"Of Missions, Temples and Stewardship" was the title as well as the outline of the address delivered by President Gordon B. Hinckley at the priesthood session Saturday evening.

He spoke of his recent visit in London, England, where he was interviewed by a radio broadcaster who asked regarding the Church's missionaries: "How do you expect people to listen to these callow youth?"The prophet said he responded by recalling Paul's words to Timothy, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Tim. 4:12.)

President Hinckley said he added: "The remarkable thing is that people do receive them and listen to them. They are wholesome. They are bright, they are alert, they are upstanding. They are clean-looking, and people quickly develop confidence in them."

He said he might have added that they are a miracle. He said it is not easy for a sensitive young man or woman to approach people and engage them in conversation about the gospel, but they recognize that "fear comes not from God, but from the adversary of truth."

Regarding temple work, the prophet spoke of temples under construction and planned (see article on new temples announced on page 3) and declared: "I have a burning desire that a temple be located within reasonable access to Latter-day Saints throughout the world. However, we can proceed only so fast. . . . The work is moving about as fast as we can go. It is my constant prayer that somehow it might be speeded up so that more of our people might have easier access to a sacred house of the Lord."

Finally, he gave an appraisal of the present condition of the Church, saying, "I think you're entitled to know that occasionally."

"I am grateful to say the Church is in good condition," he declared. "It is growing in numbers." He noted that last year the membership was 9,025,000, a gain of 300,703 over the previous year.

"This means that we are adding a million new members each three and a half years, and I am confident that momentum will increase," he said.

The Church is expanding geographically and is well managed. "But we are not without problems. Too many of our people drift into inactivity. Too many fail to live the principles of the gospel. But with all of this, we have cause to rejoice as to what is occurring."

He said the Church has no debt and has reserve funds into which it puts a portion of the annual budget each year. "We are only doing what we have suggested every family do," he added. "Should there come a time of economic distress, we would hope to have the means to weather the storm."

He said the Church has been living within its means and will continue to do so, adding, "I'm grateful for the law of tithing. It is a constantly recurring miracle. It is made possible by the faith of the people. It is the Lord's plan for financing the work of His kingdom."

Holding up a genuine "widow's mite" he obtained long ago from Jerusalem, he said he keeps it in his office to remind him of the sacredness of the tithing funds and the need for them to be used prudently.

President Hinckley said Church leaders recognize the importance of consecrated voluntary service and noted that 96,484 volunteers serve the Church, their work having an estimated value of $360 million.

The program of weekday religious education moves forward, he said, asking all in the congregation enrolled in seminary or institute to stand. At least half the congregation stood.

He said last year 3,742,629 copies of the Book of Mormon were distributed, contrasting that with 5,000 copies in the first printing, made possible only through the generosity of Martin Harris.

President Hinckley said he presided over the creation of the 150th stake in the Church in 1945, and that now there are 2,101 stakes in Zion. He added there are 375 new buildings currently in the course of construction.

"I see a bright future ahead," he declared. "I do not discount the fact that we will be faced with problems. This work has always been faced with problems. The work of the adversary continues against it. But we will move forward as those who have gone before us have moved forward. Every man and boy within the sound of my voice tonight has the responsibility to assist in this great work of reaching out and growing stronger."