Edifying, uplifting worldwide gathering
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During an "edifying and uplifting conference" — marked by the sustaining of a new member of the First Presidency and a new apostle — President Gordon B. Hinckley called the work of the Church a great miracle "taking place right before our eyes."
"The Church has become one large family scattered across the earth," President Hinckley, 97, said. "There are now more than 13 million of us in 176 nations and territories. A marvelous and wonderful thing is coming to pass."
During the address — one of some 200 conference addresses he has delivered during his life as a General Authority — he bore testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and of Joseph Smith's prophetic calling. "You and I are faced with the stark question of accepting the truth of the First Vision and that which followed it. On the question of its reality, lies the very validity of this Church. If it is the truth, and I testify that it is, then the work in which we are engaged is the most important work on the earth."
Latter-day Saints worldwide gathered Oct. 6-7 for the Church's 177th Semiannual 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, Oct. 6, and Sunday, Oct. 7, and the priesthood session Saturday evening.
Capacity crowds filled the 21,000-seat Conference Center and overflow areas on Temple Square for the conference, which was translated into 91 languages and sent, via satellite, to more than 160 countries and territories.
Conference was also broadcast on KSL-TV and BYU-TV, in Spanish on KSVN-TV, and to more than 1,700 cable television systems and radio and television stations in the United States and Canada. Closed captioning of the proceedings was available in Spanish.
The 360-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Craig Jessop and Mack Wilberg, provided music for three sessions of the conference. A choir composed of young women from stakes in Mapleton and Springville, Utah, directed by Manu Harris, provided music for the Saturday afternoon session; a father and son choir from stakes in Centerville, Bountiful and West Bountiful, Utah, directed by Stephen P. Schank, provided music for the Priesthood Session.
Following are several conference highlights:
• President Henry B. Eyring, formerly of the Quorum of the Twelve, was sustained Oct. 6 as second counselor in the First Presidency, filling a vacancy created by the death on Aug. 10 of President James E. Faust, who served as President Hinckley's counselor for 12 years.
• Elder Quentin L. Cook was sustained Saturday morning as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, filling the vacancy left by President Eyring.
• During a press conference between the two general sessions of conference Saturday, Elder Eyring and Elder Cook bore witness that God lives, Jesus is the Christ and that President Hinckley is a living prophet today. Each said they accepted their new calling because of that testimony.
• Elder Claudio R.M. Costa, Elder Steven E. Snow and Elder Walter F. Gonzalez were sustained as new members of the Presidency of the Seventy Saturday morning. Elder Costa's and Elder Snow's callings were announced June 9, 2007. (Please see Church News, June 9, p. 8.)
Elder Gonzalez was called to fill a vacancy left by Elder Cook. A native of Uruguay, Elder Gonzalez was formerly Church Educational System director for the South America North Area, a CES employee and area public affairs director. Sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy March 31, 2001, Elder Gonzalez had previously served in the South America North Area presidency and as an Area Seventy.
• President Gordon B. Hinckley recognized Tabernacle organist John Longhurst — who is soon retiring after 30 years — during the Saturday morning session. After the closing hymn, "I Believe in Christ," composed by Brother Longhurst, and postlude music, he received applause from the Tabernacle Choir and the congregation in recognition of his years of service.
• Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve composed the text to the hymn, "Our Prayer to Thee," that was performed by the Tabernacle Choir Sunday afternoon.
• Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve delivered a heartfelt address on love, with the help of Elder Nelson, who literally supported him during a moment of physical weakness. According to Church spokesman Scott Trotter, "Elder Wirthlin attended the entire five sessions of General Conference and continues in his regular day-to-day Church assignments."
• In the closing moments of the conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley declared that, at age 97, he looks forward to speaking in general conference again in April.
