Pacific Area Presidency Speak At General Conference

They travelled over 11000 kilometres to deliver an important message to the Saints of the Church.

President Elder O. Vincent Haleck and second counsellor Elder Ian S. Ardern of the Pacific Area Presidency spoke to millions of Saints around the world at the October General Conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Elder Haleck was sustained a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy on April 2, 2011. At the time of his call, he was serving as president of the Samoa Apia Mission.

Born in Utulei, American Samoa, Elder Haleck reflected on his many varied experiences serving throughout the Pacific. He reflected on the lessons we can learn from the heart of the widow who, despite her want, the Saviour said had cast into the treasury “…all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12: 44)”

He remarked, “I have seen that same heart in the (people) of the Pacific.”

“The heart of the widow is a heart that senses, feels and knows the light of truth and will give anything to embrace that truth. It also helps others to see that same light and come to the same measure of eternal happiness and joy. Finally, the heart of the widow is defined by a willingness to give all for building up the kingdom of God on the earth.”

Speaking on Sunday to 21,000 men, women and children gathered in the Conference Centre, Elder Ardern counseled all listening to live their lives so they will remain 'firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end.' (Alma 27:27).

Born in Te Aroha, New Zealand, Elder Ian S. Ardern was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 2, 2011.

At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Eighth Quorum of the Seventy in the Pacific Area.

'With all our prayer, study, and pondering, there may still remain some yet-to-be-answered questions,' Elder Ardern said. 'Such questions are an invitation to build our faith . . . It is the very essence of religion not to have a sure answer to every question, for this is one of the purposes of faith.'

He commended the counsel given by the Apostle James, 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.' (James 1:5)

Many Latter-day Saints in this part of the world will watch the sessions this weekend (7-8 October).

For more information on where to watch the sessions, contact your local church leaders. You can also go to lds.org to watch Conference online.

Watch Elder Ardern's address here:

To view Elder Haleck’s address click here.