VIDEO PROOF – Apostle: “Following the prophet” now "supersedes" all other primary Christian doctrines

Let’s cut right to the chase: As of October 2, 2021, the LDS Church officially ceased being a Christian denomination. 

And all those non-LDS Christian churches who for years have accused the church of not being Christian? Turns out they were right all along. 

First, let’s take a trip back to November, then October, 2021, to better understand what we will now call…

The Rasband Declaration

On Tuesday, Nov. 16, Elder Ronald Rasband presided over a live Facebook broadcast spanning 32 countries across the Africa Central and Africa South areas. During the broadcast, Rasband and others fielded questions posed by members from those areas.

The event was part of a busy 11-day visit to Africa by Elder Rasband, who was recently assigned as the supervising apostle for the Africa Central and Africa South areas.

In his remarks, Elder Rasband said:

“In fact, if any of our audience (and I hope they did) listen to my conference talk just last October Conference, I gave things of my soul points one through seven, do you remember? OK, and my point seven was, follow God’s living prophet. 

And as I have met with youth and young single adults all over the world, if they cause me to narrow down to one thing of my soul that they would like me to comment, my one thing, kind of first and foremost in my mind, is follow God’s living prophet."

This mirrors what Elder Rasband said in his aforementioned October 2021 General Conference address, “The Things of My Soul":

“What are the most important things I should know?”

I answered with the things of my soul, the things that prepare me to hear promptings, that lift my sights beyond the ways of the world, that give purpose to my work in the gospel and to my very life.

May I share with you some of the things of my soul? These things apply to all who seek to be true disciples of Jesus Christ. Ten would be a good, round number. Today I am giving you seven with the hope that you will complete eight, nine, and ten from your own experiences.

First, love God the Father and Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Jesus decreed the first great commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

President Nelson declared his devotion to God, our Eternal Father, and to His Son, Jesus Christ, when he was called to lead the Lord’s Church, saying, “I know Them, love Them, and pledge to serve Them—and you—with every remaining breath of my life.”

So first, love the Father and the Son.

Second, “Love thy neighbour.”

That is not just a good idea; it’s the second great commandment. Your neighbors are your spouse and family, ward members, work colleagues, roommates, those not of our faith, those needing a helping hand, and, frankly, everyone. The essence of “love thy neighbour” is voiced in the hymn “Love One Another.”

President Nelson reminds us, “When we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others.”

Third, love yourself.

This is where many struggle. Isn’t it curious that loving ourselves seems to come less easily than loving others? Yet the Lord has said, “Love thy neighbour as thyself.” He values the divinity within us, and so must we. When we are heavy laden with mistakes, heartaches, feelings of inadequacy, disappointment, anger, or sin, the power of the Savior’s Atonement is, by divine design, one of the things that lifts the soul.

Fourth, keep the commandments.

The Lord has made it clear: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Strive each day to be and do a little better and to press forward in righteousness.

Fifth, always be worthy to attend the temple.

I call it being recommended to the Lord. Whether you have access to a temple or not, being worthy of a current temple recommend keeps you firmly focused on the things that matter, the covenant path.

Sixth, be joyful and cheerful.

“Be of good cheer, and do not fear,” the Lord has said. Why? How, when challenges face us at every turn? Because of the promise made by Jesus Christ: “I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.”

President Nelson describes the restored gospel as “a message of joy!” And he explains, “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”

Seventh, follow God’s living prophet.

This may be seventh on my list of things, but it is at the top of my mind in terms of its importance today.

We have a prophet of God on the earth today! Never discount what that means for you. Remember the young woman I mentioned at the beginning. She wanted to know what things matter most. “Follow the living prophet,” I said then and I emphasize again today.

We are distinguished as a Church to be led by prophets, seers, and revelators called of God for this time. I promise that as you listen and follow their counsel, you will never be led astray. Never!”

