Members 'richly taught' in general conference
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
At the conclusion of the 179th Semiannual General Conference — during which thousands worldwide were "richly taught and spiritually edified" — President Thomas S. Monson urged Church members to leave better than they were two days earlier.
"I love you, my brothers and sisters," he said. "I pray for you. I would ask once again that you would remember me and all the General Authorities in prayers. We are one with you in moving forward this marvelous work.
"I testify to you that we are all in this together and that every man, woman and child has a part to play. May God give us the strength and the ability and the determination to play our part well."
More than 100,000 Church members gathered Oct. 3-4 in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City to hear President Monson and other Church leaders offer counsel and direction.
Capacity crowds filled the 21,000-seat Conference Center and overflow areas on Temple Square for the conference sessions, which were translated into more than 90 languages and sent via satellite to more than 170 countries and territories. In addition, proceedings were broadcast on KSL-TV and BYU-TV, in Spanish on TV-Azteca and to more than 1,700 cable television systems and radio and television stations in the United States and Canada.
President Monson presided at the conference and spoke during four of the five sessions. He also conducted the Sunday morning session. His counselors in the First Presidency, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, each conducted two sessions.
The 360-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy, provided music for three sessions of conference. A combined choir from stakes in Bountiful and Farmington, directed by Michael Huff, provided music for the Saturday afternoon session; an Aaronic Priesthood choir from stakes in West Jordan, Utah, directed by Neil Hendriksen, provided music for the priesthood session. Clay Christiansen, Richard Elliott, Andrew Unsworth, Linda Margetts and Bonnie Goodliffe accompanied the choirs on the organ.
President Monson opened conference announcing the construction of five new temples Saturday morning. With 130 temples currently operating and with another 16 in some phase of planning or construction, these five temples bring the total to 151. (See report on page 2.)
"Brothers and sisters, the Church continues to grow, as it has since being organized over 179 years ago," President Monson said. "It is changing the lives of more and more people every year and is spreading far and wide over the earth as our missionary force seeks out those who are looking for the truths which are found in the gospel of Jesus Christ."
During general conference, four members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were given emeritus status: Elder Charles Didier, Elder John M. Madsen, Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen and Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander. In addition nine members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy were released: Elder Douglas L. Callister, Elder Shirley D. Christensen, Elder James M. Dunn, Elder Daryl H. Garn, Elder Clate W. Mask Jr., Elder Robert C. Oaks, Elder William W. Parmley, Elder W. Douglas Shumway and Elder Robert S. Wood. (See report on page 23.)
"I bear my testimony to you that this work is true, that our Savior lives and that He guides His Church upon the earth," said President Monson as he brought the conference to a close Sunday afternoon. "I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father and He is personal and real."
