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Show r I The- Salt I ate Tribune, Pundav, April 2, 1978 ' t LBS Fresideni Gives Testimony On the Role of Women Continued From Page One pail of his beliefs are based on errni for the chains of error hind his mind "This is why it is so important for us to learn all the truth we can from all the sources w e ran We need particularly to search the scriptures, for in them are the words which, if accepted and lived, will lead us to eternal life," President Tanner counseled Following the same theme as President Kimball, Elder Neal A. Maxwell. Presidency of the First Quorum of Seventy, also spoke on the role of women to the opening session. "We are accustomed to focusing on the men of God because theirs is the he priesthood and leadership line, said "But paralleling that authority line is a stream of righteous influence reflecting the remarkable women of who have existed in all ages and dispensations, including our own." ' Elder Maxwell, an educator noted for his intelleetualism prior to assuming the church position, spoke on the intrisic values women have, that full-tim- e men do not He said it was no accident that women were, "through the Relief assigned Society, compassionate service often, the service of women seems instinctive, while that of some Elder men seems more labored. Maxwell said. Women, more quickly than others will understand the possible dangers when the word self is militantly placed "So before other words like fulfillment.' " he added Adding their testimonies were Elders Marvin J. Ashton and Bruce R McConkie, members of the Council uf Twelve Apostles, Both spoke on basic dogmas church Of Media Peter J Scarlet Tribune Church Editor Because of the accelerated growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Laller-daSaints, four additional general authorities have been called by the First Presidency. President Spencet W. Kimball, who announced the appointments Saturday in the first general session of the 148th General Conference, said the four will serve in the First Quorum of the Seventy. They are: Ronald E. Poelman. 49, of Los Altos, Calif., vice president and secretary of Consolidated Freightways k Influence President Spencer W. Kimball addressed the priesthood session of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints in the Salt Lake Tabernacle Saturday night, admonishing the members to guard their homes against corrupt influences carried by mass Inc Robert L. Backman Wins Church Post He's from England California Member New Appointment Presidencys Census Nears 4 Million There are nearly four million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daSaints, the First Presidency of the church announced during General Conference Saturday. A statistical report on the growth and status of the church as of Dec. 31. 1977, showed there was a total membership of 3,966,006 nearly 300,000 more than the approximate membership six months ago There were 885 stakes in the church at the end of last year; 157 fulltime missions, 5,917 wards; 1,549 independent branches, and 1,094 mission branches There were organized branches and wards in 54 countries Assuming that 1977 growth rates are continuing, total church membership is estimated at more than four million now. During 1977. the report continues. 95. into children were blessed. 02.000 children were baptized and 107.939 converts were baptized Last year also showed an increase of 15. non in the number of priesthood members There were 1123' deacons; 112.000 teachers 201. not' priests. 338,;m0 elders, 28.000 seventies, and 129. non high priests. The church's welfare services program assisted 99.000 persons last year with cash or commodities LDS Social Services assisted 15 mm persons and 10. 000 persons were placed in gainful employment Man-day- s of labor donated to welfare services totaled 427.000 and 17,750.000 pounds of commodities were distributed from bishops' storehouses last year Statistics concerning the chui'h's school system indicated that seminaries institutes and special programs showed a total enrollment of '2.Sh ntm ,n 1077. while enrollment at church schools colleges and continuing edu ation u.is 7 non y 1 Genealogu.il data shows th,0 3,374 non names were cleared las! vear for temple ordinances The continues is Genealogical ftepan incut the acquiring records u, 3h countries and has i.piimo IWVfoot rolls of microfilm records whlih are equivalent to M7.non volumes of .Do pages each Endowments performed ;n DS temples last year for the iivng totaled t7.o.i7 and endowments for the dead totaled 3, 555 Is There were It temples operation in 1977 six mine were either planned or under construction and two ate undergoing remodeling and renov ation h s Even though two ot toe temples were not in operation hid the-i .o wenlHo ii,2 none endowments don,- in in.u, ,n pec 1 111 Derek A Cuthbert, 51, of Nottingham, England, president of the Scotland Edinburgh Mission. Rotiert L. Backman, 56, an attorney in Salt Lake City, now serving as a regional representative of the rhurch. Rex C. Repve Sr., 63, Salt Lake City, president of the California Anaheim Mission. Numbers Grow The newest appointments bring to 66 the number of general authorities of the church, including 47 in the First Quorum of the Seventy. Elder Poelman wns born May in, 1928, in Salt Lake City, to Hendrik and Ella May Perkins Poelman. He graduated with high honors from the University of Utah in 1953 and