- Provides sure witness

- Teaches with divine power- Reveals all needful things

Divine truths may be conveyed with absolute certainty by the power of the Holy Ghost, said Bishop Keith B. McMullin.

"A millennium of experience through sight, sound, touch, taste, smell and all the powers of the universe combined cannot approach the sublime and complete experience of one brief moment under the influence of the Holy Ghost," he said.

Speaking in the Saturday morning session, Bishop McMullin delivered his first conference address since his calling as second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric was announced Dec. 27.

He spoke of the law of witnesses and the confirming power of the Holy Ghost.

Regarding the law of witnesses, he said: "This law was established to introduce, affirm, and seal the truth upon the hearts of God's children. One never stands alone in carrying the word of God to the world."

He explained that witnesses ushered in the birth, life and mission of the Savior. These witnesses included angels, John the Baptist, prophets, apostles, the Holy Ghost, the Savior Himself, and Heavenly Father.

"The same pattern prevailed at each step in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days," Bishop McMullin said. "Multiple witnesses, reliable beyond refute, have written and spoken of what their ears heard, their eyes beheld, their hearts understood. In every dispensation, two or more witnesses have joined their voices in such proclamations. It is the pattern of heaven."

Bishop McMullin told of an experience as president of the Germany Frankfurt Mission when he told a skeptical father, "This is the only true and living Church upon the face of the earth." The skeptical father was troubled by such a declaration, as many others might be when hearing a testimony, said Bishop McMullin.

"But amidst differing views on spiritual matters, there come to us from scripture the wonderful and comforting promise, `Ye may know.' Though our backgrounds are all different, we are all children of the same Heavenly Father. He has provided a way to bridge our differences, a way each of us may know. This way is through the power and sure witness of the Holy Ghost."

Bishop McMullin said the Holy Ghost "is sent forth by God to reveal all needful things. He teaches and testifies with divine power and clarity. . . . That which is received of Him has a more powerful effect upon the soul than anything else received in any other way," he declared.

Bishop McMullin explained that the skeptical father later told of experiencing the witness of the Holy Spirit and was baptized, along with a friend who had the same experience.

"Such is the purpose of witnesses, such is the power of the Holy Ghost, such is the anchor of truth. To the things which have been and will yet be testified of, I now add my witness that `ye may know.' God lives! We are His children, and He loves us. Jesus Christ is His beloved Son, our Redeemer, and the Savior of the world."