During the week of February 8-14, President Dallin H. Oaks spoke of four ways to draw closer to Jesus Christ in his first devotional address as a prophet, and Elder Clark G. Gilbert was called as a new apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Renderings and future location of the Norfolk Virginia Temple were unveiled, and in a live video on social media, members of the Young Women general presidency encouraged young women to learn how the Holy Ghost speaks to individuals. Sister J. Annette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, spoke to missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center about developing righteous daily habits.
On this week’s episode of the Church News podcast, Matt Grow talked about how working on the biography of the late President Jeffrey R. Holland strengthened his testimony of the Savior.
The Treasure Valley Ward (Swahili) was organized as the first Swahili-speaking ward in the United States. More than 200 youth, families, and missionaries also participated in a one-mile walk to the Mississippi River to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the early Church members leaving Nauvoo and heading west. Additionally, donations, self-reliance initiatives, and service are blessing families and communities across the United States.
Read the overview and find links to articles below.
1. President Oaks Offers a Way to Overcome All Doubts: Draw Close to the Savior
President Oaks delivered his first devotional address as a prophet on Tuesday, February 10, at Brigham Young University. He shared four ways to draw closer to Jesus Christ and said it is the answer to overcome all doubts.
While on the BYU campus, President Oaks also attended the unveiling of a plaque at the Carillon Belfry.
Click here to learn more about President Oaks’ devotional. Watch a video about the devotional here. Click here for more information about the unveiling of the Carillon Tower shield.
2. Elder Clark G. Gilbert is called as a new apostle of the Church.
Elder Gilbert, who previously served as president of BYU-Idaho and currently serves on the Church’s Board of Education, was announced as the Church’s newest apostle on Thursday, February 12th.
Learn more about Elder Gilbert’s call here. Learn more about Elder Gilbert here.
3. Renderings of the Norfolk Virginia Temple site released
The future location of the Norfolk Virginia Temple has been announced, along with a rendering of the Lord’s House. The Norfolk Temple is one of four Latter-day Saint temples in various stages in Virginia.
See the location and images of the Norfolk Virginia Temple here.
4. Members of the Young Women General Presidency Invite You to Learn How the Holy Ghost Speaks
In a live video posted to the Young Women of the World Instagram and Facebook accounts, Young Women general president Emily Bell Freeman and her second counselor, Sister Andrea Muñoz Spanaus, continued the Office of the President’s ongoing discussion of the chapters of the For the Strength of Youth guide, along with the latest words of the dedicated prophet at BYU. They shared why and how church members seek companionship in the Holy Spirit.
Learn more about live video here.
5. Sister Dennis urges missionaries to strive for a “daily infusion of light.”
Sister Dennis spoke to the Provo MTC missionaries about staying close to our Heavenly Father long after our mission is over.
“Every day we need an infusion of light. We need daily repentance,” she said.
Learn more about Sister Denise’s dedication here.
6. Church News Podcast, Episode 280: Historians Matt Groh and Sheri Dew discuss lessons of hope from the life and teachings of the Dutch president.
Church historian Matt Groh shared what he learned from writing President Holland’s biography on this week’s episode of the Church News podcast.
“He wanted people to know about the Lord Jesus Christ through his life. He wanted people to understand the miracle of his life. He wanted people to understand what his faith had done for him,” Grow said of the late apostle.
Listen to the podcast here.
7. Historic Sunday: Idaho congregation becomes America’s first Swahili ward
The Treasure Valley Ward (Swahili), the first Swahili-speaking ward in the United States, was established in the Boise Idaho Stake earlier this month, attended by 177 ward members, 21 current missionaries, and countless former missionaries who served the group.
Read more about this story here.
8. Latter-day Saints leave Nauvoo, Illinois and walk to the Mississippi River to commemorate 180th anniversary
More than 200 visitors and missionaries gathered at Historic Nauvoo, Illinois, last weekend to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the day the first wagons of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints left town heading west on February 4, 1846.
Learn more about Nauvoo’s 180th Anniversary.
9. What the Church does each year to help thousands of people in the United States
Thanks to donations of time and resources from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, millions of people across the United States have been fed, sheltered, and cared for.
See an overview of church welfare projects in the United States over the past few years.
