temple Square.

Public transportation via the Utah Transit Authority will be free to ride for visitors with a ticket to the open house.

To accommodate those who drive to Temple Square, Elder Nielson said: “Some of our very good friends in the community have donated a 2,000-space parking lot on North Temple, where we’re hoping a lot of our visitors will park.”

He added that every eight minutes, a bus will shuttle people from the parking lot to Temple Square and back.

“We have been so grateful for the city of Salt Lake and their cooperation, from the mayor to the city council to the chief of police to the fire chief,” said Elder Nielson. “We have been working with all of them to make this a safe environment, to make sure that everybody who comes will have a pleasant experience.”

‘A wonderful, uniting effort’

The Salt Lake Temple spans, in a sense, “the world’s temple district,” said Elder Nielson. “This is the center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is where the First Presidency and the Twelve meet every Thursday. This is a different temple than other temples in the Church.”

This house of the Lord services the world in a way other temples don’t, said Sutton. “The Salt Lake Temple becomes a gathering place for a lot of members of the Church from around the world.”

For visitors who aren’t members of the Church, Sutton invited: “Those who might be curious of what the temple is all about, come with an open mind, and allow us to share with you what our beliefs are.”

And more than a Utah- or United States-based event, “we’re inviting the entire world to come to this celebration,” said Sutton. “This is going to be a celebration unlike anything else in the Church.”

The Salt Lake Temple Celebration will be “a wonderful, uniting effort,” said Elder Nielson. Those who attend “will understand that when our missionaries come to their country, we’re trying to help them lift the people in their communities. We’re trying to teach them about Jesus Christ.”

Elder Nielson added, “I’m hoping that people not of our faith will come and have the chance to finally get inside this temple and have millions of questions.”

Church News podcast, Episode 304: Preparing for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration

Church provides Salt Lake Temple Celebration resources to involve members around the globe

Video: First look at the Temple Square Visitors’ Center

Read more Church News coverage of Temple Square

The New Testament includes Jesus Christ’s birth, life and teachings; His Atonement, Crucifixion and Resurrection; and the teachings of His apostles. The manual is now available on the Church’s website and in the Gospel Library app.

Donny Anderson, an institute teacher at the Logan Institute of Religion in Logan, Utah, joins Church News reporter Mary Richards to talk about the themes, structure and language of the New Testament in preparation for next year’s study.

Listen to this episode of the Church News podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, bookshelf PLUS, YouTube or wherever you get podcasts.

Transcript:

Donny Anderson: But they are dealing with multiple attacks constantly — online, social media, friends. And these attacks, you know, sometimes they’re going after sacred doctrines. There’s open deceptions, and there’s also decontextualized facts can be really harmful. You know, you take a fact in history, and with its context, it makes sense. And you remove it out of its context, and you can make great people and great things look very sinister. And they’re confronted with all of these things. But also, I notice that this very generation is very focused on Christ, I think maybe more than any generation previous.

0:40

Mary Richards: This is Mary Richards, reporter at the Church News. Welcome to the Church News podcast. Today, we are taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 2027, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will study the New Testament for “Come, Follow Me” at home and at church. We will study the life and teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ; His Atonement, Crucifixion and Resurrection. The “Come, Follow Me” manual for 2027 is online on the Church’s website and in the Gospel Library app.

To help us prepare for 2027 and what we should know and how should we be ready for this study of the New Testament, I’m joined by Donny Anderson, an instructor and teacher at the Logan Institute of Religion in Logan, Utah.

Welcome, Donny, to the Church News podcast.

Donny Anderson: Thank you. It’s great to be with you today.

1:34

Mary Richards: Tell me about teaching in Logan. How long have you been an institute teacher? And tell me about how you came about that. And Logan, that institute is really growing. It’s a really special place.

Donny Anderson: Yeah. We have a beautiful new building, and the program’s growing, and our faculty is amazing to work with. It’s a great place to be. Before institute, I taught seminary for 23 years. And the first two years were in Taber, Alberta, Canada, and then 21 years in north Utah at five different seminaries. And I’ve been at the Logan Institute now for five years.

2:09

Mary Richards: That’s wonderful. You have this experience, then, in seminary, now institute. And what would you tell our Gospel Doctrine teachers as well as our seminary and institute teachers about the New Testament and teaching from this book?

Donny Anderson: Well, I would say: Reach them quickly and deeply, especially with Sunday School. We don’t have much time. Another tip would be to follow Elder [Neal A.] Maxwell’s counsel that penetration is more important than coverage. Better to have a better experience with fewer converting experiences that sink deep than to cover less important material or information.

Also, trust the words of Jesus, and bring the students and ourselves as we study into the words of the Savior and into the actual words of scripture. There’s so much power there. We shouldn’t be afraid of that, even with the young people of the Church. Get them in the scriptures.

And finally, one piece of advice that a friend, Tyler Griffin, when he was a preservice trainer up in Cache Valley, I heard him tell somebody, he said — a prospective seminary teacher, he said — “You are using the scriptures as a diving board to get into the things that you want to do and talk about. Reverse that. Use what you want to do and say as a diving board to get the students in the scriptures and keep them in the scriptures. And yes, you have to be creative and help them be engaged so that they can discover what’s there. But get in the scriptures, and be in the scriptures with them.”

3:47

Mary Richards: I love that. Are you seeing that with the young adults, that they are engaged when you are in the scriptures with them? And tell me about the young adults today, as an institute teacher. What are they facing? What are they like, this generation?

Donny Anderson: The young adults I work with most as an institute teacher are giving, as adults, free time to gather with others to learn the gospel. So I start with an incredible group to begin with.

So, they’re amazing, but they are dealing with multiple attacks constantly — online, social media, friends. And these attacks, sometimes they’re going after sacred doctrines. There’s open deceptions, and there’s also decontextualized facts can be really harmful. You take a fact in history, and with its context, it makes sense. And you remove it out of its context, and you can make great people and great things look very sinister. And they’re confronted with all of these things. But also, I notice that this very generation is very focused on Christ, I think maybe more than any generation previous.

And I think part of that is some of the blessings that President [Russell M.] Nelson promised when the Lord corrected our use with the name of the Church. I think that this generation is more focused on Christ, and that’s powerful to see.

They also want more scripture. Even just a few years ago, in institute, “Come, Follow Me” courses were popular, but scripture courses outside of that had less demand. But that’s changed, and students want to — they still like the “Come, Follow Me” courses. They’re still very popular, but other non-“Come, Follow Me” scriptures are in more demand, and that’s a great trend to see.

And what we also notice — this isn’t new — but the young adults, they want their study to be more consistent and more deep and more personal. And they’re using institute as a tool to help them do that and to make their study more consistent.

5:50

Mary Richards: Oh, I love that. I love that, what you said. And I think too about just this morning, I was relistening to one of President Dallin H. Oaks’ talks from general conference. I’ve been trying to go back and listen to all of them. He said he’s often focusing on Jesus Christ as well. And so the young adults focusing on Christ, we have to prepare for His return. And next year we’re going to be studying beginning with His birth and His life. I’m so excited for it.

2027 ‘Come, Follow Me’ curriculum now available

We’ll begin the year right with His life and teachings in the four Gospels when we begin “Come, Follow Me” in 2027. What would you say, then, is kind of the theme of the four Gospels?

6:27

Donny Anderson: Well, for me, the biggest theme in the four Gospels, and what I love, is Jesus is revealing Himself to us. And I think there’s so many ways that He’s revealing Himself, but four key ways is He’s revealing to us His divinity, He’s revealing to us His power and what I like to call His indispensability, and He’s also revealing to us His paramount role in all of God’s dealings with His children.

6:54

Mary Richards: Yeah. Talk more about Him revealing His divinity.

Donny Anderson: Well, we, as Latter-day Saints, we know that the Godhead is made up of separate beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. And that’s great knowledge to have. And since the First Vision, that’s been absolutely clear to us. But what we sometimes mistakenly do is separate Themselves so much that we compartmentalize Them in ways that might even undeify Jesus accidentally.

For instance, the phrase “Jesus is God” may make some people feel uncomfortable because some attach the word “God” only to the Father and leave behind the Holy Ghost and maybe even Jesus with that. But Jesus is Jehovah. He is our Creator. He is our God. And throughout the Gospels, Jesus is continually showing us that.

One of the stories is: Remember when friends lowered one of their friends through the roof, the man with palsy (see Luke 5:18–26). And as he comes to Jesus there, the Savior looks at him and says, “Thy sins are forgiven.” And Pharisees and some present thought that that was blasphemous, and they thought, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And Jesus didn’t dispute that. In fact, He then looks at the man with palsy and says, “But that ye may know that the Son of Man has power to forgive sins on earth,” then He heals him of his palsy. And that was His way of saying, “Yes, I am God.” And that’s incredible.

The phrase “I am” is so important in the New Testament along with the Old Testament. And of course, “I am” refers to Jehovah. The name “Jehovah” means “He that exists” or “the existing one.” So when Jehovah tells Moses, “I am that I am,” you can look at that as “I am Jehovah, your God and your Creator.”

And so that phrase comes out often from the Savior declaring His divinity, like the Light of the World sermon. The Savior ends that with, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). And they knew what He meant, and they went for rocks to stone Him right then, and He slipped away from among them. It wasn’t His time yet, of course.

When He was arrested, there was a point where those who were arresting Him, though they were armed, started to fall back in fear. And why? Because He had said to them, “Whom seek ye?” And they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” And then He said, “I am he” (John 18:3–9).

And that phrase happens three times in that little story, but all three times the word “he” is italicized. Now, the italics in the New Testament is not to add emphasis. Of course, it’s because the translators, from the transcripts, that word wasn’t there, but they thought that English doesn’t make as much sense without that word. So of course they added that word. So “I am he,” the word “he” is italicized. So what they were working with in translation was “I am,” and then they added “he.” But I think He was simply declaring “I am,” His divinity. And they got the message, and that’s why they showed the fear that they showed.

And one final example of Jesus showing his divinity: The beautiful story of the woman at the well, in John chapter 4. He starts one-on-one talking to her, and she’s shocked that He, a Jew, is talking to her, a Samaritan. And so she calls Him at first a Jew. And coming from a Samaritan, that’s not necessarily a great thing from a Samaritan. But then as they talk, she upgrades that maybe to “Sir,” and then from sir, He reveals that He knows some things about her. And then she realizes she’s in the presence of a holy man and calls him a “prophet.”

And in that state, she becomes spiritual and even bears her testimony. And she testifies to Jesus of the Messiah: “I know that Messias will come.” And then He responds by bearing testimony to her of the Messiah with that language, “I that speak unto thee am he” (John 4:26).

And that’s another “I am” statement: “I that speak unto thee am he.” In other words, “Not only am I your Messiah, but I am your God as well.” And then of course she goes into the town and starts testifying, “The Messiah’s here.” And then the town has that experience themselves.

11:21

Mary Richards: Yes, that now that she knows, she shares that. I love that story. He’s revealing His divinity, but He’s also revealing His power. And why is that?

Donny Anderson: As Jesus performs miracles and saves, it’s very clear that it’s important to Him, and it’s important for us, that we believe that He has the power to do that. “Believest thou that I can?” That word “can” is always a signal of power, and so it’s important that we believe that. And so, in so many of the miracles, Jesus is trying to show us that: “I have the power to save you. I have the power to help you. I have the power.”

So remember the pool of Bethesda? (See John 5:2–16.) Man impotent — im/not potent, able, so disabled for 38 years. And the Savior approaches him and asks the question, “Wilt thou be made whole?” And his answer was: “When the water stirs, there’s nobody to help me. I’m always second place or worse, for years and years.”

And so, but the Savior didn’t ask him, “Can you be healed?” And his answer was pretty much, “I can’t.” The Savior is like, “Will you be made whole?” And so he doesn’t understand. And so the Savior then gives him a commandment with three imperative words: Rise, take up thy bed and walk — which he responds.

So the Savior takes things that we can’t, or where we lack power but need, and He expands the circle of our agency to allow that. So, with the Savior’s power, things that are “cannot” become “will or will not.” And that gives us the opportunity to exercise faith even to the point of salvation.

13:08

Mary Richards: Wow. Faith and agency, I think, too. Yes, if I feel like I can’t, then I can’t, but it’s a choice for me too. I love that power. I love that He’s revealing — there’s so many miracles we see in the New Testament.

But you also used a word earlier, “indispensability.” Tell me about how Jesus is revealing His indispensability. What do you mean by that?

13:30

Donny Anderson: Many people might look at Jesus as a good alternative for some; He works for them. But Jesus is indispensable for all. Everybody needs Jesus Christ. And He’s showing us that all throughout the Gospels.

And one of the ways He’s showing us that is He takes things that we absolutely need, and He tells us, “I am that to you.” And again, more “I am” statements here, but “I am the Bread of Life,” “Living Water,” “the Light of the World,” “I am the Life,” “I am the Truth,” “I am the Way.” And more, more sacred ones. But the Savior shows us that everything we need, ultimately, He is, and we all need Him.

14:17

Mary Richards: Yeah. So, you mentioned four things. So, we have His power, His divinity, His indispensability. What was the fourth thing you mentioned He’s revealing Himself in the Gospels?

Donny Anderson: His paramount role in all of God’s dealings. So, to illustrate that, I’m going to read to you a story, and I want you to tell me if this is gibberish or if it makes sense.

Mary Richards: OK.

14:40

Donny Anderson: OK:

With the hocked gems financing him, our hero bravely defied all scornful laughter that tried to prevent his scheme. “Your eyes deceive,” he had said. “An egg, not a table, correctly typifies this unexplored planet.” Now three sturdy sisters sought proof. Forging along, sometimes through calm vastness, yet more often through turbulent peaks and valleys, days became weeks as many doubters spread fearful rumors about the edge. At last from nowhere welcome winged creatures appeared, signifying momentous success.

Did that make any sense?

15:16

Mary Richards: It felt like there were some extra words in there and other things like that that I wasn’t exactly sure what you were talking about. But tell me; I love that you’re a teacher, and you’re helping teach me right now. So, tell me about that.

Donny Anderson: So, this comes from a study in 1971 by Dooling and Lachman. And they were showing that some things are really hard for humans to make sense of without contextual keys, something to unlock it. So, the contextual key for this — by the way, only 1 out of 50 people could make any sense of that in the study — so the contextual key for that story is Christopher Columbus. So, let me read it again, and watch what’s different the second time.

Mary Richards: OK.

15:56

Donny Anderson: OK:

With the hocked gems financing him, our hero bravely defied all scornful laughter that tried to prevent his scheme. “Your eyes deceive,” he had said. “An egg, not a table, correctly typifies this unexplored planet.” Now three sturdy sisters sought proof. Forging along, sometimes through calm vastness, yet more often over turbulent peaks and valleys, days became weeks as many doubters spread fearful rumors about the edge. At last from nowhere welcome winged creatures appeared, signifying momentous success.

Mary Richards: OK.

Donny Anderson: Changes, doesn’t it?

16:29

Mary Richards: I totally see it now. It’s the story of Christopher Columbus coming across to the New World with the three ships.

Donny Anderson: And all those elements, yeah. They come alive. What’s powerful about the Old Testament is it has a contextual key. And of course, the contextual key for the Old Testament is Jesus Christ. When you read the Old Testament with the Savior in mind, looking for Him, it comes alive. And the Savior in the Gospels shows us this.

He, at one point, says, “Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me” (John 5:46). And then He also said — and this is a famous statement, of course — “Search the scriptures; for in them [the scriptures] ye think ye have eternal life: [but] they [the scriptures] are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

So, all of God’s dealings, Jesus Christ has a paramount role in everything that God has done with us, all the way up to Jesus Christ’s time and, of course, ever since, and it’ll always be that way.

17:28

Mary Richards: Yeah. How is all of this that we’ve been talking about, these themes in the Gospels, what does that mean for us, for Jesus Christ revealing Himself to us individually?

Donny Anderson: I think that we need to comprehend Jesus in full and continue to comprehend Him until we understand Him in full. Incomplete understandings of Jesus can be dangerous to our faith.

For instance, there’s cultural images of Jesus that aren’t really Jesus. One of those I like to refer to as “Nice Jesus.” Now, nice is a great quality, but “nice” is not a New Testament word. And nice can even be shallow or a little hollow. But “kind” and “love” are New Testament words, and they are deep and powerful. And those are words that describe Jesus. The word “kind,” in fact, has a root word “kin.” So kind, to treat people kindly, is to treat them the way we ought to treat family.

But as we read the New Testament, we’re confronted with a Jesus who is kind and loving, but He also — with all of His compassion and miracles, of course — took time to form a whip and threw over money tables and cleansed the temple that way. He also confronted wicked leaders, and He even called names. You could say He called people hypocrites, vipers, fox, blind guides and told His chief apostle at one point to “get behind me, Satan,” in a teaching moment for Peter.

But in all these instances, I don’t know that “nice” is the word to describe Jesus, but “kind” always, “loving” always. So, as we get to know Jesus most fully as He reveals Himself in the New Testament, we need to confront our discomforts till we know Him most fully. But He reveals Himself to us. We just need to let Him do that.

19:39

Mary Richards: Yeah. I thought of that phrase — when you were talking about kind and loving — “loving-kindness” in our covenants that we make with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This will be so wonderful to study this year.

What are some other, I guess, keys that we should know for understanding the New Testament?

19:58

Donny Anderson: Well, knowing how it’s structured helps a lot, especially for those who are new to the New Testament. But this is good for all of us to know.

Of course, it starts with the Gospels, the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The first three of those Gospels are known as the Synoptics. And the word “synoptic,” “syn” means same, “optic” refers to the eyes or seeing. So the Synoptics are the Gospels that see the life of Jesus Christ in a similar way. They tell similar stories in a similar order, in similar ways. So that’s Matthew, Mark and Luke.

And of those three, Mark was the first one written, and he’s the smallest. And it appears that the other two may have used his book as a basis for theirs, which explains some of the similarity in their testimonies. By the way, when Joseph Smith did the inspired translation, he changed the word “Gospels” to “testimonies.” So the four Gospels are testimonies of Jesus Christ.

So, once you get past the Synoptics, you get to John. John’s Gospel is different. He kind of makes you a fly on the wall in many intimate situations. For instance, you hear some long sermons like the Light of the World and the Bread of Life, and some long conversations that are powerful, like Nicodemus and the woman at the well. And those are all unique to John. Also, 23% of John’s book comes from the Last Supper alone, which makes John very intimate with the final hours of the Savior’s life.

So there’s the four Gospels. And then Acts — the first book after Jesus is dead, known as the Acts of the Apostles — was written by Luke. You could call it 2 Luke, even. And with that being — it’s what the apostles did when Jesus was dead. And with those two books, Luke is actually the most prolific writer of the New Testament as far as, especially as far as, words go.

Mary Richards: Yeah, because you would think it would be Paul.

Donny Anderson: Yes.

Mary Richards: But it’s Luke.

Donny Anderson: That’s right.

Mary Richards: Yeah.

Donny Anderson: That’s right. So, Paul has the most books.

Mary Richards: Right.

21:59

Donny Anderson: I believe 13 letters. And his letters come next, right after Acts, and they’re organized into two different groups. The first group is his letters to the churches, and those are organized — that’s Romans to 2 Thessalonians — and they’re organized from biggest to smallest. And then come his letters to individuals — Timothy all the way to Philemon. And those are also organized biggest to smallest. And then after that, you have the general epistles. You have James and Peter and John and Jude. And then finally, the book of Revelation, which was also written by John.

So, if you look at the prolific writers from least to most: As far as the top five, No. 5 is Mark, and he wrote 8% of the New Testament. And then Matthew also wrote just one book, like Mark, but he wrote 13% of the New Testament. John is third, and John has five books: the Gospel, three letters and then Revelation. And he wrote one-fifth of the New Testament, with 20%.

And then Paul wrote 24% among his 13 books. And that’s assuming that he didn’t write the book of Hebrews. And then finally Luke, who wrote 28%. So, if you take just Luke and Paul, more than half the New Testament between those two writers. And if you add John in the mix, those three wrote nearly three-quarters of the New Testament.

23:27

Mary Richards: Wow. I was telling you earlier about how I wish the Old Testament and the New Testament had the dates like the Book of Mormon does in the corner, because I don’t think I fully understood that till probably seminary or institute classes, that it’s not in a timeline, per se, the New Testament, of beginning to end. It’s even just moving in the letters and epistles by longest to shortest. It’s not the order that he gave them in.

So, getting ready to study this at home and at church, what are some tips and tools you might have for members, for students, for teachers, for parents, for individuals?

24:04

Donny Anderson: OK, I’d recommend three major tools, maybe. Use multiple translations. Access Greek. That might sound really scholarly and boring, but it’s not. It’s powerful. And then learn a little bit about New Testament culture.

So, to get into those a little bit more, multiple translations, John Hilton makes a great point that when we teach, we ought to consider the reading levels of our students. If you just take America, your average American reads at an eighth grade level. And that number is skewed up because of a small percentage of really high-grade-level readers among us. And so really, 54% of Americans read below sixth grade level. So, as we’re teaching, we’ve got to keep that in mind. Now, the King James Version, 12th grade level. See the problem?

So, with Bible translations, different translations are at different reading levels. For instance, the English Standard Version — that’s the third-most used version — it’s at a 10th grade level, so a little friendlier than the King James Version. The New International Version, that’s the most widely used version in the world right now, eighth grade level. And then the New Living Translation, it’s the fourth-most used. The second, by the way, is the King James Version. But the New Living Translation is at a sixth grade level.

So, as we teach different age groups, and even adults, using these different translations has been encouraged by the Church to supplement what we do with them, and they can really help a lot.

One example of how just one word in translation, using different translations can help, is when Jesus says to us, when He says, “Come unto me” and “Take my yoke upon you,” He uses the phrase “learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:28–29). Now, in modern English, when we hear that “learn of me,” that word “of” isn’t very helpful. We have to change it to another preposition to make more sense. Is He talking about learn “about” me, or is He talking about learn “from” me when He says, “Learn of me”?

And I think most English readers will default to “about” — “Learn about me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” But if you pull up that verse, Matthew 11:29, say, on biblehub.com, it will display 40-plus different translations, and you can just skim down them, and you can see that almost every translation translates that phrase to “learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” He’s asking us to be His disciple and telling us what kind of a teacher He is. And just one-word changes by using other translations can open up meaning and inspiration.

26:58

Mary Richards: Yeah. But what about Greek? Do I — you’re making me a little bit nervous when you said to learn a little bit of Greek. But we have these ways that we can — there are benefits of using side by side and looking at different ways of understanding, I guess, these words.

Donny Anderson: Yeah. Oh, by the way, if I can add something on the last idea: As you use other translations, don’t leave the King James Version behind.

Mary Richards: Yes.

27:23

Donny Anderson: Because it’s beautiful. It’s hard reading for many, but it’s beautiful. And one example of where the King James Version can shine compared to all other translations practically is like in the Golden Rule. Most modern translations use the way we normally express it, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That comes across in so many of them. But the King James Version captures the word “should” there: “Whatsoever ye would that [others] should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).

And that raises above preferences. You know, we all have different preferences, and if I go around doing to everybody my preferences, I’m going to really annoy people with different preferences. That’s not the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule doesn’t have to do with preferences; it has to do with morality, what’s wrong and right. So, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” So, don’t leave the King James Version behind. It’s still so helpful and so beautiful in so many ways.

But getting back to the Greek. So, why Greek? Jesus and His apostles would have spoken Aramaic generally in their life, but the language of the Roman Empire at that time was a form of Greek, before the common language of the Roman Empire. So, when they wrote Jesus’ apostles and the others, they wrote Greek to an international audience to hit more people. So, going back to Greek words opens up a lot of what they meant when they wrote. So it helps a lot.

So, three words that I’d like to highlight that the Greek word can just open things up — and these are just examples; there’s so many — one of those is “fear,” and the other one is the word “hypocrite,” and the other one is “neighbor.” So, fear, the word “fear” comes from three different Greek words, all translated as “fear.” And among those three words, there’s two basic meanings. So, one of the meanings of fear is “cowardly” and “faithless,” not good. But the other meaning is “reverence” and “awe,” and that’s great, and that’s the beginning of wisdom, and it’s so good.

So, as you read it, they are all translated just as “fear” in the New Testament. So you need to discern every time you see “fear”: “Is this the good fear or the bad fear?” And it’s pretty clear almost every time, but it opens up meaning knowing that fear can mean those two different things.

Mary Richards: When we’re told to fear God.

Donny Anderson: Yes.

Mary Richards: Yes, look at that context.

29:46

Donny Anderson: Yeah, which is a great thing. And then other times, the Savior confronts us and puts fear as the antithesis of faith and destructive to it.

So, the word “hypocrite,” this is more widely known throughout the Church, but the word “hypocrite” in Greek actually means “an actor” or “a pretender.” So, modern English, we define hypocrite among each other often as somebody who says one thing and does another, but in the New Testament, it’s deeper than that. It’s one who is one thing and pretends to be something else. And so as Jesus confronts hypocrisy, that’s a really interesting thing to look at.

My favorite of those three words, though, is “neighbor.” So, you know the story of the good Samaritan?

Mary Richards: “Who is my neighbor?”

Donny Anderson: Yes.

Mary Richards: That’s what they ask.

30:29

Donny Anderson: Starting with a lawyer who asks how he can have eternal life, and Jesus says, “You’re a lawyer, you know the law, what do you say?” And he summarizes it perfectly into the two great commandments. And Jesus says, “Do this and live.” But then he asks, “And who is my neighbor?” trying to justify himself. I think he’s trying to shrink the circle of people that he’s obligated to love. Then Jesus responds with this mighty parable. And in this parable — now, in Greek, the word “neighbor” literally means “nearby.”

So, He talks about somebody that’s left half dead after getting beat up, and here comes a priest, and here comes a Levite, and both of them see the man in need and go to the other side. They distance themselves. They didn’t nearby him. And then the Samaritan comes along, sees him and went to him. He nearbys him. And then the Savior takes that noun of “neighbor” and turns it into a verb with the phrase, “Which of these three was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?” And so, yeah, it’s another example of how meaning can just come alive as we look at the Greek and what it means.

