President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency of the Quorum of the Twelve, encouraged members to follow Christ in the Sunday morning session of General Conference.

"Many years ago I marveled at a cover of a church publication," he began.

The cover featured a painting depicting Elizabeth and Mary, both to bear sons - miracle births.

President Monson said precious little is recorded of the youths of John the Baptist and Jesus.

"Only a single sentence records the childhood of John the Baptist," President Monson said. That sentence said the John waxed strong as a youth and spend time in the desert.

When John the Baptist started his ministry, he preached a simple message: "I am not the Christ, but I prepare the way before him."

John the Baptist later baptized Jesus Christ.

"Later Jesus testified that of them being born of women, none were greater than John the Baptist," said President Monson. "John the Baptist provides an example of unfeigned humility, deferring always to God."

President Monson said those who are humble set a good example for us.

"Each one becomes a model to follow," he said.

President Monson said all of us love the model from the Bible of Abraham and Isaac.

"How difficult it must have been for Abraham to offer Isaac as an offering!" he said. "Surely pain must have racked his body and tortured his mind" as he prepared to sacrifice his son.

President Monson said the pronouncement of the angel that the sacrifice was not necessary now that Abraham had proven his loyalty to God was glorious.

"Abraham qualifies as a model of unquestioning obedience," he said.

President Monson next offered Job as an example for us to follow.

"If anyone questions their ability to meet their challenges, let them think of Job," he said.

Job was urged to curse God and die in the face of his many troubles, but he kept his testimony and remained true to God. Even today we say someone who suffers long has the patience of God.

President Monson gave Noah as another great Biblical example. He warned the people to repent but they did not listen. He then followed God's instruction to build an ark and gather together two of every animal to put on the ark, that they might escape the floodwaters.

"The miracle of the ark followed the faith manifest in its building," President Monson said. "May we remember that the wisdom of God often appears as foolishness to men. But may we remember that when God speaks and we obey," we will be following Christ.

President Monson said Ruth was a good daughter-in-law. She uttered what was to become the classic statement of loyalty: Entreat me not, for I shall follow thee.

As Ruth followed Naomi, she was let to marry Boaz, and from their descendents came Jesus Christ.

President Monson said Nephi is another good scriptural example. He demonstrated his obedience when he said, "I will go and do the things that the Lord hath commanded."

President Monson said perhaps this act of courage prompted the song "The Iron Rod."

"Nephi personified unflagging determination," he said.

Joseph Smith, first prophet of this dispensation, followed the promptings of God and went to pray in the grove. He received a manifestation of God and never denied it.

"Step by step," President Monson said, "Joseph organized the church of god. He proved courageous in all that he did. Toward the end of his life, he was led away with his brother Hyrum to Carthage."

At Carthage, Joseph sealed his testimony with his blood.

"There stands before us today another prophet of God, our beloved prophet Gordon B. Hinckley," said President Monson. "His love for his people transcends the barriers of language and culture."

President Monson said President Hinckley has begun the perpetual education fund, which breaks the poverty barrier. This project has kindled the light of hope in the eyes of those who felt doomed to mediocrity but who now have an opportunity to transcend those barriers.

"He is a model of unfailing optimism, and we revere him as prophet, seer, and revelator," President Monson said.

The unique qualities in these individuals mentioned can be of invaluable worth to us, he said.

Joseph Samuel Pollard was traveling to his mission office in the last day of his mission in Zimbabwe. He hit a tree. A passerby rescued his companion, but he perished in flames.

His mother had already died, but when his father received the news, he called his son serving in the West Indies. Over the phone line, the father and son sang "I am a Child of God."

Brother Pollard later testified that he knew his family would be all right, because they have a strong testimony of the gospel in this dispensation.

"May we have the unfeigned humility of John the Baptist, the unquestioning obedience of Abraham, . . . the undeviating loyalty of Ruth, the unfailing optimism of President Hinckley. Such will be a fortress of strength to us throughout our lives," President Monson said.

He said the savior Jesus Christ set a great example for us to follow. "During his earthly ministry he taught a higher law, his gospel. Reshaping the thinking of the world."

He raised the dead and healed the sick.

"What were the reactions to his mission of mercy?" President Monson said.

He said there were precious few who treasured his words. They bathed his feet. Others spit upon him and crucified him.

"Down through the generations of time, the message of Jesus has been the same: Follow me," said President Monson. "And to you and to me, if we but listen, there will come that same invitation: Follow me. My prayer today is that we will follow him."