Wise counsel - Church News

Another great and glorious conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has concluded. President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust, and other leaders gave us wise counsel.

These Church leaders taught us and warned us. Though the messages were aimed at 11 million Latter-day Saints — and those who may be investigating the Church — the instruction was as personal as if the speakers were addressing each of us individually. As President Hinckley noted Sunday afternoon in his concluding remarks, "All of the talks seem to harmonize, one with another, each a thread in the tapestry of a grand and beautiful pattern."

What made one talk stand out among the others? What was it, as President Hinckley said, that made it sound like "that was intended for me?"

The answer is simply that's what we needed to hear and the Holy Ghost testified to us and focused the message in our soul.

News coverage of the 171st Annual General Conference focused on the announcement of the Perpetual Education Fund and the opportunities it will afford to those returning missionaries whose circumstances are less than ideal. This fund has the potential to bless thousands of lives, both in the Church and outside the Church. This small, initial step will return giant rewards as individuals improve their lives and strive to better their economic circumstances through educational pursuits.

As President Hinckley said, "With good employment skills, these young men and women . . . will better provide for their families. They will serve in the Church and grow in leadership responsibility. They will repay their loans to make it possible for others to be blessed . . . and the Church will be much the stronger for their presence in the areas where they live."

Another theme of the conference was the need for couple missionaries. Several leaders encouraged couples to leave their "comfort zones" and go into the mission field. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve noted, "Why should [young missionaries] have all the fun?" Quoting President Hinckley, Elder Holland said, "I invite you to become a vast army with enthusiasm for this work and a great overarching desire to assist the missionaries in the tremendous responsibility they have."

Latter-day Saints were counseled to take personal responsibility for their actions and avoid worldly temptation. It is one thing to have technology at our fingertips to improve our minds. It is another to turn that technology into the doorway to despair. What good does it do to pray daily for the Spirit, if we then drive it away by through our television, video or Internet habits?

Several of the Brethren reminded us there is safety in the words of the prophets. There is comfort and peace of mind in obedience to the word of God. By obeying our leaders and teaching our families to follow the Brethren, we can improve our lives and the lives of those around us.

We also can show love and understanding for those who may not share our beliefs. Negative voices have been raised from the early days of the Church. But just because opposition continues in this day does not mean we should shirk from our duty. Our testimonies, expressed with love and compassion, may not turn away wrath immediately. But neither will shouting. Meanness returned for meanness given will not win over our foes. Only by patience and love unfeigned can we turn around opponents.

We believe — and our leaders have counseled — that all people have the ability to change. A single offer to "feast upon the words of Christ" is not a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. We may have to invite others to "feast" many times before they accept.

None of us is perfect, and sometimes, as President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, said, "Guilt can be harder to bear than physical pain." But a tormented soul, wracked by exquisite pain, can be relieved, President Packer said, through the Atonement. "If Christ had not made His Atonement, the penalties for mistakes would be added one on the other. Life would be hopeless. But He willingly sacrificed in order that we may be redeemed."

President Hinckley encouraged us to fortify ourselves against sin and to pattern our lives after the Savior's example. The prophet of God and his associates have given us wise counsel and instruction. It is now up to us to move the work forward and build up the Kingdom where we live.

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