Report of the 157th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sermons and proceedings of October 3–4, 1987, from the Tabernacle on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah.

“We have an increasing number who have been convinced, through reading the Book of Mormon, that Jesus is the Christ. Now we need an increasing number who will use the Book of Mormon to become committed to Christ. We need to be convinced and committed,” urged President Ezra Taft Benson at the closing session of the October general conference.

“Let us continually reread the Book of Mormon so that we might more fully come to Christ, be committed to Him, centered in Him, and consumed in Him.

“We are meeting the adversary every day. The challenges of this era will rival any of the past, and these challenges will increase both spiritually and temporally. We must be close to Christ, we must daily take His name upon us, always remember Him, and keep His commandments,” pleaded President Benson (see page 85).

President Benson presided at the two-day general conference. Sessions were conducted by President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor; and President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor, in the First Presidency. All General Authorities were in attendance except President Marion G. Romney, President of the Quorum of the Twelve; Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi, President of the Hawaii Honolulu Mission; and Elder John H. Vandenberg, an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.

Conference proceedings were televised via satellite to many gatherings of Church members throughout the United States and Canada. Videotapes of conference will be made available to members in most other parts of the world.

Preceding general conference by a week was the annual General Women’s Meeting, held September 26 and broadcast to satellite reception centers in the United States and Canada. Addresses given at the meeting are included in this issue (see pp. 86–97).—The Editors.