At the conclusion of the priesthood session of the October 2015 General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson kept his message brief and straightforward. He reminded the Saints to keep the commandments.
“God’s commandments are not given to frustrate us or to become obstacles to our happiness,” the prophet said. “He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible.”
President Monson told the Saints that God gives laws and commandments to benefit man, but the choice to follow them is up to the individual.
He warned members of the adversary’s commitment to thwart the righteous desires of the Saints.
The prophet quoted the apostle Peter, who warned, “Be… vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
The president of the church then addressed the young men of the church directly, reminding them of the importance of making good decisions in their current stage of life.
“The choices you make here and now are forever important,” President Monson said.
Using a scripture reference from Corinthians, President Monson warned the men of the church about loud voices of the world and the importance of blocking out the noise of the world and listening to the soft voice of the Holy Ghost.
“Open your hearts, even your very souls, to the sound of that special voice which testifies of truth,” he said. “May we ever be in tune, that we might hear this comforting, guiding voice which will keep us safe.”
President Monson expressed his concern for the “disregard of the commandments” that seems to plague modern-day societies.
Pleading with the members of the church, the prophet advised the Saints to avoid anything that would destroy happiness in mortality and risk eternal life in the world to come.
“With deceptions and lies, the adversary will lead you down a slippery slope to your destruction if you allow him to do so,” he said. “You will likely be on that slippery slope before you even realize that there is no way to stop.”
President Monson proceeded with additional prophetic counsel and warned members worldwide that evil forces would continue to pressure the faithful of the world to fall into darkness.
He told Saints to exercise great courage and faith, and the blessings would follow.
Members of the church were invited to repent and better follow the commandments so the promise of “peace and the quietness” spoken of by Isaiah can be rewarded to them.
“Despite the fact that the path is difficult, the promise is real,” President Monson said. “Said the Lord to those who repent: ‘though your sins be as scarlet, they will be white as snow. And I will remember [them] no more.’”
Other General Conference news:
LDS Church announces three new apostles
Three new apostles to represent Christ throughout the world
English only at LDS General Conference
LDS Quorums of the Seventy now called General Authority Seventies
Slideshow: General Conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015
Women’s general session:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Now is a part of eternity
Sister Carol F. McConkie: The Lord’s agents
Sister Linda S. Reeves: Rewards will come
Sister Rosemary M. Wixom: Divine nature within you
Saturday morning session:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: It works!
Elder M. Russell Ballard: God is at the helm
Elder Richard J. Maynes: The joy of living a Christ-centered life
Sister Neill F. Marriott: Yielding our hearts to God
Elder Francisco J. Vinas: The pleasing word of God
Saturday afternoon session:
Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ
Elder Bradley D. Foster: It’s never too early and it’s never too late
Elder Robert D. Hales: Meeting the challenges of today’s world
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Behold thy mother
Priesthood session:
Sunday morning session:
President Thomas S. Monson: Be an example and a light
Elder Ronald A. Rasband: Love one another
Elder Gary E. Stevenson: Fulness of times
Elder Dale G. Renlund: Through God’s eyes
President Russell M. Nelson: A plea to my sisters
Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer: Let the clarion trumpet sound
Elder Claudio R.M. Costa: That they do always remember him
Sunday afternoon session:
President Henry B. Eyring: The Holy Ghost as your companion
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Why the church
Elder Von G. Keetch: Blessed and happy are those who keep the commandments of God
Sister Carole M. Stephens: If ye love me, keep my commandments
Elder Allen D. Haynie: Remembering in whom we have trusted
Elder Kim B. Clark: Eyes to see and ears to hear
Brother Devin G. Durrant: My heart pondereth them continually
Elder Koichi Aoyagi: Hold on thy way
Elder David A. Bednar: Chosen to bear testimony of my name
Other conference-related coverage:
LDS Quorums of the Seventy now called General Authority Seventies
LDS Church members anticipate counsel on LGBT acceptance
English only at LDS General Conference
Music and the Spoken Word: A Mormon gift to the world
Mormons encouraged to review past sessions before General Conference
Slideshow: General Conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015
