"The restored gospel centers on marriage and family. It is also on marriage and family where we can unite most with other faiths. It is around marriage and family where we will find our greatest commonality with the rest of the world. It is around marriage and family that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the greatest opportunity to be a light on the hill.
"Let me close by bearing witness (and my nine decades on this earth fully qualify me to say this) that the older I get, the more I realize that family is the center of life and is the key to eternal happiness."
- L. Tom Perry, "Why Marriage and Family Matter—Everywhere in the World," General Conference, April 2015, Saturday morning session
Click here to read the full talk
Elder Perry spoke of a "colloquium on marriage and family" he attended last fall in Rome, Italy. The gathering brought together representatives of 14 different faiths from around the world. He was impressed how leaders from such different backgrounds and beliefs could find such general agreement on the "sanctity of the institution of marriage and the importance of families as the basic unit of society." It was interesting to hear him share impressions from the gatherings, including both things the participants had in common, as well as differences.
Elder Perry will reach his 93rd birthday in August. He is the oldest living general authority, though still seems among the more energetic and vibrant of the leading brethren. From his life of experience and devotion, he bears a powerful witness of the Gospel and its principles. His closing testimony was particularly well expressed.
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