{"id":448181,"date":"2026-08-30T17:06:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T17:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/448181\/"},"modified":"2026-08-30T17:06:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T17:06:16","slug":"week-in-review-president-christofferson-rededicates-san-diego-temple-church-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/448181\/","title":{"rendered":"Week in review: President Christofferson rededicates San Diego temple \u2013 Church News"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the week of Aug. 23-29, the iconic San Diego California Temple<\/a> was rededicated<\/a> by President D. Todd Christofferson<\/a>, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<\/p>\n

After recent wildfires in Spokane, Washington, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf<\/a> and Elder Neil L. Andersen<\/a> ministered<\/a> to local Church members. Elder Gary E. Stevenson<\/a> ministered<\/a> to members in western Colombia after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake.<\/p>\n

Elder Ulisses Soares<\/a> of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently strengthened interfaith relationships<\/a> in New York City, and Elder Clark G. Gilbert<\/a> of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with the vice president<\/a> of Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n

The Church News reported on the groundbreakings of three temples: the Tulsa Oklahoma Temple<\/a>, Victoria British Columbia Temple<\/a> and Coeur d\u2019Alene Idaho Temple<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In other temple news, open houses began for the Cody Wyoming Temple<\/a> and Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple<\/a>. Dedication and open house dates were announced for the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple<\/a>, and a groundbreaking date was set for the Vienna Austria Temple<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the week\u2019s episode<\/a> of the Church News podcast, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson<\/a> talked alongside leaders of global humanitarian and nongovernmental organizations about blessing women and children.<\/p>\n

Bishop Sean Douglas<\/a>, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, testified<\/a> at the Provo Missionary Training Center that \u201cJesus Christ will always be your strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read summaries and find links to these articles below.<\/p>\n

1. President Christofferson rededicates San Diego temple \u2014 a \u2018visible, tangible testimony\u2019 of the Redeemer\"PresidentPresident D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, at the rededication ceremony of the San Diego California Temple on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Rick Loomis, for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

President Christofferson<\/a> rededicated<\/a> the San Diego California Temple on Sunday, Aug. 23, after three years of extensive renovations. He testified that the temple is \u201ca tangible testimony\u201d of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf He was not resurrected, none of this makes sense \u2014 there\u2019s no purpose in it. But if He is resurrected, this is a very critical and essential work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about the San Diego temple\u2019s dedication here.<\/a>Read President Christofferson\u2019s rededicatory prayer here.<\/a>Watch a video about what this temple means to President Christofferson and local members.<\/a>2. President Uchtdorf and Elder Andersen minister in Spokane after devastating wildfires\"PresidentPresident Dieter F. Uchtdorf, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, hugs Daniel Johnson following a special multistake meeting in Spokane, Washington, on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <\/p>\n

Weeks after three wildfires tore through north Spokane, Washington, President Uchtdorf<\/a>, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Andersen<\/a>, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, traveled to the city to minister to members<\/a> and help them feel the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on Sunday, Aug. 23.<\/p>\n

President Uchtdorf said: \u201cWe\u2019re all friends in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We\u2019re all brothers and sisters. When we heard about your suffering, your losses, your pain, your uncertainties, our hearts reached out to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about President Uchtdorf and Elder Andersen in Spokane here.<\/a>Read how Spokane Latter-day Saints find faith and blessings in wildfire ashes.<\/a>3. After 7.4 earthquake, Elder Stevenson ministers in western Colombia and meets with mayor of Cali\"ElderElder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson, greet Latter-day Saints in Cali, Colombia, on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <\/p>\n

Two weeks after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake<\/a> in western Colombia, Elder Stevenson<\/a> of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with the mayor of Cali, Colombia, and ministered to local members<\/a> of the Church on Aug. 24.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe members in Cali are laboring in intense situations because of this natural disaster disrupting their lives but not dimming their faith,\u201d Elder Stevenson wrote in an Aug. 26 social media post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read more about Elder Stevenson in western Colombia here.<\/a>4. \u2018We do this because we love God,\u2019 Elder Soares says while strengthening interfaith relationships in New York City\"ElderElder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, third from left, meets with leadership of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York City on Friday, Aug. 21. From left, Elder Robert M. Daines, General Authority Seventy; Father Andreas Vithoulkas, chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; Elder Soares; the Rev. Nicolas Kazarian, interfaith relations for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; Elder David R. Marriott, Area Seventy; and Brian Chase, executive secretary to Elder Marriott. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <\/p>\n

Elder Soares<\/a> spent Friday, Aug. 21, meeting with<\/a> local Christian and Jewish leaders in New York City to strengthen interfaith relationships.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was beautiful to see the relationship established between different communities and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,\u201d Elder Soares said. \u201cThe most important thing to me was to recognize the connection we have with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about Elder Soares in New York City here.<\/a>Watch a video about this visit with interfaith leaders.<\/a>5. Elder Gilbert meets with vice president in first apostolic visit to Sierra Leone\"ElderElder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, left, stands with Sierra Leone Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <\/p>\n

