President James E. Faust of the First Presidency
President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the TwelveElder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve
Elder Earl C. Tingey of the First Quorum of the Seventy
Bishop Keith B. McMullin of the Presiding Bishopric
Sister Chieko Okazaki of the Relief Society General Presidency
As the Nauvoo Bell on Temple Square tolled the hour, the Mormon Youth Chorus opened the 166th Annual General Conference of the Church with "Hark, All Ye Nations!" (Hymns, No. 264) One phrase, "bright as the sun, this heavenly ray," aptly reflected the beautiful spring day outside.
Conference-goers filled the historic Tabernacle to capacity for this Saturday morning session April 6 - the anniversary of the restoration of Church. Those who couldn't get in the Tabernacle watched the proceedings in overflow facilities in the Assembly Hall and in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building; others listened while sitting on the green lawns of Temple Square. Referring to the crowded conditions, President Gordon B. Hinckley, who conducted the session, announced that the Church would build a new meeting hall. (See article on page 3.)
Offering the invocation was Elder Charles Didier; Elder J. Richard Clarke gave the benediction. Directing the chorus was Robert Bowden, with Linda Margetts at the organ.