About the LDS General Conference

On the Web

About General Conference

from www.lds.org


"The 178th Annual General Conference of the Church will convene in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, 2008. The Saturday general sessions will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; Sunday sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m. (which includes Music and the Spoken Word) and 2:00 p.m. The general priesthood meeting will be held in the Conference Center on Saturday, April 5, at 6:00 p.m.

The First Presidency invites all members of the Church to participate by attending, viewing, or listening via television, radio, satellite, or Internet transmission at www.lds.org. Messages of inspiration and guidance will be delivered by the First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and general officers of the Church. "


For information on attending at the Conference Center, visit the Events page.

For information on Video Streams

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LDS President Monson Creates Excitement at Utah Jazz Basketball Game

(copyright Deseret Morning News)

In the News

President Monson cheers on Utah Jazz
His attendance at game creates extra buzz, excitement

By Jody Genessy
Deseret Morning News

"He drew a big crowd courtside while trying to leave EnergySolutions Arena after the Utah Jazz game on Friday night. He chatted and laughed with some excited basketball fans, waved at others, patted a baby on the head, and smiled a lot as numerous cameras flashed.

He even shocked Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and players by his presence and greeting.

Karl Malone? John Stockton maybe?

Not exactly."

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Spring LDS General Conference Next Weekend

I am very much looking forward to the Spring General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, coming up this weekend! It is going to seem sort of strange not to have President Hinckley with us this year, but in truth, he will be closer to us than ever! And I anticpate, with joy, the experience of hearing from our new President and Prophet Thomas S. Monson.

All things have become new!

To get us ready for the Spring General Conference, here are three powerful talks from past LDS General Conferences. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments.

God Bless!

The Healing Power of Forgiveness
President James E. FaustSecond Counselor in the First Presidency

James E. Faust, “The Healing Power of Forgiveness,” Ensign, May 2007, 67–69
"If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being."

Ye Must Be Born Again
Elder David A. BednarOf the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

David A. Bednar, “Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign, May 2007, 19–22
"Through faith in Christ, we can be spiritually prepared and cleansed from sin, immersed in and saturated with His gospel, and purified and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise."

Forgiveness
President Gordon B. Hinckley

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness,” Liahona, Nov 2005, 81–84
"Somehow forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way."

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"Emma Smith: My Story", the movie

Theatrical trailer for the upcoming movie Emma Smith: My Story, coming to theaters April 11 in Utah and Idaho, and soon after to select areas with high LDS concentrations.

"Father, sometimes you know things with your heart, that you don't know with your head"
~ Emma Smith





*********************************

from "Happiness in Womanhood"

by Susan Easton Black

"Ensign", March 2002


Emma Smith, the Prophet’s wife, is remembered as a woman who faithfully supported her husband. 6 Emma was a woman of great faith and courage whom the Lord addressed twice in the Doctrine and Covenants: section 25 and again in section 132. Section 25 manifests the will of the Lord to Emma yet gives wise counsel for all women, especially wives in Israel (see D&C 25:16).
Emma’s divine calling was to be the wife of a prophet. In this responsibility the Lord said, “The office of thy calling shall be for a comfort unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., thy husband” (D&C 25:5). She was counseled to use “consoling words, in the spirit of meekness” with him (D&C 25:5). Emma was to cleave to her husband, Joseph, and to “go with him at the time of his going, and be unto him for a scribe” (D&C 25:6). She was promised that for faithfully fulfilling her calling as his wife, he would “support [her] in the church” (D&C 25:9).
In addition to these instructions, Emma was told to develop her talents and help establish the kingdom of God. Her talents and duties included serving as the Prophet’s scribe as he translated the Bible, expounding the scriptures, exhorting the Church, writing, learning, and selecting sacred hymns (see D&C 25:6–8, 11). The Lord cautioned her that while fulfilling these responsibilities, she was to “murmur not” and was to “lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (D&C 25:4, 10). She was also admonished to “beware of pride” (D&C 25:14). If Emma proved faithful, she would receive “a crown of righteousness” (D&C 25:15).
The Prophet Joseph Smith loved Emma, and she comforted him, she increased her talents, she helped establish the Church, and she fulfilled her responsibilities as a wife. In his love for her, Joseph pleaded with the Lord on her behalf in March 1836: “Have mercy, O Lord, upon [my] wife and children, that they may be exalted in thy presence, and preserved by thy fostering hand” (D&C 109:69).
In a revelation recorded in July 1843, the Lord again spoke to Emma and commanded her “to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else” (D&C 132:54). She is also encouraged to “forgive my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has transgressed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and make her heart to rejoice” (D&C 132:56).

