–BRAZIL! Yet another temple in one of the fastest-growing areas for the Church. Fortaleza is an important, large city in the north, and missionaries are baptizing there like crazy. Congratulations, Brazil!
Speaking of Brazil, how about those Olympics in Rio? Brazil pledged $14 billion in government money (that’s a HUGE amount of money for Brazil). They will completely rebuild Rio, and the city will be an entirely different place by 2016. When I first heard about the Rio bid, I thought there was no way anybody could go for it. Rio has crime problems, traffic problems beyond belief and, frankly organizational problems. Boy, was I wrong. If you understand Portuguese take a look at this video, which explains how Rio will be transformed. To summarize, the main Olympic area will be in the southern part of Barra da Tijuca, where an entire new city will be built to house many of the sports, the athletes and the press. A private beach, only for Olympians! New freeways will whisk the athletes to and from events. Completely new stadiums through the city.
Watch for immense controversy in the years ahead as government officials move people from the slums (favelas) around Rio. Hopefully there will be some effort to build new public/private housing, but even if there are new apartments to move to, slum residents will not go willingly. Various governments over time have decided to move slum dwellers from the hills surrounding Rio. Violence usually breaks out. I predict a lot of controversy. (By the way, missionaries are not allowed to enter the slums, which are centers for drug trafficking and other crime).
Rio is the second largest city in Brazil, but it does not have a temple, while much smaller cities like Fortaleza, Recife, Campinas and Curitiba have been granted temples. That is partly a reflection of the Church’s relatively slow growth in Rio, where people prefer the beach to church on Sundays.
–Concepcion, Chile! I can tell you Chileans have wanted another temple for a long time. It’s a long trip from the south up to Santiago, and now the faithful Saints in southern Chile will have a temple in the second-largest city in the country. My father and stepmother are on a mission to the Santiago temple, so I’m sure they’re celebrating in Chile right now.
–Brigham City? Wow, isn’t the Logan temple like 20 minutes away? I know that area is growing quickly (my family on my mother’s side is from Brigham City). Not sure what to make of this or of the temple in Sapporo, Japan.
–Elder Oaks’ talk was incredible. I predict it will be analyzed and re-analyzed in the days to come. His basic point was the God’s love does not overcome lack of obedience to God’s laws. He discussed co-habitation outside of marriage and other controversial topics. I look forward to re-reading that and other talks.
–Elder Packer. Sorry to see him give his talk from the sitting position. I hope his health is OK.
NOTE: AN ENTERTAINMENT PUBLICATION IN BROWARD COUNTY HAS TWISTED THIS POST TO MAKE IT APPEAR AS IF I WAS CRITICIZING THE BRETHREN’S DECISION TO PUT A TEMPLE IN FORT LAUDERDALE, EVEN THOUGH I CLEARLY SAID I WAS NOT. I HAVE DELETED THE MENTION SO THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT I DID NOT INTEND TO CRITICIZE THE BRETHREN IN ANY WAY. I AM CERTAIN THAT IF THE CHURCH WAS INSPIRED TO PUT A TEMPLE IN FORT LAUDERDALE IT WILL BE A SUCCESS. I AM SORRY FOR THE ORIGINAL TEXT.
What are some of your thoughts?