To Hear the Word of the Lord

(Photo Section)

Twice each year the Saints gather on Temple Square. They come from every corner of the world to listen to the General Authorities, to feel the spirit, to grow in understanding. They come to hear the word of the Lord. On the following pages we have attempted to convey the experience and meaning of the April General Conference.

“As the Latter-day Saints go home, it would be well if they consider seriously the importance of taking with them the report of this conference and let it be the guide to their walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day. …” President Harold B. Lee, April 1946

“The Lord has guided us from this pulpit during our sessions. … God help us to be partakers of the divine nature. May the spirit of this great conference radiate from your hearts to those whom you will meet when you go back to your stakes and wards. …” President David O. McKay, October 1960

“We are here representing the leadership of the kingdom of God. This Church is the literal kingdom of God in the earth. We did not come to argue, to jockey for position, to compromise differences and establish policies. We came here to hear and learn the word of God as he has and does now reveal it through his appointed servants, and to take it back and teach it to our people.” President Marion G. Romney, April 1961

“It is my humble opinion that we are receiving counsel by inspiration, or revelation, at every general conference of the Church. Would it not be wise for the members of the Church to pay more heed to these counsels and prepare ourselves for more to come?” President Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, vol. 2, p. 205

“This is what has been said, in effect, in this conference: Unless every member of this Church gains for himself an unshakable testimony of the divinity of this Church, he will be among those who will be deceived in this day when the ‘elect according to the covenant’ are going to be tried and tested. Only those will survive who have gained for themselves that testimony.” President Harold B. Lee, October 1950

“If you want to know what the Lord has for this people at the present time, I would admonish you to get and read the discourses that have been delivered at this conference, for what these brethren have spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost is the mind of the Lord, the will of the Lord, the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto Salvation.” President Harold B. Lee, April 8, 1973