31:45

Mary Richards: Oh, I love that. I’m getting so excited to study this again for “Come, Follow Me.” Are there any other themes you’d like to point out from the New Testament that we should be aware of?

Donny Anderson: Yeah, I think the idea of grace is a powerful thing to look at throughout the New Testament. So, something that’s interesting about grace, there’s some things that Jesus did not teach but His apostles did, and grace is actually one of those. Grace is mentioned more than 100 times by New Testament writers and zero times by Jesus. Now, that’s using the word “grace,” not that Jesus didn’t talk about grace. He taught us how we are to be saved through Him, and then His apostles talked about that relationship and labeled that “grace.”

So, grace is powerful throughout Jesus’ teachings of how to be saved through Him, then the apostles’ teachings of what grace means for us. But as we study grace, the debates, the age-old debates, in Christianity come up of, “Are we saved by grace or by some other way?” And of course, we’re saved by grace. No question about that. That’s not the real question. The real question is, “How do we access grace?”

And there’s debates about: “Is it faith or works? Is it our beliefs or our actions?” Those are false dichotomies when it comes to grace. When it comes to grace, grace is not accessed through those. Grace is accessed through the doctrine of Christ, and we need to come to know the full doctrine of Christ as Jesus taught it across all of His teachings.

And He taught us about belief and faith in Him. He taught us to repent and called us to repentance. And He taught about baptism and how sacred it is and how necessary and commissioned His apostles to baptize all nations (see Matthew 28:19–20). And then He said He would send the Holy Ghost as a gift (see John 14:16–18), and after He died, the apostles would then bestow that by the laying on of hands. And then Jesus very clearly taught that if you endure to the end, you’ll be saved (see Matthew 24:13). If you don’t, you can’t be.

So, His doctrine is rich throughout the New Testament. We need to look for it. We need to let Jesus reveal that to us. But that is the way to access grace. And that’s a powerful theme through the Gospels and all the writings after it.

34:04

Mary Richards: Yes. This has been such a beautiful conversation. I’ve learned so much from you. You are a teacher. And I’m just, again, looking forward to this next year. And this has really, I think, helped me to be more ready for that.

Our last question on the Church News podcast, we always like to give our guests the last word. And through all that you have learned and you know about the New Testament, the question would be: What do you know now?

34:35

Donny Anderson: I love the question of knowledge that you pose. I think it’s really important to be confident in knowing spiritual things, because many people will say it’s OK to believe spiritual things, but nobody can know spiritual things. But we have five senses that give us information and that provide knowledge, and I think to say that we can’t know spiritual things is to totally discount the Holy Ghost. And if you discount the Holy Ghost, there’s no gospel. The Holy Ghost is real, and the Holy Ghost is a source of knowledge, and it’s the best source because the Holy Ghost reveals to us the way things really are and leads us to all truth, and we should never be ashamed of the Holy Ghost as a source of knowledge.

So, with that, I know that — I’m going to use Russell M. Nelson’s words, and I’m going to make sure I get it right. I know that “whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.” I love that statement, and I know that. I know that to be true. And I know that as we pay the price in the New Testament, that Jesus will reveal Himself to us.

I know that Jesus lives. I know that He’s the source of every good thing and that if we follow every good thing, it’ll also lead us to Christ. And He is my joy, He’s my Redeemer, and He is my God, and I love Him. And I share that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

36:16

Mary Richards: Thank you for listening to the Church News podcast. I’m Church News reporter Mary Richards. I hope you learned something today about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had your faith in the Savior increase by looking through the Church News window as a living record of the Restoration. Please subscribe, rate and review this podcast so it can be accessible to more people. And if you enjoyed the messages we shared today, please share the podcast with others. Thanks to our guests and to others who made this podcast possible. Join us every week for a new episode. Find us on your favorite podcasting channels or with other news and updates about the Church on TheChurchNews.com or on the Church News app.

Episode 287: Sunday School general presidency helps individuals find the Savior and major themes in the Old Testament

Episode 252: Teaching to understand — A ‘Come, Follow Me’ Old Testament primer from institute instructor Aaron Coombs

Episode 114: The Sunday School general presidency on coming closer to Jesus Christ using the 2023 ‘Come, Follow Me’ curriculum on the New Testament

Episode 115: A historical visit to Bethlehem at the Savior’s birth, with BYU Professor Dr. Matthew Grey

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has now announced the current Anchorage temple will close on March 22, 2027, prior to the new structure’s dedication.

The relocated Anchorage temple will be dedicated on Sunday, June 13, 2027.

This will follow a public open house from Thursday, May 13, through Saturday, May 29, excluding Sundays. A media day is also scheduled for Monday, May 10, and invited guests will tour the sacred edifice May 11-12, 2027.

These dates were published Monday, Aug. 3, on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

As previously announced, the new temple will take the stake center’s 13111 Brayton Drive address. The current temple — at 13161 Brayton Drive — will be decommissioned, with a new meetinghouse to be built on the existing temple location.

The new temple’s square footage will be approximately 30,000 square feet — an increase of more than 150% from the temple’s current size and more than four times its original size, from before an expansion in 2003.

About the Anchorage temple

Anchorage’s temple was the Church’s first house of the Lord in Alaska and 54th worldwide.

On Oct. 4, 1997, then-Church President Gordon B. Hinckley announced a temple for Anchorage in general conference.

It was one of the first three temples built in a smaller size than typical temples, alongside the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico and Monticello Utah temples. President Hinckley announced the plan for these smaller houses of the Lord in October 1997 general conference.

On April 17, 1998, ground was broken for the Anchorage temple with some 1,700 people in attendance. Elder F. Melvin Hammond — then a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the North America Northwest Area presidency — presided over the ceremony.

Almost nine months later, President Hinckley dedicated the Anchorage temple in seven sessions Jan. 9-10, 1999. Some attendees traveled from as far away as Canada’s Yukon territory, 14 hours away by bus.

“May this great work of temple building go forward across the earth to bless Thy people wherever they may be found,” said President Hinckley in his dedicatory prayer. “May all who come with hope and high expectation leave with satisfaction and gratitude, having tasted of the sweet things of Thy divine work.”

The Anchorage temple was later closed in April 2003 for renovation and expansion. Enlarging the temple from 6,800 to 11,937 square feet, the expansion included changing rooms, office space, a laundry area, a patron waiting room and a separate instruction room.

President Hinckley would also rededicate this house of the Lord on Feb. 8, 2004, noting in his rededicatory prayer that “to accommodate an increase in the work and to facilitate its progress, it has become necessary to renovate and to add to this sacred structure so extensively as to require a rededication of the enlarged facility.”

He added that since the time the temple was dedicated five years prior, “a great and wondrous work has here gone forward.”

The Church in Alaska

Currently the Church’s northernmost temple, the Anchorage temple will retain that distinction until the construction of the Fairbanks Alaska Temple, which is currently being built.

Elder Peter M. Johnson — a General Authority Seventy and counselor in the Church’s United States West Area presidency — presided over the Fairbanks temple’s groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 27, 2025.

The Anchorage and Fairbanks temples are the state’s only two houses of the Lord.

Alaska’s first Latter-day Saint congregation was a branch of three families in Fairbanks. It was organized in July 1938, 21 years before Alaska gained its statehood.

By 1961, the Church counted some 3,050 members in the state — three branches in Anchorage and others in Fairbanks, Palmer and Juneau. The Alaska Stake, the first in the state, was organized in Anchorage on Aug. 13, 1961.

Alaska is now home to around 34,000 Latter-day Saints across 82 wards and branches.

‘Camp Hesed’: How a tabernacle replica and a call with President Christofferson blessed 400 Alaskan youth

From 2025: Ground broken for Fairbanks Alaska Temple, ‘a place of protection and spiritual safety’

Read more Church News coverage of temples

Elder Ronald M. Barcellos, a General Authority Seventy, presided over the groundbreaking. Aug. 1 also marked when he began his service as a counselor in the Brazil Area presidency. Elder Barcellos was born in São Paulo, Brazil, about a 50-mile drive from Santos.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Elder Claudio R.M. Costa, an emeritus General Authority Seventy who was born in Santos. He concluded his service as a general authority in 2019.

Information and photos of the groundbreaking, which was also livestreamed, were published Aug. 1 on the Church’s Brazil Newsroom.

In his remarks, Elder Barcellos said this house of the Lord will bring “glorious blessings” to thousands. “The construction and dedication of a temple in the city of Santos stand as powerful evidence and an expression of God’s love for His children in this region.”

As local Latter-day Saints attend the temple, they will become more converted disciples of Jesus Christ, he said, with a greater capacity to reflect the Light of Christ to those around them. “For this reason, the construction of a temple blesses not only members of the Church but also the entire surrounding community and society.”

In his dedicatory prayer on the site, Elder Barcellos pleaded with Heavenly Father that His blessings, protection and guidance be present throughout the entire construction process.

“As we dedicate this site, we renew our promise to dedicate and consecrate ourselves — our thoughts, words and actions — even more fully to Thee and to Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.”

Elder Costa referenced the late President Russell M. Nelson’s October 1996 general conference talk, “The Atonement,” which he gave as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In those remarks, President Nelson said the purposes of the Creation, the Fall and the Atonement all converge on sacred work done in temples through the restored sealing power.

Added Elder Costa: “I have a testimony that this celestial marriage — which I live with my wife — will continue beyond this life. Even if one of us dies first, the other waits for the reunion with our ancestors; it is very special. Families are the center of Christ’s gospel.”

This was the first of six temple groundbreakings in August. It was also the third temple groundbreaking in Brazil this year — following those of the João Pessoa temple on Jan. 24 and the Teresina temple on April 18.

About the Santos temple and Church in Brazil

The Santos temple is planned as a two-story building of approximately 23,000 square feet. It will be built at Avenida Doutor Waldemar Leão, 305, Jabaquara, Santos, in the state of São Paulo.

On April 3, 2022, then-Church President Nelson announced this temple for Santos. It was one of 17 temple locations he identified in that general conference, including another for Brazil, in Maceió.

Latter-day Saint missionaries began preaching in southern Brazil in 1928. By the time the São Paulo Brazil Temple — the first in South America — was dedicated in 1978, membership in the country had reached 54,000.

Home now to more than 1.5 million Latter-day Saints in over 2,000 wards and branches, Brazil has 24 temples in various stages of operation, construction or planning.

The country’s 11 operating temples are the São Paulo (dedicated in 1978), Recife (2000), Porto Alegre (2000), Campinas (2002), Curitiba (2008), Manaus (2012), Fortaleza (2019), Rio de Janeiro (2022), Belém (2022), Brasília (2023) and Salvador (2024) temples.

The Belo Horizonte temple will soon join the list after its Aug. 16 dedication.

The Santos temple is now one of six Brazil houses of the Lord in the construction phase, alongside the Ribeirão Preto (2024), Londrina (2024), Natal (2025), João Pessoa (January 2026) and Teresina (April 2026) temples.

That leaves six temples in planning and design stages, for São Paulo East (announced 2020), Vitória (2021), Maceió (2022), Goiânia (2023), Florianópolis (2024) and Campo Grande (2025).

August 2026 will have 6 temple groundbreakings. What’s the most in a single month?

Teresina Brazil Temple enters construction phase

FSY in Brazil empowers youth to walk with Christ

Read more Church News coverage of temples

As soil is turned at a groundbreaking, for example, it’s a reminder for Latter-day Saints to turn their hearts to Jesus Christ. They can spiritually prepare themselves to receive the Lord as the ground is prepared to receive a temple.

Six temple groundbreakings are planned for this month of August:

• Aug. 1 — Santos Brazil Temple
• Aug. 8 — Naga Philippines Temple
• Aug. 15 — Huntsville Alabama Temple
• Aug. 22 — Tulsa Oklahoma Temple
• Aug. 22 — Victoria British Columbia Temple
• Aug. 29 — Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple

That’s at least one groundbreaking for five consecutive weeks.

Yet it’s not the most groundbreakings the Church has held in a single month — seven. A seven-groundbreaking month occurred three times, actually: March 1999, May 1999 and November 2020.

Read below about the first same-year, same-month and same-day groundbreakings, along with which months saw ground broken for more than one temple.

First cases of multiple groundbreakings

The first instance of same-year temple groundbreakings happened sooner than one might think. The Logan Utah Temple and Manti Utah Temple — the Church’s second and third temples still in operation — entered their construction phase in 1877, only 23 days apart. The Manti temple was on April 25 and the Logan temple on May 18, 1877.

The first case of same-month groundbreakings also happened with two Utah temples. In September 1969, the Ogden Utah Temple and Provo Utah Temple — the Church’s 14th and 15th temples — entered their construction phase only seven days apart.

The first two groundbreakings on the same day happened Oct. 10, 1998. The Spokane Washington Temple and Detroit Michigan Temple — the Church’s 59th and 63rd houses of the Lord — entered their construction phase just hours apart.

What’s the most temple groundbreakings in a single day? On March 20, 1999, four houses of the Lord entered their construction phase — the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple, Fresno California Temple, Fukuoka Japan Temple and Melbourne Australia Temple.

Months with the most temple groundbreakings

As mentioned earlier, the largest number of groundbreakings in a single month was seven, happening three times. Here are the months in Church history that had more than four groundbreakings:

March 1999 — 7 groundbreakings

• March 13 — Kona Hawaii Temple
• March 13 — Oaxaca Mexico Temple
• March 13 — Nashville Tennessee Temple
• March 20 — Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple
• March 20 — Fresno California Temple
• March 20 — Fukuoka Japan Temple
• March 20 — Melbourne Australia Temple

May 1999 — 7 groundbreakings

• May 8 — Suva Fiji Temple
• May 8 — Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple
• May 20 — Medford Oregon Temple
• May 25 — Palmyra New York Temple
• May 29 — Louisville Kentucky Temple
• May 29 — Adelaide Australia Temple
• May 29 — Veracruz Mexico Temple

November 2020 — 7 groundbreakings

• Nov. 4 — Salta Argentina Temple
• Nov. 7 — Bentonville Arkansas Temple
• Nov. 7 — Red Cliffs Utah Temple
• Nov. 14 — Cobán Guatemala Temple
• Nov. 14 — Davao Philippines Temple
• Nov. 21 — McAllen Texas Temple
• Nov. 27 — Antofagasta Chile Temple

August 2026 — 6 upcoming groundbreakings

• Aug. 1 — Santos Brazil Temple
• Aug. 8 — Naga Philippines Temple
• Aug. 15 — Huntsville Alabama Temple
• Aug. 22 — Tulsa Oklahoma Temple
• Aug. 22 — Victoria British Columbia Temple
• Aug. 29 — Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple

January 1999 — 5 groundbreakings

• Jan. 9 — Ciudad Juárez Mexico Temple
• Jan. 9 — Villahermosa Mexico Temple
• Jan. 10 — Caracas Venezuela Temple
• Jan. 16 — Memphis Tennessee Temple
• Jan. 16 — Mérida Mexico Temple

August 2025 — 5 groundbreakings

• Aug. 2 — Wellington New Zealand Temple
• Aug. 9 — Winchester Virginia Temple
• Aug. 23 — Tampa Florida Temple
• Aug. 23 — Brazzaville Republic of the Congo Temple
• Aug. 23 — Vancouver Washington Temple

Other months with multiple groundbreakings

Dozens of other temples entered their construction phase in the same month as another. Here’s when four, three or two groundbreakings happened in the same month, in chronological order:

4 groundbreakings

• October 1998
• April 1999
• May 2019
• December 2020
• April 2022
• June 2024
• August 2024

3 groundbreakings

• February 1981
• August 1982
• June 2020
• September 2020
• September 2021
• June 2022
• March 2025
• May 2025

2 groundbreakings

• September 1969
• September 1982
• April 1983
• October 1993
• August 1996
• November 1996
• March 1998
• May 1998
• June 1998
• September 1998
• November 1998
• December 1998
• February 1999
• July 1999
• October 1999
• November 1999
• November 2000
• March 2003
• May 2010
• October 2010
• June 2011
• September 2011
• October 2011
• August 2013
• April 2015
• October 2015
• February 2016
• March 2017
• January 2019
• October 2020
• June 2021
• August 2021
• October 2021
• August 2022
• October 2022
• December 2022
• April 2023
• June 2023
• October 2023
• September 2024
• June 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• January 2026
• June 2026

‘A reason for all of us to rejoice’

In total, the Church has 385 houses of the Lord in various stages of operation, renovation, construction and planning. Of those, 219 are dedicated, while 12 are scheduled for dedication and an additional 49 are under construction.

When the most recently planned temple was announced for Otavalo, Ecuador, in a May devotional, Elder Juan Pablo Villar, the attending General Authority Seventy, read a letter from the First Presidency.

“This is a reason for all of us to rejoice and express gratitude for such a significant blessing,” said the letter, “one that will allow more frequent access to the ordinances, covenants and power that can only be found in the house of the Lord.”

Because for Latter-day Saints, temple building is more than a new shape in the skyline; it’s an invitation to prepare their hearts to receive the Lord through covenant.

Church to dedicate 7 temples over 4 Sundays in October, November

From 2025: Same-day groundbreakings for 3 temples — has it happened before?

From 2025: Which months, dates have had the most temple dedications?

Read more Church News coverage of temples

The first 20 operating temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took more than a century to be built and dedicated — from the 1877 dedication of the St. George Utah Temple to the 1981 dedication of the Jordan River Utah Temple.

And while seven of the first 20 houses of the Lord are found in present-day Utah, the start of a global expansion was apparent as well, with temples dedicated across North America, in Europe, in the South Pacific, in South America and in Asia.

By the end of 2024, the total operating temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will go from that first 20 temples dedicated between 1877 and 1981 to more than 200 — with Nos. 181 to 200 being dedicated in a span of just 14 months. With The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to dedicate its 200th operating temple later this year, here’s the start of a weekly look — 20 at a time — at the houses of the Lord worldwide.

The path to 200 houses of the Lord: An introduction and compilation

See more information in the Church News’ online temple almanac

1. St. George Utah

Dedicated: April 6, 1877, by President Daniel H. Wells, second counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: The Church’s oldest operating temple, the St. George temple was also the first house of the Lord where Latter-day Saints could perform all temple ordinances for the dead.

Announced: Jan. 31, 1871, by President Brigham Young, Church president.

Groundbreaking: Nov. 9, 1871, presided over by President Young.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May it stand as a monument of purity and holiness as long as the earth shall remain, commemorative of Thy great goodness toward us, Thy people.”

Rededicated: Nov. 11, 1975, by President Spencer W. Kimball, Church president; and Dec. 10, 2023, by President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Three more notes: Prior to the dedication, President Young directed that temple ordinances — previously passed down by memory and word of mouth — be written down, ensuring wording consistency and long-term availability. … The St. George temple had a preliminary dedication on Jan. 1, 1877, to dedicate parts for the performance of ordinances before the official dedication, with three members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicating three separate sections — Elder Wilford Woodruff, the basement; Elder Erastus Snow, the main room on the ground floor; and Elder Brigham Young Jr., the sealing room. … It was the only temple dedicated during President Young’s 29-year tenure as Church president; he passed away almost five months after the dedication.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: St. George Utah Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Read the original St. George temple dedicatory prayer and why Brigham Young was not the one who gave it
• Why the St. George temple holds ‘a special place in the hearts of Latter-day Saints’
• President Holland rededicates St. George Utah Temple; ‘I consider this one of the sweetest and most rewarding assignments I have had’

2. Logan Utah

Dedicated: May 17, 1884, by President John Taylor, Church president.

Notable: The Logan temple was the only house of the Lord dedicated during President Taylor’s tenure as Church president. … It was the first house of the Lord to have muraled instruction rooms for the endowment.

Announced: Oct. 6, 1876, by President Brigham Young, Church president.

Groundbreaking: May 18, 1877, presided over by President John W. Young, first counselor in the First Presidency.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We humbly seek unto Thee for Thy blessing to rest upon this house, that it may be indeed a house of learning under Thy guidance, direction and inspiration, as Thou didst ordain the laws of the universe. … We ask that in this house a more full knowledge of Thee and Thy laws may be developed.”

Rededicated: March 13, 1979, by President Spencer W. Kimball, Church president.

Three more notes: It was the Church’s fourth Latter-day Saint temple to be rededicated after extensive remodeling; the previous three were the Mesa Arizona, St. George Utah and Laie Hawaii temples. … To accommodate out-of-town travelers for the dedication, a committee was set up to provide food and sleeping quarters, and excursion trains ran with reduced rates. … On the night of Dec. 4, 1917, faulty wiring in a switchboard caused a fire inside the temple’s east side, with damages to the walls, carpet, furniture, windows and paintings; Church members repaired the damages in around three months.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Logan Utah Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Logan Utah Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Bless the honest and upright throughout the world’
• Logan Utah Temple: Learn 12 facts about its history
• ‘In Grandpa’s footsteps’ — walking to the Logan Utah Temple

3. Manti Utah

Dedicated: May 17, 1888, by President Wilford Woodruff, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Notable: The Manti temple was publicly dedicated on May 21, 1888, by Elder Lorenzo Snow, who read President Woodruff’s prayer from the private dedication. … President Brigham Young dedicated the site of the Manti temple on his way home from dedicating the St. George Utah Temple.

Announced: On Dec. 4, 1873, President Brigham Young announced a temple for Sanpete County, Utah, during a conference in Ephraim, Utah; he announced the temple specifically for Manti on June 25, 1875, during another conference in Ephraim.

Groundbreaking: April 25, 1877, by President Young.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May this delightful location be known as a holy hill of Zion, among Thy people. … Grant that [the temple] may stand and endure as a monument of the obedience and love of Thy people, and to the honor of Thy holy name for ages yet to come in holiness to the Lord.”

Rededicated: June 14, 1985, by President Gordon B. Hinckley, second counselor in the First Presidency; and April 21, 2024, by President Russell M. Nelson, Church president.

Three more notes: When Latter-day Saint pioneers first came to the Sanpete Valley, extreme cold caused them to take shelter on a hill. That became the same hill the Manti temple was built on. … At the location earlier in the morning of site dedication and groundbreaking, President Young said: “Here is the spot where the Prophet Moroni stood and dedicated this piece of land for a temple site, and that is the reason why the location is made here, and we can’t move it from this spot.” … The temple architect was William H. Folsom, who also designed the Salt Lake Tabernacle and Provo Tabernacle.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Manti Utah Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Manti Utah Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘May this delightful location be known as a holy hill of Zion, among Thy people’
• President Nelson, in a surprise appearance, rededicates the historic Manti Utah Temple
• How art conservators preserved the Manti Utah Temple murals

4. Salt Lake

Dedicated: April 6, 1893, by President Wilford Woodruff, Church president.

Notable: Four days after Latter-day Saint settlers arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley, President Brigham Young announced both a temple and its exact location, driving his cane into the hard ground and saying, “Here we will build a temple to our God.”

Announced: July 28, 1847, by President Young.

Groundbreaking: Feb. 14, 1853, by President Young.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “When the children of Thy people, in years to come, shall be separated, through any cause, from this place, and their hearts shall turn in remembrance of Thy promises to this holy temple, and they shall cry unto Thee from the depths of their affliction and sorrow to extend relief and deliverance to them, we humbly entreat Thee to turn Thine ear in mercy to them; hearken to their cries, and grant unto them the blessings for which they ask.”

Three more notes: The Salt Lake Temple is one of many firsts — first to begin construction in the territory of Utah, first to have an Angel Moroni statue, first to have a public open house. … Dedicatory sessions were held from April 6 through April 24, 1893, with those attending able to tour the building before each session; five of the sessions — from April 21 to April 23 — were held for children under the age of 8 and their teachers, with about 12,000 attending. … The Salt Lake Temple closed Dec. 19, 2019, for an extensive interior and exterior renovation as part of the restorations of pioneer-era temples, as announced by President Russell M. Nelson, Church president; the closure and renovations continue, with 2026 the latest announced estimate for completion.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Salt Lake Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Salt Lake Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘O Lord, we regard with intense and indescribable feelings the completion of this sacred house’
• President Nelson details plans for Salt Lake Temple during its 4-year closure for renovation
• Salt Lake Temple renovation update: An emphasis on the project’s mission and mandates

5. Laie Hawaii

Dedicated: Nov. 27, 1919, by President Heber J. Grant, Church president.

Notable: It was the first Latter-day Saint house of the Lord built outside the contiguous United States. … The temple’s June 1, 1915, groundbreaking — presided over by President Joseph F. Smith, Church president — preceded its public announcement at October 1915 general conference.

Announced: Oct. 3, 1915, by President Joseph F. Smith, Church president.

Groundbreaking: June 1, 1915, by President Smith.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May all who come upon the grounds which surround this temple, in the years to come, whether members of the Church of Christ or not, feel the sweet and peaceful influence of this blessed and hallowed spot.”

Rededicated: June 13, 1978, by President Spencer W. Kimball, Church president; and Nov. 21, 2010, by President Thomas S. Monson, Church president.

Three more notes: Previous to 1915, Latter-day Saints in Hawaii wanting to attend a house of the Lord had to travel almost 3,000 miles to the Salt Lake Temple in Utah; many chose to move to Utah in order to be close to and receive the blessings of the temple. … This house of the Lord was originally named the Hawaiian Temple or the Hawaii Temple. … It is located less than a mile away from Brigham Young University–Hawaii and its adjacent Polynesian Cultural Center.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Laie Hawaii Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Laie Hawaii Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘We beseech Thee that no unclean thing shall be permitted to enter here’
• Laie Hawaii Temple rededicated and ‘shines as a beacon to all who will follow its light’
• Take a look inside the classic 100-year-old Hawaii temple with this new model

6. Cardston Alberta

Dedicated: Aug. 26, 1923, by President Heber J. Grant, Church president.

Notable: First house of the Lord built outside of the United States and its territories. … The construction of the temple was an effort led by Church President Joseph F. Smith to increase temple accessibility to those distant from the temples in Utah.

Announced: On Oct. 12, 1912, President Smith announced plans to construct a temple in Canada; on Feb. 13, 1913, Alberta Stake President Edward J. Wood received a letter from Elder Orson F. Whitney of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stating the temple would be built in Cardston, Alberta.