Just so we’re straight on what’s most important to a prophet, seer and revelator – an apostle – of Jesus Christ, who has emphasized again and again to the world:

And to add further weight to this new doctrinal shift, neither Pres. Nelson, nor anyone in the First Presidency nor Quorum of the 12, have refuted Elder Rasband's claims. Nor have they demanded a public retraction of his comments. In Dutch, the phrase is Zwijgen is instemmen -- "Silence implies consent."

What kind of Christian church demotes loving the Father and the Son below glorifying a mortal?

What kind of Christian church demotes loving your neighbor and yourself below glorifying a mortal?

What kind of Christian church demotes keeping the commandments, joy and cheer below glorifying a mortal?

How can the church legitimately call itself Christian (which should worship Christ above all else)? The church is instead teaching its members to trust in the arm of flesh, to glorify Pres. Nelson, above all others, including and especially God. 

“Apostasy happened in part because
philosophies of men were given more
value than the teachings of Christ.”
(Elder Quentin L. Cook, Oct 2016 General Conference)

How not wearing a mask will eternally damn you (and other worthiness criteria mysteries)

 If there is one thing the Church adamantly promotes, it's ordinances. 

Want to get to heaven? Be baptized.

Want to be endowed with spiritual power? Get your endowments.

Want to be a small-g god and live with your family for eternity? Get sealed.

These doctrines are increasingly being emphasized:

"The only way to return to live with (Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ) and with our family is through the ordinances of the holy temple." [1]

"The only way you can have the feeling of that family embrace forever is to become worthy yourself and help others to receive the sealing ordinances of the temple. "  [1]

"The ordinances of the temple unite us in special ways and allow us to be one in every eternally significant way."  [2]

"The ordinances of the temple and the covenants you make there are key to strengthening your life, your marriage and family, and your ability to resist the attacks of the adversary."  [3]

"We will come to understand that through the ordinances of the temple, the power of godliness is manifest in our lives10 and that because of temple ordinances, we can be armed with God's power, and His name will be upon us, His glory round about us, and His angels have charge over us."  [4]

"President Russell M. Nelson has taught us, " This Church was restored so that families could be formed, sealed, and exalted eternally."" [5] 

Yet within the last year, the qualifications for entering the temple -- and subsequently enjoying their promised blessings -- have been modified.

"You will be asked to confirm your willingness to wear a face covering throughout your time in the temple. If you are experiencing symptoms or are unwilling or unable to wear a mask, you'll be invited to reschedule your appointment and return at a later time. In the baptistry, all participants except the individual being baptized will wear a face covering."  [6]

Just to re-cap:

If you want to go to the Celestial Kingdom (where Father and Jesus dwell), and live with your family in eternal glory, you must enter into sacred ordinances obtained only in the temple.

To enter the temple, you must wear a mask.

Thus, if you don't wear a mask, you cannot enter into the temple to receive special ordinances which are mandatory if you want to go to the Celestial Kingdom (where Father and Jesus dwell) and live with your family in eternal glory.

No mask = no ordinance = no exaltation. 

Another thing I need help understanding are the temple recommend questions. 

In order to be worthy for temple ordinances (and their attendant blessings), one must answer a standardized set of worthiness questions. [7]  So, for example: 

• If "you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost," (Question #1) but have no actual, thriving, dynamic relationship with God or Jesus, and don't even hear them in your heart and/or mind, that's OK.
• If you "strive to keep the Sabbath day holy, both at home and at church" and "attend your meetings" (Question #8) but don't strive to have your baptism of fire or any other spiritual experiences, that's OK, too. 
• If you are a full-tithe payer (Question #10) but look the other way when a beggar is asking for help, that's OK.
• If you have met "any financial or other obligations to a former spouse or to children" (Question #12) but do not express love for those children, that's also fine.

