A Provident Plan"”A Precious Promise
President Thomas S. Monson
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
Thomas S. Monson recounts the 50th anniversary of the Church welfare plan, where leaders like President David O. McKay and President J. Reuben Clark provided counsel on the program's foundation.
It was fifty years ago this very day that the prophets of God outlined the general principles which became the "firm foundation" of the Church welfare plan. In a specially called and momentous meeting presided over by President Heber J. Grant and his counselors"”J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and David O. McKay"”watershed statements were presented and heaven-inspired counsel provided which have endured the passage of time, which have been rendered valid by the verdict of history, and which bear the ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Provident Plan"”A Precious Promise
President Thomas S. Monson
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
Monson shares his personal experience with President J. Reuben Clark, who emphasized the importance of caring for the poor and recounted the Savior's compassion in the Gospel of Luke.
As a publisher and printer, I had the opportunity to assist President J. Reuben Clark in the preparation of his manuscript which became the monumental bookOur Lord of the Gospels.What a blessing was mine to learn daily at the feet of such a master teacher and principle architect of the welfare program. Knowing that I was a newly appointed bishop presiding over a difficult ward, he emphasized the need for me to know my people, to understand their circumstances, and to minister to their needs. One ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Provident Plan"”A Precious Promise
President Thomas S. Monson
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
Monson recalls President Harold B. Lee teaching the Aaronic Priesthood about their role in caring for the poor, using the example of the sons of Mosiah from the Book of Mormon.
On one occasion, President Harold B. Lee, who was a stake president in the area where I was born and reared and later presided as a bishop, spoke movingly to the Aaronic Priesthood concerning how the priesthood might prepare for its role in caring for the poor. He stood at the pulpit, took the Book of Mormon in hand, and opened it to the seventeenth chapter of Alma. He then read to us concerning the sons of Mosiah:
"Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unt ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Provident Plan"”A Precious Promise
President Thomas S. Monson
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
Monson describes a visit with President Marion G. Romney, who was moved to tears while discussing the true fast from Isaiah, highlighting the emotional impact of the welfare program.
Just a few days ago I visited with President Marion G. Romney, known throughout the Church for his ardent advocacy and knowledge of the welfare program. We spoke of the beautiful passage from Isaiah concerning the true fast:
"Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"Isa. 58:7
As did President Clark, as did President Lee, President R ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Provident Plan"”A Precious Promise
President Thomas S. Monson
- Second Counselor in the First Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
Monson tells the story of a German brother who sought help for his arriving family, leading to a ward-wide effort to prepare a warm welcome for them in a transformed apartment.
On a cold winter"™s night in 1951, there was a knock at my door. A German brother from Ogden, Utah, announced himself and said, "Are you Bishop Monson?" I answered in the affirmative. He began to weep and said, "My brother, his wife, and family are coming here from Germany. They are going to live in your ward. Will you come with us to see the apartment we have rented for them?"
On the way to the apartment, he told me he had not seen his brother for many years. Through the holocaust of Worl ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Pure Religion and Undefiled
Elder Clifford E. Young
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
Dr. Fifield, a distinguished clergyman from Los Angeles, responded to a question on the radio about the presence of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles, stating that he did not see it as a threat but as a challenge to other churches to improve their work with members and converts.
Some weeks ago I was handed a clipping taken from a Los Angeles paper in which appeared a report of some remarks made over the radio by one of the distinguished clergymen of Los Angeles. His broadcasts are in the nature of a questionnaire, and one of the questions submitted to him was this: 'There are said to be more Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles and its environs than there are in Salt Lake City. Do you not regard this as a threat?' Dr. Fifield, in answering the question said, 'No, I do not c ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Pure Religion and Undefiled
Elder Clifford E. Young
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
A young man in the speaker's community tragically died, and the community showed great love and sympathy during the funeral service, but the speaker emphasizes the importance of continued support and service beyond just one day.
In our community recently, we had a very serious tragedy. One of the young men of our city, a very promising young man, met with a tragic death. The community responded in love and sympathy to the family; and when the funeral service was held, it proved to be one of the largest attended in a long time. One couldn't help feeling the love and the sympathy there manifested. But the next day, then what? And the days to follow. These are the things that should give us concern. It isn't just a spasmod ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Question of Free Agency
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts receiving a call from Marion T. Romney asking if he would go on a mission and inquiring about his worthiness, family, finances, and health, to which he was able to answer affirmatively, demonstrating his readiness and commitment.
I would like to tell you an event in my life which I think typifies what is going through my mind and has gone through my mind the last few weeks. The event started with a phone call from a Mr. Marion T. Romney. My secretary came to me in a meeting, and she said, "A Marion T. Romney wants to talk to you."
I said, "I think that"™s MarionG.Romney."
"He said you would leave this meeting if I told you that he was calling you."
I said, "He"™s right."
I think my secretary would like to hav ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Question of Free Agency
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker shares a personal moment with his wife, who inquired about his home teaching responsibilities upon his return from a trip, prompting him to fulfill his duties, illustrating her support and his learning of the law of consecration.
I called my wife immediately afterward and then went home. I talked with my wife, as Elder L. Tom Perry talked with his wife. We have married similar spirits. She has followed me all over the world. We have moved 15 times. She has learned two languages, brought up our children, and has always supported me.
I remember one time after coming back from an international trip. I had been gone for some time. My wife sat down on the arm of the chair, and I put my head on her shoulder. It was near the en ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Question of Free Agency
Elder Robert D. Hales
- Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker describes receiving a second phone call, this time from the prophet, who asked if he would accept a change in his mission assignment to Salt Lake City for a lifetime of service, to which he agreed, symbolizing his total commitment to his faith.
