I have felt His sustaining influence. I know He will direct our efforts.
Following is the full text of remarks offered by President Thomas S. Monson Feb. 4 in the Church Office Building lobby during his first press conference as Church president:
Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to welcome you here today. May I commend you for the manner in which you covered the passing of our beloved friend and leader, President Gordon B. Hinckley. You caught the spirit of the man and his administration. I appreciated, as well, the turnout of men, women and children along the entire route to the cemetery, demonstrating their love and respect for President Hinckley.
President Hinckley's passing has affected all of us. I personally knew him long before either of us was called to be a General Authority, and he and I sat side by side for more than 44 years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and in the First Presidency of the Church. We shall miss him, and yet we know that he has left us with a wonderful legacy of love and goodness.
I am humbled as I stand before you today. I testify that this work in which we are engaged is the Lord's work, and I have felt His sustaining influence. I know that He will direct our efforts as we serve Him with faith and diligence.
As a Church we reach out not only to our own people, but also to those people of goodwill throughout the world in that spirit of brotherhood which comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. It has been my opportunity to work somewhat closely with leaders of other faiths in solving some of the challenges facing our community and, indeed, the entire world. We will continue this cooperative effort.
I express my deep gratitude for these two men who will serve as my counselors. They are tireless and innovative workers, completely dedicated to the Lord. I am grateful, as well, for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Our purpose is united, and we work together in complete harmony and in a spirit of love and cooperation.
President Hinckley and I met together in various meetings nearly every day as decisions were made and goals and objectives for the future were considered. It is inevitable that our thinking would be similar; therefore, there will be no abrupt change from the courses we have been pursuing. Although procedures and programs may be adjusted from time to time, the doctrine is constant. We will continue the commitment of those who have gone before us in teaching the gospel, in promoting cooperation with people throughout the world, and in bearing witness to the life and mission of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
How grateful we are for the dedication, the faith and the strength of the people of this Church who now number more than 13 million in 176 nations and territories throughout the world. Our membership continues to grow steadily.
We our proud of our young people, who for the most part have never been more devoted to living lives of righteousness in compliance with the teachings of the Lord. They stand as beacons of goodness in a world of shifting values and standards. We know the future of this work will be in good hands.
We desire to cultivate a spirit of kindness, of understanding, of love. We seek always to follow our Savior, who "went about doing good."
Thank you all very much.
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