25 years ago
The first area conference of the Church held in Europe convened Aug. 24, 1973, in Munich, Germany, according to the Aug. 25, 1973, Church News. President Harold B. Lee presided over the gathering for members from Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.The article stated, "It is the first time that Church members from nine countries, speaking six different languages and representing even more cultures, have joined together in song and prayer."
Previous area conferences had been held in Manchester, England, and Mexico City. The setting for the three-day conference in Munich was the Olympic Park, built for the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Accompanying President Lee were his counselors in the First Presidency, President N. Eldon Tanner and President Marion G. Romney, and other General Authorities. There were two general sessions Saturday and two Sunday, and a priesthood meeting and a women's meeting Saturday evening. There were also athletic competitions and variety shows presented by European members.
"The Saturday morning session of the three-day conference attracted approximately 12,500 members of the Church," the article reported.
Quote from the past
"We, today, are the inheritors of that priceless pearl of great price, the gospel of Jesus Christ, which was restored through Him as God's instrumentality, to help us to live and die, if necessary, that we may in due season be prepared for the millennial reign. This, we should never forget, is the time for us, while it is yet time, to be prepared to meet our God."
President Harold B. Lee, from an address delivered during the Europe area conference, August 1973
