Review These Top Church News Stories from 2019
Contributed By Valerie Johnson, Church News staff writer
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pauses to talk with Ammon and Emma Schar of Basel, Switzerland, in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, March 9, 2019. The Schar family was in Rome for the temple dedication. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
For those “Oh, I forgot that happened this year” moments and the “I thought it had been longer than that” events, here’s a chronological look back at key Church events during 2019.
January
On January 2, the Church announced the creation of four new missions and the dissolution of 12 missions, which went into effect on July 1.
The First Presidency issued a statement on the importance of temples on January 2.
Just days after losing his daughter Wendy Nelson Maxfield to cancer, President Russell M. Nelson spoke to Latter-day Saints in Paradise, California, on January 13, a community that had been savagely destroyed by Camp Fire two months earlier.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints looks over destroyed homes with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, in Paradise, California, on Sunday, January 13, 2019, two months after the Camp Fire destroyed 1,400 homes and hundreds of businesses. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Ruth Renlund, spoke to young adults during a worldwide devotional on January 13.
After a prolonged period of construction, the Rome Italy Temple opened for a public open house from January 28 through February 16, excluding Sundays. Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Ronald A. Rasband, both of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, led tours for dignitaries and led a virtual tour through the temple.
The Rome Italy Temple is seen through the window of the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Monday, January 14, 2019. In the foreground is a statue of Christ. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to famed journalist Bob Woodward during a January 14 forum entitled “Integrity & Trust: Lessons from Watergate and Today.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the January 16 groundbreaking for the Urdaneta Philippines Temple—which will be the Philippines’ third temple.
The 2019 MTC Leadership Seminar was held for new MTC presidents and their companions at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, January 14–17.
On January 25, the Church announced the St. George Utah Temple would close for extensive renovations.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with Church members in the United Kingdom, France, and Austria during a European assignment January 18–January 27.
The groundbreaking of the Bangkok Thailand Temple—to be the country’s first temple—was held on January 26.
An online mission-planning tool to help prospective missionaries, which includes mission release date planning and submission planning tools, was released on January 30.
Elder Bednar visited Jerusalem for the first time, in January 2019.
Elder David A. Bendar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, seated with folded arms to the left end of the table, holds an impromptu meeting with students in the cafeteria of the BYU Jerusalem Center during his visit there in late January 2019. Sister Susan Bednar is seated in front of him.
Missionary training centers in the Dominican Republic, Spain, and Chile closed in January 2019.
February
President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency spoke to young married Latter-day Saints in Chicago, Illinois, who he called “the rising generation . . . raising the next generation,” in a devotional address on February 2.
The Church donated more than $2.3 million in proceeds collected through the Giving Machines during the 2018 Christmas season, in mid-February.
Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivers a donation check for more than $93,000 from the Church’s 2018 Light the World campaign to Joseph Carbone, president and founder of Eye Care 4 Kids, at Eye Care 4 Kids in Midvale, Utah, on Thursday, February 7, 2019. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
Elder Rasband spoke to CES educators on the worldwide crisis of teen suicide, during “An Evening with a General Authority” devotional on February 8.
Accompanied by President Oaks, President Nelson enlisted thousands of Latter-day Saints in the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to help gather Israel on both sides of the veil, in a devotional on February 10.
The First Presidency announced on February 15 that missionaries can now communicate with their families once a week through phone calls and video calls, in addition to email and letters.
Sister Sarah Emmett of the Layton Utah Mission visits with her parents, Marie and Chad Emmett, during a video chat on Monday, February 18, 2019. The First Presidency announced February 15 that missionaries worldwide are authorized to communicate with their families each week on preparation day by text messages, online messaging, phone calls, and video chats, in addition to letters and emails. Photo by Chad Emmett.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles surprised missionaries with the news they can now phone home once a week, during his visit to Mexico February 8–17.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s nine-day assignment to Brazil mid-February included devotionals with members and missionaries and comforting the family of a missionary who had died while serving in the Portugal Lisbon Mission a month earlier.
