Conference Concludes; Available to Vast Audience

ith portions of the conference was held for Church’s 177th the first time since before WAnnual General the Conference Center was Conference being simulta- first used in April 2000. The neously interpreted in 90 Tabernacle had been closed languages and broadcast by for two years to undergo a satellite to more than 6,000 seismic upgrade and restora- Church-owned receiving sites tion (see accompanying in 85 countries, more mem- article). bers had live access in their New leaders were sus- own language to the words tained Saturday, including of Church leaders than ever five General Authorities (all before. from countries outside the Addressing the worldwide United States), the Relief audience in every session Society general presidency, but Saturday morning, and counselors in the Young President Gordon B. Hinckley, Women general presidency now 96, told members, “My (see page 4 for changes in health is quite good, despite Church leadership and page all the rumors to the con- 124 for biographical informa- trary,” and quipped, “Skillful tion on new leaders). doctors and nurses keep me Millions of Church mem- on the right track. Some of bers around the world partici- you may go before I do.” pated at Church-owned During the Saturday receiving sites as well as in afternoon session, President their homes through local Hinckley rededicated the Salt broadcasts, other satellite and Lake Tabernacle on Temple cable TV providers, and the Square, where a session of Internet. ■

122 into the piers from Tabernacle Reopens top to bottom. The foundation of each after Extensive Renovation pier was also re- inforced with con- ince it was first used pipes; the ceiling was crete. Steel boxes for general conference repaired and repainted; were used to con- Sin 1867, the Salt Lake new dressing rooms and a nect trusses to Tabernacle has stood as a music library for choir mem- piers, and long ceil- symbol of the pioneers’ faith bers were created; the ros- ing trusses were and ingenuity. Now, nearly trum was remodeled so it can also attached to the 140 years later, the Tabernacle be removed to accommodate piers, cinched tight still stands, and never before a secondary seating arrange- with structured has it rested on such a firm ment or a stage for perform- steel. foundation. ances; and all plumbing, Now the During the Saturday mechanical, and electrical Tabernacle stands afternoon session, held on systems were replaced and stronger than it March 31, President Gordon brought up to code. was only a short B. Hinckley rededicated the Although the Tabernacle time ago, much Salt Lake Tabernacle after received these noticeable like the membership of the New gold leafing was two years of renovations. upgrades and more, the Church itself. applied to visible Some new benches, made most important changes “At one time most of organ pipes. of oak, were installed and are those the general public the Latter-day Saints lived spaced farther apart to give cannot see. here in this valley and in builder with the skills neces- visitors more legroom; the The foundation and walls other surrounding areas sary to take on such a task. original staircases leading of the Tabernacle were modi- where settlements were Plans were made, and in to the balcony from outside fied to improve structural established,” said President 1863 construction began. were relocated indoors to strength in order to better Gordon B. Hinckley during Unable to acquire many provide easier access for visi- withstand earthquakes. the dedicatory prayer of common building materials, tors, and two new staircases All 44 piers that support the renovated Tabernacle. workers recycled materials were added inside; a new the Tabernacle’s unique roof “Now, Thy work has grown and used local resources to layer of gold leafing was were reinforced with steel and spread over the earth build the Tabernacle. Lumber applied to the visible organ bars, which were inserted until we have more mem- was harvested from local bers outside of canyons, excess stone was this nation than taken from the Salt Lake we have in it.” Temple construction site, leftover military equipment Creating and and wooden oxen shoes Building the were transformed into nails Tabernacle and washers, glue was cre- President ated by boiling animal skins, Brigham Young and plaster was created turned to Henry from local limestone and Grow for help in enhanced with animal hair transforming his for strength. vision for the Considering the materials Tabernacle into available at the time, the reality. A convert Tabernacle truly was built to the Church with faith and ingenuity. Renovation of the Tabernacle’s interior included repairs to the and a native of Four years after construc- ceiling, new seating, and the creation of an interchangeable Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, tion began, conference was rostrum and stage . Brother Grow was a bridge held in the Tabernacle. The

