1980
Report of the 150th Semiannual Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
November 1980


“Report of the 150th Semiannual Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Ensign, Nov. 1980, 1

Report of the 150th Semiannual Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sermons and proceedings of 4–5 October 1980, from the Tabernacle on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah

President Spencer W. Kimball set the tone in his Saturday, October 4, opening remarks:

“From the beginning, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has emphasized family life. We have always understood that the foundations of the family, as an eternal unit, were laid even before the foundation of this earth was created! Society without basic family life is without foundation and will disintegrate into nothingness.

“The commandments and standards of morality set by the Lord himself are under attack on every hand. There are false teachers everywhere using speech and pornographic literature, magazines, radio, TV, street talk—spreading heresies which break down moral standards.

“Because of the seriousness of this matter, I have prepared an article for the November Ensign and New Era magazines in which I speak out frankly and at length on the subject of morality. This is a grave responsibility and not an easy one. I encourage all Latter-day Saints to read this special message.”

“Oh, brothers and sisters, families can be forever! Do not let the lures of the moment draw you away from your families. Divinity, eternity, and family—they go together, and so must we!”

The special message entitled “President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality” is on page 94.

In addition to President Kimball, twenty-nine of the sixty-seven General Authorities of the Church also addressed the conference, giving inspired and forthright instruction regarding that which members of the Church should focus upon in the coming six months. The addresses were given in six sessions of the two-day conference, four sessions on Saturday, 4 October, and two on Sunday, 5 October.

Presiding at all conference sessions was President Spencer W. Kimball, and conducting were President Kimball and President Marion G. Romney, second counselor. President N. Eldon Tanner, though in attendance at some sessions, spoke briefly and was in ill health. All General Authorities were present except Elder F. Burton Howard and Elder S. Dilworth Young, both of whom were on mission assignments.

Announced at the conference was the emeritus status of two General Authorities—Elder Bernard P. Brockbank and Elder O. Leslie Stone (see chart on page 56). This action leaves forty members in the First Quorum of the Seventy, with nine General Authorities Emeritus.

Elder Brockbank, born in 1909, was sustained a General Authority 6 October 1962, at the age of fifty-three, and thus completes eighteen years of active service as a General Authority.

Elder O. Leslie Stone, born in 1903, was sustained a General Authority 6 October 1972, at the age of sixty-nine, and thus completes eight years of active service as a General Authority.

—The Editors.