President Thomas S Monson "Welcome to Conference"
"How good it is, my beloved brothers and sisters, to meet together once again. It has been just over 183 years since the Church was organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith, under the direction of the Lord. At that meeting on April 6, 1830, there were six members of the Church present.
I am happy to announce that two weeks ago the membership of the Church reached fifteen million. The Church continues to grow steadily and to change the lives of more and more people every year. It is spreading across the earth as our missionary force seeks out those who are searching for the truth.
It has scarcely been one year since I announced the lowering of the age of missionary service. Since that time, the number of full-time missionaries serving has increased from 58,500 in October 2012 to 80,333 today. What a tremendous and inspiring response we have witnessed!
The holy scriptures contain no proclamation more relevant, no responsibility more binding, no instruction more direct than the injunction given by the resurrected Lord as He appeared in Galilee to the eleven disciples. Said He: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”(Matthew 28:19). The Prophet Joseph Smith declared: “After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel” (History of the Church 2:478). Some of you here today will yet remember the words of President David O. McKay, who phrased the familiar “Every member a missionary!”
To their words I add my own. Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him. He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work.
To help maintain our ever-increasing missionary force, I have asked our members in the past to contribute, as they are able, to their ward missionary fund or to the General Missionary Fund of the Church. The response to that request has been gratifying and has helped support thousands of missionaries whose circumstances do not allow them to support themselves. I thank you for your generous contributions. The need for help is ongoing, that we might continue to assist those whose desire to serve is great but who do not, by themselves, have the means to do so.
Now, brothers and sisters, we have come here to be instructed and inspired. Many messages, covering a variety of gospel topics, will be given during the next two days. Those men and women who will speak to you have sought Heaven’s help concerning the messages they will give.
It is now my prayer that we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord as we listen and learn. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen."
Elder Robert D. Hales, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"Strengthening Faith & Testimony"
“I testify that we are gathered in [the Savior’s] conference,” said Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve in his Saturday morning remarks. “I also testify that we will hear His word, for He has said, ‘Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same,’” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:38).
Elder Hales noted that conferences have always been a part of the true Church of Jesus Christ. Adam, Moses, the Savior, Peter and the early Saints all gathered multitudes to teach and hear the gospel.
“These conferences are always under the direction of the Lord, guided by His Spirit,” said Elder Hales. Speakers are not assigned topics but “through fasting, prayer, study and pondering, we learn the message that He wants us to give.”
Speaking to the young members of the Church, Elder Hales said, “I promise that if you will listen, you will feel the Spirit well up within you. The Lord will tell you what He wants you to do.”
Elder Hales explained that through conferences, individuals can receive the word of the Lord meant just for them. “This is possible because the Holy Ghost carries the word of the Lord unto our hearts in terms we can understand.”
Elder Hales said that when he takes notes during conference he does not always write the exact words of the speaker; instead, he writes the personalized direction of the Spirit. “What is said is not as important as what I hear and what I feel.
“Oh, how we need general conference!” he said. “Through conferences our faith is fortified and our testimonies deepened. And when we are converted, we strengthen each other to stand strong amid the fiery darts of these last days.”
Noting that in recent decades the Church has largely been spared the terrible misunderstandings and persecutions experienced by early Saints, Elder Hales warned that will not always be so. “The world is moving away from the Lord faster and farther than ever before.”
Elder Hales promised that those who will listen and obey the prophets, “including those who will speak in this very conference,” will be strengthened and protected. He noted, however, that the greatest blessings come after the conference is over. “Remember the pattern recorded frequently in scripture: we gather to hear the words of the Lord, and we return to our homes to live them.”
In addition to personal and family scripture study, Heavenly Father wants the members to study and apply lessons from conference, Elder Hales said. “I testify that those who put their trust in the Lord and heed this counsel in faith will gain great strength to bless themselves and their families for generations to come.”
He concluded, “I bear my special witness that the Lord Jesus Christ lives and stands at the head of this Church. This is His general conference. I promise you in His name that if you pray with sincere desire to hear your Heavenly Father’s voice in the messages of this conference, you will discover that He has spoken to you to help you, to strengthen you and to lead you home into His presence.”
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy
"Be Meek and Lowly of Heart"
"As we take Christ's name upon us, it is expected that we strive to emulate His attributes and change our character to become more like Him each day," Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy said during the Saturday Morning session of general conference.
"Meekness is vital for us to become more Christlike," he said. "Without it we won't able to develop other important virtues. Being meek does not mean weakness, but it does mean behaving with goodness and kindness, showing strength, serenity, healthy self-worth and self-control."
Elder Soares explained that everyone is "born with the seed of meekness in our hearts" and it takes time and effort to become meek in daily life.