MAY 2007 123 • The acoustics in the Tabernacle are unlike Elder Enrique R. Falabella any other building’s. Someone can drop a Of the Seventy pin onto the pulpit at the front of the Tabernacle and others ‘If any man will do his will, can hear it hit from the he shall know of the doctrine, back row. ■ whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself’ (John 7:17). If we will live Worldwide gospel principles, the Spirit Seismic upgrades included can touch our hearts, and a reinforced foundation. Leadership we will learn that they are really true.” Tabernacle was officially Training to After he served in the dedicated in October 1875, Central America Mission, after the completion of the Be Printed he and his wife, Blanca Lidia interior. ext from February’s Sanchez, were sealed on worldwide leadership lder Enrique Rienzi June 21, 1975, in the Mesa Notable Facts Ttraining meeting will be Falabella Arellano Arizona Temple. Elder • Every President of the published in the June 2007 Ebelieves nothing is Falabella earned a degree Church except Joseph Liahona and Ensign. The more valuable than a per- in agronomy from the Smith and Brigham Young Church is making the train- sonal testimony of Jesus University of San Carlos in has been sustained in a ing available to all members Christ and how the Atone- Guatemala and later studied solemn assembly in the because the topic of teach- ment can affect one’s life. marketing at the University Tabernacle. ing and learning applies to Elder Falabella learned of Costa Rica. He worked • The Tabernacle housed all members. early that gaining a testimony for a chemical and pharma- a baptistry that served This will mark the second begins with a desire to know ceutical company prior to members in the Salt time text from the training the truth and a willingness to his call to serve full-time for Lake City area until the meeting is available in the live it. the Church. most recent renovation, magazines. Last year’s train- Born on May 9, 1950, to As his and his wife’s five when it was removed ing meeting, on the topic Udine and Leonor Falabella, children grew, Elder Falabella for space. of family, was printed in the Elder Falabella was 12 when served as stake presi- • The original pews were June 2006 magazines. missionaries knocked on his dent, bishop, regional repre- made of pine and painted Speakers in the training family’s door in Guatemala sentative, stake president, to look like oak. included President Thomas S. City, where he was born and and Area Seventy, serving • The organ casing is made Monson, First Counselor in raised. The oldest of four chil- as President of the Central of ponderosa pine, the First Presidency; President dren whose mother had died America Area for two years. painted to look like Boyd K. Packer, Acting several years earlier, Elder He was serving as a branch mahogany. President of the Quorum Falabella recognized that there president at the Missionary • Before the Salt Lake of the Twelve Apostles; was something different about Training Center in Guatemala Tabernacle was built, a and Elder L. Tom Perry and the missionaries. He saw it in City at the time of his call to tabernacle now referred Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the love they showed and the the First Quorum of the to as the “Old Tabernacle” the Quorum of the Twelve power with which they taught. Seventy. ■ was built on the south- Apostles. “I wanted to know what west corner of the temple The February broadcast they knew,” he recalls. That block as a gathering place is also available online at desire and his willingness to for the Saints. www.lds.org/broadcast do what the missionaries • Twelve presidents of the in audio format in 10 lan- asked led to his conversion. United States have visited guages and in text format “Very early on I learned to the Tabernacle. in 24 languages. ■ appreciate the Savior’s words:

