By Elizabeth Kasper
President James E. Faust
President James E. Faust spoke about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and its worldwide application.
'As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we care about all of God''s children,' he said. 'It follows then that all mankind, living and dead, should have the opportunity to hear the gospel.'
President Faust recounted the apostasy that followed the Savior''s mortal ministry up to the restoration of priesthood keys and authority to Joseph Smith in the 19th century. As members of the restored church today, he said, our mission is to have love and respect for others.
' requires a greater obligation to invoke the essence of the gospel of Christ in our lives, to love and serve others,' he said.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland focused his address on those facing personal trials 'in the lonely foxholes of the heart.' He offered 'the surest and sweetest remedy' he knew: to come unto Jesus Christ.
'He is saying, ''Trust me. Learn of me. Do what I do,''' Elder Holland said. '''Then, along the way, we can talk about your troubles. If you follow me, I will lead you out of darkness.'''
Elder Holland said if members of the church would believe, repent, pray and succor the weak, among other things, they would realize their lives are 'filled with scores of thoroughfares leading to the Savior.'
'Experience firsthand the majesty of His touch,' he said. 'He is not going to turn His back on us now. ... May we all come unto Him and be made whole.'
Elder Earl C. Tingey of the Presidency of the Seventy
'Why not speak of the Atonement of Christ?' was the theme of Elder Earl C. Tingey''s talk.
'The Atonement is an event that allows us to be reconciled to God,' he said.
Through the great plan of happiness, Elder Tingey said, we learn five great truths: the existence of God and Jesus Christ; the knowledge that we are here to gain mortal experience; the fact that we can overcome sins; the knowledge that the Fall of Adam and Eve brought about physical and spiritual death; and that Christ descended below all things, having been subject to physical death.
'Sadness through separation will become happiness through reuniting ,' Elder Tingey said. Quoting President Boyd K. Packer, he continued, 'If you understand the plan of happiness and follow it, what goes on in the world will not determine your happiness.'
Sister Anne C. Pingree, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
Sister Anne C. Pingree began her talk with a story about two senior sister missionaries whom, she said, 'embodied true spiritual maturity.'
'Young or older, all of us must grow up unto the Lord,' she said. 'Unlike physically growing up, we will not mature spiritually until we choose to put away childish things.'
Sister Pingree said growing up unto the Lord included daily prayer, scripture study, 'determined service to others, even in difficult circumstances' and pressing forward in faith. She cited the example of Nephi in the Book of Mormon.
'In short, Nephi looked for a resolution, not at the roadblocks,' she said. 'God could and would help him fulfill every commandment he received.'
She also said we will be asked to do all we can, but if we do so, we will be shown great things.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Elder Dallin H. Oaks spoke about what the Book of Mormon teaches concerning the universal nature of the gospel.
'One of the things I learned was how much God loves all of His children in every nation,' he said. 'The gospel of Jesus Christ is universal in its promise and effect.'
Elder Oaks said the invitation to come unto Christ applied to everyone. He recounted spiritual experiences of people in Thailand, Nigeria, Russia, Cambodia, India and Mongolia. Elder Oaks said stories like these are evidence that God manifests Himself to all people.
'One man shall not think himself above another,' Elder Oaks said. 'The Book of Mormon is a great witness that the Lord loves everyone everywhere.'
President Gordon B. Hinckley
President Gordon B. Hinckley reflected upon the course his life had taken through his personal experiences and church service.
'I now face the sunset of my life,' he said. ' everything good that has happened to me I owe to my activity in the church.'
President Hinckley read excerpts from an old journal, detailing experiences he had with past General Authorities. He said he has associated with the impoverished of the earth and those of privilege and stature, and through those experiences 'hope ha made at least a small difference.'
He also said he hoped the members would not regard his talk as an obituary and he looked forward to addressing the church again in October''s General Conference. He closed his talk with his testimony.
'Remember that on this Sabbath day you heard me bear my witness that this is the Lord''s sacred work,' he said.