"Missionary work is the lifeblood of the church. There is no greater work, no more important work. It blesses the lives of all those who participate in it. It will continue blessing future generations," she said.

It is not necessary for individuals to know everything about the gospel, said Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Presidency of the Seventy. Gaining spiritual knowledge is a lifetime pursuit. But most members "know enough" upon which to build a testimony, he said.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, closed the Saturday morning session with the admonition that members should never succumb to despair but should cling to the hope that surmounts all challenges. "No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope for and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will vastly exceed our grandest expectations."

Saturday afternoon, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, reiterated the challenge to accept without despair one's share of adversities as part of the human experience. He advocated a perspective that includes laughter and a focus on eternal things as antidotes to the inevitable negatives in life. Sometimes, he said, "the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome."

Since the days of Adam and Eve, angels have been special messengers from God to instruct, warn and give aid to God's children on the earth, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said in the afternoon session, and they will continue to interact with those on earth as needed. Elder Holland then praised "angelic acts" performed by many members of the church.

"Brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so, I am testifying that God never leaves us alone or unaided in the challenges we face," Elder Holland said.

Among those huddled under umbrellas on the temple grounds were Noah Neff and Rachel Harris, both students at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Undaunted by the rain, they were enjoying the conference activities. Friday night, they attended the reunion of Neff's England Birmingham missionary group, an experience he described as "amazing."

Harris said she thought President Uchtdorf's Saturday morning talk was one of the best, although "I liked them all a lot." But President Uchtdorf's message of hope was one that is particularly needed right now, she said.

Kevin and June Spencer of Meridian, Idaho, and his mother, Arlene, of Emmett, Idaho, found the up-close-and-personal feeling of being with church leaders in the Conference Center to be a treat. "Usually we sit at home with the kids," said June Spencer. "It was very special to be here." Arlene Spencer also attended a missionary reunion Friday evening, mingling with those she had served with in the West Virginia Charleston mission.

The conference will reconvene today at 10 a.m., with the final session at 2 p.m.

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E-mail: tvanleer@desnews.com