President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, addressed parents of children who have gone astray from the gospel.

As the first to speak at the Sunday morning session of General Conference, President Faust offered comfort, hope and solace to heartbroken parents who have done their best to rear their children in righteousness but feel they have failed.

Parents have not failed, President Faust said, as long as they teach their children to understand repentance, faith and baptism.

"Parents must teach children to pray and walk uprightly before the Lord," President Faust said. "I urge parents to follow this counsel as conscientiously as they can."

Even though parents will follow this counsel, it is inevitable that some children will fall into disobedience or worldliness, he said.

If children taught by faithful, loving parents go astray, President Faust assured parents that children will eventually return, either in this life or the life to come.

Quoting Joseph Smith, President Faust declared that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promise made to them would save not only themselves but their posterity.

"Successful parents are those who have sacrificed and struggled to do the best they can in their own family circumstance."

Using the example of the prodigal son, President Faust said children will come home but mercy will not rob justice. Wayward children will have to face consequences of deeds and suffer for their sins.

"Pray for careless and disobedient children, hold onto them with your faith," he said. "There are very few whose rebellion and evil deeds have sinned away the power to repent."

President Faust offered advice for those who are trying to raise righteous children.

"One important element is to provide loving but firm discipline," he said.

He also emphasized that parents should teach their children to work and to enlist the help of church services.

"I hope all children will eventually turn their hearts to their fathers and their mothers," President Faust said. For this to happen, parents must be committed to their families to get through tough times.

"The Good Shepherd is watching over them," he said. "God understands your deep sorrow."