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:

• The addition of 3 million members around the world, with more members now outside North America than within; LDS Church membership now exceeds 12 million.

• Creation of 500 new stakes and more than 4,000 new wards and branches.

• The number of operating temples has grown from 47 in 1995 to 119 at present, with three more to be dedicated this year.

• Approximate doubling in student enrollment within the Church Education System. The Perpetual Education Fund, begun with "nothing but hope and faith," has assisted nearly 18,000 young people in 27 countries. They are being trained for occupations that will lift them out of the "slough of poverty in which they and their forebears have lived for generations."

• The Book of Mormon, printed in 87 languages in 1995, today is available in 106. Some 51 million copies of the book, accepted as scripture by Latter-day Saints, have been distributed during the decade. President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, in his Saturday morning remarks bore strong witness to the truths that are contained in the book and reminded listeners that a testimony usually comes over time, with faithful study.

• Thousands of new buildings have been constructed to accommodate church congregations and activities, including the "unique and beautiful" Conference Center in Salt Lake City, from which the conference emanated. Besides thousands in the center and in other church buildings on Temple Square, hundreds of thousands of faithful around the world met to view the proceedings in nearly 5,800 venues scattered through 80 nations. The proceedings were translated into 75 languages.

• Hundreds of millions of dollars in cash, commodities and other aid have been contributed to people in need "not of our faith."

These accomplishments, President Hinckley said, are not the work of the church's general authorities only, but are "the result of the faith, the prayers, the efforts and dedicated service of every member" of the church.