Slide 1

Perspectives for the Church
in the 21^st Century

	The Divine Mandate
	Demographic Perspectives
	Expectations for the Future
	Implications for the Present
	Looking Forward with Faith

Perspectives for the Church in the 21^st Century
The Divine Mandate

Perspectives for the Church in the 21^st Century
Demographic Perspectives

Perspectives for the Church in the 21^st Century
Expectations for the Future

	“I have faith that the Lord will open doors when we have done everything in our power. …
	“I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse.”
	(Ensign, October 1974)

Perspectives for the Church in the 21^st Century
Personal Expectations for the Future

	Home-based Missionaries
	Virtual Branches
	Expanded Temple Work

Perspectives for the Church in the 21^st Century
Expectations for the Future

	“I have faith that the Lord will open doors when we have done everything in our power. …
	“I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse.”
	(Ensign, October 1974)

Perspectives for the Church in the 21^st Century
 Defining the Mission Field

	“The ‘mission field’ is any place on earth where the three-fold mission of the Church is being implemented.  In other words, the mission field is any place where there is a single soul yet to be baptized, or yet to be brought back into full fellowship or full activity in the Church of Jesus Christ. Or any place where there is a single soul yet to receive his or her own ordinances in the House of the Lord. …
	“With this broader perspective in mind comes the realization that one’s place of residence is where miracles should be expected to happen, and not only in some exotic far-off place.  It is quite possible to fail to notice the occurrence of miracles around us because we often expect them to happen somewhere else.”
	(M. Martins, 1998)

Perspectives for the Church in the 21st Century
 Looking Forward with Faith

	“The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities.
	“We need men who can dream of things that never were and ask, ‘Why not?’ …
	“We do not worry about How and When and Why.  We say, ‘Why not.’ …
	“I repeat my witness that He will unlock doors and His promises may be relied upon.  I know He will stay the opposition. He will mellow hearts and He will pave the way if we have faith to pursue.”
	(Ensign, July 1985)

Perspectives for the Church in the 21^st Century
 Looking Forward with Faith

	“If we will go forward, never losing sight of our goal, speaking ill of no one, living the great principles we know to be true, this cause will roll on in majesty and power to fill the earth.  Doors now closed to the preaching of the gospel will be opened. ...
	“I see a wonderful future in a very uncertain world. If we will cling to our values, if we will build on our inheritance, if we will walk in obedience before the Lord, if we will simply live the gospel we will be blessed in a magnificent and wonderful way. ... “Great has been our past, wonderful is our present, glorious can be our future.”
	(“Look to the Future,” October 1997 General Conference)

Perspectives for the Church in the 21^st Century
Demographic Perspectives