SATURDAY MORNING SESSION | October 1, 2011

By President Thomas S. Monson As We Meet Again It is my prayer that we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord as we listen to the messages today and tomorrow and learn those things the Lord would have us know.

t is good, brothers and sisters, to wel- rededicated in two sessions, where the come you to the 181st Semiannual Spirit of the Lord was with us in rich IGeneral Conference of The Church abundance. of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the latter part of August, This conference marks 48 years— President Henry B. Eyring dedicated think of it, 48 years—since I was called the San Salvador El Salvador Temple. to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles He was accompanied by Sister Eyring by President David O. McKay. That was and by Elder and Sister D. Todd in October of 1963. It seems impossible Christofferson, Elder and Sister that so many years have come and William R. Walker, and Sister Silvia H. Allred of the Relief Society general gone since then. presidency and her husband, Jeffry. When we’re busy, time seems to President Eyring reported that it was a pass far too quickly, and the past six most spiritual event. months have been no exception for In the latter part of this year, me. One of the highlights during that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and period was the opportunity I had to Sister Uchtdorf will travel with other rededicate the Temple General Authorities to Quetzaltenango, on May 1. I was accompanied by Elder Guatemala, where he will dedicate our and Sister M. Russell Ballard, Elder there. and Sister Walter F. González, and The building of temples continues Elder and Sister William R. Walker. uninterrupted, brothers and sisters. During the cultural celebration Today it is my privilege to announce entitled “Southern Lights,” held the several new temples. evening prior to the rededication, First, may I mention that no Church- 2,700 young men and young women built facility is more important than from throughout the temple district a temple. Temples are places where performed. It was one of the most relationships are sealed together to last outstanding programs I have seen and through the eternities. We are grateful had the audience on its feet several for all the many temples across the times for standing ovations. world and for the blessing they are in The following day the temple was the lives of our members. 4 Late last year the Provo Tabernacle Wyoming. In addition, we are moving one-time visit to the temple for those in Utah County was seriously dam- forward on our plans for a temple to who otherwise would not be able to aged by a terrible fire. This wonderful be built in Paris, France. go to the temple and yet who long building, much beloved by generations Details of these temples will desperately for that opportunity. Any of Latter-day Saints, was left with only be provided in the future as site who might wish to contribute to this the exterior walls standing. After careful and other necessary approvals are fund can simply write in the infor- study, we have decided to rebuild it obtained. mation on the normal contribution with full preservation and restoration I have mentioned in previous slip which is given to the bishop of the exterior, to become the second conferences the progress we are each month. temple of the Church in the city of making in placing temples closer Now, brothers and sisters, it is my Provo. The existing Provo Temple is to our members. Although they are prayer that we may be filled with the one of the busiest in the Church, and readily available to many members Spirit of the Lord as we listen to the a second temple there will accommo- in the Church, there are still areas messages today and tomorrow and date the increasing numbers of faithful of the world where temples are so learn those things the Lord would Church members who are attending distant from our members that they have us know. This I pray for in the the temple from Provo and the sur- cannot afford the travel required to name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼ rounding communities. get to them. They are thus unable I am also pleased to announce new to partake of the sacred and eternal temples in the following locations: blessings temples provide. To help in To watch the video of President Barranquilla, ; Durban, South this regard, we have available what Monson’s address, scan this image with a QR-enabled Africa; Kinshasa in the Democratic is called the General Temple Patron smartphone. Republic of the Congo; and Star Valley, Assistance Fund. This fund provides a

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