At the priesthood session of the 186th Semiannual General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson reaffirmed the verity of the Word of Wisdom, a plan for healthy living which the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. In doing this he shared a dramatic story of a Church member caught in a harrowing situation while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. Calling on the Lord in prayer, he claimed the promises that were his because he had always kept the Word of Wisdom.
The other two members of the First Presidency also spoke during the session. President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor, spoke of how bearers of the Melchizedek Priesthood give help and support to their younger brethren who hold the Aaronic Priesthood, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor, highlighted lessons to be learned from Book of Mormon figures Alma and Amulek.
Other speakers in the session were Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who spoke of the watch care provided to Church members by faithful home teachers, and Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., General Authority Seventy, who talked about the power contained in the Book of Mormon.
Elder Paul B. Pieper, General Authority Seventy, opened the session with prayer, and Elder Bruce D. Porter, General Authority Seventy, gave the closing prayer.
Music for the session was provided by a Melchizedek Priesthood choir from stakes in West Valley City and Magna, Utah, under the direction of Kenny Wiser, with Richard Elliott at the Conference Center organ.