A few weeks later the phone rang again. This time it was a man whom I have greatly admired"”Brother Arthur Haycock. I spoke to him briefly; and then, the prophet"™s voice"”distinctive, clear, the clarion call.
"Brother Hales, do you mind if we change your mission?"
I had thought I was going to the London England Mission. But I figured someone else would have that call, and I said, "I will be glad to go to whatever place you send me."
He said, "Do you mind if we change it to Salt Lake C ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Reaffirmation: "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet"
Elder Richard L. Evans
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
President McKay faced a press conference with tough questions from reporters after arriving late and without rest, but confidently stated he does not worry about consequences when he speaks the truth.
There were some events associated with the dedication of the London Temple which I should like to relate, also. Our President went there, and we had arranged a press conference for him on the late afternoon following what was to have been the morning of his arrival, thinking that he would have time for rest and still time to face that arduous task. But his plane was three hours late, or more. He had been up all the night before with those who accompanied him, President and Sister Smith and Broth ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Reaffirmation: "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet"
Elder Richard L. Evans
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The dedication of the London Temple was a significant event where President McKay delivered addresses and a dedicatory prayer, and his voice was heard frequently through a motion picture shown to visitors.
To hear him six times deliver significant addresses at six of the dedicatory sessions, to hear the repeated notable dedicatory prayer, a meaningful document, inviting attention to the fact that the Magna Charta, 1215 A.D., had been signed in that same County of Surrey where the temple was now being dedicated, was a great privilege and a moving experience. And to celebrate with him his eighty-fifth birthday in that far land was a sweet occasion that some of us will never forget. And long before h ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Reaffirmation: "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet"
Elder Richard L. Evans
- Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
📅 0
📖 general conference
The Danish sculptor Thorvaldsen chose to be buried among his own creations in a museum, symbolizing that we are ultimately surrounded by the works of our lives.
I am thinking of the Danish sculptor of great fame, Thorvaldsen, who chose to be buried in the midst of his works"”not in a cathedral or a cemetery, but in a museum among the monuments of his own making"”in the midst of his statuary; and there what he made and what he did with his life surrounds him. He did not theorize upon sculpturing, only, but with his hands and with his creative gift he fashioned those things and he lies there in the midst of his works, as we all shall do someday"”and ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Report and a Challenge
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
A couple from Alabama shares their experience of growing a garden, noting the financial savings and year-round vegetables.
Our pride is great in the people who have listened and who have planted gardens and orchards and trees in the past months. From all directions we hear of gardens which have made an outstanding contribution. A couple in Alabama wrote, "We had vegetables all during the year. We feel it saved us quite a bit of money."
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Report and a Challenge
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the Church's growth, including the increase in stakes, missions, wards, and branches, and the rise in the number of young missionaries and converts.
We glory with you in the advancement made to 764 stakes and 146 missions and about 9,000 wards and branches, and we feel that the Lord is blessing our extended efforts.
In the numerous new stakes created all over the world, new, young, and vigorous leadership has been ordained and set apart to look after the interests of the people. We are delighted with the way these local officials accept this new responsibility.
The young missionaries have continued to proliferate, and we now have in excess o ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Report and a Challenge
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker describes the rescinding of the 1838 Executive Order by Governor Christopher S. Bond of Missouri, which had called for the expulsion or extermination of Mormons from the state.
Since our last conference we have had a delightful message from Christopher S. Bond, Governor of the state of Missouri, who advised us that he has rescinded the 138-year-old Executive Order of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs calling for the extermination or expulsion of the Mormons from the state of Missouri. Governor Bond, present Missouri governor, writes:
"Expressing on behalf of all Missourians our deep regret for the injustice and undue suffering which was caused by this 1838 order, I hereby resc ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Report and a Challenge
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
Two families in Frankfurt, Germany, share their success in creating a garden in the city, overcoming challenges and witnessing the blessings of their efforts.
From Frankfurt, Germany, this comes:
"We are two families in the Frankfurt Mission, and we tell you about our garden.
"It was not very easy to find a piece of land in a large city like Frankfurt"”it is a tiny garden"”and when we rented it, it looked like a wilderness, with a broken fence, a broken cottage, and wild grass all over. It did not discourage us.
"First we made a new fence, repaired the cottage, and digged the whole garden. In the springtime we planted vegetables and the neighbours ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Report and a Challenge
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker reflects on the Bicentennial celebrations in the United States and the renewed spirit of patriotism and loyalty to the country.
We have recently celebrated the notable event of the Bicentennial with all other good people of this country. We have experienced an increase of loyalty to our precious land.
We remember Benjamin Franklin said,
"I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth:that God governs in the affairs of men."¦ I firmly believe this, "¦ that without his concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."� ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Report of My Stewardship
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker describes the visit with President Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Reagan, where they presented the President's genealogy.
On Thursday, we visited the Washington, D.C., Visitors"™ Center and then met with the Washington Temple presidency and set apart several sealers. The next morning, Friday, March 13, in company with Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, we visited with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office of the White House. We presented to him his genealogy on his mother"™s side. We then met with Mrs. Reagan. Both were very warm and gracious and very appreciative of the genealogical record.
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →
A Report of My Stewardship
President Spencer W. Kimball
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker recounts his visit to the Philippines, where they held meetings and discussed a new temple site, and met with President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Ten days after the close of the October conference, President Marion G. Romney and I left, in company with a number of others, to conduct area conferences in the Orient. Our first meetings were held in Manila, Philippine Islands, October 18 and 19, where twenty thousand Saints attended the sessions in the Araneta Colosseum. We also looked over possible sites for the new temple which has just been announced for that land. We had a very pleasant visit with Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, ... (continued)
Forgiveness
Read Full Talk →