received his juris doctor degree from the U.'s law school in 1955. In 1965, he graduated from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration, advanced management program. Elder Poelman is vice president, corporate secretary and a director of Consolidated Freightways Inc., with offices in San Francisco. He is a member of the Utah State Bar, American Bar, Motor Carrier Lawyers Association and other professional organizations. Civic Activities In civic life he is a rehabilitation counselor for the American Cancer Society, active in Boy Scouts of America and was a director of Junior Achievement of Bay Area Inc. He is a member of the San Francisco Symphony Foundation, Commonwealth Club of California, World Trade Club and San Francisco Commercial Club. Derek Alfred Cuthbert was bom Oct. 5, 1926. in Nottingham, England, to Harry and Hilda May Freek Cuthbert. He graduated with honors from the University of Nottingham in 1950 wdth a degree in economics and law He served the university for eight years as a member o' the Standing Committee of Convocation, the graduate body, and member of the University Court, the governing body of the institution. Before his call as a mission president in 1975, Elder Cuthbert was commercial manager, chemicals and plastics group, for British Celanese Ltd., with special responsibility for overseas projects. Robert LeGrand Backman was born March 22, 1922, in Salt Lake City to IOrand P. and Edith Price Backman He married Virginia Pickett of Salt Lake City on July 5, 1941, and they are parents of seven daughters Elder Backman is now serving for the second time as a regional representative of the church and is a marriage sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. Served as Counselor He has served as counselor in the general superintendeney of the Young Mens Mutual Improvement Association, member of the YMMIA General Board, president of the Northwestern States Mission, counselor in Parley's Stake presidency, member of a bishopric and ward and stake auxiliary officer ami teacher He graduated from the V of U Law School in 1949 and is a memlicr of Backman, Clark and Marsh, a Salt Lake City law firm He served two terms in the Utah House of Representatives Rex Cropper Reeve Sr was patriarch of Salt Lake Valle) View Stake when he was called as mission president three years ago native No 75 of Hinckley, Millard Count) he was bom t. to Arthur Henry and Mary Cropper Reeve b- married Ph Mis Mae Nielsen Feb 19,1937, ,mt they are parents of three sons and four daughters Elder Reeve was an executive of Meadow Gold Dairies and on the board of directors of several businesses and organizations Ho was a member of the executive committee of the Great Salt Lake Boy Scout Council graduate of Snow College. Ephraim, and LDS Business College, he was a member of the Salt Lake Exeeutiv s Association and a member of the hoard of tt usti-e- of LDS Hospital media. President Kimball told the priesthood members that it is the role of the patriarch of the family to protect their homes from the messages "that can beckon to the base instincts in men and women." reliance air luteg-aDignity and of the welfare services procat", of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da.Saints conern! and local leaders i priesthood and Relief Sx-ie- t (he church weie told Saturday l Km ball in an President Spencer address at the weltMe session ot ihe 148th World Conference of tin ehni'-hsaid the rcquiceinen' tnat aided mdi viduals do some kind o' work m rr'mT for assistance is desmoid so recipients of church welfare tan maintain their dignity Reiterating; the importance of homa gardening, storing food, i lolh'ng ami fuel if possible. President Kimball said r banco binds the principle of behind the church's emphu-i- s on per aonal and family preparedness Plan of ion' earliest "In the years of ' hiit all must cooicrate com plctcly and work in harmony, anil that individuals must sacrifice whatever is reipiired hy the I atnl Halt'd, t t Ministry is Blessed LDS bishop's ministry rt hlcsscd and. as the fathei of his ward, is looked to for answers to a whole range of human pioblems. said J Richard Cl irkc. second counselor in the Rresid mg Bishopric n fundamentals of the church's welfare services program were planned in the early 19'o when the ('.real Depression was in progress The dan was articulated in 193.7 and three years later, the Eirsi President int it iii'ii operation F'n r. the Ix'ginning 'he long range el.c( live 'if thi' wrllair plan was to build i bat ai ci in Ihe members "f I" He this dispen sation the people fal'oivd m attempting In live the full eeonom.c plan of ion. the United Order," tm chinch Rader said i he Untied Order was a pmctani In the early day of the ebui h m w ha-imcmlters, all working t tooled t ir economic gains The plan failed, he said U imra of 4 transgressions of participants .ton can ho built up only among those who arc the pure in heart not a people torn by covetousness or gteed. hut a pure and selfless people." Iresi dent Kimball said To "bring hack Zion " the S3 v ear-ol( lunch leader said the individual to selfishness must he eltnti Hie said the ( both givers Bishop Clarke said church, have there "Never President Benson Tells LDS To Help Preserve Freedom President Ezra Taft Benson urged members of the Church of Saints Jesus Christ of Latter-daSaturday to do all they can to actively participate in the preservation of freedom. y Speaking to the