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Show 'Strive to live life that is rated A ' The common experience of being rated or graded was the theme of the Sunday afternoon address given by Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve. He spoke of the rating or grading system used in several in school phases of ones life through report cards, in the military through inspections and at work through the paycheck and responsibilities. In spite of this desire to achieve, he said, there remains an area where the attainment of high or good ratings seems to be ignored. I speak of the growing numbers of movies, books, magazines, theatrical productions, and television programs where efforts to glorify immorality or violence have become predominant. Rated R or Rated X has replaced the idealism of being Rated A. I know that free expression is a vital part of the eternal principle of free agency and must be preserved and protected. I also know how certain forces use the freedom of speech to degrade or debase, and this constitutes perversion and enslavement. He said that the battle between Rated A and Rated X is part of the war that began in heaven and is still being fought. The enemy seeks any strategic or tactical foothold he can gain, he said, and any bridgehead he attains becomes the launching point for the next encounter. The number of vic- - scriptures help us understand the strategy and tactics of the enemy, he said as he quoted 2 in which Nephi saw Ne. 28:20-2the conflict of the modem day. Elder Ashton said that the prophet Mormon wrote of his own fallen people and said that this came about because the people were past feeling because of their wickedness. How tragic to reach the point where the Spirit must withdraw and we become unable to sense or feel right from wrong, he said. Saying that the call to battle was once the sound of a trumpet, Elder Ashton said that the battle call he is sounding is a call to find so much that is wholesome that there is not time or inclination for the carnal. He told parents to be concerned about what their children read or view and grandparents to foster reading programs with their grandchildren. He urged the youth to cooperate with parents and challenged families to foster movie2 . . . "we can win." tories we allow him can seriously affect the final outcome of the struggle. He said that the adversary wages his battle by using subtle tactics. A person who becomes involved in obscenity soon acquires distorted views of personal conduct and becomes unable to relate to others in a normal healthy way; an addictive effect begins to take hold. Soon the person is desensitized and is unable to react in a sensitive, caring, responsible manner, especially to those in his own home. Good people can become infested with this material and it can have terrifying, destructive consequences . . . The viewing that is wholesome. He next challenged every Saint to come to' a Latter-da- y knowledge and an understanding of the scriptures, saying that these sacred books are the bulwark of & defense against a cunning adversary. The battle to be Rated A is a battle we can win, he said. We do so many things in life that bring success that it seems incredible how easily we let the adversary weaken us by impure materials read or 'Many fail in this calling' 'Uphold sacred role as husband, father" Elder L. Tom Perry of the Council of the Twelve directed his Sunday afternoon address to those who bear the great and noble titles of husband and father. I stand before you today and accuse many of the husbands and fathers who are within the sound of my voice and throughout the world, of failing in your two n major he said. The responsibilities, reason for most of the problems we find in the world today must be laid at your door. Divorce, infidelity, dishonesty, the use of drugs, deterioration of family life, loss of identity, instability and unhappiness have resulted from the lack of your leadership in the home. He reminded the men of their role and responsibility as husbands and fathers. God-give- first and foremost responsible role in life and in the eternities is to be a righteous husband, he said. The roles of husband and wife, he said, were clearly defined from the beginning and are to be unchanged and eternal. lie quoted a prophet who said of A beautiful, womanhood, modest, gracious woman is creations masterpiece. To safeguard this masterpiece, the Lord gave to man the duty and responsibility to be the provider and protector. Husbands, if the Lords plan is to work, you must learn to perform in the leadership role He has designed for you, Elder Perry said. He said it is also the husbands responsibility to provide peace and security in the home. Your wife should live her life with the comforting assurance that so long as you are healthy Your and well you will take care of her first above all others, he said. He then said it is a job to show appreciation and consideration for her. He cautionquoted D&C 121:39-41, ing men against using tlder . . . L. Tom Perry "noble titles." unrighteous dominion. She is not your chattel, he said. She does not have to follow you in unrighteousness. She is your wife, your companion, your best friend, your full partner. The Lord blessed her with great potential, talent and ability. She, too, must be given an opportunity of and development. Her happiness should be your greatest concern. He next spoke of the role of man as a father. Second only to the title of husband is that of father, he said. Next only to eternal life, the greatest of all gifts that our Father in heaven can bestow on a man is the opportunity of being blessed with sons and daughters. Give your children the opportunity of having a joyful, happy childhood, he said as he told a story from an old priesthood manual about a teacher who had asked her students to write essays about their fathers. Not one child mentioned his family home, car, neighborhood, food or clothing, he said, quoting from the manual. The children, instead, wrote about the fun times the day the father built a dollhouse, took a child coasting, walked in the park, and when the father had played with the child. No man is too rich or too poor to not play with his children, Elder Perry said. church week Ending; October 6, i 977 r ri' ,r link fe i Ji'J 1 7 |