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SALT LAKE CITY -- The announcement of three new LDS Church temples in North America -- in Colorado, Idaho and Canada -- highlighted President Thomas S. Monson's opening address in the Saturday morning session of the church's 181st annual general conference.
New temples announced
The three -- announced for Fort Collins, Colo.; Meridian, Idaho; and Winnipeg, Canada -- means that in addition to the 134 temples operating worldwide, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now counts another 26 temples as announced or under construction.
"This will certainly be a blessing for the members in those areas," President Monson said.
Fort Collins is located in northern Colorado, 57 miles north of Denver. The church's first congregation in the state was organized in 1897; nearly 140,000 Latter-day Saints now reside in Colorado
The new Fort Collins temple will be the second in the state; the Denver Colorado Temple was completed in 1986.
"Each year millions of ordinances are performed in the temples. May we continue to be faithful in performing such ordinances." President Thomas S. Monson
Located 11 miles west of Boise, Meridian is Idaho's third-largest city. With a presence in the state since 1855, the LDS Church has more than 410,000 members in Idaho.
The new Meridian temple will be Idaho's fifth, with Mormon temples already in Boise, Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Twin Falls.
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city in the Canadian province of Manitoba, located north of the North Dakota/Minnesota border. LDS members in the Winnipeg area current travel more than six hours and some 400 miles to the nearest temple in Regina, Saskatchewan.
The new Winnipeg temple will be Canada's ninth, in addition to Regina, Cardston, Edmonton, Toronto, Halifax, Montreal and Vancouver, with the Calgary temple under construction.
"Each year millions of ordinances are performed in the temples. May we continue to be faithful in performing such ordinances," President Monson urged.
Humanitarian efforts
The church is marking the 75th anniversary of its welfare program this year.
In his brief remarks Saturday morning, President Monson also detailed the church's up-to-date involvement in the wake of Japan's triple-disaster of earthquake, ensuing tsunami and subsequent nuclear-radiation threats last month.
He listed recent relief aid as 70 tons of supplies distributed, including food, water, blankets, bedding, hygiene items, clothing and fuel; young single adults volunteering to locate missing members using the Internet, social media and other communication means; scooters provided to members to help deliver aid to areas difficult to reach by car; and service projects in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka to assemble hygiene kits and cleaning kits.
He also provided the latest missionary tallies — 52,225 missionaries serving in 340 missions as of the end of the 2010 — and suggested members to consider a contribution to the church's general missionary fund.
He also referred to his involvement in the rededication of the Laie Hawaii Temple in November as one of his highlights since the October general conference.
President Monson also expressed appreciation for faithfulness, service, devotions and donations of the Latter-day Saints as he opened the two-day conference in the LDS Conference Center.
We should all be careful not to be judgmental or assume that sisters are less valiant if the decision is made to work outside the home.
–Elder Quentin L. Cook
"We are anxious to listen to the messages which will be presented to us today and tomorrow," he said. "Those who will address us have sought heaven's help and direction as they have prepared their messages. That we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord and be uplifted and inspired as we listen and learn is my prayer."
Messages of scripture, women, love
Other leaders spoke of devotion to Jesus Christ through the New Testament.
"This sacred volume is the centerpiece of scriptural history, just as the Savior himself is the centerpiece of our lives," said Elder L. Tom Perry of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke of women in the faith -- homemakers and professionals.
"We should all be careful not to be judgmental or assume that sisters are less valiant if the decision is made to work outside the home," he said.
Sister Jean A. Stevens, First Counselor of the General Primary Presidency of the church, urged members to look to children as examples.
"It was Jesus Christ Himself who taught us to look to children as an example," she said. "They exemplify humility, obedience and love. They are often the first to love and the first to forgive."
Church members expressed their gratitude for the words spoken Saturday.
"I can feel the spirit," said Ian Ricamunda, who came from the Philippines. "I feel I am blessed and that's why I have goosebumps to be here."
Member Carlene Curtis of Utah said, "It's so great to see all of the Latter-day Saints gather together and be in one body and be united and hear the words of the prophets."
Priesthood session
The young men and the men of the faith gathered for the Priesthood session Saturday night. Church leaders talked of missionary service, living up to their potential and marriage.
President Monson expressed concern that many are not.
"Perhaps you are afraid of making the wrong choice... Perhaps you are having a little too much fun being single... Brethern, there is a point at which it's time to think seriously about marriage and to seek a companion with whom you want to spend eternity," he said.
Saints will meet again for the fourth session of the conference Sunday at 10 a.m.
New statistical data released by the church on Saturday shows the faith's worldwide membership has grown to more than 14,131,000. The data also shows that almost 273,000 converted to Mormonism in 2010.
Story written by Scott Taylor with contributions from Carole Mikita.
