A concise roundup of this week’s notable Church activity: a devotional challenge to missionaries, a long-running interfaith feeding effort in the UAE, a new Sunday School class for recent members, humanitarian work in the Philippines, and several temple and leadership announcements.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf addressed more than 2,800 missionaries at the Provo MTC and his message was broadcast to other MTCs worldwide.
Latter-day Saints partnered with Dubai’s Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara to assemble 11,000 food kits during their 11th consecutive year of collaboration.
Temple progress includes announced open house and dedication dates for Knoxville, Tennessee and Smithfield, Utah, plus groundbreakings for La Paz, Bolivia and Cincinnati, Ohio.
# What this report covers This week's Hastening report collects short items about faith in action across multiple countries. The pieces are practical and event-driven: missionary instruction, long-standing interfaith service, member education, humanitarian donations, leadership assignments, and temple schedule updates.
# Missionary devotional in Provo President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke to more than 2,800 missionaries in the Provo Missionary Training Center auditorium on September 8, 2026. He and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, addressed themes of sacrifice, willingness, and answering a call to serve. The devotional was broadcast to other MTCs around the world.
# Interfaith service in the UAE
# New member support: Gospel Foundations
# New MTC leadership Church's 11 missionary training centers worldwide. The newly called MTC presidents and their companions are scheduled to begin service in January 2027.
# Church videos and youth teaching A new episode of the Friend to Friend video series, titled "The Family Is of God," features Elder Gérald Caussé and focuses on teaching children about family, love, and faith. Church leaders also provided instruction to Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary audiences during Sister Yee's recent meetings in several European countries.
# Service and remembrance in the U.S. On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Latter-day Saints participated in service and remembrance across the United States. Volunteers used JustServe to organize efforts in 50 locations, with activities taking place on September 11 and 12.
# Humanitarian work in the Philippines During a ministering visit, Primary General President Rosemary K. Chibota joined Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor "Leni" G. Robredo at Naga City General Hospital. The Church donated 150 newborn kits and met with local leaders to offer encouragement and support to mothers and families with newborns needing medical care.
# Temples: dates and groundbreakings Knoxville, Tennessee and Smithfield, Utah Temples. Groundbreaking dates were also announced for the La Paz, Bolivia and Cincinnati, Ohio Temples.
# Practical takeaways
# How this week's items connect The items collected here show parallel efforts at teaching, service, organizational renewal, and infrastructure (temples). Each item is short and event-specific — intended to inform members and interested readers about recent actions and plans.
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