Elder Christofferson hosted a home evening broadcast with Latter-day Saints in Central America on February 15.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, Rwanda, during his February 14–25 visit to the Church’s Africa Southeast Area.
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited with Church members during his February 14–24 visit to the Carribean Area and met with grieving missionaries in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East and West missions following the loss of Elder Brennan Conrad, who died on February 20.
Elder Renlund met with Church members “off the beaten path” in Chile and Argentina during a February 15–24 visit to the South America South Area.
Latter-day Saint Charities released its 2018 annual report on February 19.
RootsTech kicked off on February 27 with Elder Bednar’s announcement of the Church donating $2 million to the forthcoming International African American Museum Center for Family History, which will be located in Charleston, South Carolina.
After Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a $2 million donation from the Church to the International African American Museum Center for Family History. Its president and CEO, Micael Boulware Moore, gives him knuckles at RootsTech in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.
Elder Bednar, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Renlund shared their united testimony of the “truthfulness, the divinity, and the reality” of temple and family history work in a leadership instruction meeting for ward and stake leaders, held in conjunction with RootsTech, on February 28.
March
The Church released The SafetyZone, a 12-part video series designed to increase the safety of full-time missionaries, on March 1.
The Church’s new missionary safety video series is patterned after a fictitious studio show called The SafetyZone, with hosts talking about safety principles and showing “highlight” clips.
During RootsTech’s Family Discovery Day, on March 2, Elder Bednar and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, encouraged Latter-day Saints in their family history endeavors.
President Jean B. Bingham and President Bonnie H. Cordon traveled to West Africa to meet with Latter-day Saints during an 11-day tour March 3–13.
In order to reflect the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the websites LDS.org and Mormon.org were renamed to ChurchofJesusChrist.org and ComeuntoChrist.org, respectively, on March 5.
President Nelson became the first Church leader to meet with Pope Francis, at the Vatican on March 9. He was joined by President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Vatican.
With every member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in attendance, President Nelson dedicated the Rome Italy Temple on March 10.
The Pocatello Idaho Temple groundbreaking was held on March 16.
In a video released by Seminaries and Institutes of Religion of the Church on March 22, it was announced that seminary curriculum would change from a school year calendar to an annual calendar to align with Come, Follow Me.
Elder Soares returned to his childhood neighborhood during a visit in which he presided over the São Paulo Brazil Cumbica Stake conference March 23–24.
Astrid A. Tuminez, a Latter-day Saint convert who grew up in the slums of the Philippines, was inaugurated as Utah Valley University’s first female president on March 27.
April
Church leaders announced that children of LGBT parents can be blessed as infants and baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without First Presidency approval, during a leadership session of the 189th Annual General Conference on April 4. Additionally, the Church will no longer consider same-gender marriage by a Church member as apostasy for purposes of Church discipline.
The 189th Annual General Conference was held April 5–6. President Nelson announced eight new temples to be built, and 10 new General Authority Seventies, including the Church’s first African American General Authority, and a new Sunday School General Presidency were called.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, center, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, left, and President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, right, enter the Conference Center in Salt Lake City for the morning session of the 189th Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 6, 2019. Photo by Steve Griffin, Deseret News.
Elder Uchtdorf ministered to Church members during an April 11–29 visit to Germany and Austria.
Elder Renlund dedicated the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple on April 14.
Following a devastating fire that severely damaged the Notre Dame Cathedral, President Nelson offered words of comfort to Pope Francis in a letter on April 15.
In an April 19 press conference, President Nelson announced renovation plans for the Salt Lake Temple and that it would close for four years beginning December 29.
Elder Andersen met with Church members in Argentina and Chile during his visit to the South America South Area April 18–29.
Elder Stevenson met with Church members all across Brazil during a nine-day visit April 19–28.
Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, spoke at a U.N. summit on refugees and preventing religious discrimination, on April 29.
May
Joy D. Jones, Primary General Pesident, offered a prayer at the White House Rose Garden during the National Day of Prayer in Washington D.C. on May 2.
During BYU’s annual Women’s Conference, Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President; Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President; and President Joy D. Jones participated in the first-ever “Sister to Sister” event on May 3.
Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President, holds a bag of popcorn before giving it to Joy D. Jones, Primary General President, who reacts to the gift as Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, reacts as well during a “Sister to Sister” event at Women’s Conference at BYU’s Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Friday, May 3, 2019. Photo by Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News.
Groundbreakings were held for the Praia Cabo Verde, Yigo Guam, and San Juan Puerto Rico temples on May 4.
Elder Holland rededicated the Memphis Tennessee Temple on May 5.
A Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults was held on May 5.
The First Presidency discontinued a policy on May 6 of the year-long wait period for temple sealing following civil marriage.
The Church announced that all missionaries are preapproved for admission to BYU–Pathway Worldwide’s PathwayConnect program, on May 6.
President Nelson drove a ceremonial spike during the Golden Spike Sesquicentennial Celebration and Festival, marking 150 years since the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met, on May 10.
President Russell M. Nelson, center, hoists his hammer after driving a golden spike during the 150th-anniversary celebration of the transcontinental railroad at the Golden Spike National Historical Park at Promontory Summit on Friday, May 10, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Ground was broken for the Quito Ecuador Temple on May 11.
The Church released a statement on May 13 expressing opposition to the Equality Act and reemphasized its stance for “fairness for all.”
The Church donated a $4 million grant to nine national refugee resettlement agencies in the United States on May 14 and 15.
President Nelson, accompanied by Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, embarked on a nine-day ministry to the Pacific May 16–24. During his ministry, President Nelson announced a $100,000 donation from the Church to help rebuild and renovate mosques damaged in a deadly attack in Christchurch on March 15.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meets Linwood mosque victim Ahmed Jahangir and imams in Auckland, New Zealand, on May 21, 2019. Jahangir is recovering from his injuries from the attack. Two imams represented the Al Noor and Linwood mosques, where innocent worshippers were gunned down March 15 in Christchurch. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred.
Ground was broken for the Quito Ecuador Temple on May 11.
On May 16, it was announced that several Church apps’ names would change to reflect the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bonnie H. Cordon and Sister Lisa Harkness, President and First Counselor, respectively, in the Primary General Presidency, visited the Africa Southeast Area May 16–28.
President Ballard visited India for the first time on a 10-day trip to the Asia Area May 17–26.
Elder Renlund spoke about ministering “Isa, Isa” following a 10-day visit to the Philippines May 17–26.
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency rededicated the Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple on May 19.
Renovation plans and renderings for the St. George Utah Temple were released on May 22, and a closing date for November 4 was announced.
A rendering of the new temple annex for the St. George Utah Temple. The temple closed November 4 for extensive renovations.
Elder Rasband reiterated President Nelson’s promise of a temple in Russia during a May 22–June 3 tour of the Europe East Area.
Elder Holland spoke to Latter-day Saints in Mexico during a May 24–June 3 trip to the Mexico Area.
Elder Christofferson visited Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire during a May 24–June 2 trip to the Africa West Area.
Elder Rasband met with members and leaders in Belarus during the end of May and beginning of June.
June
Elder Soares dedicated the Fortaleza Brazil Temple on June 2.
The Tierra del Fuego Argentina Stake was organized on June 2, making it the Church’s southernmost stake.
The First Presidency hosted a Vietnamese delegation in Salt Lake City June 4–6.
Senior Church leaders hosted a delegation from Vietnam, headed by the Vietnamese Committee for Religious Affairs, in Salt Lake City June 4–6. President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, met with Mr. Vu Chien Thang, chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs in Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Hu’u Tuan, director of the Department of Personnel and Organization, Ministry of Home Affairs; Mr. Nguyen Duc Vinh, director of International Relations Department; Mr. Nguyen Phong Thinh, head of General Administration–Statistic Office; and Mr. Dao Huy Cuong, Protestant Department specialist.
Elder Cook spoke at the semiannual Jewish-Latter-day Saint Dialogue in the BYU Jerusalem Center on June 5.
During a June 5–16 trip to the Africa West Area, President Bingham observed how the Gospel Literacy program is helping Church members in Sierra Leone read.
Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, meets with members in their home in Sierra Leone during a recent 11-day trip from June 5 through June 16, 2019, to the West African country.
Elder Gong addressed “faith, hope, and goodwill” and Sister Eubank spoke on practical, tactical, and “small and simple” strategies at a G20 Interfaith Forum in Japan on June 8.
Ground was broken for the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple, the city’s second temple, on June 8.
President Nelson spoke to 15,500 people in the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, on June 9. Earlier that day, he met with Barbara Poma, the owner of the Pulse nightclub, a gay club in Orlando that was attacked in June 2016.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, smile and wave to the Amway Center attendees following the June 9, 2019, devotional in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News.
Elder Cook expressed gratitude for official Church recognition in Kuwait during a meeting with country officials on June 10.
Elder Holland spoke in an annual global training broadcast to seminary and institute instructors on June 12.
President Oaks rededicated the Oakland California Temple on June 16.
The newly renovated Oakland California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Oakland, California, on Monday, May 6, 2019. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
The first chapter of the second volume of “Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days” became available in the Gospel Library on June 20, with subsequent chapters released each month thereafter. The printed volume will be released in February 2020.
The 2019 Mission Leadership Seminar was held at the Provo MTC June 23–25.
The First Presidency announced a cost increase for missionaries beginning in 2020 from $400 USD a month to $500 USD, in a letter on June 27.
June 27 marked the 175th anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
July
The Argentina MTC closed as of July 2019.
On July 8, the Hong Kong Temple closed for renovations until 2022. Renderings of the expected renovations were released on August 6.
HUD secretary Ben Carson visited the Church’s Welfare Square on July 11.
July 14 marked the 90th anniversary of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s weekly broadcast Music & the Spoken Word.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square rehearses for Music & the Spoken Word in Salt Lake City on Sunday, July 14, 2019. The Choir celebrated the 90th anniversary of Music & the Spoken Word being on air. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Ballard dedicated the Pioneer Children’s Memorial at This Is the Place Heritage Park on July 20.
People tour the Children’s Pioneer Memorial at This Is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City after its dedication on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Photo by Spenser Heaps, Deseret News.
President Nelson spoke at the 110th annual national convention for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Detroit, Michigan, on July 21.
Sister Eubank hosted a group of spouses of American governors, who teamed up to assemble hygiene kits at the Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center on July 25.
August
The 2020 youth theme was announced on August 1. It is centered on 1 Nephi 3:7.
FamilySearch released a new online editing tool for indexed records on August 6.
The Church released a statement on the Word of Wisdom, clarifying that the commandment forbids vaping and e-cigarettes, on August 15.
The Church launched a training course on preventing and responding to child abuse on August 16.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking all adults in the U.S. and Canada serving or interacting with children and youth to complete a new training course on preventing and responding to abuse.
President Cordon, Sister Eubank, and Sister Harkness visited the North America Northwest Area August 16–18.
Ground was broken for the Belém Brazil Temple, 1 of 11 in the country, on August 17.
The Church announced on August 19 the location of the headquarters for the new Africa Central Area, which will be in Nairobi, Kenya.
Elder Soares visited Japan and South Korea for the first time during a trip to the Asia North Area August 21–September 1.
President Ballard and Elder Rasband met with U.S. vice president Michael R. Pence in Salt Lake City on August 22.
President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, left, speaks with U.S. vice president Mike Pence during a brief meeting Thursday, August 22, 2019, at Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. At right are Elder Jack N. Gerard, a General Authority Seventy, and Elder Ronald A. Rasband, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Nelson, accompanied by Elder Cook, embarked on his Central and South America ministry August 24–September 2.
The 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference—the first to be held in the U.S. outside of U.N. headquarters in New York City—was held in Salt Lake City August 26–28.
Renderings for the Richmond Virginia Temple were released on August 28.
The Church News released a mobile app in conjunction with Spanish and Portuguese versions of the website on August 30.
An image of the Church News app. Photo courtesy of the Church News.
September
Elder Bednar rededicated the Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple on September 1.
