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Show Immorality Threatens Family, President Kimball Tells LDS Continued From Paae One t rying to help the family, end up hurting it In addition, some strive to redefine the family in a way so "they would define it out of existence The familys decline comes during troubled times in the world, but political institutions cannot come to the rescue if the family flounders, he said He urged LDS families to help turn hack the evil influences striking at societys basic unit President Kimball counseled members to keep their personal records, spend more time with their families and seek help from those who care about families Parents should stand as examples to their children by keeping the commandments, he said Divinity, Eternity, Family Oh, brothers and sisters, families can be forever. Do not let the lures of the moment draw you away from it they go Divinity, eternity and family together and so must we," he said President Kimball was followed by his first counselor, N Eldon Tanner, who had not been scheduled to speak because of health problems. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir provides insplra- tionai music Saturday morning for the opening President Tanner briefly testified to the divinity of Jesus Christ, in his belief in the prophets of God and in the need to keep the Lords commandments. When President Tanner returned to his seat, President Kimball reached over and patted his counselors hand. Several other speakers in the conferences morning session touched upon vigilance for the family, pointing to ways to keep it strong. Eternal families dont just happen. To enjoy this greatest of all gifts, it must be earned through our accompsaid lishments here in mortality, Elder L. Tom Perry of the churchs Council of Twelve Apostles. session of 150th semiannual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daSaints. y Addresses Afternoon Session Trust in Lord He told members that they should trust in the Lord to find direction for Benson Stresses Self - Reliance Mormon Church members were so urged Saturday to be they can weather any calamity. More than ever before, we need to learn and apply the principles of We do not know econbmic when a crisis involving sickness or unemployment may affect our circumstances, said Elder Ezra Taft Benson, president of the Council of the Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Chrit of Latter-da- y Saints. We do know, he continued, that self-relia- the Lord has decreed calamities." global Home Storage Mormon leader emphasized home food production and storage as the basics in economic Thfe e. He said this fn$m. the churchs president, W Kimball, was inspired. counsel Spencer 'The revelation to produce and store fojl. may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding th ark was to the people in the days of Elder Benson said at the Ndah. afternoon session of the churchs general conference. JIe told the churchs faithful to build a y bars supply of food, but to save money frvjm each paycheck to acquire storage tarts rather than go into debt to buy them. Church members should also grow gardens and learn how to preserve their gardens' harvests, he said. He warned the members not to fall victim to complacency and rationalizations that war, economic disaster, famine or earthquakes wont happen to them Those who ignore the warnings "are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them," Elder Benson said. Calls Some Deceived J Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they sofhehow will be set aside by the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion," he added The church leader also mentioned that some members feeling the economic pinth of lugher taxes and inflation, have asked for financial assistance from their bishops. d LDS lie pointed out that members must support themselves and cannot rely on the church for financial aid when they've been unwise or able-bodie- extravagant. Elder Boyd Packer, member of the Council of Twelve Apostles, told the church gathering that fame and riches do not equal happiness. The world sees them as the ingredients for happiness, but that premise "is false. It is not true. The Lord taught otherwise," he said CTioice of Good, Evil The choice of life is not between fame and obscurity, nor is the choice between wealth and poverty The choice is between gixxl and evil." Elder Packer said Life consists of thousands of small, Over everyday choices, he explained the years these little choices will be bundled together and show clearly what we value," he said. He told the faithful that they must seek first the kingdom of God before all things. Speaking on repentance, Elder Vaughn F Featherstone, a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, urged mem bers who have committed major to go to their bishops and confess their sins. Power of Forgiveness 2 Acting as the Lord's agent, the bishop can lu lp u Leve the repentant sinner of ius guttering, Elder Feathersione said He possesses the power to exercise fojgiv eness on behalf of the churi h, the ibnrch leader said K. trans-gfession- s v The hishop will be "filled with love and charity and will bless your life and take the burdens of sin from the hearts of the repentant souls in modem Israel," Elder Featherstone said. Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the presidency of the First Quorum of Seventy, testified that "Jesus Christ has the power to heal all manner of illness, whether spiritual or physical." Individuals can feel the Savior's touch and can help others feel it, he said. We can bless each other by reaching out to the wayward youth, the inactive adult, the widowed, the aged, the sick, and to all of Gods children everywhere, of the church' member and alike, Elder Ballard said. Elder Rex C. Reeve, a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, issued to plea to members to do missionary work among their families and friends. Missionaries must knock on 30.000 doors to find one person who will listen to the church's principles, he said. However, many members know individuals who might accept the churchs their families. They also should pay special attention to four areas family finances, if would the members pull teachings church positions and organization, aside the curtains of fear and reach out community involvement, he said. in love. . he said. Among his list of family fortifiers in Elder Reeve said every young LDS these areas were a family e man should prepare for a financial plan, a years supply of food, mission and every family should keep a. special family times throughout the missionary ledger of families with