Elder Gilbert<\/a>, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, made his first visit to Sierra Leone, meeting with Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh in Freetown on Wednesday, Aug. 26. \u201cWe expect God to bless this country, and we will do our best to help in that,\u201d said the Apostle.<\/p>\n

The leaders discussed ways<\/a> the Church and the Sierra Leonean government can work together to strengthen education in the country.<\/p>\n

Read more about Elder Gilbert\u2019s visit to Sierra Leone here.<\/a>6. Temple groundbreakings in Oklahoma, British Columbia and Idaho\"ElderElder Pedro X. Larreal, a General Authority Seventy and member of the Church\u2019s United States Southwest Area presidency, fifth from left; and his wife, Sister Sariah Larreal, sixth from left, join other Latter-day Saints, community members and invited guests to break ground for the Tulsa Oklahoma Temple on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <\/p>\n

Elder Pedro X. Larreal<\/a>, a General Authority Seventy, presided over the Aug. 22 groundbreaking<\/a> of the Tulsa Oklahoma Temple<\/a>. \u201cI know this temple is going to help this community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

That same day, Elder James E. Evanson<\/a>, also a General Authority Seventy, presided over the groundbreaking<\/a> of the Victoria British Columbia Temple<\/a>. He said the structure will be a \u201cbeacon of peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

And on Saturday, Aug. 29, Elder Hutch U. Fale<\/a>, a General Authority Seventy, presided over the groundbreaking<\/a> of the Coeur d\u2019Alene Idaho Temple<\/a>. Once built, he said, it will be \u201ca symbol and source of peace\u201d that Jesus Christ offers.<\/p>\n

Read more about Tulsa Oklahoma Temple\u2019s groundbreaking here.<\/a>Read more about Victoria British Columbia Temple\u2019s groundbreaking here.<\/a>Read more about Coeur d\u2019Alene Idaho Temple\u2019s groundbreaking here.<\/a>7. Temple news: Open houses begin in Wyoming and Guatemala, dedication planned in American Samoa, groundbreaking planned in Austria\"ClockwiseClockwise from top left: The exterior of the Cody Wyoming Temple; the exterior of the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple; an architectural rendering of the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple; an architectural rendering of the Vienna Austria Temple. | Images by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <\/p>\n

The Cody Wyoming Temple<\/a>\u2019s public open house<\/a> and the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple<\/a>\u2019s public open house<\/a> both run Aug. 27 to Sept. 12.<\/p>\n

Elder Quentin L. Cook<\/a> of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate<\/a> the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple<\/a> on Sunday, Dec. 13.<\/p>\n

An Oct. 17 groundbreaking date<\/a> was announced for the Vienna Austria Temple<\/a>, to be presided over by Elder Michael Cziesla<\/a>, a General Authority Seventy.<\/p>\n

Read more about the Cody Wyoming Temple\u2019s open house here.<\/a>Read more about the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple\u2019s open house here.<\/a>Read more about the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple here.<\/a>Read more about Vienna Austria Temple here.<\/a>8. Church News podcast Episode 309: 3 years of miracles and cooperation that blessed 52 million women and children\"PresidentRelief Society General President Camille N. Johnson speaks during a recording of the Church News podcast in the Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake City for an episode released Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. | Rachel Aston, Deseret News <\/p>\n

On the Aug. 25 episode<\/a> of the Church News podcast, President Johnson<\/a> and other leaders of the Church\u2019s Caring for Women and Children Initiative Consortium<\/a> gave examples of the successes seen three years into this initiative.<\/p>\n

President Johnson said, \u201cWe\u2019re happy to have the opportunity to collaborate together to make miracles happen in the lives of women and children.\u201d<\/p>\n

Listen to the podcast episode here.<\/a>9. What a tired hummingbird taught Bishop Douglas about missionaries seeking Christ\"BishopBishop Sean Douglas, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, speaks during a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Provo, Utah. | Jeffrey D. Allred, for the Deseret News <\/p>\n

Using a story of a hummingbird, in an Aug. 25 devotional in Provo, Utah, Bishop Douglas<\/a> testified of what Jesus Christ offers. \u201cIn your exhaustion, you can land on Him, and He will always keep you safe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He explained to the Provo MTC\u2019s training missionaries how they can seek the Savior and share His light despite their imperfections.<\/p>\n

Read more about Bishop Douglas\u2019 devotional here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"During the week of Aug. 23-29, the iconic San Diego California Temple was rededicated by President D. Todd…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":448182,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[74,76,75,177455],"class_list":["post-448181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news","tag-week-in-review"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/448181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=448181"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/448181\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/448182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=448181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=448181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=448181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}