They Spoke to Us

Report from the 169th Semi-Annual General Conference, October 2–3, 1999

President Gordon B. Hinckley: May God bless us with a sense of our place in history and, having been given that sense, with our need to stand tall and walk with resolution in a manner becoming the Saints of the Most High.

President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency: In His earthly ministry, the Master outlined how we should live, how we should teach, how we should serve, and what we should do so that we could become our best selves.

President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency: Scientific knowledge, the marvels of communication, and the wonders of modern medicine have come from the Lord to enhance His work throughout the world. … But Satan, of course, is aware of this great progress in technology and likewise takes advantage of it for his purposes, which are to destroy and despoil. … For the seeds of faith to sprout in our lives, we must avoid Satan’s grasp.

President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Young Latter-day Saints, shape up! Face up! Take hold of your lives! Take control of your mind, your thoughts! If you have friends that are not a good influence, make changes, even if you face loneliness, even rejection.

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Each individual who prayerfully studies the Book of Mormon can … receive a testimony of its divinity. In addition, this book can help with personal problems in a very real way. Do you want to get rid of a bad habit? Do you want to improve relationships in your family? Do you want to increase your spiritual capacity? Read the Book of Mormon! It will bring you closer to the Lord and His loving power.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: I remember when my father, who was also my bishop, laid his hands upon my head to confer upon me the Aaronic Priesthood. I felt something special that day. In the coming weeks that feeling returned as I passed the emblems of the sacrament to the members of our ward. … It came to my mind that I was doing the very thing the Savior had done at the Last Supper.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.

Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: The world might be willing to excuse our bad behavior because those around us behave badly. It is not true that the behavior of others removes our responsibility for our own. God’s standards for our behavior are unchanged whether or not others choose to rise to them.

Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone of the Seventy: Beloved youth, be grateful for parents who have prayer and read the scriptures. Prize family home evening. Be grateful for those who teach and train you.

Elder Alexander B. Morrison of the Seventy: When we try consistently to be our very best, when we care for and serve others, when we overcome selfishness with love, when we place the welfare of others above our own, when we bear each other’s burdens and “mourn with those that mourn,” when we “comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and … stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:8–9), then we honor Him and draw from His power and become more and more like Him.

Photo by Tamra Ratieta