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"Return With Honor"

Last weekend I saw the film, "Return With Honor". It's been out for a while, but this is the first time I've seen it. I think it's one of the best produced LDS movies yet. The main character, Rowe McDonald, a returning missionary, has his future life all planned and figured out, until his plans are abruptly changed. How he deals with his new mission and the surprise twist ending makes this film worth watching more than once. Here is the Netflix synopsis:

"After a horrific car accident, missionary Rowe McDonald (Javen Tanner) is given the gift to return to life for 60 days so he can finish his mission, but finds himself torn between completing his work and helping his wayward mother. With others in need, Rowe must figure out what his most important work is and complete it in two months before leaving his life on earth forever. Tayva Patch and Joey Jalalian co-star. "
Starring: Clark Bullen, Tracy Garner
.Director: Michael Amundsen
Genre: Drama

Yet, for me, the most memorable line of the movie was Rowe describing to his best friend what it was like to be in Heaven:

"I was vibrating...every cell of my body was vibrating ...at the speed of Love. We all just looked at each other and knew exactly who we really were."

An incredible movie, which goes beyond religous dogma! It will change you forever.

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Easter Weekend Rejoicing and Dining at Temple Square

The image above was our view from the 10th floor restaurant, "The Garden", at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Seeing the LDS Temple from this vantage point was astounding!

On Saturday night, we were blessed to attend an Easter concert, "The Redeemer", conducted by Mack Wilberg, sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and played by the Orchestra at Temple Square. To the audience's delight, the new Prophet and President of the LDS Church, Thomas S. Monson and his wife, were in attendance. This sacred concert, performed at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, was the highlight of our Easter weekend.

Following the concert, we visited "The Garden" restaurant.

Here is a description of this amazing restaurant:

" The Garden is a natural choice when you want to be informally formal. One look at the delightful and varied menu, prepared by our expert team of chefs, and you'll know you've discovered a garden of delights. You'll dine in a comfortable plaza-like atmosphere, surrounded by Mediterranean columns and fountains accented with florals and trees. In the warmer months, a retractable glass roof lends an alfrescoesque ambience to your dining experience."

The manager did open the retractable roof for us for a few minutes, it was a chilly evening. What an amazing experience to be standing on the 10th floor and looking up and out into the heavens!!!

This Easter weekend we were truly fed...spiritually and physically.

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"The Symbol of Our Faith"

The Symbol of Our Faith
President Gordon B. Hinckley
Ensign, Apr 2005



"Following the renovation of the Mesa Arizona Temple some years ago, clergy of other religions were invited to tour it on the first day of the open house period. Hundreds responded. In speaking to them, I said we would be pleased to answer any queries they might have. Among these was one from a Protestant minister.

Said he: “I’ve been all through this building, this temple which carries on its face the name of Jesus Christ, but nowhere have I seen any representation of the cross, the symbol of Christianity. I have noted your buildings elsewhere and likewise find an absence of the cross. Why is this when you say you believe in Jesus Christ?”

I responded: “I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian colleagues who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at the altars of their chapels, who wear it on their vestments, and imprint it on their books and other literature. But for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the Living Christ.”

He then asked: “If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?”

I replied that the lives of our people must become the most meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship.

I hope he did not feel that I was smug or self-righteous in my response. Our position at first glance may seem a contradiction of our profession that Jesus Christ is the key figure of our faith. The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We worship Him as Lord and Savior. The Bible is our scripture. We believe that the prophets of the Old Testament who foretold the coming of the Messiah spoke under divine inspiration. We glory in the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John setting forth the events of the birth, ministry, death, and Resurrection of the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. Like Paul of old, we are “not ashamed of the gospel of [Jesus] Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). And like Peter, we affirm that Jesus Christ is the only name “given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)"

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"The Purifying Power of Gethsemane"

Easter is a sacred season and a time to diligently and deeply ponder the miracle of the Atonement...

