President Benson Sends Message to Boise Regional Conference

Latter-day Saints need to increase their study of the Book of Mormon and make it the basis for all of their teaching, President Ezra Taft Benson said in a message to a Boise regional conference on November 2.

President Benson, whose health didn’t permit him to attend the conference in person, sent his secretary, Gary Gillespie, to read his message about the Book of Mormon to 13,900 Boise-area Saints who packed the conference. Also in attendance were Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve and his wife, Norma, and Elder Robert B. Harbertson of the First Quorum of the Seventy and his wife, Norma.

The Saints, representing ten stakes—six in Boise, three in Meridian, and one in Mountain Home—overflowed the 12,000-seat Pavilion at Boise State University, where the conference was held on a crisp, clear Sunday morning.

In his message, President Benson counseled the Saints to use the Book of Mormon. He said members of the Church may easily be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless they know how to use this book of scripture.

In addition to President Benson’s message, members heard Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve, who conducted and presided over the conference, stress the importance of temple work and the need to be worthy to enter the temple.

Elder Ashton’s wife, Norma B. Ashton, also spoke at the conference, urging the members not to give up if their feelings should be hurt by other members of the Church. Quoting her husband, she said, “Don’t let yourself be offended by someone who is learning his job.”

Elder Robert B. Harbertson of the First Quorum of the Seventy counseled the Saints to love their families and to teach their children through example. Elder Harbertson’s wife, Norma C. Harbertson, also stressed the importance of family relationships in her conference address. She related examples of how the Prophet Joseph Smith showed his love for his family and encouraged Saints to follow his example.

Correspondent: Bob Cazier, a newspaper reporter and member of the Meridian Eighth Ward, Meridian Idaho East Stake.