Here are references to additional information about the major announcements made during the October 2012 LDS General Conference:
New Temples
President Thomas S. Monson opened the conference with an announcement of new temples in Tucson, Arizona, and Arequipa, Peru. Exact locations of the temples will be announced at a later date.
- Read a summary of President Thomas S. Monson’s opening remarks.
- Read the article “Church Announces New Temples in Arizona and Peru” on the Newsroom.
Lowered Ages for Missionaries
President Thomas S. Monson announced a change in Church policy that will allow all worthy and able young men the opportunity to be recommended for missionary service at the age of 18 instead of 19. Able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service at the age of 19 instead of age 21.
- Read a summary of President Thomas S. Monson’s opening remarks.
- The article on the Newsroom “Church Lowers Missionary Service Age” provides more information that was announced at a press conference on Saturday.
Call for More Senior Couples
President Monson echoed a message he gave two years ago, calling for many more senior couples to serve: “As your circumstances allow, as you are eligible for retirement, and as your health permits, I encourage you to make yourselves available for full-time missionary service,” he said. “Both husband and wife will have great joy as together they serve our Father’s children.”
New Learning Resources for Youth
The Church has a new teaching plan for Sunday lessons for Young Men, Young Women, and youth Sunday School classes beginning in January 2013. No more manuals. Everything is online at at lds.org/youth/learn and will be constantly updated with current videos, conference quotes, and other resources.
Family History and Temple Work
Members of all ages and experience levels were encouraged to become more engaged in temple and family history work. Elder Richard G. Scott explained that it “is one work divided into two parts.” He also asked members who have a large reservation of names to share them so that members of their extended family or ward and stake can help them in completing that work.
- Family Tree is an upgrade and eventual replacement for new.FamilySearch.org. Family Tree allows members to (1) connect and collaborate on shared family lines, (2) edit and delete incorrect data, and (3) easily submit names of ancestors for temple work. Read about Family Tree, its benefits, how to access it, and Frequently Asked Questions. Training for Family Tree is available now at familysearch.org/treetraining.
- Youth and young single adults are encouraged to do family history and temple work in the section Youth and Family History on the youth website.
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