124 Elder Erich W. Kopischke Elder Michael J. Teh Of the Seventy Of the Seventy

Elder Kopischke earned a able to confidently testify of degree in business. After his the truth.” mission he served in the mili- Elder Teh was born to tary before receiving further Martin and Norma Teh on vocational training. During June 25, 1965, in Davao City, this time he met his future Davao Del Sur, Philippines. wife, Christiane Glück, who His family moved to Manila was attending nursing school. when he was 12, but he They were married in the returned to his hometown Bern Switzerland Temple on after his call to the Philippines December 19, 1978, and have Davao Mission. seven children. Following his mission He worked in the insur- Elder Teh earned a bachelor’s f there is one thing that ance industry before taking or Elder Michael John degree in business administra- Elder Erich Willi Kopischke a job with the Church Teh, the journey is tion at De La Salle University Ihas gained a testimony of, Educational System in 1996, Fjust as important as the in Manila. For the past four it is that the Lord knows what where he was appointed as destination—especially while years he has worked as is best for individuals. the Europe Central Area traveling through life. Elder recorder for the Manila He recalls being a little director in 2000. Teh says his calling as a full- Philippines Temple, where disappointed when called to In 2003 he was called to time missionary in 1986 he married Grace May serve a full-time mission in serve as president of the made all the difference in Weedon on December 16, his native Germany. “I wanted Berlin mission, an experience his mortal journey because 1989. They are the parents to learn a different language,” he and his wife loved. it strengthened his testimony of three children. he says. But he soon came to Prior to his call to the First of the gospel. Elder Teh is grateful for love teaching his own people. Quorum of the Seventy, Elder “My mission was a turning opportunities to associate And when he was assigned Kopischke served as bishop’s point in my life. It has been with Church leaders. He to the mission office for nine counselor, stake high coun- a wonderful blessing,” he has served as bishop, stake months as a secretary, he had cilor, district president, stake says. “I came to know my president’s counselor, high to learn English. president, , Father in Heaven and His councilor, and mission presi- Elder Kopischke came to Area Seventy, and Second Son, Jesus Christ. I came to dent’s counselor. At the realize that his mission had Counselor in the Europe know that I could call on my time of his call to the First truly been the Lord’s plan for Central Area. ■ Father in Heaven anytime Quorum of the Seventy, him, because it had prepared and talk to Him. That has he was serving as an Area him. been a great source of com- Seventy and as Second “The Lord knows your fort for me.” Counselor in the Philippines mission in life—that is my Elder Teh says those who Area Presidency. ■ greatest testimony,” he says. face crossroads in their lives “He knows what is in store need a testimony, which will for you.” help them stay on the right Elder Kopischke was path. born on October 20, 1956, “Our Father in Heaven in Elmshorn, Germany, will reveal the truth to you as where he was raised by faith- you prayerfully seek to find ful Latter-day Saint parents, your own testimony,” he says. Helga Haupt Kopischke and “What a sweet feeling it is to Kurt Kopischke. know for yourself and to be

MAY 2007 125 Elder Octaviano Tenorio Elder Claudio D. Zivic Of the Seventy Of the Seventy

series of inspired events, he the subject during the year. realized it was a job he was “I really didn’t like supposed to take. accounting,” he says. But “It changed my life’s when he prayerfully consid- course,” he says. It led to a ered his career path, he felt life intertwined with family strongly that he should go history and temple work. into accounting. Trusting After seven years in that in the Lord, he received his job, during which time he accounting degree from the served as stake president, University of Buenos Aires he was called as the first and enjoyed a career as a recorder for the Mexico certified public accountant. City Mexico Temple and as Elder Zivic can see the lder Octaviano Tenorio a sealer. He left the temple lder Claudio Daniel Lord’s guidance throughout Domínguez knows to preside over the Mexico Zivic believes that when his life. “If we’re living right, Ethat receiving the ordi- Tuxtla Gutierrez Mission. Ewe are striving to live He will bless us,” Elder Zivic nances of the temple changes He later managed the area’s right, we can trust that God says. “Things will fall into lives. It’s changed his, and Membership, Materials will guide us. place most naturally.” he’s been in positions to see Management, and Welfare Elder Zivic was born After his military service, it change others’. “Stay close Services Departments, dur- on December 19, 1948, to he and his wife, Dina Noemí to the temple,” he urges. ing which time he served as faithful Latter-day Saint par- Alvarez, were sealed on Born on October 31, 1942, regional representative and ents Sergio Jorge Zivic and January 9, 1979, in the São to Octaviano Tenorio and later as Area Seventy. Eleonora Zalewski Zivic in Paulo Brazil Temple. Flora Domínguez de Tenorio Elder Tenorio later Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a Prior to his call to the First in Tilapan, Veracruz, Mexico, became the Mexico City 15-year-old runner, he ranked Quorum of the Seventy, Elder he joined the Church after his Mexico Temple recorder second nationally in his age Zivic served as elders quorum family moved to Rio Bravo in again after his replacement group in the 800 meters. His president, institute teacher, northern Mexico. retired. greatest desire was to com- bishop, stake high councilor, After earning a certificate “The temple has been a pete in the Olympics, and counselor to a stake presi- in accounting and business, big part of my life,” he says, his coach, a former Olympic dent, temple ordinance he met Rosa Elva Valenzuela sad about the prospect of decathlete, believed he could worker, regional representa- González in Mexico City, retiring, though he appreci- do it—if he would only give tive, president of the Spain where they now reside. They ates the service opportuni- up his reluctance to compete Bilbao Mission, and Second were sealed on January 4, ties that his call to the First on Sundays. Counselor in the South 1974, in the Mesa Arizona Quorum of the Seventy “I had to choose,” says America South Area Temple and are the parents brings. “I believe it is through Elder Zivic. “In the end I felt Presidency. ■ of five children. temple ordinances that we competing wasn’t what the Early in his career, Elder will find true happiness.” ■ Lord wanted for me.” Tenorio was approached Elder Zivic faced another about a position as manager difficult decision when it of the Church’s Genealogical came time to choose a voca- Service Center in Mexico. tion. For four straight years Doing well in his job in the of secondary school, he had publishing industry, he was to take an additional end- not sure about taking the of-year test in accounting new position. But following a because he did so poorly in

