During the week of Oct. 8-14, The First Presidency of the Church issued a statement on Middle East violence. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles posted on social media about how he is coping with the recent death of his wife and drawing strength from his family and his faith in the Savior. Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Feather River California Temple and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the McAllen Texas Temple.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke with other Church leaders on developing educational goals during a devotional broadcast to youth throughout Utah. Elder Alvin F. “Tripp” Meredith III, a General Authority Seventy, was officially installed as the 18th president of Brigham Young University–Idaho. Ground was broken for the Modesto California Temple and the First Presidency released the location of the Budapest Hungary Temple.

The latest Church News video, titled “Future Missionaries,” featured Church leaders speaking about their hopes for the next generation of missionaries. The latest episode of the Church News podcast featured Rabbi Joe Charnes — joined by guest host Church News reporter Mary Richards. Church leaders spoke at three different devotionals at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, Ensign College and Brigham Young University.

Read summaries and find links to these nine articles below.

1. First Presidency issues statement on Middle East violence

Map shows Israel and neighboring areas.

Daniel Loncarevic - stock.adobe.com

The First Presidency of the Church issued a statement on Middle East violence, which was published Thursday, Oct. 12, on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

The statement reads: “We are devastated by the recent eruption of violence and loss of life in the Middle East. Violence of this nature is abhorrent to us and is not in harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is a gospel of peace. At such times, our hearts ache for all victims of this atrocity.

“As servants of God, we affirm that He calls upon all of us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and we pray for a peaceful resolution of all conflicts.”

2. After his wife’s death, the ‘wonder of life goes on,’ Elder Holland writes on social media

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles holds two great-grandchildren.

Screenshot from Facebook

Elder Holland posted on social media about how he is coping with the recent death of his wife and drawing strength from his family and his faith in the Savior.

The post featured a photo of Elder Holland holding two great-grandchildren.

3. Feather River California and McAllen Texas temples dedicated

Sister Rosana Soares and Elder Ulisses Soares, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles waving to members prior to the dedication of the Feather River Temple in Yuba City, California on Sunday October 8, 2023

Caleb Brown, for the Deseret News

Elder Soares dedicated the Feather River California Temple in two sessions on Sunday, Oct. 8, and Elder Uchtdorf dedicated the McAllen Texas Temple on the same day in two sessions.

At the Feather River temple dedication, Elder Soares said, “The dedication of this and all the other temples testifies that God has a divine vision and plan for His sons and daughters from all generations. It is indeed evidence of the divinity of His true gospel. This temple stands as a beacon in this area.”

At the McAllen temple dedication, Elder Uchtdorf said, “The temple is a beautiful symbol for that peaceful effort, and it will radiate throughout the community here, … and it will spread out all across the world.”

4. Church leaders encourage Latter-day Saint youth in Utah to ‘dream big’ in regards to education

Young Women’s President Emily Belle Freeman, Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Kevin W. Pearson, General Authority Seventy, laugh during the Utah Area parent, youth and leader devotional at the Bountiful Regional Center in North Salt Lake, Utah, on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.

Adam Fondren for the Church News

Developing educational goals was part of the message provided to youth during a devotional broadcast throughout Utah on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Don’t be paralyzed by fear when making educational decisions, said Elder Christofferson to the youth. “Your Heavenly Father knows you exist, knows your specific circumstances, knows what you’re facing, and is willing to help.”

Elder Christofferson was joined at the devotional by Elder Kevin W. Pearson, a General Authority Seventy and president of the Utah Area, Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman, and Elder Clark G. Gilbert, also a General Authority Seventy.

5. Elder Meredith inaugurated as 18th president of BYU–Idaho

Elder Ronald A. Rasband and Elder D. Todd Christofferson, both of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, applaud after installing President Alvin F. Meredith as the 18th president of BYU–Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.

Nicolette Muhlestein, BYU–Idaho

Elder Alvin F. “Tripp” Meredith III was officially installed as the 18th president of Brigham Young University–Idaho on Tuesday, Oct. 10, by Elder Christofferson and Elder Ronald A. Rasband, both of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

During the installation, Elder Christofferson, chairman of the executive committee of the BYU–Idaho board of trustees, outlined many of the characteristics distinct to BYU–Idaho that were laid out by prophets since its creation. The Apostle charged the new president to “align Brigham Young University–Idaho with its prophetically inspired direction.” 

6. Ground broken for Modesto temple and site announced for Budapest temple

Elder Gary B. Sabin, center, and his wife, Sister Valerie Sabin, lead invited guests in turning shovels of dirt at the Modesto California Temple groundbreaking on Saturday, October 7, 2023, in Modesto, California.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Ground was broken for the Modesto California Temple on Oct. 7. The ceremony was presided over by Elder Gary B. Sabin, a General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Church’s North America West Area presidency, who offered remarks and a dedicatory prayer on the site and the construction process.

Additionally, the First Presidency released the location of the Budapest Hungary Temple. Projected as a single-story building of approximately 18,000 square feet, the temple will be built on a 5.92-acre site at the northwest intersection of Kocsis Sandor ut and Borsikafu utca, Harsánylejtő, Budapest, Hungary.

7. What Church leaders hope for the next generation of missionaries

A Church News video, titled “Future Missionaries” features Church leaders talking about their hopes for the next generation of missionaries.

Screenshot from YouTube

In interviews conducted at the Seminar for New Mission Leaders in Provo, Utah, in June 2023, the Church News asked several Latter-day Saint leaders about their hopes for the next generation of missionaries. 

This Church News video, titled “Future Missionaries,” features some of their responses. 

This is the generation of Latter-day Saint youth that will “lead this Church” and “lead the Lord’s work” for the next 50 years, said Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the Church’s Missionary Executive Council. 

8. Rabbi Joe Charnes on the power of general conference as a member of a different faith

Rabbi Joe Charnes, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, attends the Sunday afternoon session of the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in the 193rd Semiannual General Conference on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Rabbi Joe Charnes, a long-time friend of the Church and an interfaith advocate, attended In the Conference Center to listen as Latter-day Saint leaders offered counsel and direction.

This episode of the Church News podcast features Rabbi Charnes — joined by guest host Church News reporter Mary Richards. He shares his conference insights and speaks about the power of general conference for those of other faiths.

9. Church leaders and General Authorities speak at Church educational institutions

Elder Allen D. Haynie, General Authority Seventy, speaks about the temple during a BYU devotional in Provo, Utah, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.

Joey Garrison/BYU Photo

Three Church educational institutions held devotionals. Bishop L. Todd Budge, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, spoke at Brigham Young University–Hawaii.

Elder David P. Homer, a General Authority Seventy, gave his address during an Ensign College devotional. Elder Allen D. Haynie, General Authority Seventy, spoke on temple ordinances, covenants and garments at Brigham Young University.