It is wonderful to be in the beautiful new facility and to have the new technology which carries conference sessions throughout the world, said Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of Twelve. "But it is the message we receive which, if we study and practice, will bring us the light of the gospel as further preparation in our great quest for eternal life."
Looking over the vast congregation assembled in the new Conference Center Saturday afternoon, Elder Perry said, "This is surely the beginning of a new era in Church history — an era of broader, more profound reach and influence; an era of greater growth and impact.
"Before the final meeting of the First Presidency and the Twelve last year," began Elder Perry, "President [Gordon B.] Hinckley, sensing the forthcoming changes about to occur, proposed that we come to the temple fasting and conclude the year, the century and a millennium, with a fast and testimony meeting.
"It was a sober yet joyous occasion as we each were strengthened by the strong testimonies of our brethren. President Hinckley added to his powerful, emotional witness a list of concerns for the future. One of his concerns particularly stuck in my mind. His worry was that with the great growth of the Church throughout the world, it would become increasingly difficult for the apostles to reach all the members of the Church and personally admonish them to live the gospel.
"Thus, the future would bring greater reliance on technology to carry the gospel message to the worldwide Church," Elder Perry said.
"As we review the sacred history contained in the holy scriptures, we find similar events when a prophet of God sees significant changes in the horizon ahead. It is interesting that when such critical events occur, great and inspired attention and detail are given to both the prophetic message and the way it is delivered — that is, the technology used to carry the gospel message," he continued.
Elder Perry recounted the events surrounding "the great sermon King Benjamin delivered to his people," found in the first chapters of the Book of Mosiah.
Wanting to "leave his witness and testimony of his Lord and Savior to his people," and also wanting to instruct his sons, King Benjamin instructed his people to gather themselves and go up to the temple where they might hear his words.
Because of the vast numbers of people who gathered, King Benjamin had a tower erected so the people could hear him. "But he realized that even with the tower not all would be able to hear, so he caused that his words should be written and sent forth among the families who were not within the sound of his voice, that all might receive his words. (Mosiah 2:5-8.)
"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," Elder Perry said. He then recounted how proceedings of a special conference held at the time the Church reached its 100th birthday were heard for the first time by radio as broadcast from the Tabernacle.
"Now, on this day, April 1, 2000, we are gathered in this beautiful new Conference Center," said Elder Perry. "Technology has blessed us with many new innovations to spread the message of the gospel.
"But the bricks and mortar and the continued expansion of technology will only bring the messages to us," he continued. "One challenge remains, . . . that is, . . . to internalize the messages of the gospel. Salvation is not in the facilities or the technology, but in the word," Elder Perry concluded.