Elder Rasband joined Boy Scouts of America leaders in celebrating the Church’s 106-year-old relationship with the BSA during a Scouting gala on September 3.
President Nelson’s 95th birthday was celebrated with musical performances and personal tributes in an event held in the Conference Center on September 6.
Sister Wendy Nelson and President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints listen to performers during a celebration of President Nelson’s 95th birthday at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, September 6, 2019. Photo by Spenser Heaps, Deseret News.
The First Presidency expressed gratitude on September 12 for the Church’s official recognition in Mali on January 22.
FamilySearch donated 400 years of digitized Filipino records to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on September 18.
President Bingham; Sister Cristina Franco, Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency; and Sister Becky Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, met with members in San Jose, California, September 13–15. President Bingham and Sister Craven then traveled to Guatemala and Honduras September 20–22.
President Oaks spoke to nearly 8,500 Church members during a devotional in rural northeastern Arizona on September 14.
Elder Andersen dedicated the Lisbon Portugal Temple on September 15.
Elder Soares spoke to young adults in a Face to Face broadcast on September 15.
In a special BYU devotional on September 17, President Nelson explained how love motivated the policy changes toward LGBT parents and children.
President Russell M. Nelson delivers a devotional address at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, in Provo, Utah. Photo by Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo.
The Church announced on September 19 that the Guatemala MTC would close in January 2020.
Beginning September 20, the new Book of Mormon Videos series was released, one episode each Friday until December 27.
Ryan Wood, who plays the part of Abinadi, shares a laugh with Sister Reyna I. Aburto, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency and member of the Book of Mormon Videos steering committee, on a filming set at the Church’s Motion Picture Studio on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Photo by Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News.
The location of the Tooele Valley Utah Temple was announced on September 25.
The Church released the location and rendering of the Feather River California Temple on September 26.
An introductory video outlining the new Children and Youth program was presented during the second hour of Church meetings on September 29.
David M. Beasley, executive director of the World Food Programme, met with Church representatives and toured the Bishops’ Central Storehouse and Welfare Square on September 30.
October
President Nelson announced on October 2 that women, youth, and children can serve as witnesses of sealing and baptismal ordinances performed in and out of temples.
The 189th Semiannual General Conference was held October 5–6. On Saturday, it was announced that Young Men presidencies are to be discontinued by 2020. During the women’s session, a new Young Women theme was announced, class names were discontinued, and President Nelson announced eight new temples. On Sunday, President Nelson announced updated temple recommend interview questions and that 2020 would be a bicentennial to celebrate 200 years since the First Vision.
Attendees leave the Sunday afternoon session of the 189th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
New safety guidelines for Church members were released by the Church on October 10.
Elder Holland spoke about the miracles that made the BYU Jerusalem Center possible during the 30th anniversary of the center’s dedication on October 11.
President Ballard rededicated the Raleigh North Carolina Temple on October 13.
The 2019 Temple Leadership Seminar for new temple presidents and matrons was held in Salt Lake City, October 15–17.
Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé dedicated the Gilbert Arizona Welfare and Self-Reliance Facility on October 18.
During an October 18–20 trip to New England, President Ballard and Elder Christofferson visited the birthplace of Joseph Smith and spoke at a Boston, Massachusetts, devotional in which President Ballard invited the approximately 12,000 attendees to pray for the country.
President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles walk at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Sharon, Vermont, on Saturday, October 19, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
The groundbreaking of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple was held on October 19.
Sister Eubank and Sister Craven ministered to Church members in the Pacific during an October 19–27 visit.
Elder Uchtdorf returned to Germany to rededicate the Frankfurt Germany Temple on October 20.
Elder Rasband spoke to nearly 1,700 people during a devotional at the Tempe Institute of Religion in Arizona on October 20. During his October 19–20 visit to Arizona, he met with government leaders and the editorial board of the Arizona Republic newspaper. That same weekend, Elder Soares visited welcome centers for refugees in Austin, Texas, on October 18.
Elder Cook returned to his mission in England during an assignment to the country on October 20.
The First Presidency met with Cuba’s ambassador to the U.S., José R. Cabañas, at Temple Square on October 23.
