Report of the 155th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sermons and proceedings of October 5–6, 1985, from the Tabernacle on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah

“We are living in one of the most significant and important epochs in the history of the Church and in the history of God’s work among His people. We are living in the greatest era of temple building ever witnessed,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley, Second Counselor in the First Presidency in addressing the Sunday morning, October 6, general session of the Church’s 155th Semiannual General Conference.

“Temple building and the dedication of temples have gone on at such a pace in the last few years that some pay little attention and feel it is of small significance. But the adversary has not been unmindful of it. …

“In a little more than two and a half years we have dedicated sixteen new temples and rededicated the restored Manti Temple. Before the end of the year, we shall dedicate at least one more, so that we will have dedicated six in 1983, six in 1984, and six in 1985. This great impetus in temple building was given by President Kimball under revelation from the Lord, whose work this is,” said President Hinckley. (See page 54.)

Presiding at the two-day general conference was President Spencer W. Kimball, who attended the four general sessions on Saturday and Sunday, October 6–7. Conducting the sessions were President Hinckley and President Ezra Taft Benson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve. Absent were President Marion G. Romney, First Counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve, convalescing at home.

Administrative action of the conference occurred in the general session Sunday afternoon. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy was sustained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to fill the vacancy occasioned by the 19 April 1985 death of Elder Bruce R. McConkie. Also released from the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy was Elder J. Thomas Fyans, Senior President of the Presidency, who has been called by the First Presidency to preside over the South America South Area, with headquarters in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Elder Fyans succeeds Elder A. Theodore Tuttle, who has returned to a Church headquarters assignment. Succeeding Elder Fyans as Senior President of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy is Elder Carlos E. Asay. Sustained to fill the two vacancies in the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy were Elder Jack H Goaslind, Jr., and Elder Robert L. Backman, both members of the First Quorum of the Seventy. (See pages 99–101 for articles.)

Conference proceedings were televised via satellite to more than one thousand gatherings of Church members in ward and stake centers throughout the United States and Canada.

Preceding general conference by a week was the General Women’s Meeting, held on September 28 and broadcast to satellite reception centers in the United States and Canada. Addresses given at the meeting are included in this issue. (See pages 86–96.)
—The Editors.