Yet of all the temple recommend questions, I find #11 ("Do you understand and obey the Word of Wisdom?) the most challenging. Maybe you can explain the following:

• Tea is a "hot drink" but hot chocolate isn't?
• What constitutes a "mild drink" with barley ("barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain")?
• We are asked to not eat meat and if we do so, it should be "sparingly" - "only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine," but (1) we have it all the time at ward parties and (2) why does the corporation of the church own one of the largest cattle ranches in the US?
• We are told that the Word of Wisdom is "to be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint," but today its adherence is not only a requirement to get into the temple, but also heaven. What revelation was received which overrode the "not by commandment or constraint" scriptural injunction, and when was it voted upon by the saints per the Law of Common Consent?
• How does the Word of Wisdom square with Matthew 15:10-11, 16-20?
• Drinking tea (a "hot drink") is a no-no, but if you are morbidly obese, have no desire to care for your body, drink gallons of Mountain Dew or Red Bull, binge on junk food or pop ibuprofen like candy, that's OK.

  

Like masks, we have a situation where if you drink tea, you are unworthy of a temple recommend/entering the temple, and thus, forfeit your right to enjoy eternal blessings with God and your family.

My prediction: Someday, churchwide, worthiness to receive a patriarchal blessing will include having been vaccinated for COVID-19. Here's this little ditty from a church member in Pleasant View, UT:

I also predict that future temple recommend interviews will equate wearing a mask with "sustaining the prophet." Think I'm exaggerating/joking? Read this (courtesy of a church member in the West Jordan, UT area):

Sorry, but I feel I must end on a happy note:

SOURCES

1  Henry B Eyring, "I Love to see the Temple," April 2021 General Conference
2  Quentin L. Cook, "Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity," October 2020 General Conference
3  D. Todd Christofferson, "Why the Covenant Path" April 2021 General Conference
4  Bonnie L. Oscarson, "Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion" October 2016 General Conference
5  Dallin H. Oaks, "Two Great Commandments" October 2019 General Conference
6  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn_vicNSah8&ab_channel=ChurchNewsroom
7 https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2019-general-conference-temple-recommend

Blinded by the Light

On May 22, I posted about the Tooele Utah Temple, and how the Brethren were wanting to develop a residential community to surround the temple. I questioned the church's motives, which was for the 446 homes to "protect" the 70,000 square foot temple. 

"I've never heard of real estate being an effective protection for temples. I think most would expect that to be God's job," I opined. [1]

Well, today, I must give credit where credit is due. After significant public opposition (development opponents had gathered enough signatures to put a referendum on the ballot to reverse the rezoning), the church rescinded its development plans. [2]  I can say this: the church is pretty diligent in maintaining its reputation. It's rare to see it back down from a planned real estate development (I believe the last back-down was when neighbors complained about a proposed 9-story, above-ground Provo MTC).

Even though the development is history, plans to build the Tooele Utah Temple are still alive. [2]

Question: If Clark Griswold would travel hours and hours to see the largest ball of twine, how far would he go to look through the world’s largest amateur telescope?
Answer: A long way.

Sometime when you get a minute, Google this phrase: "the largest amateur telescope in the world."

Actually, I'll spare you the Googling time. The top of the Google search results shows one item: "Stansbury Park Observatory" (Complex), or the SPOC.

The SPOC is operated by the Salt Lake Astronomical Society for use by amateurs. It has four fixed telescopes: an 8" refractor, 16" and 32" reflectors, and a 70" reflector. When there isn't a pandemic happening, patrons hold Star Parties there, to which members and others bring their own telescopes. Anyone can attend those events and look through the telescopes. In other words, SPOC is a superb educational institution. It has also been the site of the discovery of several supernovae and at least one asteroid.

The SPOC is also located very, very close to another soon-to-be-famous location: the afore-mentioned Tooele Utah temple.

This has raised some concerns among the neighbors, who say the temple will add significant light pollution to the area and render the SPOC essentially useless.

My wife and I love to go where nighttime light pollution isn't a problem, and gaze at the stars at night. For us, it's an opportunity to gaze at God's works. 

Unfortunately, the good patrons of the SPOC may soon see their view of God's natural creations obscured and overridden by man-made, artificial light.

