From the Church

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently announced the call of Elder Robert C. Gay of the First Quorum of the Seventy as chairman of the Church’s Perpetual Education Fund. Elder John K. Carmack and Elder Richard E. Cook, who served, respectively, as executive director and managing director of the fund, have been released.

Stake presidents across this Argentine capital city supplemented their temple rededication weekend with wise counsel from a trio of apostles. The local stake leaders gathered on Sept. 8, the day before the rededication of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple, for a special meeting that included direction from President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve.

Visiting a temple days before its dedication (or rededication) is akin to peering inside a massive beehive. It's alive with almost ferocious activity as workers dart from one task to another. Such a scene of organized chaos will be transformed into a sacred refuge of peace and serene worship on Sunday, Sept. 9, when thousands gather here for the rededication of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple.

The Church released this statement: “Prior to the storm, local leaders were in contact with Church members to make necessary preparations. Missionaries in the New Orleans area were moved inland as a precaution. The Church continues to monitor the situation and is prepared to respond as needed.”

When the multimillion-dollar Teton Dam disaster struck Idaho in 1976, a force of 45,000 Latter-day Saints was deployed almost overnight to provide emergency relief. When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Mormon relief trucks arrived before the National Guard was even allowing relief through. Massive oil spills in South Korea in late 2007 found hundreds of volunteers handling the disaster with plans, supplies and manpower within days. The 2010 Haitian earthquake catastrophe was met immediately with 160,000 pounds of food and emergency resources, and a month later, when a devastating earthquake hit Chile, an airlift of tents, tarps, supplies and even diapers was quickly deployed.The Church is interested in helping those in need become self-sufficient in the long term as well as meeting immediate needs. After the 2004 tsunami devastated Southeast Asia, LDS Humanitarian Services personnel were still working with community-based organizations to provide longer-term aid and development three years later.

Breaking ground, whether for a new crop of corn or a new temple, is an act of faith. And on Saturday, Aug. 18, some 2,000 Latter-day Saints gathered in East Tijuana to dedicate the site of a new temple and turn the soil again with hope.Elder Benjamin De Hoyos of the Seventy and first counselor in the Mexico Area Presidency, presided at the gathering with second counselor, Elder Jose L. Alonso, also of the Seventy, directing. Meanwhile, like the pioneers of old, the LDS faithful stood or sat in the dusty desert sun, fanning themselves as they listened to testimonies, counsel and expressions of gratitude. Colorful umbrellas, to ward away the rays, sprouted here and there like wildflowers.