Mcconkie was a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints when this fireside address was given at brigham young university on 6 january 1985. Mcconkies last address in a general conference, the emotion he shows was unique for him, which became understandable when his body. Bruce r mcconkie last testimony and the mormon tabernacle choir sings i believe in christ. Mcconkies final testimony religious studies center. This talk was originally given at the 2006 byu easter conference.
Mcconkie, he bears an undeniable witness of his savior, which strengthens our own. They returned to ann arbor in 1925 in order for bruces father to continue his studies, and when he finished the following year, the mcconkie family settled in salt lake city. His father practiced law in monticello, utah, until bruce was 12. During the april 1972 general conference of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, former apostle bruce r. Mcconkies final public testimony, the purifying power of gethsemane, emphasizes and clarifies different aspects of his message. Mcconkies son joseph fielding mcconkie spoke about his fathers legacy for the monthly men and women of faith lecture series. Elder mcconkie was the first child born to oscar w. In his address, he revealed his personal witness of christ and shared a poem he wrote, titled i.
There is no stranger book, to my limited knowledge, in 20th century mormonism than bruce r. The final testimonies of 22 lds prophets and apostles. Last week marked the oneyear anniversary of the quiet removal of bruce r. Elder mcconkies final testimony general discussions. But the book of mormon is the means, the tool, the way which has been ordained and given so that men can get their hearts and souls in a frame of mind, in a condition where they can hearken to the testimony of the spirit. Mcconkies final testimony i believe in christ gina murray. Recently in our fast and testimony meeting, we had the opportunity to hear sister amelia mcconkie bear her testimony. With his april 1974 conference talk, i speculate that it was set aside for two reasons. On my flight from the bay area to san bernardino the day after his death, i wrote these words.
The loftiest tree in the forest has fallen, leaving us bereft of its shade. I would encourage you to watch, download and share the final testimony of bruce r. I think mormon doctrine is a fine example of lineuponline thinking. Mcconkie died two weeks after the testimony was shared, and. In the pages of this biography, written by elder mcconkies son joseph, the reader is invited to become acquainted with the man as he was known to his family and closest friends. I dont remember much of the experience, but i have his picture and experience written in my missionary journal. General conference, april 1985 i feel, and the spirit seems to accord, that the most important doctrine i can declare, and the most powerful testimony i can bear is one of the atoning sacrifice of the lord jesus christ.
Beautifully illustrated, this book contains stories about latterday saint fathers, many of them wellknown like president gordon b. Bruce r mcconkie last testimony and motab singing i. Mcconkies primary writings on the savior, the messiah series, are important readings for serious lds students of the savior. These words, from a hymn text written by elder bruce r. First, it details the process of how he gained his own witness of the atonement of jesus christ and how we can gain our own. Bruce r mcconkie said many things that were true but were very hard for the members or the world to digest. This coincidence made me think that perhaps its time i share with you how we got this hymn.
I totally agree that this is talk should be essential for all of us to reread along with elder bruce r. Elder mcconkie is somewhat of a legend in the church. Full text of mormon doctrine 1966 internet archive. Mcconkie is painted on the canvas of faith in colors as bold as the sermons he preached. As she began to speak, i felt strongly impressed to take notes, recognizing that it was a rare opportunity to hear a first hand account of elder bruce r. Selected teachings as a member of the quorum of the twelve.
General conference the coming tests and trials and glory oct. All references to it had already been expunged from the. The emotion he shows was unique for him, which became understandable when his body lay in its casket before the same. One of the most out spoken general authorities on our doctrines, and had many opinions and. Vivian mcconkie adams is the daughter of elder bruce r. Friday, 19 april 1985, elder mcconkie, 69, died of cancer in salt lake citv. Mcconkie s testimony given in april 1985 has become an iconic moment in lds general conference history. He had also served in the first council of the seventy for 26 years prior to his calling to the quorum of the twelve.
I feel, and the spirit seems to accord, that the most important doctrine i can declare, and the most powerful testimony i can bear, is of the atoning sacrifice of the lord jesus christ. Many articles we currently have in the bible dictionary either are taken exactly from, or close to, the entries from mormon doctrine. Why would the church allow mcconkies mormon doctrine to. One of the most powerful spiritual experiences in my life happened while listening to elder mcconkie bear his final testimony in april 1985 general conference. President lee had died and bruce decided to talk about foreordination of. In his address, he revealed his personal witness of christ and shared a poem he wrote, titled i believe in christ. Mcconkie on the nature of god a professor and apostle correspond.
Some 15 years ago, my husband bruce r mcconkie was very ill. Mcconkie of the quorum of the twelve apostles, are a powerful reminder to the latterday saints of the testimony of this special witness of the lord jesus christ. I feel, he said, and the spirit seems to accord, that the most important doctrine i can declare, and the most powerful testimony i can bear, is of the atoning sacrifice of the lord jesus christ. Mcconkies final testimony april, 1985 this was the month and year my mother died apostle bruce r. Mcconkie was born july 29, 1915, in ann arbor, michigan, but before he was a year old, his family moved to the small town of monticello, utah. Downloaded from the you tube mormon channel published on oct 2, 2011. Biography quorum of the twelve quorum of the seventy. Mcconkies last address in a general conference, 41985. Mcconkie his final testimony the purifying power of gethsemane touches my heart and spirit each and every time i listen or read it.
Mcconkies compendium mormon doctrine from deseret booktores. Among elder mcconkies many mentors were his father and his fatherinlaw, president joseph fielding smith. This talk is frequently referred to colloquially as bruce r. Mcconkie shared a stirring, personal talk titled the testimony of jesus. Then, as we began our fast and testimony meeting, our opening song was i believe in christ. This final glorious gospel dispensation april 1980. I was sitting in the stake center in austin, texas, watching his giantsize projected image on the screen at the front of the chapel. In a talk that is most clearly defined as the final testimony of elder bruce r. Bruce redd mcconkie was a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints from 1972 until his death. Mcconkie had served in the quorum of the twelve since 1972. We must truly listen to each other, respecting our essential brotherhood and the courage of those who try to speak, however they may differ from us in. They were i am almost possitive said out of knowlege and inspiration and not because he despised a certain group of people or the color of thier skin. There are few things more powerful than the final testimony of bruce r. Mcconkie main address in the devotional he gave that i was at was, having a testimony of jesus christ.