week, prayerful service in church whom they can share the gospel. positions. Elder Derek A. Cuthbert, a member Describing the functions of the of the First Quorum of the Seventy, churchs temples, Elder Robert L. described the joys that have filled his Simpson, of the churchs First Quorum life since he and his wife joined the LDS of Seventy said the temples ultimate Church 30 years ago. blessings center on love and devotion between husband and wife." Brings Him Security He said his church membership has Everything in this world that is brought him an understanding of meancounter to a tender and loyal husband-wif- e ingful prayer, a knowledge of Jesus relationship is tool of the adverChrist, security in an insecure world, sary he said sociality with members, strengthened family life. Family Unity It has also added good health by observance of the churchs health code Everything that promotes and perthe Word of Wisdom, personal petuates family unity ; mother, father, progress, knowledge about the Book of and children properly endowed with Mormon as a witness to Jesus Christ, and motivated by the light and truth of understanding of the principles of faith, Christ is in harmony with the Lords repentance, baptism, and the role of the plan for mortal man," Elder Simpson said Holy Ghost as a guide in life, and inner peace, he said Elder Neal A. Maxwell, a member of the presidency of the First Quorum of Seventy, asked church members to open their hearts to new members and inactive members who return to the church. He told the LDS newcomers to ignore the few who leave the church but then criticize it. I jet these few departees take their brief bows in the secular spotlight; Young University, checked her blanket someday they will bow deeply before wnth Ms. Miller, saying she had spent the throne of the Almighty, confessing the night with fnends in Salt Lake City, that Jesus is the Christ and this is his but arrived well before dawn to get a work, Elder Maxwell said. place in the Tabernacle. She used the blanket to stay warm until the doors Personal Relationships 0(ened. Another member of the First Quorum of Seventy, Elder Robert E. Wells, Its So Neat And why was she so willing to go to all described several persons, including that trouble? Because I was afraid I the church's founder, Joseph Smith, wouldnt get in. Being here with the who have personal relationships with general authorities is so neat. she the Savior. He said all can come to know the exclaimed, explaining there is a .Savior through obedience to His com"special spirit on Temple Square" dunng conference which you miss out mandments. on if you sit at home arid watch the Elder Mark E Petersen of the proceedings on television "That spirit Council of Twelve Apostles described was even in the air last night," she said Adam as Michael, the archangel apMs Meyer, a native of Lakeville. pointed by God and Christ to be the moral mortal progenitor of the human Minn, a small town south of Minneapolis, said she has arrived that race. He said he will sound the trumpet early for two previous years, just to get in the final days before the resurreca seat in the T ahemacle tion long-rang- e full-tim- Special Spirit of Parley Draws Tabernacle Crowd The special spirit," Square during of conference Temple drew capacity crowds to the Salt Lake Tabernacle for the 150th semiannual General Conference Saturday. People from across the world jammed the tabernacle, filled seats in the Salt Palace and lounged outside in Temple Square to hear general authorities of the church offer advice, bear their testimonies and provide guidelines for living. Lines Form The lines started to form before the gate opened at 6 am, but Jeanne Miller, who works in the chet k stand at the west end of the square, said there didn't seem to be as many people as usual outside the gates when she arrived at 6 a m. However, by early afternoon, the square was bustling with faithful members. Shari Meyer, a senior at Brigham LDS Aide Urges Supply of Reserves The IDS Church does not have unlimited resources and will not be able to aid all Its members during bad times, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daSaints were earned Saturday during the morning welfare services session of the lSth semiannual General Conference Bishop Victor L. Brown, presiding bishop of the ihurch, counseled meni-lier- s to provide themselves with reserves from which to take care of themselves He noted several examples where families had not followed the church principles of family preparedness and urged memlters to put their house in Bishop J Richard Clarke, second counselor of the presiding bishopric, said the best way members can put their houses m order is by applying the counsel of the prophets to three critical, temporal problems confronting the saints management of personal income and expenditures; the dwindling of work quality and productivity, and the insufficiency of reserves m the form of both cash and commodities He urged members to heed the words of President N Eldon Tanner who spoke on proper budgeting during the October 1979 Conference Bishop Clarke said the directive to stay out of debt has often been order confusing to members "Debt is alwajs He told the gathering thut just a burden, but some debt is necessary," Business debt, txs ause the church is visibly involved Bishop Clark said home mortgages and other forms of in welfare activities, such as canneries, bishops' storehouses and Deseret In- secured debt are unavoidable for most dustries. it doesnt mean these things of us, he said However, he warned " replace the need for them to provide for against extravagant use of credit themselves " audihis Rishop Clarke also urged ence to set a Mormon standard of Gloomy Message quality" at the workplace, because Although his message was at times this is part of our religion " gloomy, the presiding bishop told the Sui h an effort will help balance faithful the church does realize there are families planting gardens and income and expenditures, Bishop m attendance, by working toward stoiing a year's supply Clarke told those of food, clothing mid other necessities, increasing earnings and generating Eaih of us should to the point of involving the whole additional income a career path which will require on be m family preparedness projects y i us to stret'F to our full potential," he said. Finally, Bishop Clarke urged members to "build a cash reserve." in addition to their yearly supply of food. He also encouraged members to make certain they have sufficient life and health insurance to make sure their families are adequately provided for during inflationary times or in case of