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In the Almanac
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Scott Taylor

On the Deseret News staff since September 1984, Scott Taylor has been managing editor, opinion editor, sports editor, Olympic sports editor and an assistant city editor as well as a reporter/writer covering events and issues for the News, Sports, Olympics, Church News, Faith/Ethics, City and Utah County departments/sections. From 2011 to 2014, he took a leave of absence to serve as a Church mission president in Phoenix. A BYU graduate and Pulliam Fellow/intern at the Arizona Republic, he has reported from five continents with coverage from high school sports to five Olympic Games and from local city government and law enforcement agencies to relief efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He has received numerous local, state, regional and national journalism awards in news, sports, features, columns, headline writing and section supervision.

Dedication attendees walk into the Bentonville Arkansas Temple.
Temples
Church of Jesus Christ is dedicating 6 temples in just 36 days — but 6 have been dedicated in shorter times before
In April 2000, 6 temples were dedicated in a calendar month; 2 months later, another 6 were dedicated in just 15 days.
Attendees walk past a painting of Jesus Christ during the 193rd Semiannual General Conference.
Leaders & Ministry
Scott Taylor: How general conference is ‘a source of divine message’
The power, blessing and benefit of general conference messages are as varied as the millions who watch, listen, read, study, discuss them in the weeks, months and years to come.
President Russell M. Nelson stands in front of the Washington D.C. Temple.
General Conference
President Nelson announces 20 new temple locations, increasing Church’s total to 335 worldwide
In less than 6 years as President of the Church of Jesus Christ, President Nelson has announced a total of 153 new temples. See the locations here.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday afternoon session.
General Conference
Elder Gerrit W. Gong: ‘Love Is Spoken Here’
“May we each learn to speak and hear His love here, in our hearts and homes, and in our gospel callings, activities, ministering and service,” said Elder Gerrit W. Gong.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks during the Sunday afternoon session.
General Conference
Elder Dale G. Renlund: ‘Jesus Christ Is the Treasure’
“He is our Savior and Redeemer, the ‘mark’ to whom we should look and our greatest treasure,” said Elder Dale G. Renlund.
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General Conference
Saturday afternoon session: See photos, read summaries from October 2023 general conference
“Being honest in our tithes is one way we show our willingness to put the Lord first in our lives,” taught Elder Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Dallin H. Oaks speaks during the Saturday morning session of October 2023 general conference.
Leaders & Ministry
President Oaks details God’s plan for His children, eternal truth and kingdoms of glory, during October 2023 general conference
The gospel is more than to be learned — it is to be lived, taught President Dallin H. Oaks.
President Dallin H. Oaks speaks during the Saturday morning session of October 2023 general conference.
General Conference
President Dallin H. Oaks: ‘Kingdoms of Glory’
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become,” said President Dallin H. Oaks.
World map showing locations of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Temples
See the locations of the Church’s 315 temples across 6 maps
Also included is the current status for each temple, as of Sept. 29, 2023.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Leaders & Ministry
Elder Holland to watch October 2023 conference from his home
The Apostle joins President Russell M. Nelson as two senior Church leaders whose health issues preclude personal attendance at the conference sessions.
Work continues on the northwest side of Temple Square.
Temples
Temple Square renovation update: See video, 11 photos on latest work
From spires to the north addition and interior reinforcements, renovation work continues on the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square.
President Nelson and a line of others dressed in formal clothing shoveling dirt with golden shovels.
Temples
What’s the current status for the 133 temples announced by President Nelson?
Of the 133 temples President Nelson has announced in the past 5 and a half years, 7 are dedicated, 4 are scheduled for dedication and 43 are under construction.
Elder Marcus B. Nash points to a missionary’s raised hand during as he speaks at a devotional.
Members
The purpose and power of Tuesday night devotionals at the Provo MTC
A “synergy” results when bringing missionaries, Church leaders together, says Elder Nash, Missionary Department executive director.
The Okinawa Japan Temple.
Temples
See the Japanese design influence in the new Okinawa temple as interior, exterior photos are released
Following its Nov. 12 dedication, the house of the Lord in Okinawa will become Japan’s fourth operating temple.
Elder David A. Bednar and Sister Susan Bednar greet friends outside the Bentonville Arkansas Temple.
