A decade of "remarkable flowering" in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was celebrated as the church opened its 175th Annual General Conference Saturday. The 10 years since Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust were sustained as the First Presidency have been an era of "meaningful accomplishments," President Hinckley said in opening remarks Saturday morning.

Members sustained a new Primary general presidency, along with a number of other additions to the presiding quorums of the church during the second general session. Sister Cheryl C. Lant is the new Primary president.

Sisters Margaret S. Lifferth and Vicki F. Matsumori will be her first and second counselors, respectively.

Though President Hinckley commended the church membership for great progress, the 94-year-old church leader spoke strongly Saturday night against the evils of gambling, which has become more readily accessible through the Internet. In the evening priesthood session, he told the faith's men and boys that he had chosen to address the subject in response to "a number of requests that I say something on a practice that is becoming more common among us, and particularly among our youth."

Of gambling, President Hinckley stated firmly, "We are against it," in any of its various forms. "It is addictive, as much so as illegal drugs. In so many cases it leads to other destructive habits and practices." Some youth who begin dabbling with seemingly safe games such as poker then advance to more pernicious forms of gambling, he said. "The pursuit of a game of chance may seem like harmless fun, but there attaches to it an intensity that actually shows on the faces of those who are playing. ... The church has been and is now opposed to this practice. If you have never been involved in poker games and other forms of gambling, don't start. If you are involved, then quit now while you can do so."

The semiannual gathering of Latter-day Saints opened against the backdrop of another religious event of great significance as the world noted the passing of Pope John Paul II. The 84-year-old pontiff was still lingering when President Hinckley paid tribute to him in his opening remarks of the conference, but the pope died shortly after noon Utah time, prompting an expanded statement to open the afternoon session. (See related story link above.)

Two historic observations this year — the 200th anniversary of the birth of founding prophet Joseph Smith on Dec. 23, 1805, and the 175th anniversary of the organization of the church on April 6, 1830, were alluded to by several speakers Saturday. Events throughout 2005 will mark these notable dates. But President Hinckley dwelt on the past decade as a period of exceptional growth. Among markers: