Church president counsels on war during conference
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Salt Lake City on Saturday and Sunday to receive guidance and direction from their leaders during this “uncertain time of war.”
At the 173rd annual general conference, Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the church, addressed the 11,721,548 members, commonly known as Mormons, worldwide about the church’s stance concerning the war with Iraq.
He said although modern revelation states that they are to “renounce war and proclaim peace,” each member should also follow the direction of his respective national leaders.
“One of our Articles of Faith, which represent an expression of our doctrine, states: ‘We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law,'” Hinckley said.
He said the church has no quarrel with the Muslim people or with those of any other faith and emphasized that all the people of Earth are of the family of God. The members of the church should respect each other’s political opinions.
“Political differences never justify hatred or ill will,” he said. “I hope that the Lord’s people may be at peace one with another during times of trouble, regardless of what loyalties they may have to different governments or parties.”
Hinckley first addressed members of the church about the war on terrorism during their October general conference in 2001.
Since that time, conflict between the United States and the Middle East has increased, but he admonished members to “call upon the Lord, whose strength is mighty and whose powers are infinite, to bring an end to the conflict – an end that will result in a better life for all concerned.”
The church’s membership has increased significantly since it began April 6, 1830. A man named Joseph Smith restored The Church of Jesus Christ to Earth, according to www.lds.org.
Members of the church believe in both the Bible and The Book of Mormon, which is another testament that Jesus Christ lived, according to the Web site.
Today, the church’s leadership is divided into several entities, the First Presidency being at the head. There is also a quorum of 12 apostles and several quorums of seventy, called and set apart to direct the church.
Several members from each entity spoke during the conference. They targeted various principles for improving the members and their families through righteous obedience. The prevailing message was about the importance of families and missionary work.
Family
L. Tom Perry, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said, “In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities.”
Parents can accomplish this goal by setting aside Monday evenings to be with the family and providing a loving and spiritual environment in the home, he said.
James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, told parents to teach their children by example.
“Who are good parents? They are those who have lovingly, prayerfully and earnestly tried to teach their children by example and precept to pray and walk uprightly before the Lord,” he said.
Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said the greatest influence on children for better or worse is from their parents.
“Some parents sometimes seem to feel that they can ease up a little on the fundamentals [of the gospel] without affecting their family or their family’s future. But if a parent goes a little off course, the children are likely to exceed the parent’s example.”
Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke about grandparents and the elderly and the role they play in the family and in the church.
“Value the old folks for what they are, not just what they can do,” he said.
Missionary work
M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said members of the church play an essential role in doing member missionary work and assisting the full-time missionaries.
“Remember, my brothers and sisters, we are not marketing a product. We are not selling anything. We are not trying to impress anyone with our numbers or our growth. We are members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, empowered and sent forth by the Lord himself to find, nourish and bring safely into his church all those who are seeking to know the truth,” he said.
Henry B. Eyring, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said bringing new members into the church does not have to be a frightening experience if members have a perfect love for each person and for the Lord.
“Your worthiness and desire [to share the gospel] will shine in your face and your eyes,” he said. “The fact that most people are not interested in the restored gospel will have little bearing on what you do and say. Speaking what you believe will be part of what you are.”
Faith
Richard G. Scott and Robert D. Hales, both of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke on the power of faith through tribulation and times of uncertainty.
Scott said faith requires action, motivation and trust in the Lord.
“Every time you try your faith, that is, act in worthiness on an impression, you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. Those feelings will fortify your faith,” he said.
He told a story about when he participated in the measurement of nuclear characteristics of different materials using high-energy particles that cannot be seen. While he was working on the project, a janitor entered the room and called him a liar. The janitor said if something cannot be detected by the five senses, then it does not exist.
Scott compared the situation with faith: It is not easily detected, but it still exists and is very real.
Hales said many tribulations will come into the lives of each member, but if he has faith and is prepared, he has no need to fear.
He told each member to put his life in order by eliminating debt, obtaining a food storage, paying tithing, obtaining an education and living the commandments.
“Our faith in him [Jesus Christ] and obedience to his commandments will bring a perfect brightness of hope and dispel the darkness and gloom of despair in these troubled times,” Hales said.
Prayer
Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, explained why, how and where to pray.
He told of an experience when he was a heart surgeon and used prayer to help him surgically repair a heart problem on a friend. Although he didn’t know the correct procedure, through his prayers, the Spirit guided him to know how to perform the surgery, he said.
Nelson concluded his talk by having the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing a hymn about prayer using words he had written.
Other leaders of the church spoke on various topics during the conference, including gratitude, motherhood and the light of Christ. The conference adjourned until October.
-mmackay@cc.usu.edu
Conference goers pass by protesters after listening to leaders of their church Saturday. (Photo by Scott Davis)
Roughly 20,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City during each of the five general sessions of conference held there between Saturday and Sunday. (Photo by Scott Davis)