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Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks at the final session of the 185th Annual General Conference. (LDS.org)
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke to church members about the miracles aiding the spread of the Lord’s Kingdom on the earth at the final session of the 185th Annual General Conference.
He stressed the faithful discipleship of those who believe on the Savior and their mission. “We believe in him. We worship him. We follow him. We love him. His cause is the greatest in the world.”
Elder Andersen then urged church members to maintain an eternal perspective. “Although the Lord reassured us again and again that we ‘need not fear,’ keeping a clear perspective that sees beyond this world is not always easy when we are in the midst of trials,' he said.
Elder Andersen spoke of trials and miracles. These miracles include the three temples announced today by President Thomas S. Monson. Elder Andersen cited the international growth of the church and spread of faithful saints as evidence of the Lord’s will being carried out on the earth.
He told the story of Sahtit Kaivalvatana, a church member in Bangkok who serves faithfully even after being paralyzed from the chest down. This faithful member is beloved in his community as a teacher and is an excellent example of faith in the Lord’s will.
Elder Andersen then urged members to reflect on their own experiences, asking, “Can you see the hand of God in your own life?”
He asked church members to appreciate not just the international miracles but individual experiences they have with the Lord. “God’s miracles are not just happening in Haiti, Thailand or the Ivory Coast. Look around you. His hand is there.”
Recognizing the Lord’s hand will bring strength to members who choose to look. “Brothers and sisters, seeing and believing the Lord’s miracles in establishing his kingdom on earth can help us see and believe that the Lord’s hand is at work in our own lives as well,” Elder Andersen said. “He will open your spiritual eyes even wider, and you will see clearly that you are not alone.”
Elder Andersen closed with an Easter testimony, sharing his personal witness of the Savior and the hope God’s children have to return to him. “Today is Easter; we rejoice with Christians all over the world in his glorious resurrection and in our own promised resurrection.'