The billowing winds and snow couldn’t keep thousands of Latter-day Saints from making the trek to downtown Salt Lake City to attend the 179th Annual General Conference.

Millions of Latter-day Saints watched from their homes and meeting houses as President Thomas S. Monson announced the new apostle, Elder Neil L. Andersen, who will fill Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s vacancy.

Elder Andersen addressed the Saints during the Sunday morning session of conference, where he expressed how “inadequate and humbled” he felt from receiving his new call. He prayed for the help and support of the members around the world.

Throughout the course of the conference, speakers from the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Quorums of the Seventy, Relief Society General Presidency and other LDS general authorities addressed the saints concerning matters that are most apparent in this day and age.

Many of the talks focused on the downturned economy, and leaders urged listeners to spend wisely and “live providently.” This was especially apparent in Elder Robert D. Hales’ talk, as he pled with members to live within their means, so that they would not be forced to “give away some of their precious, priceless agency and put themselves in self-imposed servitude.”

Another theme that was apparent throughout the conference was the church’s growth. President Monson attested to this when he said: “I am pleased to report that the church is doing very well. The work of the Lord continues to move forward uninterrupted.”

President Monson said there are now 129 temples in the world, with more on the way. There are approximately 53,000 missionaries serving in 348 missions around the world. He also recounted that the Perpetual Education Fund, since it was organized in 2001, has graduated 18,900 students. It is also noteworthy that there are now 25 leaders in the First Quorum of the Seventy that were born outside of the United States. All of these numbers continue to grow, as does the membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.



Copyright Brigham Young University 5 Apr 2009