By Michael Davies
davies@newsroom.byu.edu
Now the test will begin, said President Gordon B. Hinckley, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his closing remarks of general conference.
In his closing remarks of the 170th Semiannual General Conference, President Hinckley said that it is now time for the principles to be applied.
'Tomorrow morning we will be back at our jobs, back to our studies, back to whatever constitutes the busy regimen of our lives,' President Hinckley said.
General conference was designed by the Lord to give His children the opportunity to hear the words of the prophets, President Hinckley said. But those teachings should not be left on the Conference Center steps.
'In our Family Home Evenings, I hope we will discuss with our children these things and let them taste the sweetness of the truths we have enjoyed,' President Hinckley said.
'We will not remember all that has been said, but there will arise from all of this a spiritual uplift,' he said.
The key comes in constant study of the Lord's teachings, President Hinckley said. The words of the Lord's servants should be studied throughout the year, not just on conference weekend.
'When the 'Ensign' magazine comes out in November, please don't just throw it aside with the comment that you have heard it all, but read and ponder the various messages,' President Hinckley said.
Principles taught by church leaders in general conference should be studied and applied with prayer, said President Hinckley. Every trial in our lives can be softened by conversation with our Heavenly Father.
'I testify that our prayers, offered in humility and sincerity, are heard and answered,' President Hinckley said.
'It is a miraculous thing, but it is real,' he continued.
Success is found in the lives and actions of the saints, not in the words of church leaders, President Hinckley said. It is up to each individual to decide whether this conference and this work will be considered a triumph.
'If we have drawn nearer to the Savior, with a more firm resolution to follow his teachings and his example, then this conference will have been a wonderful success,' President Hinckley said.