“Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord. Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We do not know the day or the hour of His coming. But I do know that the Lord is prompting me to urge us to get ready for that “great and dreadful day.
As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase. I invite you to take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord. Then, as we go to our Heavenly Father with increasing confidence, we will be filled with more joy, and your faith in Jesus Christ will increase. We will begin to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes.”
President Russell M Nelson, APRIL 2025
Meet our new Chicago Temple Presidency and their spouses.
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James Rudy and Marta Maxwell Bourgeois
1st Councilor and Assistant to the Matron of the Chicago Temple
James Rudy Bourgeois and Marta Maxwell Bourgeois are members of the Gurnee First Ward, BuƯalo Grove Illinois Stake, called to serve as 1st Councilor and Assistant to the Matron of the Chicago Illinois Temple. Brother Bourgeois currently serves as Gospel Doctrine teacher and Temple Sealer. He is a former Bishop, Branch President, High Councilor, Stake Young Men President, Stake Mission President Councilor, Temple Shift Coordinator. Sister Bourgeois currently serves as Stake Primary President and Temple Shift Coordinator. She is a former Relief Society President, Stake Young Women President, Seminary teacher, Stake Seminary Supervisor, Stake Public Communications Director, guest speaker at EFY and Youth Conferences, Stake Self-Reliance Instructor, and School Board President. They are parents of seven children and grandparents to 19 grandchildren
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Richard James and Dyana Bridges DeVries
President and Matron of the Chicago Temple
Richard James DeVries and Dyana Bridges DeVries, St Joseph Ward, Holland Michigan Stake, are called as president and matron of the Chicago Illinois Temple, beginning September 2025. President and Sister DeVries are area temple and family history consultants and temple workers. He is a former Area Seventy, mission president, stake president and bishop. He was born in St Joseph, Michigan, to John Dean Devries and Barbara Ann Reinking. Sister DeVries is a former mission president companion, stake Relief Society and Young Women presidency counselor, ward Young Women president and ward Relief Society presidency counselor. She was born in Logan, Utah, to Sherwood Elgin Bridges and Ann Marie Nielsen.
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Richard Lloyd and Marti Munyan Thiel
2nd Councilor and Assistant to the Matron of the Chicago Temple
Richard Lloyd and Marti Munyan Thiel are members of the Appleton 2nd Ward, in the Appleton Wisconsin Stake, called to serve as 2 nd Counselor and Assistant to the Matron of the Chicago Illinois Temple. Brother and Sister Thiel currently serve as FSY Representatives for the Chicago and Milwaukee Coordinating Councils. Brother Thiel also serves as a Temple Sealer. He is a former Mission President Counselor, Bishop, High Counselor, Stake Young Men President, Volunteer Assistant Recorder, and Temple Shift Coordinator. Sister Thiel also serves as a Temple Assistant Shift Coordinator. She is a former Stake and Ward Young Women President, and Counselor in the Ward Relief Society, Young Women and Primary organizations, and Seminary and Institute Instructor. They have served as a senior missionary couple, in the Yekaterinburg, Russia and Lubbock, Texas missions. They have six children and 27 grandchildren.
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Please welcome our new Chicago Temple Presidency by Sharing what the Chicago Temple means to you or your family.
“We live in a world filled with conflict and contention. I find peace and the love of the Savior Jesus Christ through prayer, attending church on Sunday, and by attending the temple.”
“I was in the temple yesterday and even after attending 45 years I am amazed that I continue to learn new things from and about Him. The Savior has so much to teach me and I am grateful for His influence and patience as I strive to become more like him”
“This week I was reminded that the Savior did not leave us alone. He is with us and we have access to Him always through prayer and the Holy Ghost. Without writing a novel, I was given a thought to ask a question of a significantly autistic friend. That question opened up a transcribed conversation between the two of us and a connection was established that included smiles and a fist bump. The Savior’s influence was there; I felt it!"“
“I’ve felt a peace that passeth all understanding just knowing that He has a plan. I’m not in the life situation I expected to be in as of a few months ago, but I’m grateful for the Lords hand that has guided me here and for the daily tender mercies (or flashes of light) that are all around me if I just take the time to look for them!”
“What better friend is there? He is the best of friends -- someone we can turn to if we are lonely or hurting, but also when we are excited or feeling especially blessed.”
“I’m so glad you asked! Recently, I've felt a wonderful sense of peace and guidance in my life that truly feels like the Savior's influence. It's in the little moments—a comforting thought during a challenging day, the warmth of kindness from others, or a sense of purpose in helping someone in need.
There have been times when I've faced decisions, and I felt a reassuring nudge toward compassion and understanding. It’s like a gentle reminder to seek joy and to focus on love, both for myself and those around me.
I’ve also noticed how gratitude plays a big role in this influence. Taking time to appreciate the blessings in my life—big and small—has brought me such happiness and contentment. It’s amazing how focusing on the positive can lift my spirits and inspire me to share that joy with others.
Overall, the Savior’s influence fills my heart with hope and encourages me to spread joy wherever I go!”
“I have felt the influence of the Savior as I serve in my calling. I have a strong testimony that he leads and guides His church. He directs it through revelation and has helped me know what to do. He has helped me know who to minister to and how to minister to them. I'm so very grateful for the influence of the Savior in my life!”