President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Urdaneta Philippines Temple today. It is the 190th dedicated temple in operation and the third in the Philippines. "I often tell people that the greatest period of my growth as an Apostle was the two years in the Philippines," said President Oaks, who served there as Area President from 2002 to 2004. Sister Kristen M. Oaks said, "We have so many memories here. It was an incredible time." Elder Carlos G. Revillo, Jr., a General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the Philippines Area Presidency, said, "The presence of President and Sister Oaks here adds significance to the dedication. We deeply love them. To hear him dedicate this House of the Lord in Urdaneta is very significant. I see it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me and the Filipino saints."

While Filipino Saints prepare for tomorrow's dedication of the country's third temple, the Urdaneta Philippines Temple, construction is advancing on three more temples: the Alabang Philippines Temple, the Davao Philippines Temple, and the Bacolod Philippines Temple (pictured). Seven additional temples have been announced the Philippines for a total of thirteen. Exterior cladding of the Bacolod temple is progressing.

On the exterior of the Montpelier Idaho Temple, glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels are moving up the west walls. GFRC is a strong but lightweight alternative to architectural precast and natural stone that faithfully reproduces the look of these more expensive products. It allows for the widest possible range of artistic and architectural expression. Glass has been installed in several of the window openings, and much of the interior has been framed.

It's been eight days since Moroni left his post on the Provo Utah Temple, and much has happened since then. The entire steeple has been removed except for the base tier, major portions of the ground floor have been demolished, and the east retaining wall is coming out. Work recently began on removing the panels from the upper floors by using a breaker attachment that functions like a jackhammer. Numerous trees have been cut down and chipped into massive piles.