LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley dies at age 97

President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through explosive growth during his more than 12 years as president, died 7 p.m. Sunday at home of causes incident to age, surrounded by family. He was 97.

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695247765,00.html

A highlight of General Conference

Elder Robert D. Hales

Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, encouraged this year's graduates of Brigham Young University to avoid going into debt.

Elder Hales told the crowd in the Marriott Center for Thursday's (April 27, 2006) commencement rites they should perform "plastic surgery" on their credit cards. Unless you can pay off the balance every month, he told graduates, the plastic cards should be cut up and discarded.

"If you had to go into debt to obtain your education, I encourage you to repay your debts as soon as possible," he said. "Then go forward with commitment not to finance on credit any item of any kind, except perhaps a house and vehicle that are well within your means."

Presiding Bishop H. David Burton

In a luncheon, the United Way of Salt Lake on Wednesday, April 26, 2006, honored businesses and individuals that helped support the organization during the past year.

Presiding Bishop H. David Burton of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received the day's most prestigious award, the United Way's compassionate leader of the year. In presenting the award, last year's winner, developer Kem Gardner, called Bishop Burton "a champion whose service to this community is unequaled and whose tireless efforts to help people of this community and their families is unsurpassed."

Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi

Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 1977, shared words of encouragement and a powerful testimony during special meetings on April 20 with Korean and Japanese students at BYU-Hawaii.

Elder Kikuchi, the first native-born Japanese to be called as a General Authority, and his wife, Sister Toshiko Kikuchi, stopped over for the meetings in Laie en route to an stake conference assignment. He is currently serving in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the Church temple and curriculum committees, but previously was a member of the Asia North Area Presidency that includes Japan and the Korean peninsula, and also president of the Tokyo Temple and the Hawaii Honolulu Mission.

http://www.byuh.edu/whatsnew/index.jsp?whatID=4981

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Elder Russell M. Nelson and 49 religious leaders from around the country have signed a letter that calls for a U.S. constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, signed on behalf of the LDS Church. The letter is intended to help sway the U.S. Senate, which is expected to vote in June on a resolution that calls for the marriage amendment.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635202305,00.html

First Presidency

Temple announced

Cebu, Philippines
April 29, 2006

Construction of a new temple in Cebu, Philippines, has been announced by the First Presidency. The announcement was made by a letter dated April 18 to Philippines priesthood leaders. The new temple will be the second for the Philippines and located in an area that will reduce travel for many of the members in the southern islands. Currently, 122 temples are operating in the Church, and an additional 10, including this one, have been announced for construction.

"We are confident this will be a blessing to the many faithful saints in this and surrounding areas who have had to travel long distances to enjoy the blessings of the temple," the letter stated. "Specific stakes to be included in the temple district will be announced at a later date."

The letter invited members who desire to contribute financially toward the construction of the temple to do so as their circumstances permit.

"In harmony with the spirit of the local unit budget allowance program, priesthood leaders should not conduct fund-raising efforts or establish assessments or goals for this purpose. "Members who would like to donate should simply indicate 'temple' on the 'other' line of the donation receipt. Wards will then transfer these funds to the nearest Presiding Bishopric Administrative Office on a monthly basis.

"We commend the saints for their devotion and faithfulness and are thankful for the blessings that will come to them through the construction of this new temple."

http://www.desnews.com/cn/view/1,1721,445005995,00.html

Elder Harold G. Hillam

Elder Harold G. Hillam, an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and current president of the Boise Idaho Temple, addressed Brigham Young University–Idaho students during devotional on Tuesday, April 4 about the importance of the temple.

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was married in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday, April 6, to Wendy Watson, a professor of marriage and family therapy at Brigham Young University.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635197769,00.html

General Conference

(SALT LAKE CITY, UT, March 29, 2006) - Gordon B. Hinckley, the 95 year-old leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will address the 12 million members of the Church in five "General Conference" sessions on April 1 and 2. President Hinckley along with other top church leaders will deliver their remarks via satellite transmission from Salt Lake City, Utah.

Church members around the globe will take part in the meetings by attending local church buildings or even in their own homes via the Internet at http://www.lds.org/ or via the BYUTV television station.

The four conference sessions will air from 10 am to 12 noon and 2 to 4 pm (Mountain Time) on both Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2. A general priesthood session will also be held for all priesthood holders Saturday evening at 6 pm Mountain Time.