Temples
A focus on the Savior, ordinances, covenants as Elder Bednar dedicates the Bentonville Arkansas Temple
On a day of 3 temple dedications, the Apostle dedicates the new house of the Lord in an area where his family lived in the 1980s and 1990s.
Perry and Melinda Turnbull outside the Bentonville Arkansas Temple.
Temples
How 2 Arkansas schoolkids in the ‘60s exemplify the growth, strength that led to a temple in Northwest Arkansas
Melinda and Perry Turnbull’s life story — including a conversion and a return home — represents the Church’s local growth from 2,000 members to nearly 40,000 in just four decades.
Elder David A. Bednar and Sister Susan Bednar, conclude a media tour of the Bentonville Arkansas Temple
Temples
A first for the Church of Jesus Christ: 3 temples to be dedicated on same day — Sunday, Sept. 17
A look at the 3 dedications — in Brasília, Bentonville and Moses Lake — and revisiting past double-dedication days.
An exterior rendering of the soon-to-be-renovated Kona Hawaii Temple.
Temples
First Presidency releases sites for 2 temples in Nigeria, new rendering of renovated Kona temple
The sites are for the Lagos Nigeria and Benin City Nigeria temples; the rendering shows updated dates for the renovated Kona Hawaii Temple.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Leaders & Ministry
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland released from hospital, returns home to recuperate
Church releases statement acknowledging appreciation from the Holland family and the Apostle’s desire to return to active ministering.
The renovated St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern Utah.
Temples
See inside the newly renovated St. George Utah Temple as media, special-guest tours begin
The house of the Lord is the first of the pioneer-era temples to be completed after President Nelson called for restoration efforts that began in 2019.
The exterior rendering for the Austin Texas Temple.
Temples
First Presidency releases temple site in Canada, rendering for a Texas temple
The site is set for the house of the Lord in Lethbridge, Alberta; Austin Texas Temple now has an exterior rendering.
The First Presidency greets the congregation during the Saturday evening session of April 2023 general conference.
Leaders & Ministry
First Presidency announces Sept. 30, Oct. 1 dates for October 2023 general conference, with all invited to the 5 general sessions
Rather than a session for a specific sector, the October 2023 Saturday evening session will be for all members and friends.
Left, BYU basketball player Krešimir Ćosić in a game in the early 1970s; right, the BYU men’s team joins Ćosić family members for a photo in front of his statue.
Global
A Cougar-Ćosić reconnection: BYU team visits late Hall of Famer’s family, namesake arena in Croatia during exhibition trip
BYU coach wanted players to learn from the life of Krešimir Ćosić, who not only starred in basketball but also helped the Church in his homeland and was an ambassador to the U.S.
“General Handbook” for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Members
‘General Handbook’ gets updates — and condensed ‘Selections’ offering in some languages
“Selections from the General Handbook” available in multiple languages where the full handbook isn’t available.
Thai young single adults are greeted at the Bangkok Thailand Temple by Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Gong.
Temples
Thai YSAs get early tour of new Bangkok temple with Elder Gong — even ahead of media, special guests
More than 375 young single adults met with Elder and Sister Gong in a devotional prior to Aug. 26 tour of the new house of the Lord.
Artist’s rendering of the renovated Manhattan New York Temple. The temple will close in 2024 for extensive renovations.
Temples
First Presidency announces Manhattan New York Temple renovation plans
The temple will close next year for a renovation expected to take about three years.
Locator maps for the sites of the San Jose, La Paz, Natal and Teresina temples.
Temples
Site locations released for temples in San Jose, California, La Paz, Bolivia; Natal, Brazil; and Teresina, Brazil.
All four houses of the Lord were announced by President Nelson — La Paz in 2021 and the other three just five months ago in April 2023 general conference.
The Bangkok Thailand Temple at night among skyscrapers in Bangkok in 2023.
Temples
See interior, exterior photos of the Bangkok Thailand Temple as Elder Gong welcomes media-day guests
Apostle welcomes participants to opening events for what will be the Church’s 185th dedicated house of the Lord.
Two missionaries in white shirts and ties sit across a table with books out.
Members
Missionary handbook updates include clarifications, answers to common questions from missionaries and their leaders
Updates range from using time wisely to communicating with friends and interacting with the opposite gender and children.
The McAllen Texas Temple is pictured in summer 2023.
Temples
See photos of the McAllen Texas Temple as public tours begin
The house of the Lord comes 100 years after missionaries first taught in the Rio Grande Valley.