Groundbreaking: On July 27, 1913, President Smith dedicated the temple site; on Nov. 9, 1913, ground was broken for construction of the house of the Lord, with Daniel Kent Greene of Glenwood, Alberta, presiding at the groundbreaking.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We beseech Thee, O God in heaven, that the people of Canada may ever seek Thee for guidance and direction, that Thy declaration that the American continent is a land choice above all other lands, and Thy promise that it shall be protected against all foes, provided the people serve Thee, may be fulfilled, and that the people may grow in power and strength and dominion and, above all, in a love of Thy truth.”

Rededicated: July 2, 1962, by President Hugh B. Brown, second counselor in the First Presidency; and June 22, 1991, by President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: Initially named the Alberta Temple. … The temple’s original footprint was 40 rooms and a total floor area of 29,471 square feet; the interior today consists of 80 rooms, with additions and renovations expanding the square footage to 81,700. … In 1995, the temple was named a Canadian historic site by the Canadian government.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Cardston Alberta Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Cardston Alberta Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Bless Thy people in all parts of the world’
• Alberta temple named Canada historic site

7. Mesa Arizona

Dedicated: Oct. 23, 1927, by President Heber J. Grant, Church president.

Notable: Originally named the Arizona Temple, until the 1999 name change. … In 1945, it became the first temple to offer ordinances in a language other than English, with Spanish as the second language.

Announced: Oct. 3, 1919, by President Grant.

Groundbreaking: Nov. 28, 1921, site dedication by President Grant was followed five months later by the actual groundbreaking — also by President Grant‚ on April 25, 1922.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May Thy peace ever abide in this holy building, that all who come here may partake of the spirit of peace, and of the sweet and heavenly influence that Thy Saints have experienced in other temples.”

Rededicated: April 15, 1975, by President Spencer W. Kimball, Church president; and Dec. 12, 2021, by President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: The temple was the first Latter-day Saint house of the Lord to be rededicated following renovations. … Instead of an open house prior to dedication, the Church led tours through the temple during the last two years of its construction. … The dedication was a four-day event, including a public concert on the temple roof during the second day to offer gratitude and prayer; the 300-person choir included 32-year-old Spencer W. Kimball, who later became president of the Church.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Mesa Arizona Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Mesa Arizona Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘We thank Thee for this land of liberty in which we dwell’
• ‘Astonished, impressed, gratified’: President Dallin H. Oaks rededicates Mesa Arizona Temple
• On the grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple, musical production of ‘Jesus the Christ’ celebrates Easter story

8. Idaho Falls Idaho

Dedicated: Sept. 23, 1945, by President George Albert Smith, Church president.

Notable: First temple in the state of Idaho. … The house of the Lord was dedicated just five weeks after the end of World War II.

Announced: March 3, 1937, by President Heber J. Grant, Church president.

Groundbreaking: Dec. 19, 1939, presided over by President David Smith, president of the Idaho Falls North Stake.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We are grateful, Heavenly Father, that we have been permitted to rear this temple on this beautiful spot upon the bank of one of Thy majestic rivers, the waters of which have made it possible for Thy faithful Saints residing here to subdue the land and establish delightful homes. We thank Thee for the means that Thou hast placed in our hands that has been utilized in constructing this edifice and preparing it for holy purposes.”

Rededicated: June 4, 2017, by President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: The first dedicatory session was the first general meeting over which President Smith presided as President of the Church, and all general authorities and general officers attended the first session. … After the 1893 dedication of the Salt Lake Temple and until the 1972 dedication of the Ogden Utah Temple, it was the house of the Lord dedicated in closest proximity to Church headquarters. … At the time of its 1945 dedication of what would be the Church’s eighth-oldest operating temple, Church membership in the temple district was approaching 100,000.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Idaho Falls Idaho Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Idaho Falls Idaho Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘We pray for the youth everywhere’
• Idaho Falls Idaho Temple reopens after renovations
• Promising future awaits all returning to historic temple as President Eyring rededicates Idaho Falls Idaho Temple

9. Bern Switzerland

Dedicated: Sept. 11, 1955, by President David O. McKay, Church president.

Notable: Originally named the Swiss Temple. … It was the first house of the Lord in Switzerland, the European continent and all of the Eastern Hemisphere.

Announced: July 1, 1952, by President McKay.

Groundbreaking: Aug. 5, 1953, by President McKay.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May this building ever be held sacred, that all who enter may feel a peaceful and hallowed influence, and may those who pass the grounds, whether members or nonmembers of the Church, feel a hallowed influence and substitute for a doubt or possible sneer in their minds, a prayer in their hearts.”

Rededicated: Oct. 23, 1992, by President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: President McKay first announced a temple for Bern in an interview with the United Press in Glasgow, Scotland. … Public tours were conducted the two days before the temple’s 1955 dedication, and the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square — touring Europe at the time — sang at the first dedication ceremony. … In 1953, Gordon B. Hinckley, then a staff member of the Missionary Department of the Church, was tasked by President McKay to find a way to present the temple ordinances in eight different languages, a necessity for the diverse cultures that would attend the Bern Switzerland Temple. Brother Hinckley studied the ordinances, prayed often and consulted with President McKay to find an answer, which eventually led him to propose that the ordinances be presented in movie form. The top floor of the Salt Lake Temple was used to film the English video over the course of one year, then videos were filmed for each of the remaining seven languages.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Bern Switzerland Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Bern Switzerland Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Help us to free our minds from idle thoughts and our souls from selfish and envious feelings’
• Prior to 1992 rededications, thousands tour London and Swiss temples
• 50th anniversary of the Swiss Temple: Dedication a bold act of faith

10. Los Angeles California

Dedicated: March 11, 1956, by President David O. McKay, Church president.

Notable: The first Latter-day Saint house of the Lord in the state of California and the 10th worldwide still in operation.

Announced: On April 17, 1937, President Heber J. Grant, then the president of the Church, announced at a meeting of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles a 24-acre temple site to purchase in Los Angeles; on Jan. 17, 1949, President George Albert Smith, then Church president, met with stake presidencies and bishoprics in the Los Angeles area, and they approved with a unanimous vote to build the temple on the site selected 12 years earlier.

Groundbreaking: Sept. 22, 1951, by President McKay.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We have felt Thy presence and in times of doubt and perplexity have hearkened unto Thy voice. Here in Thy holy house, in humility and deep gratitude we acknowledge Thy divine guidance, Thy protection and inspiration. This is truly Thy work — help us to be able representatives, faithful and true.”

Three more notes: At the time of its construction, this temple was the largest temple in the world. The Salt Lake Temple later became the largest temple after its additions and renovations. … The temple closed in 1981 for 10 weeks of remodeling; while the temple was not formally rededicated, Latter-day Saints celebrated the temple’s 25th anniversary on March 21, 1981, with 36 continuous hours of temple endowments — a total of 15,439 performed over 72 sessions. … In August 1847, Church President Brigham Young wrote a letter to the early Saints living in California, prophesying that “in the process of time, the shores of the Pacific may yet be overlooked from the temple of the Lord.”

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Los Angeles California Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Los Angeles California Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Guide us, O God, in our efforts to hasten the day when men will renounce contention and strife’
• 11 facts about the Los Angeles California Temple in honor of its 65th anniversary in 2021

11. Hamilton New Zealand

Dedicated: April 20, 1958, by President David O. McKay, Church president.

Notable: Originally named the New Zealand Temple. … It was the first house of the Lord in the Southern Hemisphere and for a quarter-century the only temple in the South Pacific.

Announced: Feb. 17, 1955, by President McKay during a meeting with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Groundbreaking: Dec. 21, 1955, presided over by President Ariel S. Ballif, president of the New Zealand Mission.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Now, dear Lord, our Eternal Father, through love for Thee and their fellow men, faithful members of Thy Church, and others who believe in Thee, by tithes and other generous contributions, have made possible the erection and completion of this, Thy holy house, in which will be performed the ordinances and ceremonies essential to the happiness, salvation and exaltation of Thy children living in mortality and in the spirit world. Accept of our offering, hallow it by Thy presence, protect it by Thy power. With this prayer we dedicate our lives to the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth for the peace of the world and to Thy glory forever.”

Rededicated: Oct. 16, 2022, by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Three more notes: Unique to the New Zealand Temple is that it was primarily built by labor missionaries. As they commenced the building of the temple, they were told to “build it for eternity.” Through the contributions and donations from local members, the labor missionaries were able to complete the New Zealand Temple and the surrounding structures, including a secondary school. … Until temples were dedicated in Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti and Australia in 1983 and 1984, the temple in New Zealand was the closest option for Latter-day Saints in the South Pacific, with the temple in Laie, Hawaii, the next closest. … At the time of the Hamilton temple’s rededication in 2022, there were 10 operating temples in the Church’s Pacific Area.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Hamilton New Zealand Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Hamilton New Zealand Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Accept of our offering, hallow it by Thy presence, protect it by Thy power’
• ‘A beacon of light and a place of hope’: Elder Uchtdorf rededicates Hamilton New Zealand Temple
• What the Hamilton New Zealand Temple means to the labor missionaries who helped build it in the 1950s

12. London England

Dedicated: Sept. 7, 1958, by President David O. McKay, Church president.

Notable: Originally called the London Temple. … When dedicated in 1958, the house of the Lord in London served Latter-day Saints in the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and the United Kingdom.

Announced: Aug. 10, 1953, by the First Presidency — President McKay and his counselors, President Stephen L Richards and President J. Reuben Clark Jr.

Groundbreaking: Aug. 27, 1955, by President McKay.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “If any with gloomy forebodings or heavy hearts enter, may they depart with their burdens lightened and their faith increased; if any have envy or bitterness in their hearts, may such feelings be replaced by self-searching and forgiveness. May all who come within these sacred walls feel a peaceful, hallowed influence.”

Rededicated: Oct. 18, 1992, by President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: President McKay’s Aug. 27, 1955, groundbreaking came a little more than two years following his dedication of the site on Aug. 10, 1953. … The Church’s first temple in the United Kingdom, the London England Temple is located 24 miles south of the namesake city’s central area, in the hamlet of Newchapel in Surrey, England. … The small waterway running through the picturesque 32-acre temple grounds is called Eden Brook.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: London England Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• London England Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Temples are but one means of man’s cooperation with Thee in accomplishing this divine purpose’
• London temple rededicated, lives renewed
• Why the Angel Moroni statue stopped traffic, and other interesting facts about the London temple on its 60th anniversary

13. Oakland California

Dedicated: Nov. 17, 1964, by President David O. McKay, Church president.

Notable: The Oakland temple made California the second state — after Utah — to have multiple houses of the Lord. … In an April 1943 general conference address, Church President Heber J. Grant announced a temple site had been purchased in the Oakland area.

Announced: Jan. 23, 1961, by President McKay.

Groundbreaking: May 26, 1962, by President McKay.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Help all, O Father, to realize more keenly and sincerely than ever before that only by obedience to eternal principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ may loved ones who died without baptism be permitted the glorious privilege of entrance into Thy kingdom. Increase our desire, therefore, we pray Thee, to put forth even greater effort toward the consummation of Thy purposes to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of all Thy children.”

Rededicated: June 16, 2019, by President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: The public open house in 1964 drew more than 347,000, with the open house extended an extra week to accommodate the large number of visitors. … The 2019 rededication sessions were among the Church’s first dedications and rededications to feature a change in participating speakers, including several youth. … The Interstake Center on the same property as the temple was used years ago as the NBA’s Golden State Warriors’ practice facility.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Oakland California Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Oakland California Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘We invoke Thy blessing particularly upon Thy people in this temple district’
• Bay Area’s ‘beacon’ is back as President Oaks rededicates Oakland California Temple
• Why the Oakland temple is a popular spot for quinceañeras photoshoots (and a whole lot more)

14. Ogden Utah

Dedicated: Jan. 18, 1972, by President Joseph Fielding Smith, Church president.

Notable: It was the fifth house of the Lord to be built in present-day Utah and the first to be dedicated after the Salt Lake Temple, a difference of almost 79 years.

Announced: Aug. 14, 1967, by President Hugh B. Brown and President N. Eldon Tanner, counselors in the First Presidency, in a meeting in Ogden, Utah, with 25 local stake presidencies.

Groundbreaking: Sept. 8, 1969, by First Presidency counselors.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “It has been our privilege, as guided by the whisperings of Thy Spirit, to build unto Thee this temple, which we now present unto Thee as another of Thy holy houses.”

Rededicated: Sept. 21, 2014, by President Thomas S. Monson, Church president.

Three more notes: A temple for Ogden and one for Provo were both announced on Aug. 14, 1967, marking the first time in Church history that two temples were announced on the same day. The temples were also dedicated 22 days apart, marking the first time two temples were dedicated within less than a month. … Four First Presidency counselors participated in the groundbreaking ceremony — President N. Eldon Tanner, second counselor in the First Presidency, conducted the gathering; President Alvin R. Dyer, an additional counselor, offered the invocation; President Joseph Fielding Smith, also called as a counselor, offered the dedicatory prayer on the site; and President Hugh B. Brown, first counselor in the First Presidency, broke ground. … The Ogden and Provo temples were the first built with six instruction rooms, allowing an endowment session to begin every 20 minutes.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Ogden Utah Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Ogden Utah Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Father, we have in our hearts the spirit of praise and thanksgiving and worship’
• President Thomas S. Monson rededicates Ogden Utah Temple
• Media tour of reconstructed Ogden Utah Temple

15. Provo Utah Rock Canyon

Dedicated: Feb. 9, 1972, by President Joseph Fielding Smith, Church president, with the prayer read by President Harold B. Lee, first counselor in the First Presidency.

Notable: In 1973, the Provo Utah Temple’s first full year of operation, 17.7% of all ordinances worldwide were performed in the temple.

Announced: Aug. 14, 1967, by President Hugh B. Brown and President N. Eldon Tanner, counselors in the First Presidency, in a meeting in Provo, Utah, with 28 local stake presidencies; the meeting was held earlier in the day, prior to a similar meeting and temple announcement in Ogden.

Groundbreaking: Sept. 15, 1969, presided over by President Hugh B. Brown, first counselor in the First Presidency.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “It has been our privilege, as guided by the whisperings of Thy Spirit, to build unto Thee this temple, which we now present unto Thee as another of Thy holy houses.”

Three more notes: The presence of the Provo Utah Temple is a fulfillment of a prophecy from Church President Brigham Young that a temple would one day be built on the hill overlooking the town. … On Feb. 20, 2024 — four days before it was scheduled to close for reconstruction — the Provo Utah Temple was renamed the Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple. The name stems from its retained location at the mouth of Rock Canyon on Provo’s eastern bench. This name change also helps differentiate between the two temples in Provo just 2.4 miles apart. … With President Smith attending, presiding and speaking, the temple dedication was broadcast to large auditoriums on the Brigham Young University campus via closed-circuit television.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Provo Utah Temple: We plead with Thee to pour out Thy Holy Spirit upon us
• The Provo Utah Temple will be redesigned. Here’s what it will look like
• Provo Utah Temple will be renamed as it prepares to close for reconstruction

16. Washington D.C.

Dedicated: Nov. 19, 1974, by President Spencer W. Kimball, Church president.

Notable: The first house of the Lord built east of the Mississippi River since the 1840s. … Originally known as the Washington Temple until 1999.

Announced: Nov. 15, 1968, by President David O. McKay, Church president.

Groundbreaking: Dec. 7, 1968, by President Hugh B. Brown, first counselor in the First Presidency.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Father, we are concerned with the political world of today and that nations seem to need only the lighting of a match to bring war and desolation and destruction. Bless, we pray Thee, the leaders of nations, that they may rule wisely and righteously and give Thy people freedom to worship Thee in truth and righteousness. Stay the powers, our Father, that would bring us to the brink of annihilation.”

Rededicated: Aug. 14, 2022, by President Russell M. Nelson, Church president.

Three more notes: The temple’s seven-week open house in 1974 brought in 758,328 visitors, including Betty Ford, first lady of the United States; United States Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger and other Supreme Court justices; Vice President-designate Nelson Rockefeller; more than 100 U.S. congressional leaders; and other federal, state and local government officials and community leaders. … Church architect Emil B. Fetzer called the Washington Temple “a subtle reflection of the Salt Lake Temple.” … It was the Church’s first six-spired house of the Lord since the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple in 1893. … By the time it had been dedicated, the Washington Temple was featured in 1,374 articles published in 931 newspapers, including at least five articles in each of the 50 states — except Hawaii (three articles) — as well as reports published in Europe and South America and carried on international wire services. Also, a 30-minute television documentary on the temple was shown on 35 television stations, including in Salt Lake City; Seattle, Washington; Baltimore, Maryland; Los Angeles, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Houston, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio; New Orleans, Louisiana; Topeka, Kansas; and Anchorage, Alaska.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Washington D.C. Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Washington D.C. Temple dedicatory prayer: Please forgive us our trespasses as we totally repent
• 1974 revisited: 25 noteworthy events and elements tied to the Washington Temple dedication
• Calling every temple ‘a symbol of Jesus Christ,’ President Nelson rededicates the Washington D.C. Temple

17. São Paulo Brazil

Dedicated: Oct. 30, 1978, President Spencer W. Kimball, Church president.

Notable: The first house of the Lord both in Brazil and all of South America. … At the time of its announcement in 1975, few Brazilian Saints had been able to attend a house of the Lord, with the closest 4,700 miles away in Washington, D.C.

Announced: March 1, 1975, by President Kimball.

Groundbreaking: March 20, 1976, by Elder James E. Faust, an assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Today we dedicate this holy temple unto Thee, with all that pertains unto it, that it may be a house of prayer, a house of praise and of worship; that Thy glory may rest upon it; that Thy holy presence may be continually in it; that it may be the abode of Thy Beloved Son, our Savior; that angels who stand before Thy face may be the hallowed messengers who shall visit it.”

Rededicated: Feb. 22, 2004, by President Gordon B. Hinckley, Church president.

Three more notes: President Kimball announced the new temple during an area conference in São Paulo on March 1, 1975. … Church members in Brazil and throughout South America contributed to the temple efforts, selling their gold and jewelry to donate money to the temple construction and giving their time to build the house of the Lord. … At the time of its dedication, the São Paulo temple was the first temple that could review and approve genealogical records and name submissions for temple work completely in-house without asking the Church headquarters in Salt Lake City for approval.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: São Paulo Brazil Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• São Paulo Brazil Temple dedicatory prayer: We also thank Thee, our Father, for the perfect organization of Thy Church today
• Brazil in 1978: How a revelation and a temple changed everything
• Highlights of the rededication of Brazil São Paulo Temple

18. Tokyo Japan

Dedicated: Oct. 27, 1980, by President Spencer W. Kimball, Church president.

Notable: The first house of the Lord in Japan and in Asia and the fifth dedicated outside North America.

Announced: Aug. 9, 1975, by President Kimball.

Groundbreaking: On April 10, 1978, construction for the Tokyo Japan Temple began, but because the site already had mission offices built, a traditional groundbreaking ceremony was not held.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Our gracious Father, Thou hast permitted us to build and dedicate unto Thee for Thy glorious work of salvation for the living and the dead a score of holy temples upon the earth, among which is this wonderful, well-appointed temple in this beautiful land of Japan.”

Rededicated: July 3, 2022, by President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: The announcement of a house of the Lord in Tokyo took place during an area conference held in the Nippon Budokan Arena in Japan’s capital city, with 12,300 Tokyo Latter-day Saints present. … The Tokyo temple site was acquired in the spring of 1948 for a mission home to be built. The site is located in a neighborhood across the street from Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park. The land the park is located on had once belonged to members of Japan’s Imperial Family. … In 1965, there were 8,892 members, but very few had actually been to a temple. In 1965 and 1970, groups of Tokyo Saints traveled to Hawaii and Salt Lake City, respectively, to attend the temple.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Tokyo Japan Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Tokyo Japan Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘We present to Thee this beautiful temple, provided by the sacrifice of Thy people in the Orient who love Thee and Thy Son’
• President Eyring rededicates Tokyo Japan Temple, Church’s longest-operating in Asia
• Latter-day Saints reflect on history of Tokyo Japan Temple

19. Seattle Washington

Dedicated: Nov. 17, 1980, by President Spencer W. Kimball, Church president.

Notable: The first house of the Lord built in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

Announced: Nov. 15, 1975, by President Kimball and his First Presidency counselors President N. Eldon Tanner and President Marion G. Romney in a Seattle area conference.

Groundbreaking: May 27, 1978, presided over by President Romney, second counselor in the First Presidency.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Bless, we pray Thee, the presidency of this temple and the matron and all the officiators herein. Help them to create a sublime and holy atmosphere so that all ordinances may be performed with love and a sweet, spiritual tone that will cause the members to greatly desire to be here and to return again and again.”

Three more notes: During the first week of the monthlong public open house prior to the temple’s dedication, many visitors stood in line for more than two hours to see the house of the Lord. … The Tokyo and Seattle temples were dedicated just 21 days apart, the closest time between two temple dedications; before that was the 22 days between the Ogden and Provo temple dedications. … The Seattle temple’s district was initially the states of Washington, Oregon and Alaska and the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Seattle Washington Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Seattle Washington Temple dedicatory prayer: ‘Our Father, bless us that we may live Thy commandments and follow Thy divine plan’
• More about the Seattle Washington Temple

20. Jordan River Utah

Dedicated: Nov. 16, 1981, by President Marion G. Romney, second counselor in the First Presidency, who read the dedicatory prayer written by President Spencer W. Kimball, Church president.

Notable: The seventh temple dedicated in Utah and one of two temples in South Jordan, the first city to have two temples (with the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple, dedicated in 2009).

Announced: Feb. 3, 1978, by President Kimball in a press conference at the Church Office Building.

Groundbreaking: June 9, 1979, with President N. Eldon Tanner, first counselor in the First Presidency, conducting the service and President Kimball breaking ground with a front-end loader.

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “May all who enter have clean hands and pure hearts, and may they participate with faith in the ordinances to be given herein, and depart with a feeling of peace, praising Thy holy name.”

Rededicated: May 20, 2018, by President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency.

Three more notes: President Kimball was in a wheelchair and unable to speak as he attended one session each of the five days of dedication. His wife, Sister Camilla Kimball, attended with him, with the first dedication day of Nov. 16 being their 64th wedding anniversary. … The 15-acre land housing the Jordan River temple was bought in 1880 for $2.00 an acre. It remained in the possession of the buyer and his family until autumn of 1977, when Alma Holt and his family donated the land to the Church. … The temple, built in South Jordan, Utah, got its name from the Jordan River, a river in the middle of the Salt Lake Valley that runs from south to north. The river was named by Latter-day Saint pioneers in 1847.

Read more on the Church News almanac page: Jordan River Utah Temple

Additional reading from the Church News archives:

• Jordan River Utah Temple dedicatory prayer: May the channels of communication between Thee and us be open
• A call for unity and righteousness: President Eyring rededicates Jordan River Temple
• Welcome back to the Jordan River Utah Temple

Read weekly compilations about the 200

• Temples 21-40: Atlanta Georgia to Denver Colorado temples
• Temples 41-60: Frankfurt Germany to Columbus Ohio temples
• Temples 61-80: Bismarck North Dakota to Memphis Tennessee temples
• Temples 81-100: Reno Nevada to Boston Massachusetts temples
• Temples 101-200: Recife Brazil to San Antonio Texas temples
• Temples 121-140: Aba Nigeria to Calgary Alberta temples
• Temples 141-160: Tegucigalpa Honduras to Concepción Chile temples
• Temples 161-180: Barranquilla Colombia to Brasília Brazil temples
• Temples 181-200: Bentonville Arkansas to Deseret Peak Utah temples

Temples – The Church News Almanac

A midyear look at temple milestones for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

On this episode of the Church News podcast, President Susan H. Porter and her counselors, Sister Amy A. Wright and Sister Tracy Y. Browning, talk with Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen about their observations of children around the world who are learning the gospel of Jesus Christ at home and in church settings.

“We have tried to drink so deeply from the Savior’s example in 3 Nephi,” President Porter said in the interview. “When He gathered children so often around Him, and He prayed for them, and He called down angels, and He invited them, He loosed their tongues, invited them to share.”

The three members of the Primary general presidency recall favorite moments from their time serving together and the ways their own testimonies of the Savior grew through fulfilling a calling that President Porter described as initially being “overwhelming” but became a blessing in each of their lives.

Listen to this episode of the Church News podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, bookshelf PLUS, YouTube or wherever you get podcasts.

Transcript:

Jon Ryan Jensen: I’m Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News. Welcome to this episode of the Church News podcast.

Today, we’re excited to have with us the Primary general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to talk with us about the time that they’ve had serving as the Primary general presidency and serving with parents, leaders and teachers as they’ve ministered around the world.

We welcome them today to our studio. Sisters, thanks for being with us today.

President Susan H. Porter: Thank you.

0:33

Jon Ryan Jensen: I really am excited to have this conversation with the three of you today. You found out, or probably knew a little ahead of time, that in April a new Primary general presidency would be called. And yet you are powering forward in the last few months of your calling.

But I want to go back to the beginning and, President Porter, perhaps start with you and ask how, when you accepted a new calling to serve here, what emotions that brought and what you did to kind of set the tone for accepting this calling and beginning to serve in it.

1:14

President Susan H. Porter: Well, a calling like this is overwhelming. There’s just this profound feeling of humility. There was also joy in knowing I would have two counselors. And Sister Wright and I had served together in the presidency with [President] Camille Johnson for one year. Also, we had known each other as Sister Wright had served on the Young Women general advisory council.

And then Sister Browning, we had had some wonderful associations as members of the Relief Society general council, and I just felt so grateful for the very clear inspiration that brought them both. And I realized that each of these sisters brought a unique perspective and unique life experiences, and unique and very strong testimonies. So I was so grateful for that.

2:05

Jon Ryan Jensen: I love you sharing that, because the opportunity to serve in a presidency is something that we see happen across the Church. It doesn’t matter if we’re starting from the youngest youth classes, you have new presidents called to serve, and they’re choosing presidents. And it’s a similar process all the way up through the organizational presidencies of the Church.

