Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
The speaker offers thanks for the faith, love, service, and kindness of Church members, and for the prayers offered on his behalf.
My brothers and sisters, I thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel. I thank you for the love and care you show to one another. I thank you for the service you provide in your wards and branches and in your stakes and districts. It is such service that enables the Lord to accomplish His purposes here upon the earth. I express my thanks to you for your kindnesses to me wherever I go. I thank you for your prayers in my behalf. I have felt those prayers and am most grateful for them.
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
The speaker closes the talk by expressing anticipation for the messages to be presented during the conference, offering a prayer for the Spirit to be present, and remembering President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Now, my brothers and sisters, we are anxious to listen to the messages which will be presented to us during the next two days, that we might be taught and inspired and have a renewed determination to live the gospel and to serve the Lord. Those who will address us have sought heaven"™s help and direction as they have prepared their messages. They have been impressed concerning that which they will share with us. To those of you who are new in the Church, we welcome you. To those of you who are ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
President Joseph F. Smith is quoted regarding the importance of temple service for those in the spirit world.
I love the words of President Joseph F. Smith as he spoke of temple service and of the spirit world beyond mortality. Said he, "Through our efforts in their behalf their chains of bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their [people] here, and will rejoice with you in your performance of these duties."1[Joseph F. Smith, in Conferen ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the Church's humanitarian assistance efforts in various locations around the world, including recent aid to Haiti and Chile after devastating earthquakes and tsunamis.
Since last we met, the Church has continued to provide much-needed humanitarian assistance in various locations around the world. In the past three months alone, humanitarian assistance has been provided in French Polynesia, Mongolia, Bolivia, Peru, Arizona, Mexico, Portugal, and Uganda, among other areas. Most recently we have assisted in Haiti and Chile following devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in those areas. We express our love to our Church members who have suffered in these disasters. ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
The speaker shares a personal story about his wife, Frances, who suffered a fall resulting in a broken hip and shoulder, her successful surgeries, hospitalization, and ongoing recovery.
Many of you are aware that a short time after October conference, my dear wife, Frances, suffered a fall, which left her with a broken hip and a broken shoulder. After two successful surgeries and several weeks of hospitalization, she was able to return home. She is doing well and continues to make progress toward a full recovery. She was able to attend the general Young Women meeting last Saturday and plans to attend a session or two this weekend. In fact, at the last minute she said, "I"™m g ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
The speaker explains the positive experiences with 18-year-old missionaries from certain countries, leading to a policy change allowing all young men to serve at 18.
For some time the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have allowed young men from certain countries to serve at the age of 18 when they are worthy, able, have graduated from high school, and have expressed a sincere desire to serve. This has been a country-specific policy and has allowed thousands of young men to serve honorable missions and also fulfill required military obligations and educational opportunities.
Our experience with these 18-year-old missionaries has been po ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
The speaker announces a new policy allowing all worthy and able young men to be recommended for missionary service at age 18 and young women at age 19.
I am pleased to announce that effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19. I am not suggesting that all young men will—or should—serve at this earlier age. Rather, based on individual circumstances as well as upon a determination by priesthood leaders, this option is now available ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
President Monson recounts his travels to Germany, Austria, and Canada, where he dedicated the Calgary Alberta Temple and the rededication of the Boise Idaho Temple, including the cultural celebrations and his decision to spend time with his wife on her birthday.
During the six months since last we met, it has been my opportunity to travel a bit and to meet with some of you in your own areas. Following general conference in October, I traveled to Germany, where it was my privilege to meet with our members at several locations in that country as well as in parts of Austria.
At the end of October, I dedicated the Calgary Alberta Temple in Canada, with the assistance of Elder and Sister M. Russell Ballard, Elder and Sister Craig C. Christensen, an ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
President Monson shares that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf dedicated a temple in Honduras with a youth celebration, and announces the construction of new temples in Cedar City, Utah, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Just last month President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, accompanied by Sister Uchtdorf, Elder and Sister Jeffrey R. Holland, and Elder and Sister Gregory A. Schwitzer, traveled to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to dedicate our newly completed temple there. A magnificent youth celebration took place the evening prior to the dedication.
There are other temples which have been announced and which are at various stages in the preliminary process or which are under construction.
It is my privilege this ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
He speaks about the increase in the number of full-time missionaries following the change in the age requirements, resulting in the creation of new missions and a call for contributions to the General Missionary Fund.
As you know, in the October general conference I announced changes in the ages at which young men and young women might serve as full-time missionaries, with the young men now being able to serve at age 18 and the young women at 19.
The response of our young people has been remarkable and inspiring. As of April 4"”two days ago"”we have 65,634 full-time missionaries serving, with over 20,000 more who have received their calls but who have not yet entered a missionary training center and over ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
The speaker recounts the dedication of the Gilbert Arizona Temple and the cultural event held the evening before, where 12,000 young people performed in the rain.
The past six months have gone by quickly as the work of the Church has moved forward unhindered. It was my privilege just over a month ago to dedicate the Gilbert Arizona Temple, a magnificent structure. The evening before the dedication, a cultural event was held at the nearby Discovery Park. Twelve thousand young people performed a 90-minute program. The dancing, the singing, and the musical performances were outstanding.
This area had been experiencing an especially dry season, and I believe ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
The speaker describes recent temple dedications, including the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple and the rededication of the Ogden Utah Temple, highlighting the youth cultural celebrations and the number of youth who participated.
