- Keep promises

- Appreciate family- Obey prophetic counsel

During an Easter season many years ago, Elder Andrew W. Peterson knelt in prayer with a missionary companion on a dirt soccer field in Bolivia. The prayer of gratitude for the people of their mission, their mission president and the privilege of being missionaries included promises to help the people.

After relating that experience in the Sunday afternoon session, Elder Peterson of the Seventy spoke of the aftermath. The talk was Elder Peterson's first general conference address as a General Authority. He was sustained to the Seventy last October.

"The years since my mission have provided opportunities for the fulfillment of those missionary promises," he said. "I returned home to marry my high school sweetheart, Christine Swensen. She is a wonderful companion and I love her dearly."

After nearly six years of marriage, Elder Peterson said he was near the completion of dental school, but he and his wife had no children. Then "an opportunity presented itself and Ashley came into our lives. Our dear, precious Ashley."

During the following years they adopted five other children - Joshua from an orphanage in Bolivia; Megan; Daniel from Bolivia; Jennifer from Guatemala, while Elder Peterson was president of the Mexico Merida Mission; and Natalie Joy, just three weeks before the end of the mission.

"After 16 years of marriage and six adoptions, Anne and Andrew naturally joined our family to the joy and happiness of their brothers and sisters," Elder Peterson said. "As a family, we are forever grateful for the binding and sealing effect the temple provides for members of Jesus Christ's Church.

"With special promises made to the Lord under the stars in Bolivia at Easter time 1968, there is not a day goes by but that Chris and I embrace our children and feel of God's love for all of His children."

As another Easter approaches, Elder Peterson reflected on the past six months since his call as a General Authority and his family's experience with President Howard W. Hunter.

"We will never forget President Hunter telling our children at the time I was set apart, `We love you. We want you to feel comfortable around us. We want you to feel like we are family.' "

Then he related counsel received during his mission from then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley of the Council of the Twelve. "Elder Hinckley invited missionaries to not fear and not be ashamed of their testimonies of Jesus Christ. His invitation penetrated my heart as a missionary then, and is equally important to me and to you this day."

Elder Peterson then said: "May this be an Easter season of meditation, reflection and appreciation. May we resolve to be obedient to prophetic invitations from those who hold the keys of the Kingdom."