Elder Cook spoke about religious freedom at Pembroke College at the University of Oxford on October 23.
Elder Bednar spoke at the RootsTech London conference—the first of its kind held outside of the United States—which was held October 24–26.
Whitney Peterson, a FamilySearch content strategist specializing in the British Isles, gives historical background for the St. Pancras Old Church to Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, on October 25, 2019, in London. Photo by Scott Taylor, Deseret News.
Elder Uchtdorf spoke to thousands of young adults at a devotional in the Stanford Memorial Church in Palo Alto, California, on October 27.
The location of the Moses Lake Washington Temple was announced on October 29.
November
Elder Christofferson rededicated the Asunción Paraguay Temple on November 3.
The First Presidency met with His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, at Temple Square on November 5.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints greets His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, on November 5, 2019.
The location of the Washington County Utah Temple—the second temple in St. George, Utah—was announced on November 6.
Ten Giving Machines were opened to the public beginning November 8 in conjunction with the Church’s annual Light the World campaign.
Elder Bednar met with Church members in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras during a visit to Central America November 8–17.
Elder Holland met with Church members in Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa during a November 9–16 visit to the Southeast Africa Area.
FamilySearch, formerly known as the Genealogical Society of Utah, celebrated its 125th anniversary on November 13.
From left: Richard E. Turley, former managing director of the Family History Department; Elder Richard Maynes, General Authority Seventy; and Elder Kent F. Richards, emeritus General Authority Seventy, chat during the FamilySearch 125th-anniversary celebration at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, November 13, 2019. Photo by Kristin Murphy, Deseret News.
For the first time in 10 years, the Church revised its missionary handbook, which was released on November 15.
President Eyring and Elder Stevenson met with Maryland’s governor on November 15 and spoke at the Charlotte Leadership Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 16.
President Ballard spoke to high-ranking United Nations officials, religion reporters from the Associated Press and New York TImes, and others during the November 15–17 weekend.
President Nelson embarked on a ministry tour to Southeast Asia, accompanied by Elder Christofferson, November 15–22.
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wave to attendees after a devotional in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Sunday, November 17, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Sister Reyna Isabel Aburto, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, and Sister Lisa L. Harkness, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, ministered to refugees in South America during a November 15–25 trip to the South America Northwest Area.
Elder Rasband met with Church members and missionaries in New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji during a November 16–24 visit to the South Pacific.
Elder Cook rededicated the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple on November 17.
Elder Gong and other general Church leaders discussed the new Children and Youth program during a Face to Face event on November 17.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles demonstrates features of the new Gospel Living app during a Face to Face event for Children and Youth on November 17, 2019.
The Church announced the creation of eight new missions on November 21, which will go into effect on July 1, 2020.
The Church History Museum opened the Sisters for Suffrage exhibit on November 21, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Utah women’s right to vote.
President Oaks addressed issues specific to immigrants during a unique devotional in Chicago, Illinois, on November 23.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Puebla Mexico Temple was held on November 30.
December
The annual Light the World campaign, encouraging everyone to serve others the way Christ did, officially launched on December 1. In conjunction with the campaign, the film The Christ Child was released.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced its annual Light the World campaign, which encourages everyone to minister to others the way the Savior did, one by one, and includes a new nativity video called The Christ Child.
The First Presidency released a statement on December 2 encouraging Church members and friends to help create welcoming communities for refugees.
Elder Rasband and other dignitaries ushered in the Festival of Lights at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center on December 3.
The Church released artistic renderings of renovated interiors of the Salt Lake Temple on December 4.
The First Presidency Christmas devotional was held on December 8.
Sites for the Orem, Utah; Taylorsville, Utah; and McAllen, Texas, temples were announced on December 11.
The annual Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir concert, with special guests Kelli O’Hara and Richard Thomas, was held December 12–14.
Dancers perform with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square during a Christmas concert at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, December 12, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder Soares dedicated the Arequipa Peru Temple on December 15.
The First Presidency released a statement on Church finances on December 17, followed by an explanation on how Church finances are handled, on December 20.