The Purifying Power of Gethsemane

by Elder Bruce R. McConkie
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Ensign May 1985

"I feel, and the Spirit seems to accord, that the most important doctrine I can declare, and the most powerful testimony I can bear, is of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

His atonement is the most transcendent event that ever has or ever will occur from Creation’s dawn through all the ages of a never-ending eternity.
It is the supreme act of goodness and grace that only a god could perform. Through it, all of the terms and conditions of the Father’s eternal plan of salvation became operative.

Through it are brought to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Through it, all men are saved from death, hell, the devil, and endless torment.

And through it, all who believe and obey the glorious gospel of God, all who are true and faithful and overcome the world, all who suffer for Christ and his word, all who are chastened and scourged in the Cause of him whose we are—all shall become as their Maker and sit with him on his throne and reign with him forever in everlasting glory.

In speaking of these wondrous things I shall use my own words, though you may think they are the words of scripture, words spoken by other Apostles and prophets.

True it is they were first proclaimed by others, but they are now mine, for the Holy Spirit of God has borne witness to me that they are true, and it is now as though the Lord had revealed them to me in the first instance. I have thereby heard his voice and know his word."

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"Into Light" - Spring - Easter - Awakening Moment

An amazingly beautiful symphony, "Into Light"...in praise of newness and awakening....perfect for Spring and Easter!



(2008 Performance of a specially-commissioned work by Composer Kurt Bestor and Poet Laureate Katherine Coles entitled "Anthem for a New Year - Into Light." Performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 23rd Army Band Brass, Cathedral of the Madeline Choir School, International Children's Choir, and the Bells at Temple Square - it commemorates the Rededication of the Utah State Capitol.)

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"This Glorius Easter Morn"

About a week early, but I couldn't wait to share this:

This Glorius Easter Morn


by Gordon B. Hinckley
Ensign, May 1996

"....What meaning would life have without the reality of immortality? Otherwise life would become only a dismal journey of “getting and spending,” only to end in utter and hopeless oblivion.

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55).
The pain of death is swallowed up in the peace of eternal life. Of all the events of the chronicles of humanity, none is of such consequence as this.

Contemplating the wonder of the Atonement wrought in behalf of all mankind, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared in words descriptive and beautiful:

“Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!” (D&C 128:23).

Whenever the cold hand of death strikes, there shines through the gloom and the darkness of that hour the triumphant figure of the Lord Jesus Christ, He, the Son of God, who by his matchless and eternal power overcame death. He is the Redeemer of the world. He gave His life for each of us. He took it up again and became the firstfruits of them that slept. He, as King of Kings, stands triumphant above all other kings. He, as the Omnipotent One, stands above all rulers. He is our comfort, our only true comfort, when the dark shroud of earthly night closes about us as the spirit departs the human form.

Towering above all mankind stands Jesus the Christ, the King of glory, the unblemished Messiah, the Lord Emmanuel. In the hour of deepest sorrow we draw hope and peace and certitude from the words of the angel that Easter morning, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said” (Matt. 28:6). We draw strength from the words of Paul, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ … all [are] made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22).

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

Enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

(“I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, no. 193)

He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God. Of this we bear solemn testimony this day of rejoicing, this Easter morning, when we commemorate the miracle of the empty tomb, in the name of Him who rose from the dead, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

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Who is Jesus Christ?

Who is Jesus Christ?

We testify of Jesus Christ.

He is the central focus of our worship. He is our King, our Lord, our Master...the Living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father.

We Testify of Jesus Christ

All About Jesus Christ

Finding Faith in Jesus Christ

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LDS 2008 Pageants

Planning a family vacation this year? What would be more fun than including a LDS pageant in your trip plans. There are pageants scheduled nationwide in 2008 , from New York to California. Why not learn some exciting Church history on your family vacation this year!

2008 LDS Pageants

Arizona Easter Pageant: Jesus the Christ (Mesa, Arizona)

Castle Valley Pageant (Castle Dale, Utah)

Clarkston Pageant—Martin Harris: The Man Who Knew (Clarkston, Utah)

Hill Cumorah Pageant: America's Witness for Christ (Palmyra, New York)

Mormon Miracle Pageant (Manti, Utah)

Nauvoo Pageant (Nauvoo, Illinois)

Oakland Temple Pageant (Oakland, California)

God,

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A Canine Parable of Pure Love, Devotion, Enthusiasm, and Joy

Just for FUN!

For dog-lovers and everyone, "A Canine Parable".

