He referred to the church's Family Proclamation, which states that husband and wife should be equal partners in marriage. He said he feels assured that every wife in the church would welcome that opportunity and support it. Whether it occurs depends upon the husband.

The notion that men are superior must be rejected by priesthood-holders, he said. "Nothing could be further from the truth."

In Saturday's opening session, President Monson announced the construction of temples in the greater Kansas City area; Philadelphia; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Cordoba, Argentina; and Rome, Italy. When 17 now in some phase of planning or construction are completed, along with these five newly announced, the number of operating temples will rise to 145.

President Monson said the church missionary effort continues to draw new converts throughout the world and asked members to pray for the opening of countries that continue to bar missionary efforts within their boundaries.

When then-President Spencer W. Kimball made a similar plea more than 30 years ago, "we saw miracles unfold as country after country, formerly closed to the church, was opened. Such will transpire again as we pray in faith."

Speakers representing the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, Quorums of Seventy and church auxiliaries offered advice, encouragement and admonition to live worthy of the blessings available through righteous living during Saturday's morning and afternoon sessions. The current economic turmoil and unrest in many parts of the world were a recurring theme. Living the gospel and increasing faithfulness were suggested by several speakers as the answers to the stresses of troubled times.

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve told Latter-day Saints Saturday morning that hard times reinforce the wisdom of living prudently and within one's means. "Our income should determine the kind of housing we can afford, not the neighbor's big home across the street."

Several other speakers urged simplicity in living and increased faith and spirituality.

"We live in the perilous times prophesied by the Apostle Paul," said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve. "Those who try to walk the straight and narrow path see inviting detours on every hand. We can be distracted, degraded, downhearted or depressed." He offered as a solution the sincere and worthy partaking of the sacrament. "By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament, we qualify for the promise that we will always have his spirit to be with us."

Drawing from her own experience as a young convert to the church, Sister Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, urged Latter-day Saints to support the missionary effort in every way possible.