Thirty-eight years ago, then-Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve stood at the pulpit of the Salt Lake Tabernacle and addressed his remarks to a widow, Mrs. Patton, he had known as a boy growing up in Salt Lake City. During World War II, she had lost her beloved son, Arthur.

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In Saturday morning session, President Thomas S. Monson speaks of "the glorious message of hope and love" that comes through the Savior's atoning sacrifice and resurrection.

In his April 1969 conference address, Elder Monson hearkened back to those years to offer comfort and to "share with all who were within the sound of my voice the glorious message of hope and love."

During the Saturday morning session of this year's October general conference, President Monson, now first counselor in the First Presidency, tenderly shared the rest of the account.

"Recently I have felt impressed to refer once again to Arthur and to relate to you what transpired following my original message."

President Monson reflected on 1940, when "the great conflict which would become World War II was overtaking much of Europe." A boy who stood taller than any other boy in their class, Arthur Patton, was able to fool the recruiting officers and enlisted in the Navy at the age of 15. His mother proudly hung the blue star in her window, signifying to "every passerby that her son wore the uniform of his country and was actively serving.... Arthur meant everything to his widowed mother."

Then, in 1944, Arthur was lost at sea when his ship, the U.S.S. White Plains, was attacked. The blue star was replaced by a gold one, "indicating that he whom the blue star represented had been killed in battle. A light went out in the life of Mrs. Patton. She groped in utter darkness and deep despair."

Young Tommy Monson went to see Mrs. Patton, who "embraced me as she would her own son. Home became a chapel as a grief-stricken mother and a less-than-adequate boy knelt in prayer. Arising from our knees, Mrs. Patton gazed into my eyes and spoke: 'Tommy, I belong to no church, but you do. Tell me, will Arthur live again?' To the best of my ability, I testified to her that Arthur would indeed live again."

Then, on April 6, 1969, Elder Monson stood in the Tabernacle and related this account. "I mentioned that I had lost track of Mrs. Patton but that I wanted to once more answer her question, 'Will Arthur live again?'

"I referred to the Savior of the World, who walked the dusty paths of villages we now reverently called the Holy Land; who caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the dead to live; to Him who tenderly and lovingly assured us, 'I am the way, the truth and the life."'

He then explained the plan and purpose of life, that man comes from the majestic world of spirits to the grand stage of life to "prove ourselves obedient to all things commanded of God. During mortality we grow from helpless infancy to inquiring childhood and then to reflective maturity. We experience joy and sorrow, fulfillment and disappointment, success and failure. We taste the sweet, yet sample the bitter. This is mortality.

"Then to each life comes the experience known as death. None is exempt. All must pass its portals....

"I assured Mrs. Patton and all others who were listening that God would never forsake them — that He sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to teach us by example the life we should live. His Son died upon the cross to redeem all mankind."

The apostle then referred to the words of the Savior to the grieving Martha and to His disciples: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."

"I explained that until the glorious resurrection morning, we walk by faith. 'For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face."'

He assured Mrs. Patton that God the Father was mindful of her, "that through sincere prayer she could communicate with Him."

Now, 38 years later, President Monson said he wanted to share the rest of the account. He said he had little or no hope that Mrs. Patton, not a member of the Church, would ever hear that address but that he had hoped his message "would reach and touch others who had lost a loved one."

Then, he said, "I learned that something akin to a miracle had taken place." LDS neighbors of Mrs. Terese Patton in California invited her to their home to listen to a session of that April 1969 general conference. "She accepted their invitation and thus was listening to the very session where I directed my remarks to her personally."

In early May of that year, he received a letter postmarked Pomona, Calif., dated April 29, 1969. It was from Mrs. Patton.

"Dear Tommy," the letter read. "I hope you don't mind my calling you Tommy, as I always think of you that way. I don't know how to thank you for the comforting talk you gave.... I have had many questions over the years, and you have answered them. I am now at peace concerning Arthur.... God bless and keep you always, Love, Terese Patton."

President Monson continued: "Although Mrs. Patton has long since left mortality, I have felt a strong impression to share with you the manner in which our Heavenly Father blessed and provided for her in her need. With all the strength of my soul I testify that our Heavenly Father loves each one of us. He hears the prayers of humble hearts, He hears our cries for help, as He heard Mrs. Patton."