A golden retriever dancing John Travolta's
"You're The One That I Want"
dance from "Grease" with his trainer.

May we all experience the Pure Love, Devotion, Joy, Dedication and Enthusiasm this sweet dog, "Rookie", has for his beloved Best Friend.

"You're The One That I Want"

"You're ALL that I want...You're the One that I need!"

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." ~ Jesus Christ
(Matthew 22:37-38)

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Triumph Over Offense, Through Jesus Christ

A General Conference Talk, October 2006

And Nothing Shall Offend Them

Elder David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Through the strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you and I can be blessed to avoid and triumph over offense.

"Choose Not to Be Offended "

"When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.

In the grand division of all of God's creations, there are things to act and things to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:13–14). As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with the gift of moral agency, the capacity for independent action and choice. Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation."

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The New LDS First Presidency

This is the first official portrait of the new LDS First Presidency of President Thomas S. Monson, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

(a downloadable copy here)

From Meridian Magazine:

"President Thomas S. Monson - The Pure Love of Christ"

by Maurine Proctor

Editor-in-Chief

"Insiders at the Church say that as the new leader of 13 million members, President Monson will hit the ground running. The man who can quote a scripture on any topic, pull out an applicable poem or remember details and names from his personal history, while ours has blurred away, uses that same intellect and incisive memory to accomplish a mountain of work every day and still leave, according to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “an astonishingly clean desk.”

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"Mormon Times" website

Check out this fun and informative new internet presence: "Mormon Times" - brought to you by Deseret News from Salt Lake City, Utah

News and information for and about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

MORMON TIMES

MormonTimes.com is produced by the Deseret Morning News in Salt Lake City, Utah.It is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Mormon Tabernacle Choir Director Resigns

Mormon Tabernacle Choir director calls it quits

by: Buddy Blankenfeld

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - It came as a shock to members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Music Director, Craig Jessop abruptly resigned Tuesday night after the choir’s rehearsal. Dr. Jessop read a prepared statement announcing his resignation to the body of the choir, a choir he is credited with bringing to a higher level while spreading its music farther in the world than ever before.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released this statement by Jessop: "I now find myself at a major crossroads of life. With long and prayerful consideration I have decided to resign as director of the choir. I look forward to new challenges and opportunities and I intend to keep active in the musical world including teaching—the career that I originally began my musical journey. RaNae and I and our family are looking forward to spending more time together with our children and grandsons."

He has influenced and has been influenced by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. First as a member of the choir for four years during college, then as its associate director for four years before being called as the choir's music director and conductor in 1999. His vision was to bring the music of the choir to everyone in the world, to be a constant and positive influence to the world. He has said his passion has always been the power of music to help people lift their spirits and that he has seen the emotion the choir can generate when touring throughout the world. Dr. Jessop also created a higher standard for choir members, implementing new technical and knowledge requirements. Under his tenure the choir and orchestra at Temple Square launched a private record label releasing ten albums, some making it to number one on Billboard's Classical Music Chart. And the choir has received numerous awards including the national medal of arts from President George W. Bush.

It was at Dr Jessop's request that a song created by President Gordon B. Hinckley was sung by the choir at his funeral. Associate Music Director, Mack Wilberg will serve as interim director for the choir.

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"Let Thine Eye Be Single"

This amazing image from the Hubble space telescope, brought to mind the following scriptures:

Matt.6:22

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Luke 11: 34

34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

3 Ne. 13: 22

22 The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Morm. 8: 15

15 For none can have power to bring it to light save it be given him of God; for God wills that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord.

D&C 4: 5

5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

D&C 27: 2

2 For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.

D&C 55: 1

1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant William, yea, even the Lord of the whole earth, thou art called and chosen; and after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins and a reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands;

D&C 59: 1

1 Behold, blessed, saith the Lord, are they who have come up unto this land with an a eye single to my glory, according to my commandments.

D&C 82: 19

19 Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.

D&C 88: 67

67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.

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Salt Lake Tabernacle Tour

Just prior to the rededication of the Salt Lake Tabernacle, members of the media received a tour of the newly refurbished building. Reporters also saw some improvements made to the historic structure. Leading the tour was David Hall, Director of Temple and Special Projects for the Physical Facilities Division of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

See the Tour with David Hall
Go on the Tabernacle Tour! (This runs in Windows Media Player only.)

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