"This is surely the beginning of a new era in church history — an era of broader, more profound reach and influence."
President Hinckley has told the Twelve of his concern that the great growth of the church will make it increasingly difficult for the apostles to personally admonish members to live the gospel.
The future will bring a reliance on technology to carry the gospel message.
The Book of Mormon records that King Benjamin, too, considered both his prophetic message and the way it was carried at his final conference. He told the people to pitch their tents in front of the temple to listen to his words. To those who could not hear, he had written texts sent. Finally, he appointed priests to teach the people his words.
"In many ways, King Benjamin used all the technologies available to him in his day to gather his people, spread the good word of God and to reinforce the word."
Here, on April 1, 2000, members gather in a new Conference Center built so thousands more can see the prophet and hear his voice.
"But even with this building and increased ability to travel among the Saints to meet them in so many other lands, small numbers will be able to enjoy the personal contact with the prophets and apostles because of the growth of the church."
Our challenge is to internalize the messages of the gospel.
"Salvation is not in facilities or technology, but in the word. Only in the power of the word will it impact our lives and help us to live closer to our Father in Heaven."
