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Elder Joseph W. Sitati of the Seventy speaks at the 185th Annual General Conference. (LDS.org)
Elder Joesph W. Sitati of the Seventy spoke during the Sunday afternoon session of general conference about the divine blessing God gave his children as he commanded them to be fruitful, multiply and subdue the earth.
Elder Sitati taught that these sacred responsibilities God gave his children are to help aid in eternal progression, particularly to become like God. 'A loving Heavenly Father gave us the charge and blessing to be fruitful and multiply and to have dominion so that we can develop and become even as he is,' he said.
Elder Sitati then spoke of humility. As church members strive to be meek and lowly in heart, it will become easier to come to Christ and do his will. 'Laboring in the spirit of charity is not a duty but a joy. Challenges become opportunities to build faith,' he said. 'All of us can and should become fully engaged in the work of salvation.'
Elder Sitati continued by highlighting the divine purpose of procreation. God intended his children to be part of eternal families, as creating families will bring God's children the fullest joy on earth.
Elder Sitati also spoke of those who would not receive the blessing of a family in this life. “Because of his love for us, Heavenly Father has provided that all his faithful children who do not or are not able to enjoy the blessings of a covenant marriage and children, or a fulness of those blessings, for reasons not of their making, will in the Lord's appointed time, enjoy these blessings,' he said.
He then spoke of the responsibility God gave his children to subdue the earth. This begins with humility and recognizing human weakness, according to Elder Sitati. Power over the things of the earth will come after obedience.
Elder Sitati closed with an invitation to be triumphant over the trials of the world. “God invites all his children to obtain his help to overcome and endure the challenges of this life,” he said. “Fatihful Latter-day Saints who understand their divine potential and rely wholeheartedly on the power available through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ are strengthened in their natural weakness and 'can do all things.''