As the three of you began to serve together, what was it like for you to come to consensus on things you wanted to focus on as you would begin your ministry?

2:39

President Susan H. Porter: I’d love to hear from Sister Wright and Sister Browning and just start with: We wanted to know: “How did the Savior view children? How did He minister to them? What did He invite them to do?” We really wanted to follow His example.

And so for the whole time we’ve served together, we’ve just referred again and again to the chapters in 3 Nephi when the resurrected Savior visited the people in this continent — 3 Nephi chapters 11, 17 and 26. And I think we all have them memorized and have pulled out the principles. But I’ll just start with one and want to hear from Sister Wright and Sister Browning.

The first one is that He testified to the people, when He descended, of who He was, and then He invited them to do something. He said, “Arise, and come forth unto me, that you can feel my hands and the marks in my side, so that you can have this experience one-on-one with me.”

It’s interesting to us that that would have included children. And so children were invited to come have an individual experience with the Savior so that they could hear Him, see Him, feel His presence, feel the marks in His hands. And then they had an opportunity to bear record. And we have used those scriptures in 3 Nephi chapter 11 over and over again, as we’ve wanted to invite children to have a personal experience with the Savior.

4:15

Jon Ryan Jensen: Sister Amy A. Wright?

Sister Amy A. Wright: You know, it’s so interesting when you look at the secular world serving in a position like this, people tend to begin with: “What is going to be my legacy? What am I going to create or produce or change that’s directly connected to me?” And that is not how we serve in the kingdom of God. And that’s absolutely not how President Porter leads either.

And so we came together as a presidency without any preconceived notion or ideas of what we felt like our service should look like. And so we just got on our knees and asked the Lord, “What would You have us do?” And I think that’s so beautiful, because every time we presented to councils a particular product or a proposal, we weren’t emotionally attached to it, because we knew that this was not our work. This was the Lord’s work. It’s His work and His glory. He’s perfectly capable of doing His own work.

And so, when we received answers in those councils — because His way is not one of debate; it’s of counsel and seeking revelation and learning together to discern His will — and so our answers, I don’t feel like we ever received a “no.” It was a resounding “yes.” Or equally important is a “not now.” Or my favorite was “I have a better way.” And then we would come back to our presidency and counsel, and the Lord would give us line upon line.

And it’s just another witness to me that this is Jesus Christ’s work. And the miracle of it all is that He invites us to be part of His work so we can have opportunities to learn and to grow, to strengthen our testimony in our Heavenly Father and in our Savior, but also to strengthen the love and the relationships we have with one another, with those that we serve with.

6:12

Jon Ryan Jensen: Sister Tracy Y. Browning, you have had the doubly unique experience to carry on that topic a little bit, being part of the council and presenting two councils to have work considered.

Have you felt different being on this side, being part of a presidency and having that role versus having something that you’ve worked on go in front of a council?

6:38

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: Certainly it’s different being a Church employee versus being called to serve in the presidency of an organization. There are some things that overlap, meaning that you seek to bring whatever the Lord has allowed you to be blessed with, and each of the things that He calls you to do. I felt very much called to work for the Church, for my personal life and to give a portion of my professional life to that. And within that, I gained some unique perspectives and some skills that I hopefully was able to bless my time serving in the Primary presidency. But it was such a joy to then be asked to serve with President Porter and Sister Wright. That was just, for me, one of the choicest blessings that I’ve had in my life.

And to consider the question that was asked originally, just to kind of connect to what President Porter said about coming immediately to this assignment and feeling very connected to the scriptures and the Lord pointing us directionally to a set of scriptures that help to give a vision of how He sees children and a vision of how we might serve. And then to spend a lot of time on our knees as a presidency, seeking the Lord’s will to understand what are some priorities.

Something that came to my mind, or came out of that process with the presidency, was really just the magnificence of the spiritual ministry that is Primary. It is such a privilege to be called to minister, to teach and minister, to support, to prepare the Savior’s youngest disciples as they’re growing in their covenant relationship with Him.

It’s such a privilege to be a support to parents as they’re seeking to fulfill their responsibilities. It’s such a privilege to have association with leaders and teachers and all those who are seeking to bless and to behold the Savior’s youngest disciples. It’s been one of our priorities to help raise the vision of what it is to be called to serve in this organization, because we have come to really see that the Savior has invited us to really look at these young disciples and to consider how to help them walk more with the Savior, to grow in love in that relationship and to feel confident that they have, as they make covenants, they have access to the same priesthood power, the same blessings that anyone who makes a covenant with the Lord has access to.

It’s expressed differently in their season of life as children, certainly. They come with less complexities at times, for some children, in that season of life. But the Lord invites them into a covenant relationship with Him. And helping those who are invited to come and be a part of this spiritual ministry, raise their vision to what that means, has just been a joy for us to come to that.

9:39

Jon Ryan Jensen: I was talking recently with a brother who’s being released as a bishop, and he said, “I used to hear outgoing bishops say, ‘Oh, only in this Church can you go from being a bishop to serving in the Nursery, serving in the Primary.’” And he said, “I used to think that that was kind of demeaning to those in the Primary.” He said, “Now that I’ve served as a bishop, I’ll say the same thing, but I say it because I know that if they can get off on the right foot spiritually, that it prevents so many other challenges that they can experience in their lives.”

And so as I hear you talk about this, I see a modeling that the three of you are doing. How do you talk about that, as you go around the world and as you meet with those who you are serving? How do you help them to do the same things you are doing and feel empowered to honor the Spirit and the impressions that they get?

10:31

President Susan H. Porter: You know, we point out that more than half of the children in Primary, the adversary has no access to their hearts because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It’s so encompassing that those little children there, those who serve in Primary, their testimonies of Christ can sink deep into those little children’s hearts and change their lives. So when we think about, “Who are we going to call to serve in Primary?” wouldn’t it be the ones with the deepest and sweetest testimony of the Savior to share with those precious children?

Also, when we travel, we often invite adults to share experiences. Is there a Primary teacher or leader that changed your life? Those witnesses are powerful and help open eyes. I mean, I could be teaching the 5-year-olds, and it looks to me like they’re climbing over the chairs and they’re hitting each other and they’re wiggling. And I think, “Wow, all that preparation, what’s it doing?” We have no idea what is sinking deep into their hearts and will stay with them and be with them throughout their lives.

11:40

Jon Ryan Jensen: As soon as you said that, I could think immediately of Sister Rather, who was my Valiant teacher when I was in Primary. And I can go back to those classes when she was just so excited for us to be learning about the Savior. And yeah, I agree; we all have those moments.

One of the changes that I think we’ve seen happen during the time that you all have been serving is an increase in children not just being in Primary, actively being taught in Primary, but them taking a step forward and having a chance more frequently to be in sacrament meetings or in stake conferences.

How have you seen that affect wards and stakes and locations that you’ve visited during this time?

12:21

Sister Amy A. Wright: Well, it’s definitely expanded vision. And most specifically, the vision that’s expanded is seeing the capacity of children to contribute in magnificent ways.

You know, when you look at the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, and the Savior multiplied the offering of the loaves and the fishes, and I always thought it was interesting that He did not distribute the loaves and fishes. He invited His disciples to do that, because He wanted them to be part of the miraculous. He wanted to strengthen their faith in Him and also have opportunities to serve.

And that’s exactly what we’re doing with children. These children that are baptized and confirmed, they are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and therefore they have a covenantal responsibility to help build the kingdom of God and prepare for the Savior’s return. And they are absolutely essential.

President Porter talks often about the body of Christ and how they’re an important part of the body of Christ. And sometimes you use the analogy that children are the toes, and you think, “Oh, well, that’s because they’re cute and little,” right? But when you look at a foot, toes not only give us balance, but they also propel us forward. They are essential in helping us move forward.

And as we invite them to participate in this work, we are seeing miracles all over the world. And sometimes the greatest miracle is coming from adults who say: “I had no idea our children were so smart. I had no idea that their testimonies were so deep. I had no idea that they could contribute in such a significant way in building the kingdom of God.”

14:04

Jon Ryan Jensen: Sister Browning, what are some of the other ways, other than or including those meeting participation, that we can help those Primary children — as you called them, young disciples — how do we help them grow in that discipleship of Jesus Christ?

14:16

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: Well, I think that continuing to give them opportunities to lead in ways is certainly helpful. There are ways that they can do that in Primary. And Primary, naturally, is a place that helps them prepare them for leadership in the Lord’s kingdom.

In Primary, they learn how to pray, and they’re doing so for their class and for the groups of children that they’re gathered with, they’re giving talks. They’re also interacting with other children and learning how to serve each other in that space. And then we sort of take and build upon those experiences in Primary to help continue to prepare them.

Parents are doing it at home as well. They’re inviting them to pray in their homes. They’re allowing them to maybe be the ones to teach the lessons, and they’re asking them questions that bring out their testimony, that invite them to share what it is that they’re learning.

And then as leaders in the wards and in the branches, we are inviting them beyond the Primary walls, again, back to the sacrament meeting. They are invited to go and pray on behalf of the ward, invited to go and give prayers or invited to speak.

And what’s kind of beautiful there is that this is not something novel or new. This has always been a part of what the Church has invited children to do. It’s a part of our handbook. And all we’ve really done is pointed leaders to the areas and said that, “Here is what the Lord’s restored Church has invited all members to do.” And a member, as Sister Wright has described, is as young as an 8-year-old because they are confirmed members of the Lord’s Church.

So, continuing to find those opportunities to build on the natural things that they’re already being taught in Primary, that helps them to lead and bring them outside of the Primary walls and allow them to do that in the ward and then in their homes and then in the community, continues to grow that discipleship.

16:07

President Susan H. Porter: That’s interesting, Ryan: So, we’ve been talking about how I think in the first few years of our presidency, we did feel really drawn to helping children fulfill their covenantal responsibilities as members of the Church, in the Church. And with President Russell M. Nelson as our Prophet during those times, and he just stressed the blessings that come to us as covenant members.

And then a few years ago, we’re reviewing the work of a team that is writing the history of Primary — and marvelous work, and we can’t wait to see it whenever it’s done — but one day we were looking at some pictures from the Deseret News right after World War II, and there were pictures of Primary children carrying boxes to a train, and the caption said these Primary children were carrying clothes and toys that were donated by Primary children to be shipped to Primary children in Europe who were, of course, suffering in the aftermath of World War II.

Remarkably, there was another picture in the Deseret News with children in the Netherlands standing on the steps of a church in Holland, and the caption in the Deseret News said they’re wearing clothes donated by children in Salt Lake City. And we started to realize that we could invite our Primary children to do more.

We love God. That’s the first great commandment. We love God, we serve Him, and then we serve our fellow man, which includes looking out in our communities. And we realized our children have great capacity to make a difference in their communities. And that kind of was the genesis of the invitation to have an annual community service activity.

18:08

Jon Ryan Jensen: And those are something that leaders are now put in a position to say: “What does that look like for me? What do we do?”

Episode 227: Primary general presidency invites children to share Jesus' love through service

What has the response been for that? And what guidance would you give as you’ve seen what those look like in their varying ways around the world?

18:29

Sister Amy A. Wright: It’s been extraordinary. We’ve received letters from all over the world of Primaries, as small as a handful of children to very large Primaries. And I think where it becomes most significant is when the children are part of the revelatory process.

The older Valiant-aged children are part of the council to determine what type of service that they’ll be engaged in, and then also that they’re part of the invitation process. Many of them make invitations, they distribute, they invite members and members of other faiths, people throughout their community to come and gather.

And then also, when the service is focused on children serving children — because we have a history of that here in the valley, we have a history of that at the early inception of the Church of children seeing the need and coming together, whether it’s building a hospital or donating clothing post-World War II.

And so that’s where I think we’ve seen the greatest impact, is that children are part of the entire process, from the very ideation, revelatory phase of “What should this look like?”

19:37

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: I’ve participated in several of these, and I’ve just watched how remarkable these experiences are for the children and for all those who have been gathered. Because children, it really taps into one of their natural talents, which is to kind of naturally seek to be a blessing to others.

We often ask children questions about, “What can you do to be a blessing or follow the Savior’s example this week?” And more times than not, the answer is a service-oriented answer. They want to help someone in need. They want to feed the sick. They want to be a blessing in some way. That sounds like service.

So, as I’ve gone around and participated in these, I’ve watched what is just natural to children. They, when invited to do this, are very bold. They are very intentional in the ways that they seek to support others. They have ideas, so they want to share those ideas. And it’s just a fantastic opportunity to watch them really glow in their discipleship as they’re given this opportunity to really think about the ways that they can serve and support.

And we’ve seen in the last year and a half that this invitation has been extended around the world so many children doing various things in their communities to be a blessing. And we’ve seen them invite others not of our faith to participate with them. And we’ve also seen them invite the adult members or the youth to join with them. It’s just been a remarkable experience.

Jon Ryan Jensen: How beautiful.

21:06

President Susan H. Porter: It ties so well also into the current teachings of our Prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks, in his most recent talk, about peacemakers.

Just recently, Sister Browning and I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico, and we went to the southernmost state in Mexico, in Chiapas, and had the opportunity there to participate in a large community service activity that involved children from several stakes. And they were there to plant trees, paint picnic tables, clear up playgrounds in a large, beautiful park in a large city.

And a member of the local government was there. He was over religious affairs. He was very interested to be there, because he felt like the answer to some of the challenges in that state of Mexico, of crime and poverty, was to promote and support religious faith of all faiths. And so for him to be there and see those children who were participating in a park that would bless everyone in their community was quite a profound experience for him.

What were your thoughts there, Sister Browning, as we met with him?

22:27

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: Yeah, I also felt that he was really impressed by just the capacity of the children and their interest in this, because as I went around to each of these children as they were serving in the park, they were so joyful. I think sometimes we might expect that children being asked to paint, to clean, to do those things that they may do at home might sound like a chore.

Jon Ryan Jensen: Yeah, they’re not excited to do it around the house.

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: They’re not excited, right. And yet they were gathered together, so happy to be there, so excited to be painting and knowing that they were beautifying their community and putting a tree and planning a tree in the ground that they could come back and visit sometime later and see its growth. It was just a joyful experience.

And to what President Porter mentioned, what I think that government official was able to see was how you can also look to the rising generation as part of that solution in helping meet the challenges and opportunities that they’re trying to resolve, which is create this sense of civic alongside their spiritual-mindedness, basically by inviting them to be participants in their community. And you can do that when they’re young, because they were so happy to be doing this for their community.

23:41

Jon Ryan Jensen: You don’t wait till a certain age to say, “Now you’re old enough to serve.”

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: Correct.

Jon Ryan Jensen: You can start from the very beginning.

23:46

Sister Amy A. Wright: Yeah. They’re altruistic by nature. “Love, share and invite” is just part of their nature, their DNA.

And you know what’s so interesting about it is we started serving as the world was coming out of COVID, and our hearts were very tender towards these children who were not gathering, some of them, for well over a year, and they were hungry to be together. And many of them were instruments in bringing their entire family back to church, knowing that their Primary teacher loved them and would be looking for them, or their bishop knew their name.

And so one thing that we started doing as a presidency as we would go on assignment is have children’s devotionals, where we invited children to conduct the meeting. They led the music, they were part of the choir, they played the organ, the piano, they taught, they testified. We would bring musical instruments and teach through music. We would teach through the scriptures, gospel principles. We would engage them as they would draw pictures of what they can do to participate in the work of salvation and exaltation, receiving answers: “I can give a copy of the Book of Mormon to my friend. I can share my food with someone at school who’s hungry.”

One question that was really significant when asked, “What can you do to unite your family for eternity?” Without skipping a beat, a young child said, “I can be a peacemaker in my home.” We always think that temple work only takes place in the house of the Lord, but it begins at home.

And so, what we saw there was the capacity of children. And their parents are present, their leaders are present, so everyone’s vision is expanded as these little ones teach and testify boldly. As we ask them, “What do you know about Jesus?” and we receive pure testimony, or “What can you do to follow Jesus?” and they share some of these examples that President Porter and Sister Browning shared.

And so that really did more than even our leadership instructions, because it wasn’t a telling, it was showing the capacity of these baptized and confirmed children and where their hearts are. And then what we started doing is having service projects after the devotional. So they’re taught gospel principles, they teach one another what they can do to follow Jesus, and then they go and do. They arise and go forth.

And it’s just been extraordinary to see, as it’s not just something that we’re doing, but areas are doing it on their own. And the revelation that they’re receiving that is unique to that area is really miraculous and inspiring.

26:25

Jon Ryan Jensen: Well, we’ve talked about learning, teaching, serving. One of my most memorable parts of Primary was the music. And many members of the Church are anxiously waiting for the final release of a hymnbook, but happy to have the gradual release of new songs. And I can’t help but wonder what your experience has been as you’ve engaged with music and Primary children around the world. Are you seeing the Primary children excited about the songs of the Church as well?

26:52

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: Primary music is an integral part of the Primary experience. We know that it’s there to help teach children the doctrine, and it is there to infuse a great amount of joy in that experience of learning the gospel and coming closer to the Savior. It’s a very accessible and easy way to tap into the Spirit really quickly, and that is true for children as well.

So, one of the things that’s lovely about Primary is it’s one of the few places where I go where I don’t see necessarily open hymnbooks, but everybody seems to know the songs, and they’re singing from memory because it’s planted really deeply. It’s just an experience that it comes quite organically from them. Those words are in their mind, and they’re repeating them over and over for a really long time.

So, what’s nice about this new hymnal is you sort of see this opportunity for the Primary children to go into spaces where they’re learning these songs and really know them, like “I Will Walk With Jesus.” It’s memorized for them. And then they go into the chapel, and you finally hear their voices because they’re the ones that are familiar with these songs, and their voices may ring a little louder as the adults are learning and are catching up to some of the new hymns that are being sung. And children have this blessed opportunity to be the ones that are teaching these new songs to the Church because they love them.

And so we’re really excited as new songs are released, and we always love and encourage teachers to really look at the music as — and parents — as an opportunity to teach doctrine. There’s real truth being taught there that will be a blessing for a child, not just in that particular season of life, but as they grow, it can return to them to help them in that covenant relationship.

28:50

President Susan H. Porter: This new hymnbook is such a blessing because it does; it puts the Primary songs, children’s songs and hymns in one book. And so we’re seeing more and more of this music being sung, and it’s a blessing for children. It’s also a blessing for adults. I spoke to one priesthood leader who was attending a sacrament meeting, sitting on the stand, and realized “This Little Light of Mine” was going to be kind of an intermediary hymn, you know, between two speakers.

And he kind of thought, “Oh wow, is this appropriate for sacrament meeting?” He said, “Fortunately, I didn’t say anything.” So it comes to that song, and he said every adult who’d kind of been looking at their phone, or every youth who was kind of a little bit checked out, sat up, smiled and just started singing that joyful reverence. It was totally appropriate for sacrament meeting. It was joyful. And it engaged everyone in that joyful invitation to let that light that is in all of our hearts shine and bring others closer to our Savior.

29:52

Sister Amy A. Wright: I’m reminded of an experience. One aspect of our ministry, our global ministry, which has been so joyful, is to minister in homes. And one opportunity I remember took place in Guatemala, and my husband and I were there on assignment with Elder and Sister Giuffra, and we were ministering to the home of a 9-year-old little boy, and he was there with his grandmother. He received permission to be excused from school early, and he had a three-piece suit on. It was the sweetest thing.

And I asked him if it would be OK if he led us — I asked him what his favorite Primary song was, and he said, “Families Can Be Together Forever.” I said, “Would it be OK if you led us in singing that song together?” And he was so excited. And so we all sang “Families Can Be Together” as he led us in Spanish.

And then afterwards, I asked him, “What are you feeling right now?” He said: “I feel peace. I feel joy.” I said, “Where do you think those feelings are coming from?” He said, “God.” I said: “Why? Why do you think God wants you to feel peace and joy when you sing ‘Families Can Be Together Forever’?” And he paused for a moment, and he thought. And then he responded, “Because He has a work for me to do.”

Now, remember, this is just a 9-year-old little boy. And I followed up with one final question: “What is that work that God has for you to do?” And without hesitation, he declared, “He wants my family to be eternal.” Now, notice I didn’t tell him what he was feeling, where those feelings were coming from or why. He taught and testified to us. And it all began with a Primary song filled with doctrine that invites the Spirit into our hearts, into our homes, into our Sabbath worship. And then out of that came profound truths taught by a 9-year-old little boy.

31:48

Jon Ryan Jensen: All these experiences are wonderful. And the Church is, we say, the same no matter where you are. You can walk into a sacrament meeting, and you have an idea of what to expect. Primary, I imagine, is similar.

Are there things, though, that you have learned as you’ve been serving? Are there things that you’ve learned as you’ve gone to other places and thought, “Oh, I wish —” Are there things you want to transplant to other places and that you see? And how has that learning experience been as you’ve visited the Church around the globe?

32:21

President Susan H. Porter: One thing we’ve learned and we’ve felt — and every culture has it, but it’s expressed in different ways — is the joy we’ve been talking about. So you might be in Africa. I remember sitting there for the first time on my first assignment in Africa West and sitting there, and there was going to be a song sung. And all of a sudden I realized, “There must be 500 people here.”

The same with children, that way of expressing joy through song. Returning recently from Brazil, I think easily 800 hugs and kisses. So that joy expressed there. So, I think that, as Elder [Patrick] Kearon has reminded us, this is a church of joy.

And I think that’s been one learning for me as I’ve traveled, is the many beautiful ways to express joy in our Savior, in our Heavenly Father and in His Church, through this joyful singing, through this warm embrace, whatever that looks like in whatever culture, that embrace of one another, that we all belong and we’re all part of the body of Christ. So I’ve loved experiencing culturally how children express joy in Christ.

33:34

Jon Ryan Jensen: I love that you mentioned that. The Africa West Area, you’re looking at Ghana, Togo, Benin. The first time that I went to the Africa South Area, I was with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. And we were about to head to Zambia. And he said: “Ryan, I just need you to know: You might think you know the New Testament, but you don’t know the New Testament. They know the New Testament.”

He said, “Also, you’re used to hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir,” as it used to be known. He said, “This will not be like that experience, but you will feel something different.” And the very first song that they sang in the very first meeting we attended, I was absolutely blown away as they had their unit singing as we arrived. And it is a joyful, joyful sound. Sister Browning?

34:27

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: You know, as I think about some of the things that we’ve gotten to experience as we’ve visited all these various cultures around the world, as President Porter mentioned, there is this beauty in the diversity that we’ve found there in the way that they express how they live the gospel of Jesus Christ and how that fits into that context of culture and of society and things of that nature.

But what’s been interesting to me also is finding the ways that children are all alike around the world, which has been beautiful, particularly for me. Because sometimes when we go on these assignments, we’re given a lot of context to help us understand more about the culture and have experiences and invite us to really think about how they express their spiritual lives in the context of that culture.

And yet, what I have found to be true is that love kind of sits on top of all of that, that people respond really well to love. And also children will be engaged if you seek to engage them. Every child, regardless of their culture, will find it fun when you infuse fun into their lessons and you allow the natural part of what childhood means, which is, “I like to wiggle,” and maybe not expect them — I don’t know that I’ve been to any culture where a child didn’t appreciate a moment where we sort of stomped our feet and got up and stretched and went outside for a minute or came back in. Even in cultures that might be more reserved, we still see that children are children, and the ways that they’re similar around the world has been beautiful to me. And I’ve loved that.

One of my favorite memories is in Japan of a little, Nursery-aged Primary child who was so fascinated. We didn’t speak the same language, but I could tell that she was just fascinated with me when I was in class. And then several hours later, when we were in a children’s devotional, she was supposed to be a part of the musical number that they were doing. And I was sitting on the stand, and here is this, in a very obedient culture, this little Nursery-aged friend who just ignored the instructions from the teacher to get ready and line up with the other children to sing a song, and just marched herself up on the stand with her arms wide open to me to give me a hug. And then she was ready to go and sing.

And there was something really teaching for me in that moment, which is that love is such an important principle and can kind of supersede what we think we understand about culture. And secondly, children are children. They respond to love and are very interested in being engaged when you invite them to have an experience one by one or invite them into things that allow them to feel like they belong and are a part.

37:15

President Susan H. Porter: I have to just tell one experience thinking about children and engaging them and teaching them. And this comes from something I learned from Sister Browning in a children’s devotional. Whatever the theme is, if it’s helping them become missionaries or follow Christ or serve others, Sister Browning invited them, she would say: “If I’m giving a really good example of, let’s say, trying to be a missionary, you just stand up and put your hand on your heart. If it’s not a good example of being a missionary, I want you to call out, ‘Try again.’”

To take that principle of joyful repentance, all it means is try again. So you get frustrated with your little brother and you yell at him or whatever, just try again. And I’ve seen so much joy in teaching that principle through children and allowing them, not just lecturing them what it is, but allow them to participate in helping us understand joyful repentance.

38:22

Jon Ryan Jensen: One of the things that I think a lot of members of the Church don’t know or understand super well is exactly what the three of you get to do. And we did a series in the Church News a couple of years ago about the process of councils and counseling in general.

And each of you serves on councils, but I would love to hear from your perspective what kind of role that plays in the calling and how important it is to the work that you’re called to do.

38:50

President Susan H. Porter: What a blessing it was when we were first called, we each received letters from the First Presidency of the Church inviting us to each participate in executive councils. Receiving that letter from the First Presidency to be a member of a council gave us pause in that it helped us realize we needed to actually be spiritually prepared to be a contributing member and speak those words and those thoughts that the Lord put into our heart.

I remember the first time I was going to attend one of the executive councils I had been assigned to, and I was walking over. There are two sisters assigned to each executive council. We were walking over together. And I remember very clearly saying: “Everybody else in this council has been serving together for a number of years. They know the topics. They know the issues. We’re brand new.” I said, “I don’t know about you, but me personally, for the first month or so, I’m going to listen and learn.”

And I’ll never forget that first council meeting. We’re all sitting around a table, and the member of the Quorum of the Twelve who was the Apostle started the meeting. The first issue came before the council, and he turns to me, and he says, “Sister Porter, what are your thoughts on this?” What a teaching moment.

