How good it is, my beloved brothers and sisters, to meet
together once again.
It has been just over 183 years since the Church was
organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith under the
direction of the Lord.
At that meeting on April 6, 1830, there were six members
of the Church present.
I'm happy to announce that we, two weeks ago, found that the
membership of the Church reached 15 million.
The Church continues to grow steadily and to change the
lives of more and more people every year.
It is spreading across the earth as our missionary force
seeks out those who are searching for the truth.
It has scarcely been one year since I announced the lowering
of the age of missionary service.
Since that time, the number of the full-time missionaries
serving has increased from 58,500 in October 2012 to
80,333 today.
What a tremendous and inspiring
response we have witnessed.
The holy scriptures contain no proclamation more relevant, no
responsibility more binding, no instruction more direct
than the injunction given by the resurrected Lord as He
appeared in Galilee to the eleven disciples.
Said He, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost" (close quote).
The Prophet Joseph Smith declared, "After all that has
been said, the greatest and most important duty is to
preach the Gospel." Some of you here today will yet
remember the words of President David O. McKay, who
phrased the familiar quote, "Every member a missionary."
To their words I add my own: Now is the time for members
and missionaries to come together, to work together, to
labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him.
He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a
multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we
will act in faith to fulfill His work.
To help maintain our ever-increasing missionary
force, I've asked our members in the past to contribute, as
they're able, to their ward missionary fund or to the
General Missionary Fund of the Church.
The response to that request has been gratifying and has
helped support thousands of missionaries whose
circumstances do not allow them to support themselves.
I thank you for your generous contributions.
The need for help is ongoing, that we might continue to
assist those whose desire to serve is great, but who do not
by themselves have the means to do so.
Now, brothers and sisters, we've come here to be
instructed and inspired.
Many messages, covering a variety of gospel topics, will
be given during the next two days.
Those men and women who will speak to you have sought
heaven's help concerning the messages they will give.
It is now my prayer we may be filled with the Spirit of the
Lord as we listen and learn, in the name of our Savior,
Jesus Christ, amen.