20th January 2011 - Years ago, Saints in Australia rarely had the opportunity to hear a message aimed directly towards them from the international leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today, through the wonders of contemporary technology, apostles and other leaders of the Church will speak directly and personally to all of the stakes in Australia at the same time on Sunday, 13th February, 2011 in the bi-annual stake conference broadcast from Salt Lake City.
"In a few weeks' time we have the rare opportunity to be addressed as Australians by modern-day prophets," says Elder Terence Vinson of the Seventy. "It would surprise most members of the Church to know just how familiar our prophets and apostles are with Australia and Australians.
"They are not only fully aware but are full of love and have very dear feelings for us and concerns about the challenges we face. To them, we are not a remote country with unknown faces, but are a strong, vibrant and loyal group of dedicated fellow disciples of Christ."
Elder Vinson encourages Australian Church members to prepare carefully for their attendance at this national conference.
"The messages that they will give us will be inspired and focussed on the challenges we face in these trying yet wonderful times as they specifically address the Saints of Australia, gathered simultaneously in the many meeting places of the cities of our great country. This is an opportunity we will gain most from if the day is preceded by spiritual preparation and if we come prepared to listen with our hearts as well as our ears."
Local priesthood leaders over the next few weeks will be announcing the times and locations of the Australia-wide stake conference broadcast. It is scheduled for the second Sunday in February.
The Lord declared, "he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him" (D&C 84:36-38).
Australia has a unique opportunity to receive direction from those "whom [God] has chosen to minister to [us], and to be [our] servants; and unto them [He] has given power" (3 Nephi 12:1).
The names of those brethren and sisters participating from Church Headquarters have not yet been provided.