death. Assume Responsibility He once again stressed, There is no wav the churi h as an institution intends to assume the responsibility that right" fully belongs to the individual Elder Thomas S. Mon son, a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, spoke on the role a bishop plays in the welfare program. He said today's bishops need the same instruction he received as a voung bishop, when then President J Reuben Clark told him, "Be kind to the widows and look after the poor The hishop should encourage wage earners to become skilled so they will not he the last to hie hired and the first to be fired " He also urged bishops to participate in production and process. ng of ward welfare projects and most imixirtantly, to distribute products of the bishops storehouse Faust Tells Priesthood Good Leader Sets Those He Leads Afire A good leader expects much, inspires greatly, and sets on fire those he is called to lead," Elder James E. ERA Backers Vote Against LDS Leaders The usual unanimous vote to sustain the leaders of the Church of Jesus Saints was neither Christ of Latter-da- y usual nor unanimous Saturday during the second session of General Conference. When the time came to sustain Spencer W. Kimball as president of the Sarah Campchurch, three women bell, Tucson, Ariz. ; Cheryl L. Dalton, Cupertino, Calif. ; and Marty LaBrosse, Kingston, Wash., voted no in protest of the churchs stance against passage of the Equal Rights Amendment Not Political Leader The women, all members of Mormons for ERA in their respective states, later said they support President Kimball as their religious leader, but do not support him as their "political leader." The women, in a prepared statement, church members said the have often petitioned the First Presidency of the LDS Church to reconsider or discuss with them the church's policy but have met with little or no success." mem"While ignoring the bers requests, the leaders have continued to encourage the membership to energetically work against ratification of the ERA." the statement read. We have seized our one opportunity to voice our conscience to the First Presidency, the occasion of sustaining vote on church leaders, in order to demonstrate our deep indignation over the churchs anti-ERthe statement conpolicy, tinued The womens statement concluded, We find it difficult to understand why Christ's church here on earth would choose to fight against the ERA, a piece of legislation that embodies principles found at the very heart of Christianity freedom, love and respect for the Individual. Do we not ALL have equal rights with God?" Ms. Dalton said the trio had given the matter a great deal of consideration before deciding to protest by refusing to sustain the churchs leaders. Ms LaBrosse added that for the past two weeks they had fasted and prayed "The decision was not lightly undertaken, Ms. Campbell said The women see their Saturday vote as a political demonstration, but do not believe the First Presidency will rejioat the mistake of excommunicating religious women because of their support of the ERA Excommunication? Ms Dalton, when asked if she is prepared for excommunication, reI dont think plied. anyone is ever ready for it After the vote, Elder Bruce R McConkie, a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, requested the women meet with Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, another member of the pro-ER- anti-ER- pro-ER- council The meeting took place Saturday afternoon in Elder Hinckley's office Church spokesman Don LeFev re said the meeting was considered private and no ihurch statement will be made about it Faust told the LDS general priesthood meeting Saturday night in the Tabernacle. Elder Faust, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles, was joined by Presidents Spencer W. Kimball and Marion G. Romney and others In, addressing the churchs male leaders. Speaking on the subject of leadership. Elder Faust compared strong leaders to the ancient ruins. Very frequently those still standing do so because they bear a weight on top Those who stand faithful to their priesthood are often those who bear a weight of some responsibility." Dont Lose Touch President Kimball told the men to not lose sight of partially active church members. An hour with a troubled boy or girl now may save him or her, and is infinitely better than hundreds of hours spent in their later reclamation if they become inactive, he said. still-standi- The church leader also urged members from the United States to go to the vote for the polls next month and strongest, finest people who are certain to do the most to safeguard the rights and freedoms of this nation. He reiterated the churchs stand on not endorsing candidates and asked that the church not be used to advance the candidacy or policies of any of the candidates." Increase Involvement President Romney, second counselor to President Kimball, urged priesthood members to increase their involvement in religion, saying their ordination alone does not give them God's blessings. "For a man to actually obtain them he must faithfully discharge the obligation which is placed upon him when received the priesthood. That is, he must magnify his calling. Bishop H Burke Peterson, first counselor in the presiding bishopric, issued a strong warning to prepare for the battle" against the forces of evil, including profanity and pornography The destructive forces of satan are becoming increasingly more effective in their relentless pursuit of the hearts and minds of men and boys everywhere," he cautioned. Unrighteous Thoughts Evil acts are preceded by unrighteous thoughts. Unrighteous thoughts are born of vulgar stories, jokes, pictures, conversation and a myriad of other satanic products. Bishop Peterson said. Do you have the courage to walk out of an PG rated movie Or do you watch and listen, and suggest to yourself, This soon will pasR, or 'Everyone is doing it; it must be an acceptable type of entertainment,' " the bishop said off-col- He said the battle is won by first ending exposure to such impurities, then cleaning our spirit" through prayer and daily study of scriptures Set Some Goals Nothing stands In the way of a boy who knows where he is going," advised Elder Robert L. Backman, member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. "If I were in your shoes I would set some important goals for myself." The three goals Elder Backman suggested young members set down were serving on a church mission, marrying in a temple, and maintaining active status in the church. "When you make those basic deci sions in advunce think how many other decisions are already made " |