126 Julie B. Beck Silvia H. Allred Relief Society General President First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

president and counselor in fourth of eight children. a stake Relief Society presi- She attended the University dency before her call to serve of Arizona, Brigham Young at the general Church level. University, and the General To manage her time, she Francisco Morarzan Institute divides priorities into three in El Salvador, studying math- categories—“must do,” ematics and languages. “should do,” and “nice to She married Jeffry A. Allred do.” Personal prayer, scrip- on September 7, 1966, in ture study, temple atten- the Salt Lake Temple. They dance, and family are on her are the parents of eight “must do” list. “I don’t know children. of a woman who doesn’t Sister Allred has served as t her baptism and in the have more to do than she hen she was just a full-time missionary in the temple, Julie Bangerter can do,” she says, but priori- 16 years old, Silvia Central America Mission, as A Beck says that as part tizing “eliminates guilt. I’m WHenriquez Allred, a Relief Society and Primary of making her covenants she surprised at how many ‘nice recently called as first coun- president at the ward and “promised the Lord that He to do’ things I can get done.” selor in the Relief Society stake levels, and as a member could use me in His king- The Lord has blessed general presidency, gained of the Young Women general dom.” Where and how He her with ideas about how to a love for Relief Society. board. She also served used her weren’t important be a grandma long-distance, “Shortly after she was bap- with her husband when he to her. As former first coun- including reading to her tized, my mother was called presided over the Paraguay selor in the Young Women grandchildren over the as the Relief Society president Asuncion Mission and most general presidency, she says, phone. in our branch in El Salvador,” recently as he presided over in the Church “everyone “I have always had a great Sister Allred explains. “She the Missionary Training gets assignment changes. It love for Relief Society. During was overwhelmed, but my Center in the Dominican doesn’t matter where you my young married years when sister and I [who were also Republic. The Allreds were serve. It’s the Lord’s work, my parents were assigned far recent converts] told her, also public affairs missionar- and we’re working with chil- away, Relief Society sisters ‘It will be OK. The Lord will ies in Madrid, Spain. dren of our Heavenly Father.” were ‘my mother.’ As I have help you.’ And He did.” Sister Allred says that Born to William Grant traveled throughout the As Sister Allred served as throughout her life, she has Bangerter, now an emeritus world, I have felt a genuine the Relief Society secretary relied on what she learned in member of the First Quorum love and admiration for the alongside her mother, she her first Relief Society calling: of the Seventy, and Geraldine women of the Church. What was impressed by the oppor- “Heavenly Father is aware of Hamblin Bangerter on a blessing it will be to now tunities that Relief Society our needs. I know He gives September 29, 1954, she focus my energies in Relief offered in leadership, educa- us strength.” ■ attended Dixie College and Society service.” ■ tion, homemaking skills, and Brigham Young University, service—opportunities Sister graduating with a degree in Allred says are available “to family science. She married every woman who embraces Ramon P. Beck on December the gospel of Jesus Christ.” 28, 1973, in the Salt Lake Sister Allred was born to Temple. They have three chil- Carlos Florentino Henriquez dren and eight grandchildren. and Hilda Alvarenga on Sister Beck served as ward October 11, 1944, in San Young Women and Primary Salvador, El Salvador, the

