LDS General Conference comes to an end


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SALT LAKE CITY -- More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints filled the Conference Center in Salt Lake Saturday and Sunday, and millions more watched the LDS general conference by satellite around the world.

Sunday, messages of faith not fear continued. There were strong reminders that this is the beginning of the Easter season, and Sunday morning's session was the first time Latter-day Saints heard from Elder Neil L. Anderson as an apostle.

Message of the Easter season

As Easter approaches, Latter-day Saint apostles reached out to those who are suffering, saying they are not alone.

Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, said, "On this Palm Sunday, during this Easter season, and always, that the restored gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ has the power to fill any emptiness, heal any wound and bridge any veil of sorrow..."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said, "May we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times, but in deed and in courage and in faith."

Church's newest apostle speaks

The church's newest apostle asked for church members' prayers, telling them that living outside the United States for the last 10 years, he has met many good people.

Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, told the audience, "Others share our faith in Christ. There are loyal and decent fathers and mothers in every land who love each other and love their children. There is much we can learn from the good people around us."

Andersen says many modern-day pioneers are helping to grow the church in countries around the world.

In his first address since being named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Andersen says the new pioneers share the same spirit and commitment as early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who crossed the plains to settle Utah in the 1840s.

"They don't push handcarts," said Andersen referencing the hand-powered carts Mormons used to haul their possessions. "But they are exactly the same."

Message from Pres. Monson

Pres. Monson counseled, though the global economy seems to have taken a nose dive, not to become discouraged.

"Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and our Savior will comfort and sustain us," he said.

Pres. Monson also talked of the Internet, its good uses and the prevalent pornography. "Be strong, be clean, avoid such degrading and destructive types of content at all costs, wherever they may be! I sound this warning to everyone, everywhere."

Thoughts from those in attendance

Patricia Camarco, from Madrid, Spain, said, "It is a blessing to be here and to have the living words of the prophet with us."

Hesbon Usi, from Nairobi, Kenya, said, "It has been very much enriching. We've learned of good principles that if we go and apply them in our homes, they will be able to uplift our standard of living and be able to help us to grow."

Evangelical students from California came hoping to learn about Latter-day Saints. Jana McCarthy, from Azusa Pacific University, said, "Amazing opportunity. This is the first time that any of our groups of friends from our school has ever come to general conference, so it's a true blessing and a pleasure to be here."

President Monson left the Conference Center saying "until we meet again" with a big smile and an even bigger wave.

E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

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Carole Mikita

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