President Gordon B. Hinckley began the 172nd Annual General Conference by highlighting the success of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially the positive media coverage received during the Olympics.

"Representatives of the media, so often a tough and calloused group, with very few exceptions spoke and wrote in language both complimentary and accurately descriptive of a unique culture they found here, of the people they met, and dealt with, of the spirit of hospitality which they felt," he said.

"I am told that nearly 4,000 stories about the Church appeared in the German press alone," President Hinckley said.

In his talk he also spoke of the great success of the Perpetual Education Fund; a program introduced a year ago.

"The contributions of generous Latter-day Saints have come in to assure that this endeavor is now on a solid foundation," he said. "We will need more yet, but already it has been demonstrated that vast good will come of this undertaking."

The loans generated through the program have already been given to 2,400 people, President Hinckley said.

Temple dedications were the final topic mentioned by President Hinckley. He said the Nauvoo, Illinois temple will be dedicated in June.

"I hope that all of you will not try to get there," he said. "We simply cannot accommodate so many."

Copyright Brigham Young University 6 Apr 2002