QUESTIONS

Based on the aforementioned facts, I have the following questions:

• Who (or what) will be protecting the temple now that the residential development isn't a consideration?
• Area residents organized to stop the church's development as well as the proposed Provo MTC building. Would SPOC patrons need to organize as well to ask the church to choose a different site for its temple?
• Just why is the church in the business of real estate development in the first place?

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TRUTHS BELOW FOR UPDATES TO THIS POST 

1   https://ldtruths.blogspot.com/2020/05/behold-mine-house-is-house-of-disorder.html
2   https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/08/18/after-public-opposition/

The Pestilence/Pandemic Cure Our Church Leaders Have Never Mentioned

Sometime between the years 1570 and 1440 BC, God struck Egypt with 10 plagues: water turning to blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and the killing of firstborn children.

The Bible also reports that although these plagues ravaged Egypt, such was not so in the land of Goshen, where the fourth, seventh and ninth plagues were non-existent:

• Fourth plague: “Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.” [1]
• Seventh plague: "And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.” [2]
• Ninth plague: "And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." [3]

Here I am, a grown adult, and was never aware until now about God granting an exception to Goshen during these plagues. It is unknown why the church hasn't taught this as its members were in the midst of a modern-day plague.

Although many believe that God's protective arm, as recounted in the Bible, is the stuff of fiction, we do have a modern-day example, a verification, of how God protects the righteous, those who trust and believe in him.

His name was John G. Lake. From 1908 - 1913, he served as a Christian, non-LDS missionary to South Africa. During that time, Lake buried many with the bubonic plague. During that time, many nations sent ships with doctors and medical supplies to help stop this dreaded pandemic, which was so deadly, death was very likely if you touched anyone or anything with the plague.

Unlike other medical professionals, neither Lake nor his assistant were affected as they interacted with others who had contracted the plague. One of the doctors sent for Lake and asked, “What have you been using to protect yourself? Our corps has this preventative and that, which we use as protection, but we concluded that if a man could stay on the ground as you have and keep ministering to the sick and burying the dead, you must have a secret. What is it?”

Lake answered, “Brother that is the ‘law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus'. I believe that just as long as I keep my soul in contact with the living god so that His Spirit is flowing into my soul and body, that no germ will ever attach itself to me, for the Spirit of God will kill it.”

The doctor asked, “Don’t you think that you had better use our preventative?” 

Lake replied, “No, but doctor, I think that you would like to experiment with me. If you will go over to one of these dead people and take the foam that comes out of their lungs after death, then put it under the microscope, you will see masses of living germs. You will find they are alive until a reasonable time after a man is dead. You can fill my hand with them and I will keep it under the microscope, and instead of these germs remaining alive, they will die instantly.” 

They tried it and found it was true. The plague bacteria instantly died in Lake’s hand. 

The doctor questioned, “What is that?” 

Lake replied, “That is ‘the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.’ When a man’s spirit and a man’s body are filled with the blessed presence of God, it oozes out of the pores of your flesh and kills the germs.”

Lake believed the Word of God is stronger than any sickness or any disease. And his faith in God was proven to be powerful enough to stop plagues on contact.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” [4]

Long ago, in the midst of utter, total darkness, there was light in Goshen, because that was where God’s people were. And when mere mortals can walk with God's presence in their lives, no virus can exist.

What does that mean for us today as we face the coronavirus? 

"And the reason why he ceaseth 

to do miracles among the children 

of men is because that they dwindle 

in unbelief, and depart from the right 

way, and know not the God in whom 

they should trust." [5]

QUESTIONS

Because of the aforementioned facts, I am left with the following questions:

