They Spoke to Us

Report from the 162nd Semiannual General Conference, October 3–4, 1992

President Ezra Taft Benson (as read by Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency): This is the last and great dispensation, … the only dispensation in which the Lord has promised that sin will not prevail. The Church will not be taken from the earth again. It is here to stay. The Lord has promised it and you are a part of that Church and kingdom.

Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency: If there is one great ringing message I take from the builders of this [Tabernacle], it is this—Be strong! … Be strong in the discipline of self. Be strong—in standing for the right. … Be strong … in the quality of mercy. … Be strong … with the strength of simple honesty. … Be strong—in the faith.

Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency: I bear to you my witness that [Heavenly Father] is there. He does hear and answer every prayer.

Russell M. Nelson of the Council of the Twelve: Our Creator expects His children everywhere to educate themselves. He issued a commandment: “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (D&C 88:118.) And He assures us that knowledge acquired here will be ours forever. (See D&C 130:18–19.)

Dallin H. Oaks of the Council of the Twelve: At times all of us must stand against those who mock and revile. Some of us, sometime, will face some earthly power as mighty as Goliath. When that happens, we should emulate the courage of David, who was mighty because he had faith and he went forth in a righteous cause in the name of the Lord of Hosts.

M. Russell Ballard of the Council of the Twelve: Our Heavenly Father is aware of us, individually and collectively. He understands the spiritual, physical, and emotional difficulties we face in the world today. In fact, they are all part of His plan for our eternal growth and development. And His promise to us is sure: “He that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome.” (D&C 63:20.)

Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Council of the Twelve: In any pursuit and under any condition, we can ask ourselves what Jesus would do and then determine our own course accordingly.

Dean L. Larsen of the Presidency of the Seventy: As the world continues to ripen in iniquity, … [we] must be better than we have ever been before. As we succeed, we have the sure promise of the Lord that he will prosper us in every way necessary for our well-being.

Lino Alvarez of the Seventy: I invite all who are listening, young and old alike, to honor their parents day by day and to try to do those things that bring honor to them.

Dallas N. Archibald of the Seventy: Always look for the good in the individual. … Put-downs, words like “stupid” or “dummy,” or phrases like “Why can’t you do anything right?” destroy self-esteem and shouldn’t be part of our vocabulary.

Betty Jo N. Jepsen, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency: The scriptures are the word of God and a light to us and the world, and we can follow this light as if they were our guiding star.