'Be a little better,' Latter-day Saints told
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At the end of a "wonderful conference" marked by the historic rededication of the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square, President Gordon B. Hinckley asked Church members worldwide to remember what they had heard, which was intended to help them "stand a little taller and be a little better."
"We have enjoyed this wonderful conference," said President Hinckley. "We have rededicated the Salt Lake Tabernacle, as we put it back to use after extensive renovation. We have filled this Conference Center to capacity for every session. Our words have gone across the world to members of the Church scattered far and wide."
Latter-day Saints worldwide gathered March 31 and April 1 for the Church's 177th Annual General Conference to hear President Hinckley and other Church leaders offer counsel and direction.
President Hinckley presided over the four general sessions, two each on Saturday and Sunday, and the priesthood session Saturday evening.
Capacity crowds filled the 21,000-seat Conference Center and overflow areas on Temple Square for the conference. Three general sessions and the priesthood session originated in the Conference Center; the Saturday afternoon session was broadcast from the Tabernacle for that building's rededication. With interpreters translating the conference into 90 languages, the proceedings were sent, via satellite, to more than 160 countries and territories.
During four addresses, President Hinckley asked Church members to be a little kinder and reminisced about his life.
"The wind is blowing, and I feel like the last leaf on the tree," he said Sunday morning. "Actually my health is quite good, despite all the rumors to the contrary. Skillful doctors and nurses keep me on the right track, and some of you may go before I do."
As proof of his good health, President Hinckley, 96, avoided the lift in the Salt Lake Tabernacle Saturday afternoon and instead walked unaided up the stairs to the podium. He addressed that session and offered the prayer to rededicate the Tabernacle.
The 360-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Craig Jessop and Mack Wilberg, provided music for four sessions of the conference. The Combined Men's Choir from BYU, under the direction of Ronald Staheli, provided music for the priesthood session.
During the conference, five new General Authorities — all from countries outside the United States — a new Relief Society general presidency, and a new counselor in the Young Women general presidency were sustained. (See articles on pages 2, 27.) In addition, 46 new Area Seventies were sustained. (See article on this page.)
For the first time, The World Report, a 30-minute news program highlighting significant Church events, was released on the Web. Previously the program could be viewed only on the Church's satellite system between conference sessions.