• Should we, who have taken upon ourselves Christ's name, be examples of true believers in Jesus Christ?
• Do we latter-day saints consider ourselves God's people?
• Just what does it mean to have belief and faith in Christ? Does it mean to believe he existed, or perhaps something deeper, like believing his words? 
• Do we teach that Jesus Christ is the master healer, that he is more powerful than any plague?
• Do we teach that our churches -- our wards and branches -- are healing centers, places where anyone can come and partake of Christ's goodness?
• If so, then why did the church shut down its buildings and discontinue its worship services during the coronavirus outbreak? 
• Shouldn't it have done the opposite, and invited people in to partake of Christ's goodness, mercy and healing?
• Don't we have faithful priesthood holders who can pronounce protection from pestilences and healing from sickness?
• Just where is the faith of Christ's "anointed" ones whom we are supposed to follow? 
• Why have our church leaders never mentioned God's protection of Goshen, who time and again, was protected by God from various plagues?
• What's the take-away when we read of a non-LDS, Christian missionary having the faith to walk among plague victims and believing God would (and did) protect him from a plague, versus a church which runs in the opposite direction?
• Of all the places on earth, wouldn't God protect temples and the Conference Center during General Conference? If so, why were/are they shut? 
• What's the simplest explanation as to why we are not seeing miracles of protection like the people of Goshen and John G. Lake? 

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TRUTHS BELOW FOR UPDATES TO THIS POST

1   Exodus 8:22

2   Exodus 9:25-26

3   Exodus 10:22-23

4   Romans 8:1-11

5   Mormon 9:20

"Behold, mine house is a house of DISorder"

Shanghai, China

On April 4, 2020, in General Conference, Pres. Nelson provided details regarding the announced Shanghai, People’s Republic of China temple [1]:

"Context for the plan for Shanghai is very important. For more than two decades, temple-worthy members in the People’s Republic of China have attended the Hong Kong China Temple. But in July 2019, that temple was closed for long-planned and much-needed renovation.

In Shanghai, a modest multipurpose meeting place will provide a way for Chinese members to continue to participate in ordinances of the temple — in the People’s Republic of China — for them and their ancestors."

Yet two days later, the Shanghai Religious Affairs Bureau disaffirmed that a temple would be built in Shanghai. Its announcement stated (this is an unofficial, Google-based translation) [2]:

"1. According to the relevant laws and regulations of China, foreigners are not allowed to set up religious organizations and venues for religious activities in China.

2. The Mormon Church of the United States released information on the establishment of the so-called "Temple" in Shanghai. Our civil sect department was unaware of it."

Even Foreign Policy newsletter picked up on the discrepancy [3]:

The church did not comment on the Shanghai bureau’s statements [4]. This is confusing in light of the fact that even the church said (and spent considerable space detailing) that Pres. Nelson "enjoys a decades-long association with the People’s Republic of China." [5]

The Shanghai Temple is still not mentioned on the church's list of current and anticipated temples. This may be because the church is likely dedicating a portion of an existing facility to accommodate ordinances, not building a new structure. Thus, it is considered "a modest multipurpose meeting place," not a temple. [6] Equally bewildering is the Chinese government's treatment of Pres. Nelson's announcement, for even Pres. Nelson is quoted as saying, “The Chinese people value those long-term relationships, and I’m really pleased that I’m regarded here as one of their old friends.” [5]

This is not the first time the Church has announced a temple without obtaining permission from local officials. Orem, Utah's mayor was caught off-guard when a temple was announced in his city in October, 2019. Why all the secrecy? Because [7]

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Another temple announced on April 4th is slated for Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It's based on an invitation by the UAE government.

"The plan for a temple in Dubai comes in response to their gracious invitation, which we gratefully acknowledge." [1]

The Arabian Peninsula isn't well-known for its overwhelming membership counts. The UAE only has 5 wards and 1 branch. [8]

The Church reportedly has 2,000-2,500 members spread out among two stakes and several districts in the Middle East, northern Africa, eastern Europe and western Asia. [9]

This mirrors circumstances found in other announced/constructed temples 

* The 40,000 square foot [10] Rome Temple, where Italian membership rolls total to around 27,486. Demand for temple ordinances is so scarce in this temple that patrons need to make an appointment. [11]

* The new temple in Okinawa, Japan, will likely have only one stake (five wards and three branches) and one district assigned to it as these are the only stakes and districts in the area. [12]