MAY 2007 127 Barbara Thompson Mary N. Cook Second Counselor in the Relief Society Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency General Presidency

but her favorite pastime is vis- special education teacher and iting with friends and family. later as a school administrator. With a master’s degree On July 16, 1988, in the in social work from the Salt Lake Temple, she mar- University of Utah, Sister ried Richard E. Cook, who Thompson worked for the later served as a member Utah Department of Human of the Second Quorum of Services for 30 years. Since the Seventy. At that time, retiring, she has served as Sister Cook says she “inher- executive director of an inter- ited four wonderful children national organization that and became a grandmother serves abused and neglected of eight,” as Elder Cook’s children. first wife had passed away s a former ward activi- Although she has never rust in the Lord with all in 1984. They now have 17 ties committee chair, married or had children of thine heart” (Proverbs grandchildren. A Barbara Thompson is her own, Sister Thompson T3:5) is a guiding truth While Elder and Sister more comfortable wearing says, “I have borrowed family for Mary Nielsen Cook, sec- Cook served as full-time jeans and putting together members and friends, and ond counselor in the Young missionaries in Mongolia, hygiene kits than as a mem- I’ve always had a lot of sup- Women general presidency. her husband was called ber of the Relief Society gen- port from the sisters of this Born in Midvale, Utah, to preside over the newly eral presidency. But she’s Church.” on June 8, 1951, Sister Cook created Mongolian mission. grateful for her new calling She sees her new role as learned to trust in the Lord Later she accompanied as second counselor in that being supportive of Sister from the examples of her par- him to Hong Kong, where presidency. Beck. “I want to lift her up ents, Kenneth N. and Fern S. he served in the Asia Area Having also served as a in her calling.” Nielsen. Her father suffered Presidency. She has also missionary in the Germany Sister Thompson looks severe health problems served as ward Relief Society Hamburg Mission, Gospel forward to hearing the testi- resulting from a mining acci- president and on the Young Doctrine teacher, Young monies of members through- dent when Sister Cook was Women general board. Women camp director, Laurel out the world as she serves. a toddler. For a time, her Sister Cook is grateful and Beehive adviser, ward Her message to her Relief mother was the family’s sole for her experiences and Young Women president, Society sisters is: “Love the provider. It was a trying time. testifies that “whatever trials ward Relief Society counselor, Lord. Come unto Christ with In her youth she dreamed may come upon us, if we and Relief Society general your whole heart. Women of marriage and motherhood trust in the Lord, He will board member, Sister face incredible challenges, but was single for many years. direct our paths.” ■ Thompson believes that but when we rely on the “Sometimes I wondered if “when sisters have a testi- gospel and the sisterhood my dreams would ever be ful- mony of the truthfulness we have in Relief Society, our filled,” Sister Cook says. “But of the gospel, they are burdens will be lighter.” ■ I tried to have faith and focus moved to action.” on the blessings I did have.” Born to W. Peter and Fern During this time she Rymer Thompson on June 13, earned bachelor’s and mas- 1952, in San Luis Obispo, ter’s degrees in speech California, Sister Thompson pathology and audiology and and her family later moved to an EdS (Education Specialist) Granger, Utah. She has always degree from Brigham Young loved sports and camping, University. She worked as a

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