See more of the The Universe’s coverage of the 185th Annual General Conference.
President Thomas S. Monson began the Sunday morning session of the 185th Annual General Conference by announcing three new temples to be built in Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; and Bangkok, Thailand. President Monson said the building of new temples is indicative of the growth of the church.
Congruous with his historic announcement, President Monson advised church members to go to the temple more frequently. “As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary we find beauty and order,” he said. “There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives. As we attend the temple, there can come to us a dimension of spirituality and a feeling of peace which will transcend any other feeling which could come into the human heart.”
President Monson told the story of a young man who was in the temple seeking understanding about disappointing news he had received regarding his mission call and life circumstances. President Monson related how another young man, Landon, heeded a prompting to talk to the young man and was able to act as an answer to his prayer.
President Monson explained that in the temple, prayers are answered and attendees receive revelation and inspiration. “In our lives we will have temptation; we will have trials and challenges,” he said. “As we go to the temple, as we remember the covenants we make there, we will be better able to overcome those temptations and to bear our trials. In the temple we can find peace. The blessings of the temple are priceless.”
President Monson related the value and role of the temple in his life, as he told of the value of his marriage to his late wife, Sister Frances Monson. He attributed their eternal and the possibility of being together for eternity to the Savior Jesus Christ, explaining that this Easter season makes the gift of eternal families and everlasting life a possibility for all.
“May our Heavenly Father bless us that we may have the spirit of temple worship, that we may be obedient to his commandments, and that we may follow carefully the steps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” he said. “I testify that he is our Redeemer. He is the son of God. … On this beautiful day, as we celebrate that momentous event, may we offer prayers of gratitude for his great and marvelous gifts to us.”