second of four general sessions of the 148th annual General Conference of the church, the leader, who is president of the Council of Twelve Apostles, spoke Saturday afternoon on the LDS Church's mission to declare the in the world gospel of the kingdom to all the world." He was joined in the Tabernacle on Temple Square by the churchs general authorities, including President Senccr W. Kimball, who spoke during the opening morning session, and thousands of faithful who sat on the wooden vow's or braved a chilling wind outside to hear their leaders speak Spreading Gospel "Never in the history of the church has there been such an expenditure of time, planning and the resources to accomplish spreading of gospel to the world President Benson said. The dedicated conservative, w served as secretary of agriculture under President Dw-igh- t D Eisenhower, also linked the spiritual economic, political and social problems facing the nation wuth that of spiritual goals The former, he said, can only he solved with the help of God. "Teach your children to walk uprightly Ivefore the Lord. Pray in your homes morning and evening. Pray for civil magistrates and leaders even when you do not Obey the laws agree with them. of your country; rebel not against civil authority. Do your duty as citizens." he said according to President is part of a conspiracy fostered by Satan and his hosts. It may be manifest through governments; through false educational, political, economic, religious and social philosophies; through secret Evil, Benson, LDS Leader Stresses Dignity, parts the Saints Warned Church Names 4 Authorities By of Sc If and receiveis." The bishop said a new era has been entered in welfare services, with im movements made in five areas of activity He said there is better roorili nation and cooperation within the system, improved planning, increased managerial effectiveness, higher levels of commitment, consecration to the kingdom, and increased spirituality Relief Society Fix es Preparing for old age and Ihe value of nidi i i him h "a rs was the focus of 4 Ihe addic: Barbara R Smith, of the Relief .Society general pri sidi-nOld age is something we should prepare for." she said ' We can Ix'gm now hy developing good attitudes about old age Mrs Smith said families should care for elderly relatives and individuals themselves can prepare for old age Ixith financially and hy planning a hie of service to the community and the church The Relief Society leader .ml Kith priesthood and Relief Society leaders should l aware that there arc nianv services which the elderly ran perform societies and organizations; and through myriads of other forms, he said. Thus, parents need to take a stand for all that is honest, virtuous, true and praiseworthy. "It is" the responsibility of the heads of families to support wholesome influences for their children in government schools, in the home, in neighborhoods, in the stores, and local theaters," he noted. He added that there is an urgent need for the development of a more firm and virtuous influence in the public affairs of each community; each state or province; and nations as a whole. A force for positive good is needed in every facet of public life," President Benson said The leader's words concluded the afternoon session in which several other general authorities also spoke on the necessity of guiding the church's youth. The messages were instantly received by some as music for the e session was provided by a Primary chorus of 10- - and-children from 18 stakes throughout Salt Lake County. Elder George P. Iwe of the First Council of Seventy, counseled that youth must observe a righteous decorum and pray regularly, lest they fall in with the devil He said youths who worship hard rock music are "holding hands with Satan Taken From Reservation Elder Lee s rise in the church itself serves as an example for the youth He was taken from his Navajo reservation in Arizona and brought to Utah to live with a Mormon family loafer, he went into the missionary field and a few years ago, was called to In- a general authority. Also speaking to the youth was Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Council of Twelve Apostles. He urged them to pray for answers to their questions. "Well might the younger generation ask the question: 'But what about today? Does He still hear' Does He continue to answer?' To which I promptly reply: 'There is He then went on to relate several instances of where he personally has been involved in miracles of the Ixtrd. Elder Monson cautioned, however, that "most of the time there are no flags waving nor hands playing when prayer is answered. His miracles frequently are performed in a quiet and natural manner. Another apostle. Elder David B. Haight, related the story of Aurelia Rogers of Farmington, who, in 1878, founded the church's Primary program for its youth. Primary Meeting After visiting all the homes to secure the names of children and to see if parents v.rrc willing to send them to Primary, she conducted the first meeting on Aug. 25, 1878 Records show that 115 boys and 100 girls attended. He said the church now honors her as a faithful and distinga child uished pioneer woman of adversity, testing, determination and love who built her faith event by event, challenge hy challenge. He said Primary will continue fulfilling its goal of enriching the lives of children blessing not only their individual lives hut the lives of their families and