World Briefs

President Monson Dedicates Temple, Meets Leaders

President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the Curitiba Brazil Temple in four sessions on Sunday, June 1, 2008, the day after thousands of members filled a soccer stadium for a cultural celebration attended by the prophet.

The Curitiba temple becomes the fifth in the country of about one million members. More than 42,000 people visited the temple open house. On Monday, President Monson met with Brazil’s vice president, Jose Alancar.

President Uchtdorf Meets European Saints

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, met with members of the Church and guests in three European countries during a tour of England, Germany, and France at the end of May and beginning of June 2008.

He told members in France: “We are all united, all brothers and sisters. The gospel is the answer to the challenges in the world, to all questions faced by families, communities, and nations.”

President Monson Announces Three Temples in Arizona

President Thomas S. Monson has announced plans for three new temples in Arizona, USA. On April 28, 2008, he announced temples in Gilbert and Gila Valley, Arizona. On May 24, he announced a temple in Phoenix.

The temples bring the number in Arizona to five, and the worldwide total to 140, while alleviating usage of the Mesa Arizona Temple, which is attended by more members than any temple outside of Utah.

Elder J. Thomas Fyans Dies

Elder J. Thomas Fyans, an emeritus General Authority, died on May 18, 2008. Born on May 17, 1918, in Moreland, Idaho, he married Helen Cook on May 28, 1943.

He served as president of the Uruguay Mission from 1960 to 1964, as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1974 to 1976, in the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy from 1976 to 1986, and as president of the St. George Temple from 1992 to 1995 after receiving emeritus status in 1989.

Curitiba Brazil Temple

Elder J. Thomas Fyans