"The first step to becoming meek is to improve day-by-day," he said. "Each day we need to try to be better than the previous as we move forward through this process."
Another step Elder Soares said was to control one's temper. "What is your response when someone offends you, critiques your efforts, or is simply unkind because they are in a bad mood?" he asked, and then added, "At these moments and in other difficult situations, we must learn to control our temper and convey our feelings with patience and gentle persuasion."
By removing the feeling of anger, "we will begin to qualify for the gift of meekness," Elder Soares said.
Becoming humble is another step towards meekness. "I believe only those who are humble are able to acknowledge and understand the Lord's answers to their prayers. The humble are teachable, recognizing how dependent they are on God, and desiring to be subject to His will," he said.
Elder Soares told the conversion story of Moses Mahlangu in Johannesburg, South Africa, and how he was unable to attend services or be baptized because of the country's laws during the 1970s. Brother Mahlangu did not become discouraged but, rather, continued to investigate the Church. He even asked the leaders to leave a meetinghouse window open so he could be able to listen to the meetings from outside the building. It wasn't until 10 years later that Brother Mahlangu was able to attend meetings and be baptized.
"It is possible to reject the evil influences in our lives, control our anger, become meek and develop the attributes of our Savior. He showed us the way. He gave us the perfect example and commanded to teach each one of us to become as He is," Elder Soares said.
Sister Carole M. Stephens, 1st Counselor General Relief Society Presidency
"Do we know what we have?"
"To achieve divine destiny, each son and daughter of God needs priesthood ordinances and covenants," Sister Carole M. Stephens, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency said.
She explained how several important ordinances and covenants are necessary to obtain a divine future. They include baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, temple endowments, sealing ordinance and partaking of the sacrament.
"These priesthood ordinances and covenants provide access to the fullness of the blessings promised to us by God, which are made possible by the Savior's Atonement," she said.
Sister Stephens recounted a recent trip to Honduras where she visited the homes of four women. Each sister and their families "were in need of priesthood keys and authority, priesthood ordinances and covenants and priesthood power and blessings," she said.
These sisters varied in different circumstances -- from a husband who was not a member to a husband who had passed away and sisters who have never married. Priesthood leaders who accompanied Sister Stephens and gave priesthood blessings to each sister when she asked.
"Each wept as she expressed gratitude for the comfort, direction, encouragement and inspiration that came from her Heavenly Father through a worthy priesthood holder," she said.
Sister Stephens explained the importance of men and women here on the earth.
"There exists today a great need for men and women to cultivate respect for each other as sons and daughters of God and reverence for our Father in Heaven and His priesthood -- His power and authority."
"We all need each other," she said. "Sons of God need daughters of God, and daughters of God need sons of God."
Sister Stephens asked if members knew who they are and what role they play in the gospel.
"Sons of God, do you know who you are? Are you worthy to exercise the priesthood and receive the power and blessings of the priesthood?"
"Daughters of God, do we know who we are? Are we worthy to receive the power and blessings of the priesthood?"
She concluded, "We are beloved spirit sons and daughters of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and destiny. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, loved us enough to give His life for us. His Atonement provides the way for us to progress on the path to our heavenly home, through sacred priesthood ordinances and covenants."
Elder Edward Dube, First Quorum of the Seventy
"Look ahead and believe"
While working in the fields as a boy with his mother, Elder Edward Dube of the Seventy explained in his Saturday morning general conference address, he was taught one of the most important lessons of his life. He said he looked back at the and said to his mother, "Look at all we have done." His mother said, "Edward, never look back, look at what we still have to do."
Relating this to Church service, Elder Dube said, "The Lord through His servants calls us to serve in various callings, which we accept with total commitment." He explained that when a release has been extended and a new assignment has been issued, members joyfully accept it, are not overshadowed by previous experiences, and don't think they have served enough already. Elder Dube then quoted President J. Reuben Clark: "In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how."
Using the early Saints as an example, Elder Dube quoted the late Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve: "They did not know exactly where they were going, precisely how many miles lay ahead, how long the journey would take, or what the future held in store for them. But they did know they were led by the Lord and His servants."
Elder Dube declared that the pioneers knew how to look ahead and believe. "We too can look ahead and believe," said Elder Dube. "We can embrace the invitation of our Lord, who with stretched open hands invites us, 'come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light' " (Mathew 11:28-30).
He encouraged members to unite in a common objective "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). He explained that the Savior Jesus Christ sees from beginning to end. He knew His own road of travel through Gethsemane and Golgotha when He proclaimed, "No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).
Elder Dube said, "In the sight of the Lord it is not so much on what we have done or where we have been, but much more where we are willing to go."
Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
'The Windows of Heaven'
The honest payment of tithing is more than a duty — it is an important step in the process of personal sanctification, declared Elder David A. Bednar in his Saturday morning talk.
Elder Bednar testified that individuals can enjoy significant but sometimes subtle blessings when they follow the Lord's commandment to pay tithing. Dutiful tithe payers might not receive any sudden or obvious additions to, say, their household incomes. Instead, a loving Heavenly Father typically bestows simple blessings in seemingly ordinary ways.
"Often as we teach and testify about the law of tithing, we emphasize the immediate, dramatic and readily recognizable temporal blessings that we receive. And surely such blessings do occur. Yet some of the diverse blessings we obtain as we are obedient to this commandment are significant but subtle. Such blessings can only be discerned if we are both spiritually attentive and observant" (see 1 Corinthians 2:14).
He said the prophet Malachi utilizes the imagery of windows to teach of the blessings that come from paying tithing. Windows allow natural light to enter a building.
"In like manner, spiritual illumination and perspective are poured out through the windows of heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing," Elder Bednar said.
He testified that those who are spiritually attentive will be blessed with an illuminated recognition of the Lord's blessings in their lives.
"Sometimes we may ask God for success, and He gives us physical and mental stamina. We might plead for prosperity, and we receive enlarged perspective and increased patience, or we petition for growth and are blessed with the gift of grace. He may bestow upon us conviction and confidence as we strive to achieve worthy goals. And when we plead for relief from physical, mental and spiritual difficulties, He may increase our resolve and resilience."
Elder Bednar said he has gained a greater appreciation and reverence for the Lord's law of finance for individuals, families and for His Church since receiving his call as an apostle. Latter-day revelation teaches that the disbursement of Church tithes is overseen by the Presiding Bishopric and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
"These sacred funds are used in a rapidly growing Church to spiritually bless individuals and families by constructing and maintaining temples and houses of worship, supporting missionary work, translating and publishing scriptures, fostering family history research, funding schools and religious education, and accomplishing many other Church purposes as directed by the Lord's ordained servants."
Two basic and fixed principles are observed in the financial operations of the Church: First, the Church lives within its means and does not spend more than it receives. Second, a portion of the annual income is set aside as a reserve for contingencies and unanticipated needs.
Elder Bednar said his own faith has been strengthened as he has witnessed the lives of devoted members across the globe. "Your goodness and willing obedience to the law of tithing inspires me to be a better man, husband, father and Church leader."
President Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor First Presidency
'Come, join with us'
“Come, join with us,” said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency.
Speaking during the Saturday morning session, President Uchtdorf said that God’s children will find “the words of eternal life, the promise of blessed redemption, and the pathway to peace and happiness” in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“If you seek truth, meaning and a way to transform faith into action; if you are looking for a place of belonging: Come, join with us,” he said.
“If you have left the faith you once embraced: Come back again. Join with us.
“If you are tempted to give up: Stay yet a little longer. There is room for you here.
“I plead with all who hear or read these words: Come, join with us."
At a time where many churches throughout the world are experiencing significant decreases in numbers, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the fastest growing churches in the world, said President Uchtdorf, who noted that President Thomas S. Monson announced earlier in the session that the Church has more than 15 million members now.
There are many reasons for this growth, he said.
- First, the Church was restored by Jesus Christ Himself. “Here you will find the authority to act in His name — to baptize for the remission of sins, to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to seal on earth and in heaven,” he said. “Those who join this Church love the Savior Jesus Christ, and they wish to follow Him.”
- Another reason is because the Church provides opportunities for doing good. Believing in God is commendable, but most people want to do more than listen to inspirational sermons, he said. “They want to put their faith into practice. They want to roll up their sleeves and become engaged in this great cause.”
- A third reason why people join the Church is because walking the path of discipleship leads to precious blessings, President Uchtdorf said. “Those who follow this path faithfully avoid many of the pitfalls, sorrows and regrets of life. The poor in spirit and honest of heart find great treasures of knowledge here. Those who suffer or grieve find healing here. Those burdened with sin find forgiveness, liberty and rest.”
“One might ask, ‘If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave?’
“Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Actually, it is not that simple,” he explained. “In fact there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations.”
President Uchtdorf said some members struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past. “We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of Church history — along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable, and divine events — there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question,” he said. “Sometimes questions arise because we simply don’t have all the information and we just need a bit more patience. When the entire truth is eventually known, things that didn’t make sense to us before will be resolved to our satisfaction.”
President Uchtdorf said there have been times when members or leaders in the Church have simply made mistakes. “There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles or doctrine.
“I suppose the Church would only be perfect if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure. But He works through us — His imperfect children — and imperfect people make mistakes.”
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