During the week of July 19-25, the Church News reported on Church President Dallin H. Oaks’ teachings at the biennial family meeting held on July 4.
President Oaks made a surprise appearance during the 47th Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24, with Relief Society general president Camille N. Johnson serving as grand marshal.
Young Men general president Timothy L. Ferns encouraged Aaronic Priesthood holders to share the gospel in small ways during a livestream on Young Men Worldwide’s social media accounts.
Church News also reported on his outgoing Primary general presidency and his learning and experiences as disciples of children.
The Sunday School General Presidency shared guidelines for holding teacher councils, and a new Gospel Fundamentals class was announced.
This week’s episode of the Church News podcast features Elder Brent H. Neilson, General Authority Seventy Emeritus, and Richard Sutton of the Temple Department of the Church to discuss the upcoming Salt Lake Temple Celebration.
In temple news, the First Presidency announced the groundbreaking date for the Maceio Brazil Temple.
In honor of this year’s 50th anniversary of the Teton Dam flood, Church News has summarized the lessons Latter-day Saints learned from the flood.
The Church has released ten more hymns for a new worldwide hymnbook, Hymns for the Home and the Church.
Read the overview and find links to articles below.
1. “Let’s pull together” as a family, Church President Dallin H. Oaks speaks at biennial family reunion
President Oaks attended the biennial reunion of Abinadi and Hannah Seeley Olsen, along with more than 600 descendants spanning seven generations. President Oaks testified to those in attendance of his knowledge of eternal families and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Learn more about President Oaks’ Biennial Family Reunion.
2. President Camille N. Johnson serves as Grand Marshal of the Days of ’47 Parade
President Oaks made a surprise appearance at the Days of ’47 Parade in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 24th. President Oaks appeared along the parade route in a vehicle with his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks, following behind President Johnson and her husband, Brother Douglas R. Johnson. President Johnson was the parade’s grand commander.
President Johnson said he is excited about the opportunity to honor his pioneer ancestors and celebrate all of the pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world.
See photos from the parade here. Click here to learn more about the Grand Marshal of the 47th Parade.
3. A smile, a note, a prayer: President Ferns offers simple ways for young people to become missionaries today
President Ferns spoke to Aaronic Priesthood holders on a social media livestream about sharing the gospel in small ways every day.
“I don’t think you need to wait for mission experience,” he said. “That missionary experience should happen today. That’s who we are. We are lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Read more about President Ferns’ message here.
4. Outgoing Primary president reflects on children’s growth as disciples
As current Primary general president Susan H. Porter. Sister Amy A. Wright, First Counselor; and Sister Tracy Y. Browning, Second Counselor, reflected on everything they had learned and experienced in an interview with Church News as they prepared to conclude the service.
A new Primary general president will assume office on August 1.
Learn more about what the Primary General Presidency learned while serving.
5. Reinforcing Gospel Teachings through Teacher Councils
Ahead of the new Sunday meeting schedule, the Sunday School General Presidency—President Paul V. Johnson and counselors Brothers Chad H. Webb and Brothers Gabriel W. Reed—shared guidance on how to strengthen gospel teachings through teacher councils.
Additionally, the “Gospel Foundation: Sunday School Class for New Members and Friends” is an optional class for new adult members and those learning about the Church, according to a notice sent to stake, ward, and branch leaders on Thursday, July 23.
Click here to learn more about Sunday School Presidency guidance. Click here to learn more about the Gospel Basics Class.
6. Church News Podcast, Episode 304: Preparing for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration
On this week’s episode of the Church News podcast, Elders Nielson and Sutton joined guest host Sheri Dew, executive vice president of Deseret Management Corporation and former member of the Relief Society general presidency, to discuss the nature of the upcoming Salt Lake Temple celebration.
This celebration provides many opportunities for individuals to learn about historic and sacred structures and their purpose in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.
Listen to the podcast episode here. Read more about what to expect at the Salt Lake Temple celebration.
7. Groundbreaking date set for Maceio Temple in Brazil
The First Presidency announced Saturday, October 10, as the groundbreaking date for the Maceio Brazil Temple. This is the fourth groundbreaking in Brazil this year.
Click here to learn more about the Maceio Brazil Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony.
8. Lessons from the Teton Dam Flood 50 years later
Fifty years after the Teton Dam flood, Latter-day Saints are remembering lessons of resilience and faith. Church News is a collection of stories from members who witnessed the disaster.
Learn more about Teton Dam flooding here.
9. 10 new hymns released in “Hymns for Home and Church”
The Church announced on Thursday, July 23, ten more hymns in its new global hymnbook, Hymns for the Home and the Church.
This latest release includes a total of 82 new hymns and songs in new hymnbooks in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.
Check out the new hymn here.
