Members were encouraged to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, live by the words of the Book of Mormon and be a good example to others during the Saturday morning general conference session of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Gordon B. Hinckley opened the conference with remarks about the growth of the LDS Church in the last ten years. He said he invited members of the church ten years ago to stand a little taller and become more Christlike, and he invited them to the same challenge again.
“Our hope for the future is strong and so is our faith,” President Hinckley said.
President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, said life moves too fast and when members feel weak, discouraged or depressed, they should open the Book of Mormon and read its words because it will strengthen their faith.
He said they should feast on the words of Christ and understand the promise in the Book of Mormon that the words of Christ will tell people all they should do. President Packer said the central purpose of the Book of Mormon is to act as a testament of Christ.
“The Book of Mormon confirms the teachings of the Old Testament and the New Testament, and it restores plain and precious things that were taken from them,” he said.
First Counselor of the Presiding Bishopris, Richard C. Edgely centered his talk on the power of the still small voice, which is often manifested with a throbbing heart, to act as a witness of truth and motivation to do good.
“God loves us enough to give anyone who seeks, a testimony of the Book of Mormon and a witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God,” he said.
Bishop Edgely centered his talk on the power of the still small voice, which is often manifested with a throbbing heart, to act as a witness of truth and motivation to do good.
“The Book of Mormon is tangible evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, Christ really appeared to him and restored the gospel through Joseph Smith,” Edgley said.
He said it is our great privilege to know that these things are true.
General Primary President, Coleen K. Menlove said “we should never settle for less than the privileges and blessings God has to offer us.” Menlove said members need to consider whether life’s experiences are distracting them from that which matters most.
Elder Russell M. Nelson gave counsel on the importance of preparing for tomorrow.
From the sudden death of his wife he said members can learn that now is the time to prepare to meet God because tomorrow may be too late.
“We came to be tried, to be tested and to choose, and our decisions will determine our destiny,” he said. “We can not wish our way into the presence of God, but we need to keep the commands upon which those blessings are predicated.”
The sting of death is soothed by steadfast faith in Christ, Elder Nelson said.
President Thomas S. Monson said with faith members will be able to stand up to the dangers that surround individuals and families. Having regular family home evening, living up to family responsibilities and avoiding debt were the main points of his talk. He said no other organization can fill the divine roll of family home evening, and that it is essential for members to live within their means.
President Monson said children should consider that their parents often see more of the big picture than they do. He also had counsel for parents.
“Time with your children is fleeting,” President Monson said. “Don’t put off being with them now … This is the time and place to follow Christ, and by following Christ we will survive these turbulent times.”
Copyright Brigham Young University 3 Apr 2005