* The Russia Temple [13] will service only 23,300 members found in 3 stakes (2018) [14]. Missionaries are prohibited from proselyting there. [15] With activity rates between 17-23%, that leaves 5,359 active members (which includes children) in all of Russia. [16]

Tooele, UT

A third temple I'd like to highlight will be located in Tooele, Utah. Now, the Tooele Temple was announced on April 7, 2019. [17]

On May 5, 2020, the Church announced that it would develop a residential community to surround the temple. While the church's development of planned residential communities isn't new, what is surprising is its purpose [18]: 

I've never heard of real estate being an effective protection for temples. I think most would expect that to be God's job.

QUESTIONS

(First, some background: By my count, based on this page, there are 224 temples either operating, under renovation, being constructed or have been announced. Out of those 224 temples, 41 have been announced. The oldest announced (yet unconstructed) temple is the Harare Zimbabwe Temple, announced April 3, 2016) [19].

Based on the aforementioned facts, I have the following questions:

• Why does the church consistently allow a considerable lag time between when it announces a temple and when the construction commences? While I understand the need for secrecy, it seems that announcing a temple before all the Is are dotted and Ts are crossed with local officials (1) seems a bit premature/presumptuous, and (2) forcing members (especially local members) to wait for 4+ years for some temples is a needlessly long wait. 
• What does "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" [20] mean to you? Is the Savior just talking about making sure you have enough money in your bank account to build a tower, or could there be a bigger picture here?
• If the Lord's "house is a house of order" [21], then why are we consistently encountering temple-related misspoken announcements, building delays, etc on a worldwide basis?
• Why was "a modest multipurpose meeting place" in Shanghai, China announced alongside those of new temples? The positioning of this statement left members assuming the announcement was of a temple. Not only members, but the Chinese government, too. 
• Please explain how real estate developments serve as protection for temples. What is the scriptural basis for this?
• Why is the church (presumably) spending millions of dollars building temples in areas where there are hardly any members to fill them?
• We are told, "And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God;" [22] If the house of God will require it being set in order at some future date (and we know it will be in the future, because "the inheritances of the saints" who are "enrolled in the book of the law of God" have not yet been officially arranged that I'm aware of), then that supposes the house of God is what? Perhaps not "set in order"?
  
  

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  TRUTHS BELOW FOR UPDATES TO THIS POST 

1      https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/57nelson?lang=eng
2      http://mzzj.sh.gov.cn/hygq/20200411/630779280bae4e93a781c2bfe216bbe9.html
3      https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/22/china-respond-new-coronavirus-outbreaks-harbin-russia-imported-cases/
4      https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/04/29/plans-an-lds-temple/
5      https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2020-01-29/president-nelson-reaches-out-to-china-responds-to-coronavirus-by-sending-protective-equipment-172935
6      https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/list?lang=eng
7      https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/faith/orem-temple-announcement-catches-some-off-guard-excites-area-mayors/article_b712e802-9101-5c7a-9050-3fdeb0d6766d.html
8      https://cumorah.com/index.php?target=countries&cnt_res=2&wid=229&cmdfind=Search
9      https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-announces-temple-united-arab-emirates
10      https://www.ucanews.com/news/diplomacy-seen-in-mormons-first-temple-in-china/87744
11      https://cumorah.com/index.php?target=countries&cnt_res=2&wid=107&cmdfind=Search
12      https://cumorah.com/index.php?target=view_other_articles&story_id=687&cat_id=30
13      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/russia-temple/
14      https://cumorah.com/index.php?target=countries&cnt_res=2&wid=179&cmdfind=Search
15      https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/09/09/missionaries-have-been/
16      https://cumorah.com/index.php?target=view_other_articles&story_id=465&cat_id=30
17      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/tooele-valley-utah-temple/
18      https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/residential-community-near-tooele-valley-utah-temple
19      https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/temples/chronology/
20      Luke 14:28
21      D&C 132; 8, 18
22      D&C 85:7