By Julia Leaman
leaman@newsroom.byu.edu
Elder David B. Haight, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, was the concluding speaker of the Saturday morning, Oct. 7, conference session of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
'Life can be so wonderful and meaningful, but we have to live it in the way we understand it, with the principles of the gospel,' Elder Haight said.
He said living the gospel is what makes the difference.
'As my eyesight decreases, I think my vision improves; my vision of what lies ahead,' Elder Haight said.
He said when he and his wife, Ruby, were married in the Salt Lake City Temple 70 years ago, he knew little of their future together.
Although Elder Haight is 94 years old, he continues to look ahead.
He shared experiences he had in a Salt Lake City ward testimony meeting.
During that meeting, Elder Haight observed the love between a seven-year-old boy who helped his five-year-old sister bear her testimony. He also observed the blessing of a baby whose father was in jail.
At the end of the meeting, Elder Haight spoke to the congregation on 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World.'
He told a story of a 15-year-old girl who memorized the proclamation because her mother encouraged her children to recite scriptures, talks and songs from a young age.
Elder Haight tied in these true examples to demonstrate the importance of bringing up children righteously - with Jesus Christ as the foundation.
Elder Haight quoted President Gordon B. Hinckley, saying, 'Life is a great chain of generations, linked together till the end of time. Don't be a weak link.'
He also spoke about the importance of family history and temple work and how they can link time and eternity. Tens of thousands of people are waiting for those ordinances, he said.
'You would not want to be the one weak link,' Elder Haight said.
He spoke briefly about Nauvoo when the Saints were preparing to come West. Before they left, there was an opportunity for some of them to be endowed.
President Brigham Young dropped what he was doing in preparation for the trek to stay in the temple and complete the endowments. He was anxious to do what the Saints were anxious to have done, Elder Haight said.
Just as President Brigham Young dropped what he was doing, Latter-day Saints should take part in these ordinances so those who have died can carry on the work on the other side, Elder Haight said.
'May your links be strong, may you personally find the strength and the happiness that can be found by living the gospel of Jesus Christ,' he said.
Elder Haight has 65 great-grandchildren and hopes the links in his family will be strong.
'May you personally find great joy and happiness in living the principles of the gospel,' Elder Haight said.