Bringing the 162nd Annual General Conference to a close Sunday afternoon, President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, expressed hope that members would "review and ponder that which we have heard. We have feasted on the word of God."

President Hinckley, first counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson, expressed regret that the Church leader, now in his 93rd year, was unable to address the conference. Referring to the prophet's attendance at the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions, President Hinckley said: "His presence yesterday and again today has helped us. We enjoyed his smile and the wave of his hand. As we bring this meeting to a close, I leave with you a statement from President Benson - his personal witness of the Son of God whose servant he is. These are his words:" `Nearly two thousand years ago a perfect Man walked the earth - Jesus the Christ. He was the Son of a Heavenly Father and an earthly mother. He is the God of this world, under the Father. In His life, all the virtues were lived and kept in perfect balance; He taught men truth - that they might be free; His example and precepts provide the great standard - the only sure way - for all mankind.

" `Among us He became the first and only one who had the power to reunite His body with His spirit after death. By His power all men who have died shall be resurrected. Before Him one day we all must stand to be judged by His laws. He lives today, and in the not too distant future shall return, in triumph, to subdue His enemies, to reward men according to their deeds, and to assume His rightful role to rule and reign in righteousness over the entire earth.' "

President Hinckley said: "Such is the testimony of our prophet and our leader. When all is said and done, I remind you that this is our great mission - to bear witness to the world, both with example and precept, of the living reality of the Son of God, the Resurrected Lord, who is our Redeemer and our Savior."

President Hinckley thanked the members everywhere "for the faith which you carry in your hearts of the divinity of this work, for the devotion with which you serve, for your prayerful desires to bring up your children in light and truth and to nurture them with the good word of God."

He invited when members of the congregation leave the Tabernacle that they look at the spires of the temple.

"The capstone on the highest tower of that beautiful structure was put in place exactly 100 years ago tomorrow," he said. "The Brethren of the conference of 100 years ago urged the people to consecrate the needed skills and money to insure dedication of the temple on April 6, 1893, one year hence. They met the challenge, and, at this time next year, we will commemorate the centennial of the dedication of this magnificent house of the Lord. No challenge is too great for the people of this Church when they move forward in faith."

Concluding the conference, President Hinckley said: "In behalf of President Benson and all of my Brethren, I invoke upon you wherever you may be the blessings of heaven. May the Lord smile with favor upon you that there may be peace in your lives and peace in your homes."

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(Additional information)

- Tenderness laced the final session of conference. It threaded the heartfelt addresses of the General Authorities, including the three Seventies called last summer; the testimonies of the outgoing and incoming general Young Women presidents - Ardeth G. Kapp and Janette C. Hales - and the final "God be with you till we meet again," by President Gordon B. Hinckley. President Thomas S. Monson conducted the session.

Weatherwise, the afternoon turned nippy and a cool breeze prompted many of the hundreds on the lawn to wrap themselves in the blankets they had been resting on.

Music by the Tabernacle Choir included "Great Is the Lord" and "Let the Mountains Shout for Joy," conducted by Donald Ripplinger; and "Behold the Lilies of the Field," conducted by Jerold D. Ottley. Brother Ottley also conducted the choir and congregation in singing, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet." Accompanist was John Longhurst. The invocation was offered by Bishop J. Richard Clarke of the Presidency of the Seventy and the benediction by Bishop Henry B. Eyring of the Presiding Bishopric.