In the opening moments of the Church's 178th Semiannual General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson offered simple comfort and direction to Latter-day Saints worldwide: "Our Heavenly Father is mindful of each one of us and our needs," he said.

Photo by Mike Terry/Deseret News

President Thomas S. Monson acknowledges congregation while exiting with his wife, Frances. President Henry B. Eyring and his wife, Kathleen, follow.

"We have come here to be instructed and inspired," he continued. "Some of you are new to the Church. We welcome you. Some of you are struggling with problems, with challenges, with disappointments, with losses. We love you and pray for you. Many messages will be shared during the next two days. I can assure you that those men and women who will speak to you have prayed about what they should say. They have been inspired and impressed as they have sought Heaven's help and direction."

Tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints gathered Oct. 4-5 for the conference, held in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City and broadcast to more than 6,000 satellite connections around the world and translated into more than 90 languages.

Crowds filled the 21,000 seat Conference Center and overflow areas on Temple Square for the meeting, which 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.

The 360-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Mack Wilberg and Edgar Thompson, interim assistant director, provided music for three sessions of the conference. A Primary choir from Kaysville and Fruit Heights, Utah, directed by Colleen Paddock, provided music for the Saturday afternoon session; a priesthood choir from the Provo Missionary Training Center, directed by Douglas Brenchley, provided music for the Priesthood Session. Clay Christiansen, Andrew Unsworth, Richard Elliott, Linda Margetts and Bonnie Goodliffe accompanied the choirs on the organ during the sessions.

President Monson, who presided at four general conference sessions and the priesthood session, said the past six months had flown by. "Much has transpired as the work of the Lord has moved forward uninterrupted."

Three temples dedicated

President Monson explained that it has been his privilege, accompanied by his counselors and by other General Authorities, to dedicate three new temples: in Curitiba, Brazil; in Panama City, Panama; and in Twin Falls, Idaho — bringing to 128 the number of temples in operation throughout the world. He spoke of magnificent cultural events held the night before each temple dedication took place.

In Curitiba, Brazil, 4,330 members from the temple district filled a soccer stadium's field, supported by a choir of 1,700 voices. "The wind had been blowing and rain threatened," recalled President Monson. "I offered a silent prayer asking Heavenly Father to look with mercy upon those who had prepared so diligently for our entertainment and whose costumes and presentations would be damaged if a heavy rain or wind enveloped them. He honored that prayer, and it wasn't until the end of the show and later on that evening that rain fell in abundance."

In Panama City, Panama, some 900 youth gathered from across Panama the evening before the dedication of the temple.

"They were dressed in colorful folkloric costumes as they danced and presented messages of family, fellowship and faith," he said. "We learned that they had been practicing for a year. They came from points as distant as the San Blas Islands and the Changuinola region in northeast Panama. The trip to the capital city for the San Blas youth exacted three days of travel over land and sea. The event was magnificent and inspiring."

In preparation for the most recent temple dedication in Twin Falls, Idaho, Church members constructed a huge stage at the Filer, Idaho, fairgrounds, at which 3,200 youth performed, he said.

"They depicted, through song and dance, both their dependence for their spiritual lives on the living water from the Savior and their dependence for their physical lives on the mountain streams and rivers in their area. Those of us privileged to witness this event were uplifted and edified."

President Monson said he is an advocate for such events. "They enable our youth to participate in something they find truly unforgettable. The friendships they form and the memories they make will be theirs forever."

He said that next month the Mexico City Mexico Temple will be rededicated following extensive renovations. In coming months the construction of other temples will be completed and open houses and dedications will take place, said President Monson before announcing the construction of five new temples.

Church continues to grow

"Brothers and sisters, our missionary force, serving throughout the world, continues to seek out those who are searching for the truths which are found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church is growing steadily, as it has since its organization over 178 years ago.

"It has been my privilege during the past six months to meet with leaders of countries and with representatives of governments. Those with whom I've met feel kindly toward the Church and our members, and they have been cooperative and accommodating.

"There remain, however, areas of the world where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely. As did President Spencer W. Kimball over 32 years ago, I urge you to pray for the opening of those areas, that we might share with them the joy of the gospel. As we prayed then in response to President Kimball's pleadings, we saw miracles unfold as country after country formerly closed to the Church was opened.

"Such will transpire again as we pray with faith."