The Newsroom Blog

April 2011 World Report

The latest edition of The World Report, a semiannual report of news events around the world pertaining to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is now available on the Church’s Public Affairs YouTube channel. This latest edition includes an update of the Church in Japan, a report of the groundbreaking for the Rome Italy Temple and a recap of the 2010 Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert with David Archuleta and Michael York.

Watch segments from The World Report below:

New Temples Announced

During his remarks at the first session of the Church's 180th Semiannual General Conference in October 2010, Church President Thomas S. Monson announced that the Church would build five new temples. The new temples will be built in Hartford, Connecticut; Indianapolis, Indiana; Tijuana, Mexico; Urdaneta, Philippines; and Lisbon, Portugal. (See Newsroom for more information on this story)

 

President Uchtdorf Cuts Ribbon for New St. George Airport

On 12 January 2011, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, helped cut the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of a new airport in St. George, Utah.

 

Elder Richard G. Scott Speaks at RootsTech Conference

Over 3,000 people attended the first annual RootsTech conference in Salt Lake City the weekend of 12 February 2011. The goal of RootsTech is to foster innovation in the world of genealogy technology. In conjunction with the conference, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to Church members and leaders who are involved in family history work. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Ground Broken for Rome Temple

Construction has begun in the Eternal City for a new Latter-day Saint temple. Church President Thomas S. Monson, along with Church and local community leaders, participated in the traditional groundbreaking ceremony for the Rome Italy Temple 23 October 2010. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Condoleezza Rice Visits BYU

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addressed a crowd of nearly 18,000 on 13 January 2011 in a special forum address at BYU's Marriott Center. (See BYU News for more information on this story.)

 

Fire Damages Historic Provo Tabernacle

The historic Provo Tabernacle was heavily damaged on 17 December 2010 by a four-alarm fire that is believed to have begun in the building's second story. Firefighters responded to the fire after it was reported at 2:43 a.m., but the intensity of the fire made it impossible for them to fight it from inside the building. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Church Response to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told reporters in a news conference on 15 March 2011 that the Church has committed substantial financial aid to Japan and that Church missionaries will be moved out of affected areas. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Elder Oaks Emphasizes the Importance of Religious Freedom to Society

In a landmark address 4 February 2011 to the Chapman University School of Law, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles affirmed the importance of the free exercise of religion and called for people to work together to protect this First Amendment right. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Church Members Respond to Herriman Fire

On 19 September 2010, a dangerous fire in Utah devoured 3,500 acres and in the process destroyed three homes and threatened dozens of others. The blaze, which began in Herriman, caused 1,500 families to be temporarily displaced. The fire did bring neighbors to the aid of neighbors. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Laie Hawaii Temple Rededication

President Thomas S. Monson rededicated the Laie Hawaii Temple 21 November after an extensive closure for renovation. The Laie Hawaii Temple has been the centerpiece of Latter-day Saint faith in the Hawaiian Islands since its initial dedication in 1919. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Church Constructing Replica Set for New Testament Projects

The Media Services Department of the Church  is building a large Jerusalem set on their new motion picture back lot just south of the communities of Goshen and Elberta, Utah, to film New Testament footage. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Christmas Concert with David Archuleta and Michael York

Pop singer David Archuleta and actor Michael York took center stage 17 December 2010 to kick off the annual Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square concerts. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Dedication of New Buildings at BYU-Idaho

On 17 December 2010, thousands gathered on the campus of Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg as President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, dedicated the BYU-Idaho Center and Hyrum Manwaring Student Center. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Church Responds to Victims of Brazil Flooding

Incessant rain in January triggered fatal landslides and flooding in areas around Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In what is already being referred to as Brazil's worst natural disaster in half a century, 640 people have perished across the cities of Nova Friburgo, Teresópolis and Petrópolis, and scores of others are missing. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

 

Bishop Burton Receives "Giant in Our City" Award

Bishop H. David Burton was honored by the Salt Lake Chamber with the "Giant in Our City" award on 16 March 2011. (See Newsroom for more information on this story.)

Browse the Blog

About: This blog is managed and written by staff of the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to provide journalists, bloggers, and the public with additional context and information regarding public issues involving the Church. For official news releases and statements from the Church, please also visit the Newsroom.org home page.

Style Guide Note: When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.