In addition to the inspirational spoken messages, the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir will provide the music at the conference sessions. The talks will be simultaneously translated into over 50 languages for broadcast around the world. A likely theme of the conference will be finding peace and happiness by living gospel principles and by having faith in Jesus Christ.

During his 11 years as president of the Church, Gordon B. Hinckley has guided it through a period of dynamic growth, with membership now more than a third higher than it was when he assumed leadership in 1995. Despite his age and a recent bout with cancer, he maintains a vigorous schedule, including a recent trip to Santiago, Chile for a temple dedication. His remarks are typically the most-anticipated part of the semi-annual conference. In closing the most recent conference last October, he referred to the meetings as “an inspirational feast at the table of the Lord.”

http://www.ldstoday.com/home/level2/2006-03-29conference.php

Elder Merrill C. Oaks

A Family Expo will be April 3-4 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Brigham Young University conference center. The aim of the conference is to strengthen family ties.

Elder Merrill C. Oaks, a former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will speak at the expo. Other speakers include Josephine Ann C. Oaks, Mary Ellen Edmunds, John Bytheway, Paula Fellingham, Mindy Gledhil and Daniel K. Judd.

First Presidency

On March 17, 2006, President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors joined Relief Society General President Bonnie D. Parkin in a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the historic Relief Society Building in Salt Lake City.

Commemorating the upcoming 50th anniversary of the dedication of the building and celebrating the completion of a months-long renovation project, President Hinckley and Sister Parkin used silver scissors to cut a gold ribbon hanging in a doorway between the Presidents' Room and the Reception Room on the ground floor of the white stone and marble building.

Accompanying President Hinckley at the ceremony were his counselors in the First Presidency, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust. Also present were several members of the Quorum of the Twelve, other Church leaders, and current and former auxiliary leaders.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Elder Wirthlin recognized for life of contributions

March 18, 2006

The University of Utah Alumni Association honored Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve with its Distinguished Alumni award Feb. 22.

The award, given to graduates who have "distinguished themselves professionally, served the local and national communities, and supported the university in its mission," is the highest honor the alumni association can bestow, said Mary Thiriot, senior event coordinator for the association. Each recipient is nominated from a pool of more than 200,000 living alumni worldwide.

Elder Wirthlin was recognized for his work as the first chairman of the Church's Humanitarian Service Committee. In addition, Elder Wirthlin, a former Ute running back, was recognized as a "lifelong supporter of Utah football," according to the alumni association Web site.

The awards were presented at a dinner held at the Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City during the university's Founders' Day 2006 events. As part of the events, Elder Wirthlin and Garry Flake, director of Church Emergency Response, discussed the humanitarian efforts of the Church during a lecture Feb. 22 hosted by the Bennion Service Center.

General YW Meeting

On Saturday, March 25, 2006, the Church had its General Young Women meeting. Among those who spoke included President Faust, Sister Susan W. Tanner, general president of the Young Women, Sister Julie B. Beck, first counselor in the Young Women presidency, and Sister Elaine S. Dalton, second counselor.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

On February 23, 2006, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Lao People's Democratic Republic for the work of the gospel.

A small group of local Latter-day Saints, humanitarian missionaries, and visiting Church leaders were in attendance as Elder Holland invoked God's blessings upon the people of Laos. He prayed that the government, its leaders, the Laotian people, and the entire land would be blessed with peace.

Elder Holland was accompanied on his visit to Laos and other Asian nations by his wife, Patricia. Also traveling with them were Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy, First Counselor in the Asia Area Presidency; his wife, Diane; President Scott F. Hansen of the Thailand Bangkok Mission; and his wife, Suzanne.

Elder James E. Faust

As reported by the Deseret News, the Brigham Young University Management Society on Wednesday March 22, 2006 honored President Faust, second counselor in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' First Presidency, with its annual award as family, church officials, business leaders and educators celebrated a man who, as Management Society Utah Valley Chapter president Marc Arnoldsen said, has given "many years of distinguished leadership and service in our community."

Elder Paul E. Koelliker

Elder Paul E. Koelliker, a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, was in Ridgecrest, CA over the weekend of March 11-12, 2006 to set apart a new stake presidency.

New Mission Presidents

Every July, a whole new crop of mission presidents begin their three year service. This July, there are 108 new mission presidents. This lds.org article describes some of the preparation these couples go through prior to formally entering the MTC and the mission field.

Elder Quentin L. Cook

Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, addressed Brigham Young University–Idaho students during his devotional address on Tuesday, March 14 about strengthening faith through seeking knowledge.

