First Presidency issues letter on ward boundaries Church News
During the week of Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, the First Presidency issued a letter to ward, stake and other leaders about updated policies for creating ward and stake boundaries. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared what a Sunday in an Apostle’s life looks like. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with religious leaders of more than 60 churches or other religiously affiliated groups while in New York City and the new #LightTh
Elder Dale G. Renlund spoke at the lighting of the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center’s Christmas lights. Elder Gary E. Stevenson spoke in a video titled “Culture of Temples.” Historian Matthew C. Godfrey spoke about the history of the St. George Utah Temple in the Church News podcast.
Other temple updates included the groundbreaking of the Kaohsiung Taiwan Temple and Christmas lights at Temple Square and the Mesa Arizona Temple. The Church responded with humanitarian efforts after flooding in Europe, and BYU football fans ran service projects during road games. Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé spoke at a BYU-Idaho devotional, and Bishop L. Todd Budge, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, spoke at the Provo Missionary Training Center.
1. Church updates policy for creating or changing unit boundaries
The First Presidency announced new, unified standards for the creation and adjustment of ward and stake boundaries in a letter sent to ward, stake and other priesthood leaders on Nov. 30.
As of Jan. 1, 2024, the new policy eliminates differences that previously existed between wards and stakes in the United States or Canada and the rest of the countries where the Church is organized.
Read the full article here.
2. Elder Bednar shares a day in the life of an Apostle, part 2
Elder Bednar shared a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of an Apostle on assignment.
Read the full article here.
3. New York faith leaders link arms to share joy and light, help children this holiday season plus the global kickoff of Light the World Giving Machines and the 2023 video
Elder Cook hosted faith leaders on Monday, Nov. 27, at a special reception on Times Square hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this diverse area the leaders of more than 60 churches or other religiously affiliated groups spoke of sharing light in a world that is increasingly dark.
On the eve of Giving Tuesday, in Times Square — the crossroads of the world — leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in the global launch of the 2023 Light the World Giving Machines campaign on Monday, Nov. 27.
Also on Monday, Times Square lit up with a Nativity display as a part of the Light the World initiative. The nativity display lasted for 30 minutes, captivating those in the area. It’s part of the 2023 Light the World video “A Silent Night Surprise in Times Square.”
Read the full article about New York faith leaders uniting here.
Read the full article about the Giving Machines here.
Read the full article about the Times Square billboards here. See the 2023 Light the World video.
4. Elder Renlund lights up Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center lights with Philippines representatives
Speaking during the 46th annual Festival of Lights at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center on Nov. 28, Elder Renlund said Jesus Christ is the light of the world. He used the Christmas carol “Angels We Have Heard on High” as an analogy for spreading good news and good deeds.
Read the full article here.
5. Video: How there’s a ‘Culture of Temples’ in Japan
In this Church News video, titled “Culture of Temples,” Elder Stevenson speaks of Japanese Church members and the Okinawa Japan Temple, which he dedicated Nov. 12, 2023. “They are a temple-going society,” he said. “It’s part of their culture. Any holiday in Japan is assuredly going to include a visit to a local temple or shrine.”
6. Podcast episode 164: Historian Matthew C. Godfrey on the ongoing legacy of the St. George Utah Temple
The historic St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church’s longest-operating house of the Lord. Originally dedicated on April 6, 1877, and rededicated on Nov. 11, 1975, the temple is set to be rededicated again after extensive renovations. President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will rededicate the edifice on Dec. 10. President Holland is a native of southern Utah who was married in the St. George Utah Temple.
This episode of the Church News podcast features Matthew C. Godfrey, senior managing historian for outreach and engagement in the Church History Department, discussing how the temple in St. George has changed the lives of generations of Latter-day Saints and how the most recent maintenance of the temple will continue to point its patrons toward Jesus Christ.
Listen to the podcast here.
7. Ground broken for the Kaohsiung Taiwan Temple plus Christmas lights at Temple Square and the Mesa Arizona Temple
More than 500 people gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Kaohsiung Taiwan Temple on Nov. 25, and many more watched online as construction begins on the second house of the Lord on the island.
The Christmas lights on Temple Square in Salt Lake City were turned on after Thanksgiving. See photos of this year’s light display and find out how to see them and other Temple Square events.
More than 3,000 visitors viewed the display at the Mesa Arizona Temple on opening night, “unite in celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Read the article on the Kaohsiung Taiwan Temple here.
Read the article about the lights on Temple Square here.
Read the article about the Christmas desplay at the Mesa Arizona Temple here.
8. Read about recent humanitarian efforts in Europe and BYU football service projects
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded after flooding, donated blood, cleaned homes, sorted supplies and sewed quilts in several European countries in October and November.
This college football season, BYU fans around the United States had a chance to give back to their communities, cheer for the Cougars and demonstrate how BYU graduates are going forth to serve.
Read the full article about humanitarian efforts in Europe here.
Read the full article about BYU football service projects here.
9. Read about two devotional addresses from the past week
Speaking during a BYU–Idaho devotional on Tuesday, Nov. 28, Bishop Caussé assured students: “My young friends, the world would be different if we could see others, including ourselves, as we can become rather than merely as we are today. Everything would be changed for the better if we could look upon ourselves and our fellowmen and women with a clear vision of both our earthly and eternal potential.”
Also on Tuesday, Nov. 28, Bishop Budge spoke to new missionaries in a devotional in Provo, Utah. He was joined by his wife, Sister Lori Budge, who also spoke. They talked about drawing closer to the Savior and helping others do the same by internalizing and sharing His light.
Read about the devotional with Bishop Caussé here.
Read about the devotional with Bishop Budge here.
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