Councils in the Church aren’t about what’s our professional experience on this topic, but that we come, as I said before, humble before the Lord, spiritually in tune and seeking to share something that He’s put in our hearts.

Jon Ryan Jensen: Yeah, you weren’t feeling like you were going to say, “No, no, I’m good, thank you.”

President Susan H. Porter: I opened my mouth and offered something.

40:39

Jon Ryan Jensen: And I just want to clarify: Two sisters serve on each council, not from the same presidency. So you’re on those councils with members of the Young Women general presidency and the Relief Society as well, correct?

President Susan H. Porter: Yes, I was walking to that council with Sister Kristin Yee, and what a sweet association that’s been for the past number of years to serve on that council together. And that’s really been a sweet association.

41:00

Jon Ryan Jensen: Yeah. Sister Wright? Sister Browning?

Sister Amy A. Wright: Yeah, currently I serve on the Missionary Executive Council. I’ve been serving on there for just over five years. And we meet every Wednesday for two hours, and they do give you information to study prayerfully and read so you can come prepared the night before.

And my first day, I had a very similar experience to President Porter, where Elder [Dieter F.] Uchtdorf was leading that council, and an item came to the forefront that was not on the agenda, and it was significant. And he turned and said, “Sister Wright, what do you think?” And he was teaching me something very profound that day. First and foremost, the Brethren want and need to hear the voice of women. And two, I had responsibility, as President Porter so beautifully expressed, to come prepared to contribute.

And one thing that was profound, too, and interesting to note — and we’ve all had this experience — is the assignments, we have assignments that are extended invitations beyond that council. I served initially with Sister [Bonnie H.] Cordon, the other general officer, and now it’s with Sister [Emily Belle] Freeman. President Cordon and President Freeman.

And we have had invitations to be at press conferences when there’s been a significant change with the Missionary Department or missionary service. We have helped with the launch of Light the World or the Easter initiative. We have been on assignments with Apostles that serve on that council, where we’ve met with missionaries and missions. We are invited to instruct new mission leaders every year at the new mission leader seminar, as well as new service missionary coordinators and newly called MTC leaders, presidencies.

And so it’s really, like you said, it’s a good portion of what we do. And some of the greatest opportunities for growth and stretching have come from invitations that were extended by these wonderful Apostles to sisters to serve and minister and teach in various capacities. And it’s probably been one of the greatest blessings of my service as a general officer.

43:08

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: I love serving on these councils, first because I get this wonderful opportunity to be on councils where they are presided over by at least one Apostle, sometimes more. And to be in that space where you have prophets, seers and revelators who have been asked to oversee this work, you can obviously imagine, can be an instructive experience at times and wonderful to be invited by them to participate in discussions and in council about topics that for me have been really stretching.

As President Porter mentioned, you don’t always feel quite qualified to be in some of these spaces and to be asked to share any perspective on some of these topics. But really, these experiences have brought me to meet with leaders from around the world. That’s an unusual experience for me. They have brought me to the Utah Capitol. I’m not someone who spends a lot of time with leaders who might be leading nations or states or cities or things of that nature.

It has allowed me to consider how the messages of the Church and the message and the ministry and the mission of the Savior can be expressed in different ways to help people understand more about the Savior, understand more about His Church, understand who we are as a faith and what we hope to do to be more of a blessing to all people in the world.

It’s allowed me to consider how even the artwork that we see and we send out into the world can be a tool to teach people about the Savior and how we look at that art and find ways to be instructive to families and to be instructive to children and where we should use that in part of the messaging that we have to share with the world.

It’s been a really beautiful experience and certainly instructive as I’ve allowed, as I’ve been given the opportunity to stretch. And that’s what I’ve felt that the executive councils have allowed me to do and stretch in ways that I couldn’t have imagined before and under the direction of prophets and apostles.

45:31

President Susan H. Porter: Over the period of four years that we’ve served as a presidency in the executive councils I’ve served in, there have been changes in assignments for which members of the Quorum of the Twelve preside over those councils.

And so what a blessing it’s been to see how each one brings their unique capabilities, their unique talents and their unique way of leading, all under the direction of the Savior. I think it’s a beautiful thing. It gives us humility but also confidence that the Lord takes what you have uniquely to offer it, and He can use it to move His work forward. So we’ve seen how the work of the Lord moves forward under different styles, capacities and talents that are offered with a fullness of heart.

46:22

Jon Ryan Jensen: I love that too because, again, going back to every ward member has a calling, and you have responsibilities within that calling. So even the Apostles have assignments within their calling, just like you have assignments to those executive councils.

Sisters, I’m so grateful for all of the things that you have shared today and for the things that you’ve shared throughout your service. We have a tradition on the Church News podcast, and I would love to give you an opportunity to share one final testimony with us today, and ask you: What do you know now, having served as the Primary general presidency of the Church?

46:54

Sister Tracy Y. Browning: I started my presidency, serving in this presidency, being invited by the Lord to read Matthew chapter 18, in a really profound way, where — this is the passages where the Savior is asked the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom?” (verse 1). And a child was set in their midst. And we were instructed, we are instructed, to consider their humility. We’re invited to receive them in such a way that we are promised that receiving them will allow us to be received by the Savior and that we’re also receiving the Savior.

And as I’ve considered these last several years of having one of the choicest blessings of my life, being able to serve the Savior and my Heavenly Father in this way, I’ve come to recognize how discipleship is a plan for all of God’s children, and it starts when we’re really young. And He’s given us the ability, when He sends us here to earth, to have within us the capacity to feel very connected back to the Savior.

And we need to be quite humble in that as His children, the way to connect ourselves with this Spirit that makes us ready and meet for the kingdom of God, that He points to children is this sense of being humble in that. I have felt very humble and privileged as I have tried to understand the ways in which the Savior would have me receive His little ones, and also recognizing that a big blessing that’s come from that is that I have felt closer to the Savior in my own life and that the Savior seeks to bless me as I joyfully serve His youngest disciples, and that I can find myself learning that simple doctrine, which is what we teach in Primary.

The truths of the gospel are quite simple, and that out of simplicity can come really deep spiritual conversion, really deep testimony. My testimony of Jesus Christ has deepened as I’ve been seeking to understand the ways that I can connect with Him through prayer, through singing songs, through teaching the doctrine of Christ, through loving more and connecting more by showing appreciation for those who served.

I have a greater testimony that Jesus Christ is the Light and the Life of the World and our Savior and Redeemer. And I’m grateful that that privilege of the last four years has had — that I’ve had that opportunity to begin there with that testimony and to grow that testimony deeper as I’m concluding my service. And I share that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

49:49

Sister Amy A. Wright: Ryan, I was born into a family of all boys. I even have a twin brother, married into a family of all boys, mother of all boys, grandmother of one grandson. And as a young girl, I used to pray for a sister. I love how the Lord compensates the righteous for the righteous desires of our hearts. And I have been blessed with sisters. And it is such a sacred sisterhood. I love these women dearly, as family, as friends.

As I think about our service together, it’s not just as a Primary presidency, but we’ve also been called as general officers, and so we serve on executive councils. We have been called all over the world to teach and testify to men, women, youth and children.

And I’m reminded of a scripture that I’ve been pondering a lot lately, because endings remind us of beginnings, right? And it’s in Deuteronomy 2:7, and this is where the children of Israel are standing on the precipice of their inheritance, and Moses is reminding them of some of the things they learned during this 40-year journey.

And he says — and this just resonates with me in the sacred work that we as sisters have been called to do — “For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand.” We are witnesses of His tender mercies, that as we serve faithfully and joyfully, He will magnify our efforts, and far beyond any natural ability or talent. And we have seen this every single day.

And then the verse continues, “He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness.” God knew exactly what our presidency was going to experience, what we were going to be asked to do, how we needed to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and the strength and the wisdom that we would need to be able to move forward.

And then he says, “These forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee.” We have felt Him with our presidency every single day. Some days it felt like 40 years, some days it felt like four minutes.

And then my favorite phrase: “Thou hast lacked nothing.” It is with immense gratitude and a firm testimony in our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, that I witness that we as a presidency “hast lacked nothing.”

As we have put our whole heart, might, mind and strength into this calling and offered what little offering we had, as we were the means, God provided the increase again and again and again. We did not walk this alone. This is His work, His glory, and it has been an absolute privilege to walk this path with these dear friends and to participate in such a miraculous and glorious work.

I testify that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ. I testify that if we are obedient and keep our covenants to the best of our ability, we can become partakers of all of our Heavenly Father’s promised blessings. I can’t begin to imagine the definition of “all,” but I do know the greatest of which is eternal life and exaltation, the privilege of returning to live with God the Father and Jesus Christ again as eternal families and to live the type of life they live. This is what we hope for, for all of God’s precious children. This I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

53:33

President Susan H. Porter: I would say what I know now is more about the character of the Lord Jesus Christ, through our association with children, through praying for them, through spending time with them.

When we talked about how we have tried to drink so deeply from the Savior’s example in 3 Nephi, when He gathered children so often around Him and He prayed for them and He called down angels and He invited them, He loosed their tongues, invited them to share.

But it’s very interesting. Early in that ministry, He invited all to come, as we mentioned earlier in the podcast, and then He taught them about baptism. But then He said this in 3 Nephi 11: “Again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, ... or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God” (verses 37–38). And we’ve just — I’ve just come to know more clearly what it means to become as a little child.

As we read about the character of Christ in many scriptures, they’re humble, meek, submissive, gentle — all these qualities of Christ. Little children have those qualities. And how much we can learn from them. One quality of children I was just thinking of recently was — that relates to the Savior — is children love to give gifts. Each of us has countless numbers of pictures that children have drawn of us. It’s very revelatory. They draw pictures of their families, of their pets, of those they love, and they want to give it to us from their heart.

And I just think about our Lord and Savior, we’re taught, is the Giver of all good gifts. All good gifts come from Him. (See James 1:17.) So I just feel profound gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the invitation to focus on, to pray for, to learn from and to teach His littlest children, who can help us become as the Savior is.

I leave with my testimony and witness that God, our Heavenly Father, lives. And as evidence of that love, He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to show us the way home, to teach us what we need to do and then to open the door, to rent the veil in half so that we can walk through, through covenants and living His gospel, back to His presence. And I am so grateful to be a member of His Church and to be led by a living prophet. And I do leave that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Episode 289: Get to know the new General Authority Seventies and Primary general presidency through their testimonies

Dedicating the temple will be Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Prior to the dedication, a public open house will take place Oct. 22 through Nov. 7, excluding Sundays. A media day is also planned for Monday, Oct. 19, and invited guests will tour the sacred edifice Oct. 20-21. These dates were published July 27 on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

As previously announced, another Mexico temple will be dedicated the same month as the Torreón temple’s dedication — Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple on Nov. 1.

Two other temple dedications are currently planned for this November, for a total of four that month.

The Torreón temple will be dedicated the same day as the Modesto California Temple, Nov. 22, by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Earlier that month, the Wichita Kansas Temple will be dedicated Nov. 1 by Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

About the Torreón temple

Torreón’s house of the Lord is a single-story edifice of approximately 10,000 square feet. It stands on a 0.9-acre site at the corner of Paris and Amsterdam streets in the city of Gomez Palacio, in the state of Durango, just west of Torreón.

On April 4, 2021, then-Church President Russell M. Nelson announced this house of the Lord for Torreón. It was one of 20 temple sites he identified in the April 2021 general conference, including another Mexico temple, for Querétaro.

Ground was broken for the Torreón temple on Dec. 10, 2022, with Elder Hugo Montoya — a General Authority Seventy and then president of the Mexico Area — presiding.

“This building, as you can see, will be beautiful,” said Elder Montoya in his remarks at the groundbreaking, adding that the temple will be “made with high-quality materials and built with the highest standards. However, it is not the building itself that allows us to feel joy but what takes place inside the building, which are ordinances and covenants.”

The Church in Mexico

Of Mexico’s 27 temples in various stages, 14 are dedicated: in Mexico City, Colonia Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, Hermosillo, Oaxaca, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tampico, Villahermosa, Mérida, Veracruz, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana and Puebla.

After Mexico’s two dedications in November, the San Luis Potosí and Torreón temples will bring the country’s total to 16 operating temples. Another house of the Lord is under construction in Mexico, for Querétaro.

That leaves 10 houses of the Lord in planning and design stages: the Culiacán, Mexico City Benemérito, Cuernavaca, Pachuca, Toluca, Tula, Cancún, Chihuahua, Juchitán de Zaragoza and Reynosa temples.

Missionary work began in Mexico in 1875, when seven missionaries were sent to the country. The first five members in Mexico were baptized in Hermosillo, Sonora, in 1877. A branch was soon established in Mexico City in 1879. The country’s first stake, the Juárez Stake, was created in 1895.

Today, Mexico has more than 1.5 million Latter-day Saints in nearly 1,900 wards and branches.

San Luis Potosí Mexico Temple open house, dedication dates set

Church to dedicate 7 temples over 4 Sundays in October, November

See the history of Mexico’s 27 temples

Read more Church News coverage of temples

Elder Karl D. Hirst — a General Authority Seventy and member of the United States Central Area presidency — will preside over the ceremony.

Information about the groundbreaking, announced by the First Presidency, was first published in a July 27 news release on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

As previously announced, the Colorado Springs temple is planned as a single-story building of approximately 45,000 square feet.

The sacred edifice will be built on an 18.6-acre site on the south corner of Flying Horse Club Drive and Barossa Valley Road in north Colorado Springs, Colorado. A meetinghouse and accompanying utility building will also share the grounds.

On Oct. 1, 2023, then-Church President Russell M. Nelson announced this house of the Lord for Colorado Springs, the state’s second-largest city. It was one of 20 temple sites he announced in the October 2023 general conference.

The Church in Colorado

On Sept. 11, 1960 — 66 years and one day before the upcoming groundbreaking — the Colorado Springs Colorado Stake was created.

Colorado is home to three operating temples: the Denver Colorado Temple (dedicated in 1986), Fort Collins Colorado Temple (in 2016) and Grand Junction Colorado Temple (in 2025).

After the Colorado Springs temple is built and dedicated, it will become the state’s fourth.

Colorado’s first stake, the San Luis Stake, was established in 1883. The state’s first mission, the Colorado Mission, was formed just over a decade later, in 1896.

In 1911, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performed in Colorado. In the early 1980s, the first released-time seminary program east of the Rocky Mountains was established in Colorado Springs.

Colorado now has nearly 150,000 Latter-day Saints in 315 wards and branches.

2025: President Holland dedicates Grand Junction Colorado Temple, the Church’s 210th

Faith leaders tour Denver temple grounds in effort to build understanding

Groundbreaking date set for Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple

Read more Church News coverage of temples

According to a July 24 post on the conference’s social media channels, they will speak across two keynote sessions on Friday, Aug. 14, and two sessions on Saturday, Aug. 15.

The four keynote sessions will have the following speakers:

• Friday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m.: Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus
• Friday, Aug. 14, at 4:45 p.m.: Gayle and Tom Holdman
• Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m.: The Utah Area presidency — Elder Brian K. Taylor, Elder John A. McCune and Elder Jorge T. Becerra
• Saturday, Aug. 15, at 4:45 p.m.: Sister Kristin M. Yee

Since 2023, the summer Utah Area YSA Conference — with the theme “Together in Christ” — has gathered tens of thousands of young adults for service projects, devotionals, classes, record-breaking activities and more.

Read more about this year’s keynote speakers below.

Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus

Sister Spannaus was sustained as second counselor in the Young Women general presidency in the April 2023 general conference.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the Profesorado de Educación Inicial Sara Eccleston and later studied art and interior design.

Sister Spannaus is a former Relief Society general advisory council member, South America South Area For the Strength of Youth conference committee member, FSY Utah Latino conference co-director, YSA Spanish-speaking ward adviser and mission leader in the Mexico Cuernavaca Mission.

Gayle and Tom Holdman

Gayle and Tom Holdman are the head artists and directors of Holdman Studios, which has been creating custom art glass since 1991 and is located in Lehi, Utah.

The company has crafted pieces in all 50 states and around 40 countries, including 150 temples for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Tom Holdman founded Holdman Studios at 21, working from his parents’ garage and finding commissions by knocking door-to-door. Gayle Holdman is a designer, bestselling author and certified applied positive psychology specialist.

Utah Area presidency

Elder Taylor, born in Ogden, Utah, was sustained as a General Authority Seventy in the April 2017 general conference. He was the co-founder and CEO of For All the People of the World Technologies and a partner in Rockwell TIC.

Elder McCune, born in Santa Cruz, California, was sustained as a General Authority Seventy in the April 2019 general conference. He worked as the senior vice president and managing director for Capitol Investment Advisors.

Elder Becerra, born in Salt Lake City, was sustained as a General Authority Seventy in the April 2020 general conference. He was a partner of Allegis Advisor Group, a financial advisory company, before working as an investment adviser for Intermountain Financial Partners.

Sister Kristin M. Yee

Sister Yee was sustained as second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency in the April 2022 general conference.

Born in Sacramento, California, she worked as a texture and concept artist and a senior producer at Disney Interactive Studios for 13 years. Sister Yee later worked as the manager/producer of the Church’s animation team and has created many portraits of the Savior.

Before her current calling, Sister Yee served as a member of the Primary general advisory council, stake Relief Society president, ward Relief Society counselor, ward Young Women president and temple ordinance worker in the Salt Lake and Bountiful Utah temples.

Iam Tongi announced as concert headliner for 2026 Utah Area YSA Conference

2025: Piano key to keynote: Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé testifies through word and song at Utah YSA conference

2025: Individual worth is unchanging, says Elder Brian K. Taylor at 2025 Utah Area YSA Conference

Read more Church News coverage of young adults

On this episode of the Church News podcast, hosted by Church News editor Ryan Jensen, these newly called Church leaders share their testimonies of Jesus Christ, His restored Church and the blessings that come from obedience to His word.

Listen to this episode of the Church News podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, bookshelf PLUS, YouTube or wherever you get podcasts.

Transcript:

Jon Ryan Jensen: Eight new General Authority Seventies and a new Primary general presidency were sustained at the 196th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, April 4, 2026. President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency, announced the callings in the Saturday afternoon session of the two-day conference.

I’m Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News. And in this special edition of the Church News podcast, we hear testimonies of these 11 newly called Church leaders as recorded on the Monday following general conference.

0:40

Elder James O. Fantone: Hello, my name is James Fantone from the Philippines, and I am newly called as a General Authority Seventy. And I would like to bear my testimony of the living Christ. I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives, and He did what He did for all of us because He loves us. Our Savior atoned for my sins and for your sins. I know that He loves us and He knows us, each and every one of us.

I would also like to bear my testimony of the Book of Mormon. As a young man, I started reading the Book of Mormon, and I have never stopped reading the Book of Mormon. It is indeed another testament of Jesus Christ. Every day, I get the chance to know my Savior even more as I open the Book of Mormon and read it.

I would also like to bear my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that he was the Prophet of the Restoration and that he loves the work of the Lord and that he sacrificed his life so that we can enjoy the gospel even today.

Once again, I would like to bear my testimony that my Savior lives. He lives. He loves each and every one of us. He sacrificed His life, and He taught us how to go back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father has a great plan, and it is called the plan of salvation. It’s a plan of joy. It’s a plan of happiness so that all of us can one day live with Them and experience the life that They truly want all of us to experience, even eternal life.

Once again, I know that God lives, and I share this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

How Elder James O. Fantone, new General Authority Seventy, has seen the Lord guiding his life

2:24

President Rosemary K. Chibota: My name is Rosemary Khwimani Chibota, and I’ve just been called as the Primary general president. So, the principle of the gospel that has come to the forefront of my mind in the last few weeks since I received this call is the principle of obedience and humility, being teachable. Heavenly Father has taught us in 3 Nephi that we need to become like little children (see 3 Nephi 11:37-38). He actually said that a couple of times, showing the importance to become teachable, just like a little child.

And the other things that have been coming and pressed upon my mind is to build a youth that is firm in the faith and of strong minds, just like the army of Helaman was. And I just am so excited to be able to teach these principles to the children of the Church, both young and old. And I just want to share my testimony. I know that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior. I know that He lives. And I’m so grateful for the events of Easter that we’re celebrating at this time.

I know that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet and that he saw God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ. And I also have a testimony that today we do have a living prophet on the earth, who’s President Dallin H. Oaks, and also that we do have other men that work with him who are His Apostles and that receive revelation from our Father in Heaven on how to conduct the affairs of the Church.

I am so grateful for prayer. I do have a testimony that Heavenly Father hears all the prayers that we say, and that He speaks to us through prayer and also through the words of our living apostles and prophets and through the scriptures. I have a deep love for the scriptures. And Heavenly Father continues to talk to me and instruct me through His word that was written thousands of years ago. And I am so grateful to live at a time where we do continue to receive revelation. And I share this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Why President Rosemary K. Chibota, new Primary general president, knows the formula for receiving answers

4:35

Elder Kevin J. Hathaway: My name’s Kevin Hathaway. I’m from Idaho Falls, Idaho. I was born and raised in that area. And from the earliest that I can remember, I’ve always had a love for my Savior, Jesus Christ. And I testify that He lives. He’s my Redeemer. That testimony comes from a lot of very small, tender mercies that I’ve experienced in many different experiences throughout my life.

I have a witness of the Book of Mormon, that it’s true. It’s changed my life. It’s brought a lot of joy and happiness into my life. I also have a testimony of living prophets, from Joseph Smith all the way to Dallin H. Oaks. I know that these men speak for our Heavenly Father, and I love them. And I testify of those things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Kevin J. Hathaway on trusting and serving the Lord

5:17

Sister Nina M. Garfield: My name is Nina Garfield, and I have most recently been called to be the first counselor in the general Primary presidency. I was born in Tokyo, Japan, but was there for just a short period of just a few months before I moved to the U.S. with my parents. I mostly was raised in Colorado, and then Minnesota we lived, with my husband, and then on to San Francisco. And now I reside in Orem, Utah.

I am so excited for this new calling. I’m so excited to work with the Primary and to visit Primary children and visit with teachers and also with parents of Primary-age children. One of my goals is to try to help parents and Primary organizations learn to teach children more about Jesus Christ and His life and the love that He has for them and that He is there for them.

I want children and parents and teachers to know about the love of Heavenly Father. I want children to know that they are children of our Heavenly Father and He loves them and is aware of them and is there for them and to guide them. I know these things to be true.

I’m grateful for Heavenly Father. I’m grateful for Jesus Christ. I’m grateful for the restored gospel and for the blessings that it has brought into my life. I am a convert to the Church, and I didn’t attend Primary, so this is a great blessing for me to be a part of the Primary now so I can experience being with children and teaching. It’s such a wonderful blessing in my life.

Again, I’m grateful for this wonderful opportunity to work with such fine women and to work in the Primary organization. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

‘God grants us miracles’: How Sister Nina M. Garfield found the gospel as a young woman

7:33

Elder Hutch U. Fale: My name is Hutch ‘Unga Papalangi Fale. I am from Muʻa, Tongatapu, Tonga. I was born in Provo but moved back there when I was 5 years old. I attended Tonga Side School and Tonga High School before BYU–Hawaii, and then the J. Reuben Clark Law School and the Romney Institute of Public Administration.

I am so grateful for this opportunity to bear my witness of the reality of the resurrected Christ. Recently, while sharing my testimony, Someone kind of interrupted and said, “You know, or do you believe?” And I said, “I meant what I said.” I know that Jesus lives. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and all of His children. And I also know that They speak through Their living prophets on the earth today.

I know that there is safety in remembering who we are and who our true identities are. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God who conversed with God the Father and Jesus Christ and that through him, the gospel and the priesthood keys necessary to bind families together forever were restored to the earth.

I know He loves me. I know He loves you. And it’s my hope and prayer that we will never forget that. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

How Elder Hutch U. Fale, new General Authority Seventy, feels blessed and mentored from opposite sides of the globe

9:12

Sister Theresa A. Collins: My name is Theresa Collins, and I’m humbled to have just accepted the responsibility of Primary general presidency second counselor. We live in Draper, Utah. For the last five years, we have been teaching the missionary purpose, both as mission leaders and as mission prep teachers. What a sacred privilege to be doing this with our missionaries as they go to the world.

But it occurs to me that it is very similar to that which we are being asked to do here now as Primary representatives. In the beautiful song, Primary song, “Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way.” Are those same words mirrored? “Teach me [what] I must do to live with Him someday.”

I love that “help” and “receive” end up both in the same message. We have the responsibility, the sacred responsibility — as parents, as teachers, as leaders, as mentors, those who have been entrusted with Heavenly Father’s children, the care of them — to teach them, to lead them, to guide them and to help them to receive their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Our children will be introduced to their Savior and be prepared to make covenants with Him. The most important one that will occur during Primary is that of baptism. And that will be the first gateway opportunity for them to partner with Him. It’s my strong testimony that as we do so, He enters into our life and walks with us every single day.

I know the power that children have to receive Him. I myself have had many opportunities to learn, to see, to feel the Spirit of my Father in Heaven from a very young age. I knew that He knew me and that He was aware of me, and the power that that gave me to make good decisions throughout my life and to partner with Him later as I made more sacred covenants with Him.

I know the capacity that children have to feel Him and to know Him. And I’m so thrilled to help guide them in this journey that we’ll partner with Him. I bear my witness that He knows every one of His children — not just the young ones but each one of them — and that He will help us as we walk with Him daily. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

How Sister Theresa Ann Collins knows that ‘God is aware of every single one of His children’

11:40

Elder Christian C. Chigbundu: My name is Elder Christian C. Chigbundu. I am from Nigeria. And I’m humbled and delighted to be a member of the Seventy, having been called and sustained yesterday in the general conference.

To me, it’s an opportunity to continue to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord, even to hasten His work in these latter days. I know with all my heart that our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives. He is the head of His kingdom, and I know with all my heart He loves each and every one of us, notwithstanding our challenges and circumstances. I have felt it in my life. I have seen it. And I want to testify that I also know with all my heart that He atoned for our sins, even the cross of Calvary. He took away our sins, our sorrow, our pains. He knows who we are. He knows us by our names.

