President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Pres. Uchtdorf spoke to church members about honoring the "faith of our fathers," regardless of the different circumstances church members may come from.

He said that sometimes the individual family traditions of faith keep individuals from joining the church so they don't "disappoint their ancestors; they feel they should be true to the faith of their fathers."

Pres. Uchtdorf said that all people should value the plan of happiness, the plan of redemption and the plan of salvation as the faith of our Eternal Father.

"This is the plan and faith of our Father," Pres. Uchtdorf said.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson - Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

Elder Christofferson talked about spiritual rebirth as the context for changing the natural man to a saint.

"...spiritual rebirth originates with faith in Jesus Christ, by who's grace we are changed," Elder Christofferson said. "More specifically, it is faith in Christ as the atoning one, the redeemer who can cleanse from sin and make holy."

Elder Christofferson said that this faith will also lead to repentance and eventually salvation.

He said that while scriptural examples like Alma are good ones to follow, they are "remarkable, not typical." In most cases spiritual rebirth is a process, not a single event.

Elder Sheldon F. Child - Quorum of the Seventy:

Elder Child began by recalling paying tithing on his 20 silver dollars as a seven-year-old boy, and the life long lesson he learned from that early experience.

"When we keep the law of the tithe, the Lord's promise is sure: blessings will come to us both temporally and spiritually, according to the wisdom and timing of the Lord," Elder Child said.

While recognizing that some circumstances make it very difficult for people to pay tithing, Elder Sheldon promised it would be "the best investment you will ever make."

Sister Susan W. Tanner - Former General Young Women's President:

Sister Tanner said that just like Nephi, "we too should delight in the things of the Lord for it will 'lift' our hearts and give us cause to 'rejoice'."

She said that she delights in Jesus Christ, the restored gospel, priesthood keys, her role as a nurturer, temples, families, the examples of scriptural figures and a God who knows her individually.

"I delight in the Lord's love for each of His children and in His wisdom to allow us individually tailored earthly experiences," Sister Tanner said.

President Boyd K. Packer - Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

President Packer's talk detailed the history of the Twelve Apostles in Christ's time and connected them to the current quorum presiding over the church. He said that living apostles are a crucial component to the Church today.

"The present Twelve are very ordinary people. They are not, as the original Twelve were not, spectacular individually, but collectively the Twelve are a power. ... What unites us is our love of the Savior and his Father's children and our witness that He stands at the head of this Church," President Packer said.

President Thomas S. Monson - President of the Church:

President Monson spoke of his ancestors who crossed the plains and laid for him a foundation of faith and courage.

He encouraged those going through trials, as his ancestors did, to stay strong and faithful and promised the Lord would help them.

"...I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith," President Monson said. "He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but he will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."

Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Apr 2008