By Sascha Wheatley
Many Saints gathered for the Sunday morning session of 175th Annual General Conference. President James E. Faust of the first presidency opened the session and President Gordon B. Hinckley concluded it with his remarks, much of which were about the Prophet Joseph Smith.
President Faust urged members to stand in holy places for protection from the evil influences of our time. He said members should first seek to honor the Lord in their homes by not neglecting parental responsibilities.
We must try harder to be a holy people, Faust said, as beneficiaries, guardians, and caretakers of the church.
?As children of the Lord, we should stride everyday to rise to a higher personal righteousness in our actions,? Faust said. ?We need to guard constantly against all of Satan?s influences.?
Elder M. Russel Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve encouraged parents, leaders and teachers to know every youth in the ward, active or inactive.
?Kindle that light in our youth until the flame of testimony burns deep within their hearts and souls,? Elder Ballard said. ?And then encourage them to take that plan and use it to help kindle the light of Christ in others.?
Elder Ballard reminded members that the raising of the bar not only affects missionaries, but parents and leaders also. The church presidency is challenging bishops and branch presidents to council together to seek out more youth for service, he said.
?Pray to find at least one more young man above those already committed, who can be called to serve,? Ballard said. ?If we do this, the ranks of our missionaries will swell, and we will move much closer to our mandate of spreading the gospel to every nation, kindred and tongue.?
Elder David E. Sorensen spoke next about the positive experiences that result from faith and obedience.
Sorensen reminded members, however, that the scriptures have many examples of devoted people who did not receive divine intervention during a crisis.
?To do well does not mean everything will always turn out well,? Sorensen said. ?The key is to remember that faith and obedience are still the answer, even when things go wrong, perhaps especially when things go wrong.?
Next, Sister Kathleen H. Hughes, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, opened her talk by speaking about her father. Hughes said her dad was always looking for ways to serve others and acted as a Christlike friend.
Hughes said God knows the needs of his children and gives promptings to others as a way to fulfill those needs.
?When we act on such promptings, we tread on holy ground,? Hughes said, ?for we are allowed the opportunity to serve as an agent of God in answering a prayer.?
Elder Henry B. Eyring directed most of his comments toward converts of the church.
He spoke about the sacred ordinances only granted in this world, and he repeatedly encouraged members to perform temple ordinances for deceased family members.
Elder Eyring said the sacred power of Elijah to seal families together can be manifested in the temple.
?There they can be offered the covenants which will free them from spirit prison and bind them in families, your family, forever,? Eyring said. ?Their hope is in your hands.?
President Gordon B. Hinckley concluded the session and spoke of the ?great things which God hath revealed? to Joseph Smith, including the manifestation of God and His son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith.
?This knowledge of deity is the first and great thing which God revealed to his chosen servant, and upon the reality and truth of this vision rests the truth and validity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,? President Hinckley said.
President Hinckley?s observance of the 200-year anniversary of Joseph Smith?s birth included many references to the lasting power of Smith?s service.
?During the brief 38 and a half years of life, there came through him an incomparable outpouring of knowledge, gifts and doctrine,? he said. ?With that objectively, there is nothing to compare with it. Subjectively, it is the substance of the personal testimony of millions of Latter-day Saints across the earth?