I testify with all my heart today that no matter whatever each of us are passing through, look up to the Savior. Trust Him. Believe in Him. He knows you. He will hear you. I know today we are blessed with prophets, seers and revelators. As we hearken to their counsel, they will never, never lead us astray.

I know with all my heart that we are in the right place. This is the restored Church on earth today. I know with all my heart that this gospel brings peace, joy and happiness in each and every one of us that will continue to make covenants and remain in that covenant you have made. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

The Lord ‘owns the work,’ says Elder Chigbundu, new General Authority Seventy from Nigeria

13:45

Elder Jeremiah J. Morgan: Dear brothers and sisters, my name is Jeremiah Morgan. I am a new General Authority Seventy. And I come from Liberty, Missouri, the same Liberty, Missouri, you think of when you think of the Liberty Jail. And I’ve lived in Missouri essentially my entire life, in all of those Church history sites. So, grateful for the opportunity to be here and to receive this calling.

My testimony is of many things, but I’ll just focus on a few for today. One, I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I read — or I should say my mother read to me — the Book of Mormon when I was a young boy, and I gained a testimony right then and right there. And I’ve had it ever since. It is a great, great foundation for me and for my testimony of Jesus Christ.

I also have a testimony of Joseph Smith, the Prophet. My middle name is Joseph after the Prophet Joseph Smith. And I’ve always looked up to him and his teachings, his experiences, what he did, his vision, his energy. All of that was unbelievable. And I know that he was a Prophet of God to lead this dispensation.

I also, of course, have a testimony of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer. It is a testimony that I began with as a young boy but I have cultivated my entire life, and it continues to grow and grow. The changes that it effects in my life, the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the blessings that come from it, and from the gospel of Jesus Christ, is remarkable.

I leave with you, my friends, my brothers and sisters, my testimony that this is the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth today. And I leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Why Elder Jeremiah J. Morgan can say, ‘I strive to be a relentless disciple of Jesus Christ’

15:30

Elder Paul H. Sinclair: So, I’m Elder Paul Sinclair. I am a General Authority Seventy. I was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and we currently live in London, England.

I love the fact that section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants describes the Church as a “true and living church” (verse 30), because what it says to me is that when we have a living church, it’s based on the fact that we’ve got a living Savior. We’ve got living scriptures. We’ve got living prophets that walk the earth. And all of that becomes part of my testimony that it’s not just globally true but it’s personally true. Those things are alive in my life as well as being true for everyone on the earth. So the fact that we’ve got a living church and living prophets and living scriptures and a living Savior is my testimony.

I don’t know if there’s any special talent or gift or anything like that. But I do know this from my own experience, that whatever situation we find ourselves in — whether it’s of our own making or circumstances beyond our control — that the Lord can take that, He can lay His hands upon it, and He can turn it into something beautiful. So no matter what some situation has had, what impact it has had, on your life in some way, that the Lord can take that and He can make it a beautiful thing.

Isaiah 61:3 is real doctrine, that He can bring beauty from any kind of ashes, that as they’re presented to Him, He puts His hands on it, and He makes it beautiful. And I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

How the desire for spiritual experiences led Elder Paul H. Sinclair to the Church as a teenager

17:06

Elder Matthew J. Eyring: My name is Matthew Eyring, Matthew J. Eyring. I am from Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m a General Authority Seventy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I’d just like to bear witness of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His pivotal role in God’s plan of happiness. Because of Him, we are able to overcome temporal death and spiritual death. We are able to rise from the grave but also rise individually, each one of us personally, because the Savior suffered for our sins, for my sins, and took upon Himself my burdens, in an unselfish way, that I may be able to become more like my Heavenly Father, become more like the Savior, and I can be able to come back to live with Them again together with my family.

I am so grateful for the Father’s plan and for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for the sacrifice He has made for me and for every one of us that we might find eternal happiness. And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Matthew J. Eyring, new General Authority Seventy, has been blessed by righteous mentors

18:25

Elder Thabo Lebethoa: My name is Thabo Kula James Lebethoa. I’ve just been called as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I’m from Johannesburg, South Africa.

I would like to bear my testimony that I know that God is our Father in Heaven, that He truly cares for us, that He’s given us His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, that through Him we can be able to return and live with Him in the celestial kingdom. I am grateful for the Savior. I know that He is my Redeemer.

I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know that it truly is another testament of Jesus Christ. I also have a testimony of the Holy Ghost. I know that He is a personage of Spirit, a member of the Godhead, who testifies of the Father and of the Son. And I share this thought and testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

‘We need to trust Him’: Elder Thabo Lebethoa’s journey from convert to General Authority Seventy

19:25

Jon Ryan Jensen: Thank you for listening to the Church News podcast. I’m your host, Church News editor Jon Ryan Jensen. I hope you learned something today about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had your faith in the Savior increase by looking through the Church News window as a living record of the Restoration. Please subscribe, rate and review this podcast so it can be accessible to more people. And if you enjoyed the messages we shared today, please share the podcast with others. Thanks to our guests; to my producer, KellieAnn Halvorsen; and to others who make this podcast possible. Join us every week for a new episode. Find us on your favorite podcasting channels or with other news and updates about the Church on TheChurchNews.com or on the Church News app.

April 2026 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries, photos, session highlights

Learn more about the incoming Primary general presidency

Find out more about the Church’s 8 new General Authority Seventies

Listen to more episodes of the Church News podcast

On this episode of the Church News podcast, Elder Brent H. Nielson, an emeritus General Authority Seventy, and Richard Sutton from the Church’s Temple Department, join guest host Sheri Dew, executive vice president of Deseret Management Corp. and a former member of the Relief Society general presidency.

The three discuss the unparalleled nature of the upcoming Salt Lake Temple Celebration and the many opportunities it provides for individuals to learn about the historic and holy structure and its purpose in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.

Listen to this episode of the Church News podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, bookshelf PLUS, YouTube or wherever you get podcasts.

Transcript:

Sheri Dew: In April of 2019, President Russell M. Nelson announced that at the end of 2019, that the Salt Lake Temple would close for an extended period for major renovations. In fact, this is what he said specifically. He said this project “will enhance, refresh and beautify the temple and its surrounding grounds. Obsolete systems within the building will be replaced. Safety and seismic concerns will be addressed. Accessibility will be enhanced so that members with limited mobility can be better accommodated.”

We’re here today with Elder Brent Nielson and with Richard Sutton to talk about what will follow. Now that the temple is almost complete, next year we’re contemplating a wonderful event, probably one unlike anything the Church has ever seen before, and that being the open house for the Salt Lake Temple.

So, Elder Nielson and Rich, welcome to the Church News podcast.

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Thank you.

Richard Sutton: Thank you, Sheri.

Elder Brent H. Nielson: I’m so excited to be here.

1:00

Sheri Dew: So, we saw just a few days ago, we saw another evidence of wonderful progress, and that is those beautiful doors that every couple who’s ever been married there has had their picture taken in front of with their families and friends and so forth. We saw those be hung again. So, again, things are moving along.

You two have had your unique assignments for several years. Would you talk to us about what you were called or asked or assigned to do? And give us just a picture of what you’ve been doing the last two or three years as you’ve been planning a party for millions of your closest friends.

1:38

Elder Brent H. Nielson: I was serving as a general authority in 2024 and was about to become an emeritus general authority. And President [Dieter F.] Uchtdorf and Elder [Neil L.] Andersen called me to President Uchtdorf’s office and said, “Are you going to stay here in Utah after you’re emeritus?” And I said, “Yes.” And they said, “We would like you to be the coordinator for the Salt Lake Temple open house.”

And they showed me a minute entry from the First Presidency where they had appointed a committee of four members of the Twelve and asked that I do that. And so I’ve been doing it now for almost two and a half years involved with this. Started, it was, I believe, that was March of 2024.

2:22

Richard Sutton: Mine was a little bit different but similar as well. But I was in the Temple Department. I was serving as a senior director in the Temple Department over operations worldwide and was loving my job and my position and was starting to help prepare some of the original preparations for the Salt Lake Temple.

We made some recommendations to the First Presidency of how we might go about an open house. I’d done open houses at different temples around the world, from Fiji to Provo City Center to Tucson and different areas of the world. So I’ve had that experience in the past. And we thought this was going to be different. And so we were proposing a little bit different of an organization and a structure from the Temple Department.

But as Elder Nielson said, the First Presidency made the decision to have an executive committee, kind of cross-departmental, established. And shortly after that decision was made, Elder Andersen invited me into his office. And he said, “You’re going to take a break from serving in the Temple Department specifically” — or generally, I should say — “and specifically just be responsible for the Salt Lake Temple open house.”

And it was about that time, and I think this is critical, that President Nelson said, “This needs to be a celebration.” And so we went from a Salt Lake Temple open house to a Salt Lake Temple Celebration under prophetic direction, which was really, really quite neat to be a part of.

3:44

Sheri Dew: So, how early in this process did you sense that, “Oh, this is maybe way different than I thought it was going to be”?

Elder Brent H. Nielson: About the time that I thought it was going to be an open house. So, we’ve all done those before. We’ve all participated in those. But then President Nelson said, “No, this is a celebration.” And so when he renamed the event, it became a totally different idea than I was contemplating at the time.

4:14

Richard Sutton: And right from the beginning, when you have four Apostles, a third of the Quorum of the Twelve, assigned to a specific project — I’ve worked for the Church for almost 20 years now. I’ve never been involved in a project that has four Apostles assigned to it. And so, yeah, there was a lot of indicators right from the beginning that this was not going to be a normal open house.

4:38

Sheri Dew: Obviously, the central feature — we’re going to talk in the next few minutes about many, many features of this open house — but the central feature, of course, is the temple.

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Yes.

Sheri Dew: And you have both been able to see inside at different stages along the way to see what’s actually happening.

And what does it feel like? What’s it feel like? What’s it look like? Especially now as you walk through and you see it getting close, really, to completion. How’s it feel? How’s it feel?

5:08

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Well, I might just say — and not many people know this unless they visit our visitors’ center that just opened — but President Nelson added an additional 100,000 square feet to the historic temple. So we’ve got the historic temple that all of us are familiar with, but he added another 100,000 square feet that runs from the historic temple to North Temple, underground, four levels. And so we now have 22 sealing rooms, two baptismal fonts. It’s a new structure for all of those things, but the historic temple has pretty much remained the same, with this big addition.

5:53

Sheri Dew: So it’ll feel familiar, the historic part?

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Yeah, the historic temple feels familiar. But the new addition isn’t going to feel — it’ll be something we’ll all get used to.

6:04

Sheri Dew: Is there anything that would be appropriate to say in this context about what President Nelson said or how he explained the reasoning for adding that many square feet?

Richard Sutton: It was interesting to watch that prophetic direction come of, “This temple needs to serve the world.” It wasn’t just, I think, a specific temple district like we’re used to.

6:26

Sheri Dew: As per normal.

Richard Sutton: Yeah, as per normal. When you look at, “OK, these are the people in the district.” But it’s really — you think about general conference, you think about the Olympics in the past, the Olympics that are coming in the future, many events that take place in Salt Lake City, not just Church events, but an array of different events.

The Salt Lake Temple becomes a gathering place for a lot of members of the Church from around the world. And so it wasn’t just a normal temple district that we were looking at. He was looking at it much larger from a prophetic vision of, “This really needs to service the world in a way that other temples don’t.”

7:02

Elder Brent H. Nielson: And my wife and I were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. I’m from Idaho, she’s from Texas. We don’t live in Salt Lake City. But everyone at the time, and I think continues to be that way, that we all want to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. It’s the iconic place for us to be sealed. And I think President Nelson realized that and added all these additional sealing rooms.

So I think it isn’t — we’re used to thinking, “Well, that’s my temple district, and we all go to that temple,” but the Salt Lake Temple is the world’s temple district. And even as we have prepared for this celebration, some of our area presidencies around the world have said, “So, why is this important to us?” And we explained to them this is the center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is where the First Presidency and the Twelve meet every Thursday. This is a different temple than other temples in the Church. And young people are going to come here to be sealed that have nothing to do with Salt Lake City.

8:08

Richard Sutton: I was just thinking about the original part of your question, about: “What does it look like? What does it feel like inside?” It just got me thinking. It’s really interesting to think, as we were walking through not too long ago, we were actually looking at what one of the tour paths through the temple could be for the open house.

And as we were walking through it, there were areas of the temple, as Elder Nielson was mentioning, in the lower areas of that north addition that were basically complete, meaning gold leafing is up. I mean, it’s a completed room. And there’s other areas of the temple where they’re still pouring concrete. So the amount of work that’s going on on this site is incredible.

And I wanted to just follow up on something Elder Nielson said. Though it will be brand new in some areas, it’s going to feel familiar because they’ve made the design really cohesive throughout the temple. So even in a brand-new area, it’s going to feel in the north addition just like that historic temple feels. It will feel very cohesive, though it will be brand new.

9:06

Sheri Dew: Now, in addition to this incredible project that has been undertaken on the temple, there are so many other features and things that have been added or changed. There’s new statuary on Temple Square, a lot of renovation taking place in different buildings.

So, talk about that when you come to the Salt Lake Temple — should we call it celebration? When we come to the celebration, that yes, the centerpiece is walking through and seeing the temple and better understanding the temple.

But there are other opportunities too. Let’s talk about some of those. Rich, do you want to go first with that?

Read more coverage of the Salt Lake Temple in the Church News

9:40

Richard Sutton: I don’t think we have the hours and hours it would take to describe everything that’s being planned. There is so much that’s going to be new and renovated on Temple Square, from the new Temple Square Visitors’ Center that you mentioned earlier, which has just opened not too long ago to the public, and it’s just incredible. It’s such an opportunity to have the temple be open 24/7, if you will.

10:05

Sheri Dew: Say more about that. Everybody may not understand what that means.

Richard Sutton: Yeah, so there are replica rooms of sacred spaces in the Temple Square Visitors’ Center replicating temple spaces. And so you have an instruction room, you have a baptistry, you have a celestial room, and you have a sealing room that are all there to walk through and an audiovisual presentation that helps guide a guest through the temple and the experience there.

And so we’re able to open ourselves up as a Church to say: “OK, usually only when a temple is just about to be dedicated, we have a few weeks, maybe a few months in some areas, to go through the temple. Even the Salt Lake Temple will be open for six months and then will be rededicated. But this will be forever on Temple Square.”

10:49

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Three hundred sixty-five days a year.

Richard Sutton: Yeah, 365 days a year. And you can go through the temple. It’ll just be incredible, that experience. And then there’s a lot of other exhibit space within the visitors’ center helping describe the temple and the role of Jesus Christ in the temple as members of the Church.

There’s also a few videos, films that are being prepared and planned now. There’ll be one in the Conference Center that describes the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. People are so curious, “What happened in that seven years of construction?” And we’re going to, in about 20 minutes, try and condense that into layman’s terms of what happened in that temple.

There’s another wonderful kind of single-point-of-view film that’s being created highlighting temples around the world, and just taking almost like a drone would be flying throughout the earth, highlighting different cityscapes and the temples in those areas.

The Relief Society Building is going to have a brand-new exhibit just for the open house — or just for the celebration, I should say — and it’s going to be incredible, highlighting the Primary, Young Women and Relief Society organizations of the Church and the incredible impact that women of the Church have had, not just on the Church but on communities throughout the world. And President Camille Johnson, who’s had a huge part — she sits on the executive committee as one of our leaders — she’s had a huge part in kind of directing how that will look and operate.

The Beehive and Lion houses are being renovated. There’s new exhibits going into the Joseph Smith Memorial Building highlighting the Savior’s role there. The Tabernacle will have dome projections onto the dome ceiling, which will just be incredible to sit there in that historic Tabernacle and look up on the roof and watch these presentations. There will be spaces for families and individuals to come and just kind of relax on kind of lawn space. Like you mentioned, there’s a dozen or more new statues that are on Temple Square.

12:52

Sheri Dew: Some of them are just stunning, too.

Richard Sutton: Church History is doing new exhibits in the museum and in the library, family history in the FamilySearch Library. Elder Nielson, what am I missing?

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Well, I just think it’s important to point out that President Nelson had a very distinct vision of what the plaza — which is the area of the Church of Temple Square that runs from State Street to the temple — and he wanted it to look a specific way. And in fact, I saw his diagram of this. And he wanted a plaque on State Street, and it’s right there now, and it’s Isaiah 2. It’s right there, and it says that in the last days, the house of the Lord will be established in the mountains, and all nations will flow unto it (see verse 2).

And as you look at that plaque and you face the temple, you see all the flags around the world leading to the temple. And he used to regularly say, “This is a fulfillment of that prophecy, that all the nations of the world will come to this temple.” And that’s what’s going to happen during this celebration. We’re inviting all of the leaders around the world to come.

14:09

Sheri Dew: So, we’ve talked, we’ve mentioned the four members of the Twelve that are on this executive committee. You mentioned President Johnson.

Do you want to say anything else about this executive committee appointed by the First Presidency? Isn’t that correct?

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Yes.

14:24

Sheri Dew: And they are taking the leading role in overseeing what’s taking place. Is that how you would describe it?

Elder Brent H. Nielson: So, we’re led by President Uchtdorf. He is the chairman of everything that we do. And then we have Elder Cook of the Twelve, who also serves on the committee; Elder Andersen of the Twelve; and then Elder Stevenson.

They’ve kind of divided their responsibilities up a bit. Elder Andersen has responsibility for what Rich is doing, which is at the on-site open house. But we also have — and we haven’t discussed this much — but we also have a virtual committee that Elder Stevenson directs with Brad Tate on our subcommittee to tell everybody around the world what’s happening here at Salt Lake City. It’s all of the things that will be put on our website and all of the — we’ll have a video series, a six-part video series, that involves young adults around the world. And it’s already been produced, a good part of it, and Elder Stevenson directs that.

We also have the presiding bishop on the committee. He’s been serving on it since the beginning. And we have, frankly, somebody from every department of the Church that’s on our subcommittees, from Church History to the Priesthood Department to the Temple Department to the Missionary Department. This whole campus is covered on our committees because they all have input into what we’re accomplishing, what we’re trying to do, and we’re coordinating with each one of them.

16:04

Sheri Dew: So, let’s say a little bit more about that, can we? It is taking literally a cast of thousands to undertake, really, “How do you host millions of people in a confined area for a fairly long period of time, six months?” We haven’t said that the open house will run from April till October of 2027.

So, would you like to say more about some of the individuals or the kinds of talents that we have, that you have, brought to bear to help pull all of this off?

16:36

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Well, just like Rich — Rich was one of the top people in the Temple Department. And he was taken out of the Temple Department to help us. Brad Tate from Church Communications is the chairman of the virtual committee.

But we have also taken people from Family History who are handling logistics, a wonderful sister who frankly is handling all of our logistics. We have people who have been taken from other committees and also hired who are over creativity — a wonderful sister who is doing all of the creative things that we are doing all across Temple Square.

So we have some really wonderful people who serve. We have even asked Sheri Dew to come and help us, and she has helped us.

Sheri Dew: A teeny bit.

Elder Brent H. Nielson: She has helped us in some of our —

Sheri Dew: She has tried not to mess anything up. That is what she has done.

17:32

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Anyway, we have just a beautiful group of people. It’s a pleasure to work with all of them.

Richard Sutton: It’s incredible. One of the things I would add, just amen to what Elder Nielson has said, to watch all of these amazing people who have been prepared, either through Church employment — because every organization has a way of getting things approved and getting things done, and so having people who have been in Church employment and know how to navigate the councils and committees and how that works.

But also, like Elder Nielson mentioned, we’ve hired people who have been in the tops of their fields and have been prepared for these kinds of moments, people that have worked in the Olympics and other areas to prepare for a large event of this scale, and it’s just been incredible to watch.

The other thing that I’d say is I envisioned at first an executive committee that would be more of an approving body, not really getting into the details, but really high-level, kind of get the surface of something, approve it, give the direction, and then the team goes to work. That has not been this executive committee. President Uchtdorf, from Day 1 and from the very first executive committee meeting, said, “This is a working committee,” and that’s exactly what it’s been.

I think people, members of the Church, would be shocked of how intensely aware of every detail these four Brethren of the Twelve are. They’re in the details. They know what’s going on. They’re engaged in it. They’re giving direction in it. They’re working. We get calls, Elder Nielson and I, day and night from these members of the Twelve. But it’s incredible that they care. They’re involved this much, and they know what’s going on. They’re part of it. And it’s been a life-changing experience for me to kind of watch that and be involved in it.

19:18

Sheri Dew: So, Elder Nielson, you’ve been around Church headquarters for quite a while. You’ve had a lot of important assignments, leading roles.

What do you think it’s — how would you characterize what it says about the fact that four members of the Twelve — I’ve never seen four members of the Twelve assigned to something before either. I don’t have the experience the two of you do. But I’ve been around this block a fair amount.

And what do you think that says about this? Why is this such a big deal?

19:50

Elder Brent H. Nielson: I find it fascinating that it was the First Presidency who established that committee. It wasn’t something anybody else came up with, and they actually assigned these four Apostles to take the assignment to be over this committee. And it tells me the way the Lord looks at this temple.

This temple took 40 years for our pioneer ancestors to build, and it is the icon of the Church, and it is the place where everyone gathers every six months, and it is a very sacred space for all of us. And so I just think it’s interesting that the Lord and the First Presidency are the ones who established this committee.

And, like you said, I served in the Missionary Department, I’ve served in area presidencies around the world, and I haven’t seen four Apostles assigned to a specific event like this one. And as Rich said, they’re deeply involved. They know what’s going on from the very creative beginning of what we’re doing to now pounding nails, which is where we are now.

Sheri Dew: Which is where we are now.

21:12

Richard Sutton: And I — what I would add to that is just how incredible this is. It’s more than just a building being renovated. I mean, 40 years to originally build it is something monumental, but with all of the modern technology we have, seven years to renovate a building is an incredible amount of time in the modern age. And so a lot has been done. When you look at the seismic retrofit and all that has been done, it’s incredible. But it’s more than just the restoration of a historic building. This is an opportunity to really celebrate and rejoice together.

We’re really, quite literally, we’re inviting the entire world to come to this celebration. And we want everyone to come. We recognize not everyone will be able to come to Salt Lake City during that six months. But we’d like to bring Salt Lake City to the entire world as well. And so we have an on-site portion where the entire world can come. And those who can’t come, we’re going to take Salt Lake City — or at least Temple Square — to you.

And we’re going to have a virtual tour of the Salt Lake Temple unlike anything you’ve seen before. We have the new app that was introduced with the opening of the visitors’ center but will only be enhanced and increased and used as part of the open house and then will be the ongoing Temple Square app here on Temple Square.

But it’s just incredible to think we’re inviting the entire world here to celebrate with us. And those who can’t come, we’re going to bring it to you and celebrate in your own home in a virtual way. And so it really is far more than just the restoration of a historic building. We want to celebrate and rejoice together throughout the world.

22:50

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Do you mind if I mention one other thing?

Sheri Dew: Please, please.

Elder Brent H. Nielson: In answer to your question, I think — and I had this impression as we started to take tours through the visitors’ center — because we have this beautiful spot in the visitors’ center where we have the Christus statue, and right behind the Christus is the temple.

And this is the Lord’s house. This is His house. This is where He has a place to come, and we are establishing a wonderful place for Him to be. And as I mentioned earlier, this is where the decisions of the Church are made. The First Presidency and the Twelve meet there every week. And it’s a very different temple than most other temples in the Church.

23:36

Sheri Dew: One of the things I’ve wondered too, thinking about this, if I were a little farm girl growing up in Kansas, which I once was, and if I couldn’t come, No. 1, I can still walk through, but it would send a signal to me that it is something very important that says how important we think all temples are. That your temple, just down the street from you, wherever you live, this is how deeply we feel about those temples as well. And this is a symbol, it seems to me, of that.

Now, it’s going to take — we’ve talked about people doing the work, starting with the executive committee and many other employees across the Church campus. You just put out a call for volunteers. I think that we need 35,000 volunteers or some little number like that.

What’s the response been, and what kind of an experience do you think a volunteer is going to have helping host those who will come, other than probably sore feet? What do you think their experience is going to be, and what’s the response been to the call?

24:42

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Well, I’ll let Rich respond to what the response has been, because he actually knows that a bit better than I do. But I just have to say that I was the chairman of a little small open house in Twin Falls, Idaho, and we had many of our members in those 14 stakes volunteer. And it was life-changing, because they saw miracles.

As a result of the temple being opened, it changed people’s lives and had them recommit to wanting to be part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It had people come who wanted to join our Church. And people who participate in this type of an event, it will change their life and changed my life. And I watched it change the lives of all of our members in that small experience, and now this is going to be a grand experience, where we are inviting millions to come. And we need 35,000 volunteers instead of 1,000. And it’s going to be incredible for them to experience this and to be part of this.

25:51

Richard Sutton: I would say the response has been really positive. It’s been overwhelming for us because we’re getting all of these applications that are coming in. Overwhelming in a great way; I don’t want anybody to be dissuaded from applying. We are so excited to see what’s coming in. And I would say we need and want more. And so if you’re hearing this thinking, “I wonder if I should,” I would. It’s going to be a life-changing experience.

One of the things, in addition to people having a wonderful experience on Temple Square while they’re here, is we want people who are volunteering their time to have a wonderful time on Temple Square. We think that it can be — it’s not mutually exclusive where the volunteer is just going to have sore feet, be beaten down and, “Oh, I’m here working, but I’m helping somebody else, a guest, have a wonderful experience.” We think both parties can have a great experience.

I think volunteers will have an experience unlike any other. They will be all over Temple Square. You can do any number of things. If you think, “Ooh, I’m not sure I’m able to communicate with people well or have that guest experience kind of relationship,” well, we have parking of cars, we have transportation, we have safety and security. We have something for almost anyone.

27:06

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Anyone. And they can tell us when they can do it. I mean, we’re not — if you volunteer, it isn’t like we’re saying, “OK, you have to be here all the time.”

Sheri Dew: For six months.

