By DAVID FUHRIMAN
As the church looks to the future, members will continue to be blessed by simply living the gospel of Jesus Christ and being better neighbors, said President Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Sunday morning session of general conference.
'If we will cling to our values, if we will build on our inheritance, if we will walk in obedience before the Lord, if we will simply live the gospel we will be blessed in a magnificent and wonderful way,' President Hinckley said.
He urged members to be optimistic and build on the accomplishments of the pioneers. 'We cannot detract from their accomplishments. We cannot add to their glory. We can only look back with reverence, appreciation, respect and resolution to build on what they have done.'
President Hinckley spoke of the incredible progress the church has been making throughout the world. He said that enough members will join the church this year to constitute more than 600 wards, and that church membership will top 10 million next month.
'Something, my brethren and sisters, is happening in this church, something wonderful. As we walk in the small world of our individual wards and branches we are scarcely aware of it. And yet it is real and it is tremendous. We are growing. We are expanding,' President Hinckley said.
He spoke of the destiny of the church and its members. 'If we will go forward, never losing sight of our goal, speaking ill of no one, living the great principles we know to be true, this cause will roll on in majesty and power to fill the earth...The Almighty, if necessary, may have to shake the nations to humble them and cause them to listen to the servants of the living God. What ever is needed will come to pass.'
President Hinckley said that missionary work and humanitarian aid must proceed with greater force. 'In the future even more of our young men must prepare themselves to go out in service to the Lord. Our Christian acts must precede them and accompany them whenever necessary.'
The prophet called for all members to be kinder and better neighbors to all people and to be more involved in helping others and improving their own lives. 'Simply put, we must be better Latter-day Saints. We must more neighborly. We cannot live in a cloistered existence in this world. We are a part of the whole of humanity,' President Hinckley said.
'Let us banish from our lives any elements of self-righteousness. Many regard us with suspicion, as having only one interest and that is to convert them. Conversion is more likely to come as a consequence of love. Let us be friendly. Let us be helpful. Let us live the golden rule,' he said.
President Hinckley voiced concern about how church members observe the Sabbath. 'Our strength for the future, our resolution to grow the church across the world, will be weakened if we violate the will of the Lord in this important matter.'
President Hinckley's main concern was about the state of families in the church, saying that 'there are too many broken homes among our own. I lift a warning voice to our people. We have moved too far toward the mainstream of society in this matter...This is a malady with a cure. The prescription is simple and wonderfully effective. It is love. It is plain, simple, everyday love and respect.'
President Hinckley's attitude toward the future continued to be fervently optimistic. 'Great has been our past, wonderful is our present, glorious can be our future.'
He concluded with a plea to be united in faith. 'God help us to move forward to become a great and mighty people spread over the earth, counted in the millions, but all of one faith and of one testimony and of one conviction.'