Prophet's presence delights congregation
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Members of the Ogden Utah Cliffview and Mount Lewis regions were delighted Sunday, Jan. 21, when a surprise visitor - President Ezra Taft Benson - arrived at the conference.
Just before he arrived, word spread across the Dee Events Center auditorium that he might come. When the prophet and his wife, Flora, entered, it was a great joy and the congregation hushed in reverence.During the conference, many of the speakers paid tribute to President and Sister Benson for their lifetime of service and achievements.
Speakers at the conference were Elder Marvin J. Ashton and Elder Russell M. Nelson, both of the Council of the Twelve; and Elder Richard P. Lindsay of the Second Quorum of the Seventy and a counselor in the Utah North Area. Their wives - Norma Ashton, Dantzel Nelson and Marian Lindsay - also addressed the congregation.
Also speaking were Gary Gillespie, President Benson's secretary; and Lela Benson, wife of Mark Benson, a son of President and Sister Benson.
Elder Stanley M. Smoot, regional representative, estimated that some 8,000 people were in attendance.
"The message President Benson asked me to give you today is, `Thank God for good people,' " said Elder Ashton. He noted the prophet also mentioned, "Tell them that I pray for them, too."
"We have his love and blessing here today," said Elder Ashton. "God does live, and President Ezra Taft Benson is His prophet."
Elder Nelson also paid tribute to President Benson. "It is a rare and unique opportunity to look upon the prophet," he said. "I frequently labor with people who have never seen the prophet, and never will." President Benson, he said, has given his entire life in service of the Lord, and, "he is just 3 1/2 years shy of being an apostle for half a century."
Elder Lindsay referred to a recent meeting of the General Authorities in the temple, in which President Benson rose to his feet and testified with great power, "I know this work is true."
After the conference was over, President Benson waved to the members as they sang, `I Am a Child of God." On his way out, he stopped to shake hands with a young woman, Laura Hemesath of the North Ogden 20th Ward, who is disabled with cerebral palsy. Her smile said it all, as if to say: "I've seen the prophet. I know he loves me."