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Yeah. In fact, we’ve divided it up into two-month waves, so if you volunteer, you’ll come and work for two months at times that are available to you with your work schedule and other things.

Richard Sutton: Why don’t you try us and see if there’s an opportunity for you to serve? We would benefit from you serving, and I think you would benefit from serving as well, and I think it would be a really fun opportunity.

27:37

Sheri Dew: I’ve just been thinking as you’ve been talking that both of you have given way more tours through the new visitors’ center than I have. I’ve only done it a few times. But I had the privilege a week or two ago to take several groups of those not of our faith through. It was awesome. That was the neatest experience, and it was the easiest experience I have ever had of saying, “This is what we believe, and this is why we do what we do.” And it’s just kind of there in front of you.

So, this backdrop of the temple, and the other things that you’ve both mentioned, it just makes it really comfortable to talk about: “This is who we are. This is what we believe. We’re so glad you’re here.”

What provisions are being made to make sure that everyone, whether they’re a member of the Church or not, feels comfortable and welcome? Are there specific things that are being done to make sure that happens?

28:36

Richard Sutton: Well, I think I would say yes to that in every part, because there’s a lot of different things. When you think of accommodations being made, I think your mind can go to a lot of different areas. We’re making accommodations for people with varying levels of abilities, and so that is a place we’re making accommodations for. Mobility as well. We’re making accommodations for languages, as many as we possibly can, both on-site here if you come to Temple Square and virtually as we take Temple Square to you.

There’s also opportunities, like you said, to make accommodations to make it as easy as possible for people to talk about what they feel, what they know and what they believe. Rather than being at a table trying to describe what an instruction room looks like, you can now show them and stand in an instruction room and say: “This is what it is, and here’s what we talk about. Here’s what we learn. Here’s why it’s important to us. Here’s why it’s centered on Jesus Christ.”

29:32

Elder Brent H. Nielson: The interesting thing to me is the temple hasn’t been open to those outside of our faith since 1893. I mean, this is the first look inside this place since 1893, which is incredible to think about. And I think some of us have had the opportunity to visit the Vatican in Rome, to visit some of the other wonderful religious sites around the world.

Sheri Dew: Cathedrals.

29:58

Elder Brent H. Nielson: And it just — when I go, I just have a million questions. I want to know: “Why do they do — why do you have this in your cathedral? Why is this done here in Rome? Why do you do that?” And I’m hoping that people not of our faith will come and have the chance to finally get inside this temple and have millions of questions. I have millions of questions about other faiths and how they do the things they do, why they do the things that they do. And we hope that they will come with those same questions for us.

Sheri Dew: It’s true. You walk through a mosque in Istanbul, and it’s fascinating, and it’s really inspiring, too, and inspiring to find out, “Oh, this is why they do what they do, and this is how they see it.” And I think that’s just beautiful.

What about youth and children? Will they be bored, or will there be something for them? Why bring the kids?

30:53

Elder Brent H. Nielson: We are actually excited, and Rich can talk about the specifics. But we — our assignment literally was given to us with the idea that we are focused on our rising generation. So the video series that we’ve prepared, that will be shown beginning in October, the things that will happen here on Temple Square, we’re always keeping the young men and young women in mind. Rich and I meet with the Primary presidency so that we can make sure that the children who are coming are also having a positive experience.

So, we’ve tried to involve all of these organizations to help us and give us direction, and they have helped us a lot. They are always — they have the eyes of the young men and young women and the Primary in mind, and they’ll say: “You know what? You need to do this a bit different.” And so that’s been helpful. Rich knows the specifics of what’s happening.

31:50

Richard Sutton: Yeah, I love that our executive committee from Day 1 had the rising generation as our target audience. And that’s been our focus. And like Elder Nielson mentioned, we have really tried hard to make sure that that’s been our focus and refine some things over time, when maybe it got a little out of focus and we thought, “No, I don’t think a young person would want to have that.” And we’ve done focus groups to make sure that what we are preparing actually resonates with the youth. We’re creating selfie stations. And so we’re finding the best opportunities to get the temple in view or something in view, and we’re marking out stations. We have volunteers that will be there to take pictures for people, if they don’t want to do selfies.

Sheri Dew: So, come and volunteer at the selfie station, right?

Richard Sutton: And you get to be a selfie taker.

Sheri Dew: Right. I could do that.

32:35

Richard Sutton: Also, every exhibit we’ve created, there’s something that’s going to be for youth and even children. Because there is a difference between children being engaged versus a youth versus single adults and all up the ladder. And so we’ve been very careful to make sure that our focus is there in all of the exhibits that we create.

And along the way, you’ll find some amazing opportunities, and some geared specifically for children and youth, and then others where it’s, though it’s not geared specifically for, there are ways that it will resonate with them.

33:07

Elder Brent H. Nielson: And using sacred music and lighting, every night we’ll light the temple. So we’ll have this beautiful sacred music being played around Temple Square, and the temple will be lit up.

Richard Sutton: And celebratory concerts that will not only appeal to the youth but are specifically being designed for them. And kind of a, yeah, there are some celebratory concerts that are in the planning and works right now that I think the entire Church, but specifically the youth audience of the Church, will just fall in love with.

33:40

Sheri Dew: Now, if I’m a resident of Salt Lake or the surrounding areas, I might be listening to this and thinking: “This sounds great. I’d love to come. But wow, it sounds like that’s going to be a nightmare. I can just picture the lines. Where are you to park?” There’s so many implications about this logistically, including the effect it’s going to have on Salt Lake City itself, and the city of Salt Lake City but the state of Utah.

What have you done to work with the state and the city? And also, can you alleviate any fear that someone who’s averse to lines, like I am, so that I’d say: “Yeah, I think I’m willing to risk it. I’m willing to go”? What would you tell us about the logistics? Because they’re massive for this many people.

34:30

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Well, I would say that we have been so grateful for the city of Salt Lake and their cooperation, from the mayor to the city council to the chief of police to the fire chief. We have been working with all of them to make this a safe environment, to make sure that everybody who comes will have a pleasant experience. They’ve allowed us to do something that’s highly unusual. We’re going to close North Temple and West Temple so that it’s all part of —

Sheri Dew: For six months?

Elder Brent H. Nielson: For six months. So it’s all part of the campus. But it will make this not only a secure experience, but it will make it a wonderful opportunity.

So, in order to get to this place, if you have a ticket to come to the temple, you’ll be able to ride UTA for free. So you could come UTA, you could come on FrontRunner. But in addition to that, some of our very good friends in the community have donated a 2,000-space parking lot on North Temple, where we’re hoping a lot of our visitors will park. And we’ll have a bus that’s running every few minutes from that parking lot to Temple Square and back. So it should be very easy to do.

Our open house at the temple will actually start inside the Conference Center. There’s no way that we will ever have enough people to fill that Conference Center. And any line that you have will be inside the Conference Center in a pleasant experience, but there really won’t be a line. You’ll be moved in, watch a short video, and then you’ll be into the temple.

36:15

Richard Sutton: We’ve been able to get contracted with some of the great vendors that are out there. One is helping us with this transportation issue. We don’t want to inundate the city of Salt Lake downtown with just cars and parking and different things. And so, like Elder Nielson mentioned, we have a company that will be shuttling people. And it’s an eight-minute — so it’s not as if you’ll be on a bus forever and waiting, but as soon as you get out of your car, you’ll get right onto a bus, and you’ll come right away.

A very safe event, but it will be very easy to get in and out of security. We’ve got a lot of high-tech equipment that will be used so that it’s not just lines waiting to get through security, but you’ll be able to walk right in and walk right out. So if you want to go and get a bite to eat in between your visit, there will be opportunities to do that, to go into the community and have that opportunity.

So there is just, in addition to — what I wanted to mention is — in addition to all of the people that are working on it from a kind of Church headquarters standpoint, we are getting the best of the best in our vendors to be able to help us with areas that aren’t our expertise but is their expertise in being able to shuttle and transport people.

37:24

Sheri Dew: We talk about the logistics because they are overwhelming, and I’ve watched some of the presentations, and it’s mind-boggling. That doesn’t happen to be something I would ever be good at, and so I marvel at what has been created to make this a seamless and a pleasant experience.

But let’s go back now to the real experience that we hope people will have, and maybe we could talk about that by saying: With all of this worrying about the logistics that you both have had to do, and still have to do — we’re not finished — you said that the Twin Falls open house changed you. How is this changing you?

38:05

Richard Sutton: I think that’s a really poignant question, and what comes to my mind when you ask that question is: Sometimes if you don’t worry about the logistics or the planning side of it, then you get so frazzled in the moment, it’s hard to feel the Spirit, it’s hard to recognize or focus on what matters most. And so I think one of the great things that I’m learning is, in our preparation, we’re trying to do as good a job as humanly possible to prepare ourselves for probably the largest event the Church has ever put on.

All of these things are taken care of, even to the point where you don’t maybe even notice them, but you can have this experience where you’re not worried about all of the other things, but now you can ask those million questions of: “So, why is Jesus Christ the center of everything that you do in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Why is Jesus Christ the center of my worship in the temple?” And if that’s the case, then all of this work will have been totally worth it.

And so the changing for me is: If you prepare yourself, then you can have that moment when the time comes to really rejoice and worship and have that moment with Jesus Christ that you wanted to.

39:25

Elder Brent H. Nielson: And to answer your question about how is it changing me, as soon as I got the assignment, my amazing wife started pulling books about the building of the Salt Lake Temple and historic books about what it is that — why it was that this was such an important place for them.

And we’ve had Emily Utt, who is kind of the expert with the Salt Lake Temple, come to our committee and teach us about the Salt Lake Temple and why they did the things that they did. And I’ve realized as we’ve read the histories, as we’ve tried to understand what this is about, it becomes more meaningful to me to see what’s taking place in the Lord’s house. This is His house.

40:16

Sheri Dew: His house. How would you counsel those getting ready to attend, to prepare themselves to have the maximum kind of opportunity and experience?

Richard Sutton: I think it’s probably going to be different for each person. Each person will have a different thing that they may need in their life or what they’re searching for in their life. But I would encourage people to come with an open mind. Those who might be curious of what the temple is all about, come with an open mind, and allow us to share with you what our beliefs are.

40:48

Elder Brent H. Nielson: As I think about how we might prepare, we will be releasing an album — is what an old guy like me calls it — a number of musical presentations. What do we call it today if it’s not an album?

Sheri Dew: We call it the same thing.

41:07

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Anyway, one of them is a beautiful, beautiful rejoicing hymn by Mack Wilberg that will be part of it. But others are for youth, some for Primary. And this wonderful selection of music will help us prepare our hearts and help our young men and young women prepare themselves as they come to the temple.

And we have this beautiful video series that will be available online that families can watch together. And we’re going to take them inside the Salt Lake Temple. They’re going to see the construction going on in this video.

So, there are many ways to prepare, and they will be on the website so that you can see them, hear them and prepare your kids for this amazing event.

41:59

Sheri Dew: And then, of course, when you get there, then you can build on that. You’re not starting from scratch. And I absolutely hope that happens, just when I think about the people that I know and that I care about and that I hope will have a wonderful experience.

So, when do tickets become available? How does somebody know that they’ve got a spot on a tour?

42:20

Elder Brent H. Nielson: So, on TempleSquare.org, people around the world will be able to get on that website and will be able to reserve tickets starting on Sept. 1 of 2026. So actually just in a few months, the tickets will be available. You can reserve some for your family to come.

If you’re bringing a group of young men and young women, then there is an opportunity on the site to say: “I’m actually bringing a large group. How do I reserve tickets?” And you’ll go to a different part, a different area of the website, and be able to reserve for larger groups.

So, Sept. 1 is the date, and we’ll be releasing a portion of the tickets then to give us a feel for how many we need and what needs to be released. So, we’re looking forward to that release. And Rich might have something I missed on.

43:11

Richard Sutton: No, the only thing I would add to that is the ticket you’ll need is just to go through the Salt Lake Temple as the open house tour, which is obviously the pinnacle, the primary experience. You don’t need a ticket for almost anything else on Temple Square. And so there might be people who want to come multiple days who want to kind of experience everything.

43:33

Elder Brent H. Nielson: So we hope they’ll get a ticket online. If they don’t, if they haven’t prepared for that, then we’re still going to try to accommodate them.

Sheri Dew: With these 35,000 volunteers that will help them somehow.

Richard Sutton: With a smile, with happiness, with everything they can. But yeah, we’ll accommodate everyone with a ticket, and we’ll accommodate everyone without a ticket that we can. Yep, that’s the message.

43:56

Sheri Dew: And just to be clear, the only place a ticket will be taken is inside the Conference Center, where the tour that leads to the temple begins. That’s the only place.

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Right.

Sheri Dew: OK.

44:06

Richard Sutton: And there is a ticketed portion of the visitors’ center to take that tour, the “Inside a Temple” tour. Really, I think those are the only two tickets for all of Temple Square during that celebration that you need.

Elder Brent H. Nielson: And you can get all of those online.

Richard Sutton: Online. And they’re all free. So when you think about wanting to come and experience something in the summer, sometime between April 5 and Oct. 1, we’ve got the greatest opportunity for you.

Sheri Dew: So, for your family of 10, it’s not a big outlay to bring them down. It’s just go to the lot, park, take an eight-minute bus ride, and there you are, and here it begins.

Richard Sutton: Yup. And dozens and dozens of experiences for you.

44:46

Sheri Dew: Wonderful. Final thoughts, parting thoughts. What do you want everybody to know? Rich, and then Elder Nielson, would you bring us home?

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Yeah, thank you.

Richard Sutton: I would just say this is for everyone. There might be some people that think, “I don’t know if this is for me,” and that could be both members and nonmembers.

Sheri Dew: Sure.

45:05

Richard Sutton: I think this is for everyone, and we’d love for everyone to come and rejoice together, have everyone come and celebrate together. This is going to be a celebration unlike anything else in the Church. And I think I would invite everyone to participate in whatever way they’re able to participate.

This really is for everyone. I think about my family, I think about my friends. It’s going to be different for everyone, but I think it can be for everyone. And I would just invite everyone to come and be a part of it. Come and see, come and feel, come and be a part of it. And we’re doing a lot of work in order for this to be a celebration unlike any other, and we hope everyone will come.

45:51

Elder Brent H. Nielson: I’m just so delighted with this opportunity for those not of our faith. And Rich and I, we work with a lot of the people in Salt Lake City who are planning other things that will take place at the same time up at Heritage Park and other locations around the Salt Lake Valley.

I think it will be a great opportunity for hopefully this wonderful city, this state of Utah, to be united and for them to — those who are not of our faith — to come and see that we are so transparent now. We’re going to take you inside a temple, and we’re going to show you anything you want to see. We’re willing to help you understand what happens inside this temple.

We want to be wonderful citizens. We want to be part of this community. I think we are hoping that this will be a wonderful uniting effort for Salt Lake City, for Utah, for the Church, for those who come, those world leaders who come, that they’ll understand that when our missionaries come to their country, we’re trying to help them lift the people in their communities. We’re trying to teach them about Jesus Christ. We’re doing this to uplift people and to help them.

And I hope that that is the end result of this, that we conclude this with this united effort, and with other things to come, Olympics and other things, that we’ll be one community that feels very comfortable with each other.

47:33

Sheri Dew: Elder Nielson and Rich, thank you so much for sharing with us a vision of this moment. This is going to be a thing. This is going to be a moment. And thank you for helping us start to gear up for that and understand a little bit more about all the tremendous work going on and what we have to look forward to next year. Thank you so much.

Elder Brent H. Nielson: Thank you.

Richard Sutton: Thank you, Sheri.

Find more episodes of the Church News podcast

Elder B. Corey Cuvelier — a General Authority Seventy who will then be serving as a member of the Brazil Area presidency — will preside over the ceremony.

Born in California, Elder Cuvelier served in the Brazil São Paulo South Mission as a young adult and later as president of the Brazil Curitiba South Mission.

The Maceió temple’s Oct. 10 groundbreaking date, announced by the First Presidency, was published in a July 20 news release on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

This will be the fourth temple groundbreaking in Brazil this year — following those for the João Pessoa temple on Jan. 24, the Teresina temple on April 18 and the upcoming groundbreaking on Aug. 1 for the Santos temple.

As previously announced, the Maceió temple is planned as a single-story temple of approximately 19,000 square feet. It will be built at Avenida Dr. Durval de Góis Monteiro, S/N, Quadra 0522, Lote 0228.

Maceió is the capital and the largest city of the coastal state of Alagoas, Brazil.

On April 3, 2022, then-Church President Russell M. Nelson announced this temple for Maceió. It was one of 17 temple locations he identified in the April 2022 general conference — including another Brazil house of the Lord, for Santos.

About the Church in Brazil

Latter-day Saint missionaries began preaching in southern Brazil in 1928. By the time the São Paulo Brazil Temple — the first in South America — was dedicated in 1978, membership in the country had reached 54,000.

Home now to more than 1.5 million Latter-day Saints in over 2,000 wards and branches, Brazil has 24 temples in various stages of operation, construction and planning.

The country’s 11 operating temples include the São Paulo (dedicated in 1978), Recife (2000), Porto Alegre (2000), Campinas (2002), Curitiba (2008), Manaus (2012), Fortaleza (2019), Rio de Janeiro (2022), Belém (2022), Brasília (2023) and Salvador (2024) temples.

Another Brazil temple, in Belo Horizonte, is scheduled for an Aug. 16 dedication.

Five houses of the Lord are under construction in Brazil, including the Ribeirão Preto (2024), Londrina (2024), Natal (2025), João Pessoa (January 2026) and Teresina (April 2026) temples.

On Aug. 1, ground will be broken for a temple in Santos.

That leaves six temples in planning and design stages, for São Paulo East (announced 2020), Vitória (2021), Maceió (2022), Goiânia (2023), Florianópolis (2024) and Campo Grande (2025).

Interior and exterior photos released for Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple, to be dedicated Aug. 16

Teresina Brazil Temple enters construction phase

Read more Church News coverage of temples

Applications are open from June 15 to July 15 and can be filled out on TempleSquare.org.

Volunteers should commit to at least eight weeks of service during the celebration, and most volunteer assignments are a single three- to four-hour shift per week. Participants must be age 16 or older in the year 2027.

“We’re really passionate about finding the right people to be here to welcome those guests from all over the world,” said Jen Allen, senior event manager for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, to the Church News.

In September, applicants will start finding out if they’ve been accepted. Training will begin this fall, then larger training will happen in 2027.

“We want to make sure they have plenty of time to learn their role, feel confident, feel ready,” said Allen.

Additional information can be found at TempleSquare.org/eng/volunteer.

What roles are available?

Around 25 volunteer roles are available to those interested in participating in the “Rejoice Team.” Applicants can select their three preferred roles in case their first choice is not available.

These include roles like Guest Services representative, memory creator (to take photos for visitors), religious education specialist, app support specialist, daytime porter and cleaning steward, call center specialist, traffic attendant and security.

Various other talents are needed — including some paid positions — like performers skilled in singing, theater or playing instruments. Performing groups of four to 100 participants can also apply to volunteer, like professional, community, school, interfaith or cultural groups. Artisans can apply to showcase work such as chalk art, watercolor, painting, woodworking and glass art.

“We’re looking for volunteers across a lot of different spectrums,” said Allen. “We’re not limiting the application to anybody.”

Both guest-facing and non-guest-facing assignments are available. Some positions are remote, so volunteers don’t have to live in Utah. Volunteers for on-site roles can also be from anywhere, as long as they’re able to be in person when scheduled.

Allen said, “We want everybody who comes to the celebration to feel welcome, so we just need really joyful people who are ready to serve each individual person that comes to celebrate with us.”

‘Part of something so incredible’

Duncan Watt, a 21-year-old from Heber City, Utah, applied to be a member of the “Joy Squad,” which “roams Temple Square to create spontaneous, uplifting moments for guests and volunteers,” according to the application page.

“I hope that they see the Light of Christ,” said Watt about those he’d be serving. “I hope that they see joy and that there’s something about this way of life. There’s something about the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is joyful.”

Watt noted the 2024 talk “Days Never to Be Forgotten” by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who said this next decade will bring increased opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“This is an event that will draw millions of members and nonmembers alike from all around the world,” said Watt. “I want to be a part of something so incredible that I’ll be able to tell my future children and grandchildren about.”

Annalise Mortensen, a 21-year-old from Farmington, Utah, applied to be a temple attendant, who will welcome and guide guests through the Salt Lake Temple.

“I was so excited when this application opened for the celebration at Temple Square because there’s so much joy that can be found at the temple,” she said.

As an ordinance worker in the Provo City Center Temple, Mortensen said, “I’ve had some skill sets from working in the temple that I think I’ll be able to apply here as I continue to work in the temple and guide people.”

She said she hopes those who visit Temple Square and tour the temple feel welcomed. “I hope they see people who are kind and uplifting, people who love talking to other people and are able to direct them in ways that Jesus Christ would.”

Blake Barnes, a 22-year-old from Milford, Utah, applied to be a VIP ambassador, which entails helping guests feel confidently assisted during their visit.

“I hope they find joy,” he said. “I think that’s the purpose of the gospel, to bring joy. And so I hope they find connection and belonging and joy and peace, but also answers to their questions.”

He said the Salt Lake Temple is a safe haven for people of faith in Jesus Christ and that it would be a life-changing experience to share that with the public.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There’s nothing like this, and it’s an experience you’ll never regret.”

First Presidency tours Salt Lake Temple, ‘a place we cherish’

Video: First look at the Temple Square Visitors’ Center

A ‘transformational message’: See photos of Easter displays on Temple Square

Read more Church News coverage of Temple Square

The process of restoring, preserving, operating and sharing the Church historic sites includes making improvements and finding new ways to reach global audiences.

On this episode of the Church News podcast, Jacob W. Olmstead and Benedicte Dansie with the Church History Department join Church News reporter Mary Richards to discuss how Church historic sites help visitors not only see the Church’s heritage and history but also connect with the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Listen to this episode of the Church News podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, bookshelf PLUS, YouTube or wherever you get podcasts.

Transcript:

Jacob W. Olmstead: Many people come to the historic sites and have a really powerful spiritual experience. Their testimony is strengthened or found anew or for the first time by feeling the Spirit in that place. Everyone has been studying “Come, Follow Me.” We just read from the book of Joshua, where when the Israelites are coming across the Jordan, he asked them to go pick up 12 stones and put them on the other side of the river. The reason? So that when the children see these stones, future generations see these stones, they will remember the great things the Lord has done for the Israelites. The same principle for the Historic Sites Program is that they help us remember the great things the Lord has done for us in this dispensation.

0:50

Mary Richards: This is Mary Richards, reporter at the Church News. Welcome to the Church News podcast. Today, we are taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Museums, historic sites, monuments and markers are ways that connect members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to our heritage and our history.

Joining me on this episode of the Church News podcast are Jacob Olmstead and Benedicte Dansie from the Church History Department. Welcome, both of you, to the Church News podcast.

Benedicte Dansie: Thank you.

Jacob W. Olmstead: Thank you for having us.

1:26

Mary Richards: Can you tell us and our listeners a little bit more about what you do and your role and a little bit about how long you’ve worked for this department and everything, Jacob?

Jacob W. Olmstead: Absolutely. So, my current title is I’m a region manager in the Historic Sites Program of the Church History Department. I work closely with our scholars that do historical research to help make the historic sites accurate, so that they’re on message and that they’re meaningful. But I also work with a team that is working to develop ways of reaching global Latter-day Saints and sharing the historic sites of the Restoration with them so that they can feel the power of those places.

Mary Richards: Because not everybody can go in person.

Jacob W. Olmstead: No, absolutely right.

2:16

Mary Richards: Yeah. Well, we’re going to talk about that, about some ways that people can experience these sites, never even being able to step foot there, on this episode.

And Benedicte, tell me about your role.

Benedicte Dansie: So, I am a curator with Historic Sites, and I currently run the web and social media, in addition to some of the work that I do when it comes to designing visitors’ centers, exhibits and things like that. And then I’m part of the global team that Jake manages, and we’re working on, yeah, a couple of projects to help learn more about historic sites and places internationally.

Jacob W. Olmstead: Yeah.

2:47

Mary Richards: You both travel a lot for this role.

Benedicte Dansie: A decent amount, yeah.

Jacob W. Olmstead: And that’s so fun.

Mary Richards: There you go. There you go. I was teasing you before. I wonder if I could put you on the spot and ask your favorite site, but I imagine they’re all just so powerful in different ways and meaningful in different ways to you both.

Jacob W. Olmstead: Absolutely. In fact, I don’t mind answering that question, because it oftentimes shocks people when I say this, but I really like the Winter Quarter Cemetery, which is just adjacent, and most people know that it’s adjacent to the Mormon Trail Center.

And if you haven’t been there, it is just a gem in Latter-day Saint history and art. It has an amazing sculpture there that’s commemorating those who died during the trek west by Avard Fairbanks. It’s an art deco design. We don’t see that much anymore. And the cemetery there and the monument have just a unique spirit. But we don’t see monuments like that anymore, so it’s breathtaking.

3:52

Mary Richards: Yes, that site is really, really beautiful. There’s a spirit there that I have felt thinking about all those who suffered there and what was facing them and their faith as they moved forward. That statue is really — I’m glad you said that was your favorite.

Jacob W. Olmstead: Most Latter-day Saints do recognize the statue, because it had been on Temple Square for many years, and we use it in our Church publications all the time, and so it’s well known. But the surrounding landscape is also very impactful, and it takes the suffering and juxtaposes it with the Atonement of the Savior, Jesus Christ, which is really touching when you’re there in person and thinking about what those early Saints went through.

4:36

Mary Richards: Benedicte, do you have a favorite?

Benedicte Dansie: I think some of my favorites are probably just around the New York, especially Palmyra, area. I spent a lot of time flying back and forth out there for a project last year. And so I spent a lot of time in Palmyra and really loved spending time in the Sacred Grove and at the Hill Cumorah.

I also really love the San Diego Mormon Battalion Site, though. I grew up in San Diego, and so we spent a lot of time there. And when we go back in town with friends and family, everybody wants to go see the Mormon Battalion site. So we do spend a lot of time touring there.

5:09

Mary Richards: And there’s something new to be learned each time you go. You don’t think, “Well, I’ve seen that.” I love to repeatedly go to these places because you learn something new, or you’ve changed, maybe, or something like that. Does that makes sense?

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah. Well, and it’s fun seeing how people react. Like when I travel with family and friends, it’s fun going through with them to see how they connect to the site differently than I would. It’s fun.

Jacob W. Olmstead: It’s really amazing. One thing that I’ve noticed is that each site has a unique feeling, a unique spirit there that touches those events that took place there that made that site sacred. And it’s palpable at times.

5:46

Mary Richards: Yes. I’ve found, too, that people might have different deep connections to different sites because of what happened there. Those who’ve grown up near, in Upstate New York, my friend grew up in Rochester. And so, the whole Restoration and the beginning of it and Joseph Smith are just so important to her. And that’s close to her because she’s been physically there.

I’m from Missouri, and so the Church historic sites there are close to my heart and what the early Saints went through there. And then those — my husband grew up here in Salt Lake City, so the pioneers coming right there at the mouth of the canyon, and that’s important to him, and he connects with those stories.

But for all of us in a worldwide Church, we can connect to these sites as well and the history there.

6:32

Jacob W. Olmstead: Absolutely. I would say it’s part of a shared heritage, right? Especially those foundational sites where the revelations were received. Every member of the Church connects to that through their faith.

So, some sites are significant across the globe, and others are more regionally significant, like you were mentioning, that people live near them, and they’re important because they’re part of that heritage. But certainly, the Sacred Grove is significant to all Latter-day Saints, regardless of if they’ve had the opportunity to visit or not.

7:04

Mary Richards: For sure, because what happened there, and this began, and now we’re here talking about it because of what happened there.

I wondered if you could tell me a little bit more about how many sites and markers and monuments and museums there are around the U.S. Let’s start there with those that you officially manage and that people can visit.

7:22

Jacob W. Olmstead: So, there are about 30 in the United States, and these are sites that can be visited, oftentimes are hosted by missionaries. But if, like I was mentioning before, you look across the globe, there are thousands that document the Lord’s hand in the continuing Restoration. So, we have the privileged opportunity to work with just those that are kind of more significant to the Church centrally, but there are many others.

A guide to historic sites of the latter-day Restoration

7:52

Mary Richards: Yes, we were talking about some of those before, Benedicte, the idea that we have some that are staffed officially with missionaries and those, but then others where around the world there have been significant moments in Church history.

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah, so you can visit Gadfield Elm in England as well, so like the Hyde Park Chapel, which is in London. There’s a chapel in Poland, Nowy Świat, which has recently had some work done on it too, to look at the history of it, as well as a church in Germany that talks about Hübener and his work during World War II. So there are sites all over the world that we like to be able to share the history with so that you can see the history that happens here in the U.S. but that the history of the Church continues globally.

8:38

Mary Richards: Absolutely. Yes. And here in the U.S., how important are, for those sites and places and museums, are the missionaries in that experience for our members and friends of the Church?

Jacob W. Olmstead: So, I would say they’re indispensable on multiple levels. Of course, there’s the day-to-day just running the sites and their interaction with Latter-day Saints and our friends who come and visit the historic sites. But I think maybe even more important is the testimony that they bring. And after they’ve spent a little bit of time at the sites, they certainly have strong testimony of the events that took place there. And I think that their testimony and their spirit actually contributes to the spirit of the place and helps make those sites more impactful by having their faith and devotion there as well.

9:31

Mary Richards: Oh, I love that. You’ve met a lot in your time traveling to these different places.

Benedicte Dansie: Well, and I think they connect so well to other people. I was in Nauvoo last week, and we have the missionaries who were there giving tours and things like that. But we also have the performing missionaries who have vignettes throughout Nauvoo, and they are able to connect to guests in a different way as well.

And they love talking to everyone and interacting with as many people as possible. And it’s like that across all of the sites. They’re really amazing. They love to just have a conversation with you, even if it’s not giving a tour or something like that. They want to be able to connect one-on-one with people where they can.

10:09

Mary Richards: Oh, I love that. They’re set apart with that missionary purpose. And also our senior couple missionaries have such experience in their lives, and everything from teamsters in Nauvoo — and I’ve loved meeting them — to those who just have such poignant testimonies. On the other sites where we’ve taken our children to different places, and the senior missionaries have such great love for the gospel, and I don’t know; it’s just encouraging.

And there are different times of year where you might see more of them, more missionaries, because there are more visitors. It depends, I guess.

What are kind of the hot — I mean, we’re here at summer in the U.S. This is a hot season, if you would. No pun intended.

But tell me about the different peaks of visitation.

10:58

Benedicte Dansie: So, summer is our busiest. We start to really get busy after Memorial Day weekend because schools sometimes let out that early, but also people will go on a longer vacation. So we start having sister missionaries arriving in the spring before that.

And then in Nauvoo, you also have the performing missionaries arriving at the end of May, beginning of June, and then the pageant in July. And then sister missionaries are also arriving out to the other sites in New York, Ohio, all of these different places in the spring into early summer as well, and they stay through the fall. And then we’re staffed the rest of the year primarily by senior couples.

11:34

Jacob W. Olmstead: The ideal is to meet, have the appropriate number of missionaries to accommodate the number of staff, and it’s sometimes hard to juggle that. And we certainly don’t love having missionaries just hanging out when there is no one to visit, because they have been called to share these sites with those who visit.

Mary Richards: Yeah, so it would ebb and flow.

Jacob W. Olmstead: Yeah.

Mary Richards: I imagine maybe the Wyoming sites, the wintertime, not the best time to go see those.

Jacob W. Olmstead: They get pretty bare bones in terms of how many couples are there over the winter.

Benedicte Dansie: And a lot of stuff closes there seasonally for the winter as well.

12:10

Mary Richards: That would make sense for there. Well, and think of what happened to the pioneers there in the winter, so that makes sense. I do know some families who will go during a spring break trip or during a fall break trip from school. It seems to kind of revolve around the school year.

But there are tours, I mean, there are many different ways to experience these by yourself, with a family, with a group. All of those ways are ways to experience the sites.

But let’s talk about the virtual ways. So, for those listening who think, “Man, I would love to go to Nauvoo, but I don’t know if I’ll ever make it,” or to the Sacred Grove, talk about the virtual experience and where people can find out more about that.

12:45

Benedicte Dansie: So, right now, we offer virtual tours for a lot of the sites in the U.S. So there is a virtual tour page. When you go to the historic sites pages, you can just google “Church of Jesus Christ historic sites tours,” and it’ll pop up. And you actually have a missionary that is assigned to your time, and they take you around using iPhones and different technology to allow you to have almost like a FaceTime experience so that you can talk one-on-one with a missionary and they can guide you through the sites.

In addition to that, we do at some sites have the integrated Google walkthroughs. So you can use the map to move around and see what the site looks like. But that isn’t offered for all of our sites currently, primarily in Ohio and a few other places on the East Coast.

13:31

Mary Richards: So, are there different experiences where there are some already recorded and others where you can then have that personal experience?

Benedicte Dansie: So, there are some that were already recorded. There were a lot that were recorded during the pandemic because the sites were empty. And so some of the missionaries were able to go through and create virtual tours that way. And then you can also have these live experiences. You go on, you book a time. We offer some additional languages; Spanish, there is some availability if you send in a request.

But yeah, you can just sign up for a time. We have people sign up for times from all over the world. Sometimes it is a little more difficult with the time differences. But we do have people call in from other countries to be able to have these virtual-tour experiences with families for family home evening, with wards, or just personal experiences if somebody wants to see the sights this way.

14:23

Jacob W. Olmstead: So, just to pull the curtain back a little bit, reaching the global audience through a virtual experience is — it is uncharted territory for our Historic Sites Program. And we are launching a number of test pilot programs to try and figure out how the best way is that we can share these historic sites with those who might not be able to visit in person.

Two particular things that we’re doing right now is we’re testing short-format videos that are documentary style in several types, as well as 360 walkthroughs that replicate the on-site experience, but you are able to manipulate it personally. And to take both of these products and figure out what works best in helping connect people to the spirit of the place, to the geography, to the message, and then create these products in language for all Latter-day Saints across the globe.

15:39

Mary Richards: I love that. The geography thing is fascinating to me because I’ve had people tell me when they finally are able to go visit some of the sites in Missouri, they don’t realize how far apart they are. And then it makes you think, “The early Saints had to travel longer than I realized.”

I just thought you could just jump from Adam-ondi-Ahman to Liberty Jail to Nauvoo all in a day. It took a while to travel on horseback or on foot. And then going from Nauvoo across the Mississippi River all the way over to Council Bluffs and Winter Quarters is a long journey. So, picturing that, you know.

16:15

Jacob W. Olmstead: It creates a certain amount of realism. You’re able to understand better the story because you have now the spatial context. And that’s one of the things we really strive for as a program, is when we do approach a site, we devote lots of resources in terms of research and furnishing, restoration, to make sure that we’re creating a space that is as authentic or accurate as it can be so that the Spirit can witness to those things in truthfulness that they happened there. And providing that for everyone is something we really want to do.

16:58

Mary Richards: Yeah. Tell me more about that, about the mission of these.

Why are these sites so carefully maintained and staffed and cared for? Is it because of that very reason?

Jacob W. Olmstead: Yeah, well, they bear witness to the truths of the Restoration in a very tangible and immersive way. Many people come to the historic sites and have a really powerful spiritual experience. Their testimony is strengthened or found anew or for the first time by feeling the Spirit in that place.

In fact, before, when I was preparing for this, I was thinking everyone has been studying “Come, Follow Me.” We just read from the book of Joshua, where when the Israelites are coming across the Jordan, he asked them to go pick up 12 stones and put them on the other side of the river (see Joshua 4:1-9). And the reason? So that when the children see these stones, future generations see these stones, they will remember the great things the Lord has done for the Israelites. Same principle for the Historic Sites Program, is that they help us remember the great things the Lord has done for us in this dispensation.

18:17

Mary Richards: Oh my goodness, I love that thought. We want our children, the next generation, to remember and then to look back with increased faith, hopefully.

I also think of maybe even some increased resilience, perhaps, knowing that this shared heritage, even if you don’t have direct ancestors who were there or across the Plains, it’s part of our heritage, it’s part of who we are.

18:43

Jacob W. Olmstead: I would say, yeah, part of our collective heritage, but while the stories themselves strengthen our testimony, I think the ultimate goal is to tie those stories and those events and those individuals back to the Savior, which He was the purpose of our history, why we, as a people, have done the things that we have done and seen the things that we have seen, are because of him.

So I think we would say it is a little bit of a failure if you come and just come away with an understanding of the history. History is important, and it can strengthen faith, but it is ultimately connecting it to the Savior that is something we strive for, not only in the Historic Sites Program but the Church History Department as a whole.

19:27

Mary Richards: Yes, that connection to the Savior. I think too — and I’ve heard Church historians talk about this too — that we can let the history be the history. I guess what I’m trying to say is: If there are times over the years that something might be exaggerated or, “Oh, that has to be ‘the chair,’” those things aren’t as relevant as the fact that “This is where revelation happened” or “This is where we received more direction about how our lives can be better through the Savior.”

You might balance those ways of cool historical facts, or maybe some facts that aren’t facts. Am I making sense?

Jacob W. Olmstead: Yeah, yeah. The testimony of the Savior is the bedrock that we should all be tied to. It helps us weather these type of myth-busting experiences, which happens from time to time. Happens a lot at historic sites.

20:22

Mary Richards: Yeah. Somebody might say something, and if you’re there, you’re thinking: “That might not be true. Let’s bring it back to —” But our missionaries and staff there are very well trained.

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah. Yeah, they’re great. And I think too, the historic sites and the preservation of them, in addition to that message of Christ and the constant testifying that happens, I think it allows people to connect to some of the humanness and humanity of historical characters that I think gets left out.

I think we get caught up sometimes in, yeah, the fun facts and the weird quirky things that happen throughout history and still happen. But the stories at the historic sites are about real people. And I think there’s a connection that happens with the people, with the gospel. And it allows you this additional context and understanding of who these people throughout Church history were and how you can connect to them personally.

And you might not be Joseph Smith seeing divine beings in your backyard, but you can be having these personal experiences with prayer in your own homes. And all of these things that happened at the historic sites are relevant to people who live around the world, because you can have these personal experiences with the gospel as well.

21:36

Mary Richards: Oh, thank you so much for that. That is beautiful.

Let’s talk about some of the things that are new this summer. What do you like people — what would you like people to know? And what’s — we’re here on the podcast to learn more from both of you. What do you think?

Benedicte Dansie: Well, we have a new exhibit that opened at the Hill Cumorah Visitors’ Center. It was dedicated by Elder [David A.] Bednar in September of last year. And it has some new sculptural vignettes of Christ from 3 Nephi, as well as some new oil paintings by Michael Malm and Linda Curley Christensen. And they’re really beautiful. And they tell the history of the hill. And it’s open for the tourist season this summer for the first tourist season. And it’s great to visit.

22:20

Mary Richards: Oh, that’s great. Yes, I remember when he dedicated that and the beautiful things that happened there.

There’s also a new Nauvoo Temple Visitors’ Center coming.

Jacob W. Olmstead: And that’s going to be super impressive. A lot of effort has gone in to help teach about the significance of the temple. Both contemporary, but also the historical story around that Nauvoo Temple.

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah, we went in and photographed it last week, and it’s very beautiful. Guests will really have a good experience when they go through there and are able to see some of the stuff that’s in there.

22:53

Mary Richards: Oh, good. Good. Because down at the bottom of the hill, we have the visitors’ center, where people start. There’s even the temple city tour, where you see the granite blocks and all — is it granite? Am I getting that right?

23:03

Jacob W. Olmstead: No, limestone.

Mary Richards: Limestone. See, I was thinking granite like the Salt Lake Temple. The limestone blocks. And now the new temple visitors’ center will be a beautiful part of that, yeah.

23:13

Jacob W. Olmstead: We should also mention the Brigham Young and Mary Ann Angel Home has just finished an extensive restoration, and it should be opening.

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah, it opens the same week as the visitors’ center, so June 29, I believe, is what they’re aiming for for a public opening. And it’ll be really nice. The team’s done an amazing job restoring it, and it will be beautiful as well.

Mary Richards: Oh, good.

23:35

Jacob W. Olmstead: I also want to make a pitch for the Kanesville Memorial, which was recently dedicated in 2024 by Elder Kyle S. McKay, Church historian and recorder. So many people journey from Salt Lake to Nauvoo, and sometimes they’ll stop by the trail center, but oftentimes they’ll pass right through Iowa and Nebraska.

The Kanesville Memorial is an amazing site. It’s primarily an interpretive landscape site, but it tells the story of the reorganization of the First Presidency, the first time that happened after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. It tells the story of the departure of the Mormon Battalion.

Oftentimes we learn about the men and their work, and certainly their work was so important, but rarely do we think about their wives, their mothers, their sisters and daughters who sacrificed just as much to have them go. That site tells their story, what the faith it took for them as they saw their husbands and brothers and sons head out with the Mormon Battalion.

It also tells the story of the return of Oliver Cowdery, which is really an amazing testimony to see him come back into the fold, primarily because he is a prime witness of the Restoration. He was right there with Joseph when the priesthood was restored. And after Brigham Young and the Twelve determined to reorganize the First Presidency, he is right there to say, “The priesthood is still here with us” after he’s come back into the faith. So it’s just a powerful story that is shared there.

25:17

Mary Richards: Wow. I need to go. I feel remiss. I have not been there. We go back to visit my parents in Missouri a lot, so I see a lot of those sites. And we go to Nauvoo each time we can, and Winter Quarters, that whole — but this is good for me to know about this place.

Jacob W. Olmstead: Yeah, I hope you go do it.

25:34

Mary Richards: Yes. It’s a nice bookend if those who are also — I’m not going to say a bookend, but a nice part of the story if then they go to maybe San Diego and see what’s happened on that end too.

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah.

25:44

Mary Richards: So, these are kind of new things that are coming up. Other things that are exciting to you two in your work for this?

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah. Well, and I think there are lots of little projects that are happening too. There were some really great changes made at Far West recently to make the site a little more accessible. So they’ve put some new walkways in so that you can take strollers, wheelchairs, things like that, and be able to do a whole loop of the site and be able to see more of where that cornerstone for the temple was laid.

And there are projects happening all the time, every day. They’re the work that’s been done on the new acquisitions from Community of Christ in Ohio, in Nauvoo, in San Diego. The sister missionaries participate in a lot of community events in Old Town San Diego, so a lot of times it’s fun to see them. They sing a lot. They sang in the Christmas show in Old Town San Diego, and they participate in a lot of other things. There are just always good things to see and participate in at the historic sites.

26:41

Mary Richards: Yes. If you haven’t gone in a while, go back. You might see that there have been some changes.

Jacob W. Olmstead: One thing that we’ve been trying to implement across our entire program is accessibility, like Bene mentioned. Many times, historic buildings are not necessarily physically accessible, but sometimes the exhibits are not intellectually accessible as well as language.

We have been taking a look at all of the historic sites with fresh eyes, to see if there are ways that we can make them more accessible in a variety of ways, not only because it helps those in need of that kind of support, but it generally makes the experience a better one for everybody. So it’s really been something that we’ve been paying attention to with a lot of vigor.

27:33

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah. And in addition to that, more universal design. We’re also trying to highlight more accessibility and more planning content on our webpages to make it easier for families.

We’ve added in some new quiet rooms in Nauvoo, because it can be kind of a chaotic experience, long days, really hot summers. And so we’ve put in some new spaces for families and for individuals to be able to have a little more quiet, get out of the way if you’re feeling a little overstimulated.

And so, we are trying to highlight that, let people know places that they can go for breaks like this, but also what kind of terrain they’re going to experience, what to expect when they get to the site. And some of those things will help make an experience better for everyone who’s visiting.

28:18

Jacob W. Olmstead: Bene has done a great job, by the way, of putting, making sure all of this information is available online so that families and individuals that are visiting the site can know what to expect.

Mary Richards: Oh, yes.

28:30

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah. And on our websites, it’s fun; we actually have a “What’s Nearby” section as well. So we highlight local places that you can go visit after you’ve spent time at the historic sites that we own. So we like to highlight local museums, other historic sites, walking paths, things like that, that when you finish with our sites, that you can go participate in the local history and different places.

28:53

Mary Richards: Yes, yes. Because there’s a lot of that. And because our Church history is so connected with the history of the United States, that there would be places like that around.

I love that idea of making sure that people of all ages and abilities know what they’re going up against as they make their plans. There might be some — like, I think of my grandparents on a tour bus years ago, and that came with some challenges for their mobility. But knowing ahead of time what to expect is helpful.

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah.

29:21

Mary Richards: And do you see all ages and abilities at these sites? Obviously there’s no one demographic. It’s everything.

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah, we do a lot of tours with retirees in the fall, whereas in the spring and summer, it is a lot of families. But we get young adults, youth groups. Nauvoo is teeming with young adult groups and youth groups right now that you can see all over the place. But also there are Church history tours that go all over the different sites, and we have a really broad audience that likes to come and visit, and we’re always happy to welcome anyone who can come.

29:56

Mary Richards: Yeah, and friends of the Church, you would hope it’s “come and see, come and learn.”

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah.

Mary Richards: Yes. And there’s nothing secret. The missionaries will answer all the questions.

Benedicte Dansie: They will, yeah.

30:06

Jacob W. Olmstead: This is getting beyond this summer, but I wanted to mention this: We have been doing a project at the Beehive and Lion houses for the past four years.

Mary Richards: Here on Temple Square.

Jacob W. Olmstead: On Temple Square, yes. To restore it according to the messages that we’re trying to share, to make it more accessible so that every room visitors can go into, and as well as be wheelchair accessible.

And just adding to what Bene was saying, we’ve developed tours. There will be four tours that can be taken in that historic site that speak directly to specific audiences. There’s a general experience that’s for everybody, but we’re providing tour materials specifically for families with children, young adult groups and older adult groups so that they can — so that the messages are tailor-made for them and the things that they’re going through and thinking about right now.

Mary Richards: Oh, wonderful. That’s coming —

31:07

Jacob W. Olmstead: It’s coming in January, hoping to open right before the Salt Lake Temple Celebration.

Mary Richards: Yeah. Perfect, because millions already come to Temple Square each year, and we’re expecting so many more. What a wonderful thing to be able to go see those places.

31:25

Jacob W. Olmstead: And I think people will be surprised. For many years, the Lion House has been a venue for wedding receptions and birthdays, and there was a restaurant.

Mary Richards: The rolls.

Jacob W. Olmstead: The rolls, yes. Everyone mentions the rolls. It is going to be part of the historic site. And so we’ll be talking about Brigham Young and his family, which can be a sensitive subject sometimes. But we are sharing those things transparently, and we’re sharing them from a faith perspective, a covenant perspective, in a way that we think is inspiring.

32:00

Mary Richards: Yes. Like you were talking about, more than “Here’s the historical facts about what happened here,” but “This is how we can learn about the Savior and about these prophets who were sent to earth at that time, taught about Him” and those kinds of things. I love that, yeah.

Well, this is good. You’ve given me all these things to look forward to, and our listeners, too. And again, like you said, to search the — for those who are listening and will never make it — to search for those virtual options, it’s a good idea, and those.

What else would you tell somebody who might never be able to come? “Come, Follow Me” in our Doctrine and Covenants year has connected with sites of the Restoration as well.

32:39

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah, we work really hard to make sure that we’re cross-linking with “Come, Follow Me.” So by the next cycle for “Come, Follow Me,” we’ll have all of the new webpages done for all of the historic sites in the U.S. And so you’ll be able to have the accessibility information, what to know about the site. We provide a little three-paragraph summary of each location, and so we try and provide that information of “Who lived here?” “Why is this site important?” and we try and help people to make those broader connections.

So, if you look up on the Church History Historic Sites webpages, you can go ahead and see how everything links. And eventually, we hope we’ll have a very large interactive map that you’ll be able to see where the sites connect to each other spatially. You’ll be able to follow a couple of different themes and narrative threads to see what sites are part of that. And we’re working on prototyping that in the next couple of years. So that’s ready.

33:38

Mary Richards: It’ll make that Doctrine and Covenants study a lot richer.

Benedicte Dansie: Yeah.

Mary Richards: Yeah, that’s great.

Jacob W. Olmstead: And maybe this goes without saying: Language is a really important part of that. And maybe you can specify the language. I mean, you probably can’t list them all, but there’s a number, I’m sure.

33:52

Benedicte Dansie: So, currently we translate into a set of 14 languages primarily. So that is the same set as “Saints” that is fully published that way. So it includes a range of languages from around the world. And then for some things, we are working on trying to get more languages available, also making sure that regional languages where we’ve noticed we’re having more language requests for specific sites, that we can provide those.

We’re working on that a lot of times on-site as well. Hill Cumorah is in four different languages, the exhibits there, and then Nauvoo Temple Visitors’ Center is also trying to provide some more language options. So we are trying to expand the availability as much as possible so that as many people as possible can have a connection with the sites, whether it be on-site or online.

34:42

Mary Richards: Isn’t that wonderful to think about our worldwide Church and its growing number of members and those who are interested in learning about this, and now they can see it and read about it in their own language? That’s exciting.

This has been such a pleasure for me. I’m just such a big fan of the historic sites, maybe because of my growing-up years, but that connection I’ve made to our history and our heritage and the testimony-building experiences I’ve had there, learning about those and their faith in the Savior. And so this conversation has been such a joy, and I’m so thankful for you both for being here.

Our last question on the Church News podcast is always, “What do you know now?” And so I thought I’d ask each of you — maybe we’ll start with you, Bene, and then you, Jake — with all your work with the Church History Department and with the Church historic sites, what do you know now?

35:33

Benedicte Dansie: I think it’s made it all so much more tangible. I mean, I grew up in a family that talked a lot about Church history and has those pioneer connections and Church history connections. So that was always part of my growing up. But having now started working for the Church and working in the historic sites, it’s really different to be in those spaces, working in those places, feeling the Spirit that comes along with that.

And you really have these tangible connections not only with the place but the people who lived in these places, and it makes it feel more real. And you connect to people as you hear their stories about how they loved visiting the historic sites or how they’ve learned about the historic sites during their seminary or Sunday School while they’ve been living in a different country.

And it really creates this very cool web of connectivity that crosses the entire globe, and it’s a really fun thing to be a part of.

36:28

Jacob W. Olmstead: There are so many ways to answer this question, and maybe I’ll take a couple of shots.

The first, as someone who works for the Church History Department on historic sites and is able to see the faith and the sacrifice and the devotion of the staff members and the project teams as they’re pulling together a historic site, it is really inspiring. But maybe more inspiring is that the Lord’s hand is clearly visible in this work. As we work to develop these historic sites, roadblocks are unblocked, answers come, prayers are answered in knowing how to communicate the messages, and that’s really inspiring to me.

As I look at the bigger Church History Department, it’s been a huge testimony to know how serious we take the Lord’s call that “a record [shall be] kept among you” (Doctrine and Covenants 21:1). We do that in lots of ways. We collect documents, we collect artifacts, we collect stories, and we try and share those stories. We preserve those stories. And the historic sites are one of those records that bear witness, along with the others, of the truthfulness of the Restoration.

But more important, as I was mentioning earlier, is the connection to the Savior and His role in our lives and the plan of salvation. It’s amazing to be a part of that work and see and feel that Spirit and see it impact the lives of others.

38:19

Mary Richards: Thank you for listening to the Church News podcast. I’m Church News reporter Mary Richards. I hope you learned something today about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had your faith in the Savior increase by looking through the Church News window as a living record of the Restoration. Please subscribe, rate and review this podcast so it can be accessible to more people. And if you enjoyed the messages we shared today, please share the podcast with others. Thanks to our guests and to others who made this podcast possible. Join us every week for a new episode. Find us on your favorite podcasting channels or with other news and updates about the Church on TheChurchNews.com or on the Church News app.

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