Reaching out to others as we "conquer the future" was President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's message to thousands of Church members gathered in meetinghouses across the United Kingdom and Irish Republic as part of multi-stake conference sessions broadcast live via satellite, June 6 and 7.

For many British and Irish Latter-day Saints, this was a unique opportunity to hear a member of the First Presidency, along with a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Neil L. Andersen, at close hand. President Uchtdorf and Elder Andersen were accompanied by their wives, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf and Sister Kathy Andersen. Also speaking at the Sunday session of the broadcast were Sister Cheryl C. Lant, Primary general president, and Sister Ann M. Dibb, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency.

At the broadcast, which originated from a packed Hyde Park chapel in the heart of London, President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, encouraged the Latter-day Saints to "reach out to everyone in kindness and in love," adding, "that is the power of the gospel, by practicing what we preach."

President Uchtdorf used the example of the Gulf Stream, the ocean current that brings warmth to the British Isles: "The gospel of Jesus Christ has a greater power than the Gulf Stream. It warms the hearts, it warms the nations, it blesses and warms families and individual lives. It has great power to grow, not only palm trees, but lives and families and futures, if we only embrace it."

He acknowledged the pioneering foundation laid by Church members from Britain and Ireland and paid tribute to the members' continued dedication.

"You are a tremendous and a marvelous people. You are loved throughout the world, because in the history of the Church your people have blessed the Church in a marvelous way and you are still on this path."

During President Uchtdorf's satellite address, he identified problems faced in society and urged members to be spiritually resilient. "We do not have to fear. Let us not be guided by our fears. At a time (when) economic or moral challenges in the world like to take their toll in individual lives, we have to remember that God is with us and we do not have to fear. We do not have the spirit of fear but of hope and of power."

Elder Anderson centered his remarks around a statement made by President Brigham Young more than 150 years ago to the effect that the Church would prosper, grow and extend and, in the same proportion, the power of Satan would rise.

"We all know that it takes added effort to keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world," Elder Andersen said. "To keep faith burning brightly in our own hearts and in the generation that follows, and to keep the teachings of Christ and His influence above all others."

Elder Anderson assured listeners that in an atmosphere of commotion and unrighteousness, the Lord provides added inspiration and revelation for the righteous.

"All has been foreseen," he said. "As you pray and do your best to keep the commandments and seek the Lord's Spirit, honestly guiding your families, and helping to strengthen the Kingdom of God upon the earth, the Lord will bless you with His power and His peace."

Sister Lant asked the congregation to strengthen their families.

She said there are things that can "help us make our homes a place of refuge for our families."

First, she said, evaluate activities and priorities. "Are the things we do in our families bringing us closer to the Lord, or are they taking us deeper into the world?" she asked.

Second, counsel together as a family.

"We need to go back to the basics of prayer, scripture study and family home evening. This is how we teach our children."

Finally, she asked the congregation to make and keep sacred covenants.

"Our covenants must define our lives," she said.

Sister Dibb told the congregation that they must be virtuous and continually worthy to enter the temple.

She said Connie Boyle of the Redding England Stake gave her father, President Thomas S. Monson, a bookmark that conveys the message, "Run to the Temple."

President Monson let Sister Dibb use this bookmark.

"I've kept it in my scriptures for the past eight years as a continual reminder that I must always be worthy to go to the temple," she said. "I must remain pure so that I will qualify for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. This is the only sure protection that will enable me to be safe in a very challenging world."

In a priesthood session on June 6, the day marking the 65th anniversary of the Word War II D-Day landings, President Uchtdorf told the brethren: "We are the army of God and we are here to bring a powerful, wonderful message to the world. We are united regardless of culture or background, race, color or whatever it may be."

He urged the men of the Church in the British Isles to be a "banner for Europe."

Addressing the priesthood meeting, Elder Andersen spoke of the statue in London's Kensington Gardens of the man on the horse, "Physical Energy," by George Frederick Watts.

"I thought as I looked at that beautiful statue, where could we find one that says 'spiritual energy'?"

He urged the congregation to pray, study, keep the commandments and worship.

"We cannot think that our faith will grow if we neglect the things that we know to be right," Elder Andersen said.

But he cautioned, "It's not about us."

He told the congregation to lose their lives in the service of others. "Reach out, reach out to others, be as Christ is."

He concluded: "I bear witness that our faith in Christ will be a badge of honor to us. … As we seek the Lord, He comes to us."

Photo courtesy Europe Area

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder Neil L. Andersen shake hands of missionaries following a missionary meeting in London.

Combined missionary conferences were held at Hyde Park, with 280 missionaries from the England London and England London South Missions.

At a young single adult fireside on Sunday, President Uchtdorf emphasized the importance of establishing a spiritual heritage. He told the congregation, "Don't underestimate the legacy and power you are establishing for future generations. … The United Kingdom needs you, Ireland needs you."

His visit had been eagerly awaited by Church members. Marquitta Leavitt, from the London England Hyde Park Stake, said, "What I get out of it is motivation – there's just something very inspiring about being in the presence of General Authorities and especially a member of the First Presidency."

A sister, originally from South Africa, remarked that the conference "just cements your testimony, it just adds to the foundation you already have."

Photo courtesy Europe Area

A queue forms prior to priesthood session of regional conference broadcast originating in London and aired throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.

New remote-control, high definition, state-of-the-art cameras were used in London by the Church Audiovisual Department for the satellite transmission throughout the British Isles. Simultaneous translation was provided for conference-goers.

During their visit to London, President Uchtdorf and Elder Andersen also toured the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament.

There are 182,000 members in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland.

— Malcolm Adcock of Europe Area Public Affairs provided informationand contributed to the writing of this report.