The continuing growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, now at 6.5 million members, brings with it the well-known challenge involving more work for its general authorities.
But then this growth is accompanied by an increase in the pool of talent and spirituality needed to meet the challenges involved in spreading the gospel of Christ to more people in more parts of the world.The breadth and depth of that pool is reflected in the accomplishments of the inspired leaders called to fill positions of high responsibility this weekend during the Church's 158th semiannual general conference in Salt Lake City.
Elder Richard G. Scott was called as a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles to fill a vacancy created by the death of President Marion G. Romney.
Succeeding Elder Scott as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of Seventy is Elder J. Richard Clarke.
Also named to the First Quorum of Seventy, whose membership is now 66, are Monte J. Brough of Kaysville, Utah; Albert Choules Jr. of Phoenix, Ariz.; Lloyd P. George of Orem, Utah; and Gerald E. Melchin of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
To their new callings, each man brings his own unique gifts and qualifications. Their backgrounds in secular life span such diverse occupations as engineering, insurance, investing, ranching, real estate, and other business activities.
Despite such diversity, they also share some common bonds. All put service to God first in their lives - and that means service to His children. All are well-seasoned in terms of service to the church in positions of increasing responsibility. All share the goal of spreading Christ's message of brotherhood and love throughout the world.
All are men who have kept on learning. All are doers and achievers; they have accomplished much and are bent on accomplishing even more. Consequently, they know what works and what doesn't. And they know the gospel is particularly effective in producing happiness now and even more joy and satisfaction in the life to come.
To these outstanding men, the Deseret News extends congratulations on their demanding new responsibilities together with gratitude for the service they have already rendered and for the continuing influence of their personal examples of hard work and spirituality.