25 YEARS AGO
President Spencer W. Kimball was sustained as the 12th president of the Church on April 6, 1974.The Church News of that date reported: "Pledging his service with 'full purpose of heart,' President Spencer W. Kimball thanked the priesthood and members of the Church for their sustaining vote during the Solemn Assembly Saturday morning."
President Kimball was ordained and set apart as president of the Church on Dec. 30, 1973, following the death of President Harold B. Lee.
Reporting on the Solemn Assembly, which was the third session of that year's April general conference, the Church News said, "It was a solemn and impressive ceremony and the Spirit of the Lord was felt by many.
"Many eyes were moist as with deep feeling the Tabernacle Choir and the congregation joined to sing, 'We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet.' "
President Kimball delivered his second address of the general conference during that session. He said, according to the Church News: "Solemn assemblies have been known among the saints since the days of Israel. They have been of various kinds, but generally have been associated with the dedication of a temple or a special meeting appointed for the sustaining of a new First Presidency, or a meeting for the priesthood to sustain a revelation, such as the tithing revelation to President Lorenzo Snow."
He continued: "Today you have seen the Church in action. You have seen the mighty works of the Lord, how that everything is done by common consent and those who are led, sustain those who lead them. This is a constituent assembly and all members of the Church were invited to attend.
"Those of us who have this day been sustained by you, enter into our duties with full purpose of heart. We are grateful for your sustaining vote. Our only interest is to advise and counsel the people aright and in total line with the counsels of the Lord, as they have come through the generations and dispensations.
"We love you people and wish for you total progress and joy and happiness which, we know, can come only through following the admonitions of God as proclaimed through His prophets and leaders."