Growth is extolled

The "miraculous growth" of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into a widely dispersed and increasingly recognized faith is a singular fulfillment of prophecy, LDS faithful were told Sunday.

President Gordon B. Hinckley in the Sunday morning general session of the 177th Semiannual General Conference, told the worldwide congregation that the church has "become one large family scattered across the earth." More than 13 million members are located in 176 nations and territories. The conference proceedings, he said, were being carried by satellite and other means in 92 languages.

"A great miracle is taking place right before our eyes," said President Hinckley, who characterized the growth as fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy of Daniel, who saw in a dream a stone cut out of the mountain, that would "roll forth and fill the whole earth."

"And this is only the beginning," President Hinckley said. "This work will continue to grow and prosper and move across the earth ... This work is unique and wonderful. It is fundamentally different from every other body of religious doctrine of which I know." He recounted the step-by-step experiences of Joseph Smith, founding prophet of the church, and credited him with faithfully obeying the directives of God the Father and his Son to lay the foundation for the restoration of Christ's gospel in its fulness.

The coming forth of the Book of Mormon was seminal to the young church and continues to influence people in many lands. "The Bible had stood alone for centuries. It is a precious and wonderful book. Now, there was a second witness declaring the divinity of Christ," said President Hinckley. Although a vintage copy of the Book of Mormon recently sold for $105,000, he said, "the cheapest paperback edition is as valuable to the reader who loves its language and message."

Millions around the world heard the conference messages via electronics and more will have access as church publications reprint the texts.

But nothing beats a first-hand opportunity to attend conference, said Sterling and Renee Johnson, Carlsbad, Calif., who came to Utah to celebrate the birth of a new granddaughter and to attend in person the Sunday afternoon session in the Conference Center. Sterling Johnson said it was a treat to see President Hinckley perform the sustainings Saturday morning in which new general authorities were named, and his wife said she will remember the conference messages focused on love.