50 years ago
A message from President Heber J. Grant was read to the Saints during the opening session of the October general conference on Oct. 6, 1944, and printed in the Oct. 7 issue of the Church News.
President Grant, 87, who had been serving as Church president for 26 years, had been advised by his physician not to speak at conference due to ill health.
"I am better now than I have been during some of the weeks and months just passed," noted President Grant. "I come to the office nearly every day, and I refrain from speaking to you now only on counsel of my doctor, whose advice I usually take."
President Grant thanked the Saints for their love, faith and prayers in his behalf. "I am here as a witness that God does hear and answer prayer, and I pray that his blessings may be upon Israel and upon all honest men everywhere.
"I desire especially to extend my blessing to all the men and women who preside in all the stakes of Zion throughout the Church, in all the missions, in all the wards, in all the quorums of the priesthood, and in all the auxiliary organizations. . . .
"Particularly in this critical time, do I pray for the youth of this generation, and for all those who labor for and with them, and who are responsible for their instruction."
Quote from the past
"My dear brothers and sisters, we have been fed the bread of life at this conference, the bread that feeds the spirit and brings out the divine nature in the human soul. The bread of life is built around Jesus Christ and His gospel of love and salvation." - Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, in an address given at general conference, April 9, 1972.