Elder Stephen A. West

Elder Stephen A. West, former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, stressed the importance of paying tithing in his Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional address on Tuesday, March 7.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

During the weekend of March 11 - 13, 2006, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley was in Santiao, Chile to rededicate the Santiago, Chile temple.

First Presidency

The First Presidency issued the following press release regarding Archbishop George H. Niederauer:

Archbishop George H. Niederauer, a Faithful Friend
A Message from the First Presidency
7 February 2006

SALT LAKE CITY — From time to time, we are blessed with religious leaders whose influence transcends denominational boundaries to lift and inspire people of all faiths. Archbishop George H. Niederauer is such a leader.

His exemplary service will long be remembered not only by the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Salt Lake City but also by many others among all religions in Utah. Government officials and leaders of community agencies will also reflect with gratitude on his labors to make life better in the cities and towns of our state.

He is a man of quick wit and good humor, unyielding integrity and immense capacity. Above all, he is our friend. His presence in Salt Lake City will be greatly missed as he answers the call to shepherd the work of the Catholic Church in San Francisco, northern California, Utah and Nevada.

Ecclesiasticus wrote, “A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.” Archbishop Niederauer has been a faithful, treasured friend in defending all that is good, those values and virtues which the Apostle Paul described as true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report.

In an environment where religion is sometimes used as an excuse to divide, he always led with a voice of respect and common decency. With wisdom and compassion, he reached out in meaningful, heartfelt ways to help us better understand one another.

Especially noteworthy were his tireless efforts as a founding member of the Alliance for Unity, a leadership group committed to improving relationships within Utah’s increasingly diverse population. He has a gift for bringing people with differing views into harmonious agreement. He builds consensus and cooperation through patience, humor, kindness and meekness.

Through many community initiatives, he demonstrated his sound judgment, sharp mind and gentle stewardship. His leadership was the catalyst to bring together religious, community and law enforcement leaders to fight pornography addiction.

His sincere concern and compassion for the disadvantaged, regardless of religious affiliation, is readily apparent in the hands-on assistance he has given personally and in the relief work he has directed through Catholic Community Services. It has been our privilege to cooperate with him on a number of these humanitarian projects.

Archbishop Niederauer, a faithful friend, will be dearly missed. We know that many will be blessed in the Archdiocese of San Francisco by his able leadership and caring service. Our prayers, love and best wishes go with him.

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
Gordon B. Hinckley
Thomas S. Monson
James E. Faust

http://www.lds.org/newsroom/showrelease/0,15503,3881-1-22898,00.html

Sister Cheryl C. Lant

Cheryl C. Lant, general president of the Primary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will speak Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 11:05 a.m. in the Marriott Center for a Brigham Young University campus devotional.

Lant was sustained as the 11th general president of the Primary in April 2005. Live broadcasts are available on KBYU-TV Channel 11, BYU-Television, KBYU-FM 89.1, BYU-Radio and byubroadcasting.org.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635183319,00.html

Elder John B. Dickson

Elder John B. Dickson, a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, presided over the Beaumont Texas Stake conference on Febraury 11-12, 2006.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin presided over stake conference at the Taylorsville West (Utah) Stake on February 4-5, 2006.

Elder W. Rolfe Kerr

Elder W. Rolfe Kerr of the Seventy gave the CES fireside to young adults ages 18-30 on Sunday, Feb. 5.

Elder David A. Bednar

Elder David A. Bednar gave a worldwide fireside to Church Educational System employees on Friday, Feb. 3, 2006.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Recovering well, hoping to travel

While recovering at home from surgery, President Gordon B. Hinckley has been conducting meetings with his counselors in the First Presidency, President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor, and President James E. Faust, second counselor. President Hinckley returned home from the hospital Jan. 30, after having undergone surgery Jan. 24 to remove a cancerous growth in the large intestine. He looks forward to resuming his usual schedule soon, and hopes to preside over the rededication of the Santiago Chile Temple on March 12.

http://www.desnews.com/cn/view/1,1721,445005519,00.html

Elder Todd Christofferson

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy spoke at a BYU devotional on Jan. 31, 2006.

President Boyd K. Packer

With little advance notice, 2,200 young adults gathered Jan. 20, 2006 in Guatemala City for a historic fireside by President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Presidency of the Seventy.

President Packer was also accompanied by Elders Spencer V. Jones and W. Douglas Shumway of the Seventy, who are the president and first counselor of the Central America Area, as well as Elders Nelson Altamirano and Poloski Cordon, Area Seventies.