friends Every child needs to know that he has a Father in Heaven who loves him, develops a faith in Jesus Christ, and a desire to live His gospel so as to meet the pressures and problems of today's world." Elder Haight said. Elder Eldred G Smith, Church Patriarch, later spoke on the necessity of decisions when choosing a life of morality. "A good leader in business or in church or in the home is one who can make good decisions," he said. "I have come to believe that the Ixird is not so concerned about what W'o study or what profession we follow as long as it is an honest living, he added "He is concerned about our immortality and eternal life or exaltation." Sn-nce- life. The president also chastised newspapers which carried advertise-ment- said Theodore Tuttle, a memlicr of the presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, reminded that the church's welfare program was aimed at eliminating idleness, self resiled and to help people help themselves. Preventative Aspects "The preventative aspects of the welfare program can and must he accomplished by you quorum leaders, learning, teaching and implementing these principles." Elder Tuttle said In the area of rehabilitation, he said individuals in need of such help should he built back inlo producing, self supporting memlierx of the church Victor I. Brown, presiding bishop of church, discussed the role of Deseret Industries Referring to II as n "haven of love," he said the purpose of Deseret Industries is to awaken a sense of personal worth in individuals, regardless of their mental or physical handicaps, or lack of training Deseret Industries In May 1938, the Deseret Industries was established. Its charter was outlined by the First Presidency to permit those who have to share with those who have not, by giving of their surplus property to Deseret Industries, where ihe woik of renovation would employ the unemployed and to make available those same articles of good quality at affordable cost," Bishop Brown said movies. President N. Eldon Tanner, member of the churchs First Presiden- the priesthixxl that they should conduct themselves in a manner that would make them worthy of a recommendation from a general authority. No doubt some of you will stand at this (Tabernacle! pulpit as a general authority" in the future. President Tanner said. "One of you may even become president of the He urged all church. priesthood members to he prepared for the future in the event they were called to he an officer in the church. He added that the best way for the priesthood members to prepare themselves for opportunities in life was to make themselves worthy of a recommendation of a general authority. President Tanner said it was a rewarding experience for him when he a could recommend young man without reservations, and a sad experience when he cy, told could not President Marion G. Romney, also of the ch"rch's First Presidency. told the priesthood that they had important responsibilities as fathers He admonished them never to forget God's ordinances, and to bring their children up in the ways of the Lord. himself," he said He said the desire for counseling seems to he increasing and cautioned against placing too much faith in it. "Emotional Self Reliance "We must not set up a network of counseling services without at the same time emphasizing the principle of and individual emotional independence. Elder Packer said "It was meant that life was to he a challenge." he said. "Some anxiety, depression, even some failures, are natural." President N. Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency, in brief remarks, expressed the hope that those attending the welfare session will leave committed to apply welfare services principles in their home wards and stakes. "The royal law, that we should love our ncightmrs as ourselves, is Ihe guiding thought and purpose of welfare services," said President Marion G Romney of the First Presidency. "I believe we are coming to understand the principles of the church's welfare program. he said, pointing out the program was "inspired by Ihe "Although ;t would appear that employment is the prime punxise of Deseret Industries, It Is only a means to ;m er.d - the end being to bless the lives of these people through work," he said. Boyd K Packer, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles, pointed out that bishops, who largely govern wel fare services, are increasingly being called iijxin to counsel church mentlxTs w ith emotional needs and problems. "Some bishops dole out counsel and rtdvuc without considering that the member should solve the problem Ixird " -- s for Reliance in Welfare Programs Regarding the dependent clucrly, nr those who can no longer care for themselves, she said they too must not he neglected "The Relief Society and priesthixxl leaders should be aw arc of the needs of the dependent elderly," Mrs Smith the - no expiration date on the Lord's injunction to pray. As we remember Him, lie will remember us. been more insidious influences on the family" than today, the church leader said, citing newspapers, magazines, radio and television as conduits of sex and filth. He warned the members to guard against such radio and television programs, and to bring home the newspaper that is most compatible with the LDS Church. President Kimball said the Deseret News has championed the church's position against pornography and abortion and told the members it could strengthen their home |
