April 2016 General Conference News and Announcements
President Thomas S. Monson speaks during the April 2016 general conference.
Four New Temples
During the Sunday morning session of conference, President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to build new temples in Harare, Zimbabwe; Quito, Ecuador; Belém, Brazil; and Lima, Peru (the Church’s second temple in that city).
Earlier this month, the Church reached the milestone of 150 operating temples with the dedication of the Provo City Center Temple on March 20, 2016. The four temples announced Sunday will increase the total number of new temples announced or under construction to 27. An additional four existing temples are being renovated.
Saturday afternoon session
New Primary general presidency
The First Presidency announced a new Primary general presidency—Joy D. Jones, Jean B. Bingham, and Bonnie H. Cordon—during the Saturday afternoon session of conference.
New General Authority Seventies
Eleven new General Authority Seventies were announced: Elder W. Mark Bassett, Elder Mark A. Bragg, Elder Weatherford T. Clayton, Elder Valeri V. Cordón, Elder Joaquin E. Costa, Elder Massimo De Feo, Elder Peter F. Meurs, Elder K. Brett Nattress, Elder S. Mark Palmer, Elder Gary B. Sabin, and Elder Evan A. Schmutz.
In addition, 62 Area Seventies were called, and releases were announced for 51 Area Seventies, effective May 1, 2016.
Statistical Report
The First Presidency has issued the following statistical report of the Church as of December 31, 2015:
|
CHURCH UNITS | |
|
Stakes |
3,174 |
|
Missions |
418 |
|
Districts |
558 |
|
Wards and branches |
30,016 |
|
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP | |
|
Total membership |
15,634,199 |
|
New children of record |
114,550 |
|
Converts baptized |
257,402 |
|
MISSIONARIES | |
|
Full-time missionaries |
74,079 |
|
Church-service missionaries |
31,779 |
|
TEMPLES | |
|
Temples rededicated |
2 |
|
Temples dedicated |
5 |
|
Temples in operation |
149 |
General women’s session
The general presidencies of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary invited women of all ages to help refugees in their local communities through a relief effort called “I Was a Stranger.”
Sister Burton asked Relief Society sisters worldwide to “prayerfully determine what you can do according to your own time and circumstance” for refugees.
“This is an opportunity to serve one on one, in families, and by organization to offer friendship, mentoring, and other Christlike service and is one of many ways sisters can serve,” she said.