During the past six months since we last met, one new temple has been dedicated and one rededicated. In May, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf dedicated the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple. A wonderful youth cultural celebration was presented the day prior to the dedication. The following day, on Sunday, May 4, the temple was dedicated in three sessions. Just two weeks ago it was my privilege to rededicate the Ogden Utah Temple, originally dedicated in 1972 by President Joseph Fielding Smith ... (continued)
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Welcome to Conference
President Thomas S. Monson
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📖 general conference
The speaker talks about the Church's growth, the number of missionaries serving, and the future dedication of temples, without announcing any new temples at the present time.
Our temple building continues in earnest. Next month the new Phoenix Arizona Temple will be dedicated, and next year, in 2015, we anticipate dedicating or rededicating at least five temples, with more possible, depending on completion. As I mentioned in April, when all the previously announced temples are constructed and dedicated, we will have 170 operating temples throughout the world. Because we are concentrating our efforts on completing temples which were previously announced, we are not at ... (continued)
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Welfare Principles in Relief Society
Sister Shirley W. Thomas
- Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
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📖 general conference
In 1842, the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo was formed to support the priesthood and help the poor and needy, with members donating various goods and services.
In the early spring of 1842 the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo united the charitable efforts of women in a desire to support the priesthood in the cause of Zion. The Prophet Joseph Smith told the sisters "their offering [was] accepted of the Lord," and the sisters gave unstintingly ("Story of the Organization of the Relief Society,"Relief Society Magazine,Mar. 1919, p. 129). Following his injunction to search out the poor and needy and minister to their wants, they called a committee that w ... (continued)
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Welfare Principles in Relief Society
Sister Shirley W. Thomas
- Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
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📖 general conference
Sister Allen, a woman in distress after her husband left and she underwent major surgery, was comforted by the Relief Society president who went beyond providing basic needs and showed special attention by fulfilling a unique request for cream of asparagus soup and blueberry muffins.
A Relief Society president knows that, in spite of a report which shows members receiving temporary assistance constitute 4 percent of a ward, to the sister in distress it is 100 percent. Her needs are whole and real. Consider the case of a woman we shall call Sister Allen. Troubled and lonely, she had just returned from a hospital stay and major surgery. Two months before, her husband had abandoned his responsibilities to their family of five. The bishop had visited, and now the Relief Society ... (continued)
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Welfare Principles in Relief Society
Sister Shirley W. Thomas
- Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
📅 0
📖 general conference
A young handicapped woman, Sister Smith, expresses gratitude for the gospel's blessings and demonstrates self-reliance and the joy of service by participating in ward activities despite her challenges.
Recently, we met a young woman who had learned to make these principles operative in her life. Bringing Sister Smith a beautiful rose, she came to express her love and her gratitude for the blessings of the gospel. She is handicapped, and so is the more grateful for blessings because she knows so well pain and difficulty. When telling of how she is able to keep a house and care for a husband, she said it does take her longer, but a friend goes to the store to get what she needs, and she has lear ... (continued)
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Welfare Principles to Guide Our Lives: An Eternal Plan for the Welfare of Men"™s Souls
Bishop Robert D. Hales
- Presiding Bishop
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📖 general conference
One family made room in their home for a neighbor whose house was being repaired after a fire, giving not what was convenient but what was needed.
One family made room in their small home for a neighbor family whose home was being repaired after a fire. They were giving not what was convenient for them, but rather what was needed by the neighbor.
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Welfare Principles to Guide Our Lives: An Eternal Plan for the Welfare of Men"™s Souls
Bishop Robert D. Hales
- Presiding Bishop
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📖 general conference
The speaker became very ill from an amoebic disorder after returning from an assignment abroad, which taught him an important welfare lesson about being suddenly thrust into a condition of intense need.
A few months ago, after returning home from an assignment abroad, I became very ill from an amoebic disorder. With pain, dehydration, fever, and total enervation, an important welfare lesson was learned—that one could suddenly be thrust into a condition of intense need. Experiences such as this help us to become more aware of the needs of others and to realize that many people throughout the world live with these problems every day.
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Welfare Principles to Guide Our Lives: An Eternal Plan for the Welfare of Men"™s Souls
Bishop Robert D. Hales
- Presiding Bishop
📅 0
📖 general conference
The speaker knows of a family who holds a 'provident living family council' to decide how to distribute $25 to someone in need, such as a child in the Primary Children’s Medical Center.
I know of a family who once a month holds a 'provident living family council.' With mother and father, the children determine how $25 out of their budget—in addition to their tithes and offerings—will be distributed to an individual in need. Last month, $25 went to a young child in the Primary Children’s Medical Center. This is one way to teach compassion to children, especially as they visit the sick child in the hospital. (By the way, the children now want to save more mon ... (continued)
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Welfare Principles to Guide Our Lives: An Eternal Plan for the Welfare of Men"™s Souls
Bishop Robert D. Hales
- Presiding Bishop
📅 0
📖 general conference
Another family invited their son’s friend who needed a home to stay with them for a year as he prepared for a mission, providing support and enabling him to earn money for it.
Another family invited their eighteen-year-old son’s friend who needed a home to stay with them for a year while he prepared for a mission. They provided an environment of emotional support and spiritual example and enabled him to earn his own money for his mission. On his mission he grew in maturity, self-esteem, and confidence. Since his mission, with self-reliance, he has gone forward to strengthen others.
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