2014-05-00-ensign-eng

NEWS OF THE CHURCHProgress on Temples Noted,New Officers Sustained atGeneral ConferenceDuring the past six months, “thework of the Church has movedforward unhindered,” PresidentThomas S. Monson said in his openingremarks at the Church’s 184th AnnualGeneral Conference.Reminiscing about the dedicationof the Gilbert Arizona Temple onMarch 2, 2014, looking forward to theupcoming Fort Lauderdale FloridaTemple dedication, and anticipatingthe completion and dedication oftemples in many parts of the worldduring 2014 and 2015, PresidentMonson noted that when all previouslyannounced temples are completed,the Church will have 170operating temples throughout theworld.“Although we are currently concentratingour efforts on completingthe previously announced templesand will not be announcing any new132temples in the immediate future,”he said, “we will continue the processof determining needs and of findinglocations for temples yet to come.Announcements will then be madein future general conferences. Weare a temple-building and atemple-attending people.”During the conference, a newmember of the Presidency of theSeventy, four new General Authorities,a new Sunday School general presidency,and 42 Area Seventies weresustained.Elder Lynn G. Robbins was calledto the Presidency of the Seventy.Elder Jörg Klebingat of Kyiv,Ukraine, and Elder Chi Hong (Sam)Wong of Hong Kong, China, weresustained to serve in the First Quorumof the Seventy. Elder Larry S. Kacherof Midway, Utah, and Elder Hugo E.Martinez of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, weresustained as members of the SecondQuorum of the Seventy.Elder Tad R. Callister, who hadbeen serving in the Presidency ofthe Seventy and as a member ofthe Second Quorum of the Seventy,was sustained as the Sunday Schoolgeneral president, with John S. Tannerand Devin G. Durrant as first and secondcounselors.See a complete list of sustainingsand releases on pages 26–27, andfind biographies of Elder Robbins,the newly called Seventies, and theSunday School general presidencystarting on page 141.A week prior to general conference,the first general women’smeeting—for all women, youngwomen, and girls eight years ofage and older—was held in theConference Center. This meetingtakes the place of the previous generalRelief Society and general YoungWomen meetings. All of the messagesfrom the women’s meeting can befound on pages 116–28.Also prior to conference, theYoung Women general board wasreorganized, with sisters called for thefirst time from locations in addition toSalt Lake City, including Peru; SouthAfrica; Japan; Brazil; and Brooklyn,New York, USA. Read biographiesand see photos at lds.​org/​callings/​young​-women.“The Savior brought to this eartha message of love and goodwill to allmen and women,” President Monsonsaid at the end of the general conference.“May we ever follow His example.”He assured Church members andothers listening that “Heavenly Fatheris mindful of us. He will guide andbless us as we put our faith and trustin Him.” ◼