Advice to World Wide Conference of Mormons Good for All Faiths

Salt Lake City, Utah – Saturday and Sunday more than 100,000 Mormons gathered on Temple Square and millions more at thousands of local congregations watching by private broadcast, and many of the sermons they heard gave advice that was helpful to people of all faiths.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called Mormons, were given advice on living happier lives. The counsel and advice given by leaders included teaching children to pray, honesty, integrity, how to avoid unwanted influences of the world on families, developing and strengthening faith, moral character, making better choices, and other values of concern to people of all faiths.

Several of the speakers suggested that making the right choices makes the greatest inpact on quality of life, peace, and happiness. President Thomas S. Monson, leader of the Church and regarded by members as a modern Prophet of God, told men and teenage boys that the choices they make have consequences.

"As I've contemplated the various aspects of choice, I've put them into three categories: First, the right of choice; second, the responsibility of choice; and third, the results of choice. I call these the three R's of choice," explained President Monson.

He said that every person has the means to receive help in making correct choices. "I speak of prayer. I speak too, of the whisperings from that still, small voice within each of us, and I do not overlook the holy scriptures, written by mariners who successfully sailed the seas we too must cross."

He then warned that choices come with consequences.

"Whether you wear a green tee shirt of a blue one makes no difference in the long run. However, whether you decided to push a key on your computer which will take you to pornography can make all the difference in your life. You will have just taken a step off the straight, safe path. If a friend pressures you to drink alchohol or to try drugs and you succumb to the pressure, you are taking a detour form which you may not return.

One of the choices all people make is whether or not to pursue faith.

"Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours," said Bishop Richard C. Edgley, First Counselor to the Presiding Bishop.

Latter-day Saints believe that all people have are born with agency, the right to chose for themselves. Although making choices is a right of all people, it is important to chose wisely.

"Agency is to act with accountability and responsibility for our actions," explained Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He explained that as a young man he was asked by his father to paint the floor of a room. He said he chose to begin at the door and ended up painting himself into a corner. The consequence was that he had to walk across the wet varnish and then had to work hard to sand and refinish the floor, which he used to teach about the need to repent of sin.

"I acknowledge that all of us make mistakes. The scriptures teach us, 'All have sinned, and come short of the glory of the God.' For those who find themselves captive to past, unrighteous choices, stuck in a corner, without all the blessings available by the righteous exercise of agency, we love you. Come back! Come out of the dark corner and into the light. Even if you have to walk across a newly varnished floor, it is worth it," said Elder Hales.

"Contrary to the world's secular teaching, the scriptures teach us that we do have agency, and our righteous exercise of agency always makes a difference in the opportunities we have and our ability to act upon them and progress eternally," said Elder Hales.

Elder Neal L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told listeners that no one is immune from the influences of the world, and advised listeners that to develop and increase their faith they need to have believing heart of a child.

Several speakers said that developing strong faith is the key to increased moral character and integrity.

"When faith is properly understood and usesd it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual's life from maudlin, common every day activities to a symphony of joy and happiness," said Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day," he added.

"Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Such choices are made with trust in things that are believed, and when acted upon, are confirmed," said Elder Scott.

"The bedrock of character is integrity. Worthy character will stregthen your capacity to recognize the direction of the Spirit and be obedient to it. Your consistent exercise of faith builds strong character," he added.

"Those who quietly and thoughtfully go about doing good offer a model of consecration," said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He also spoke of the importance of honesty and integrity in personal lives, as well as business situations.

Multi-tasking taken to the extreme may create unwanted challenges, and the solution is to not try to do so much at once, according to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor to President Thomas S. Monson.

"Let's be honest, it's rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedule," said President Uchtdorf. He gave advice that Mormons and non-Mormons can benefit from: "...slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions."

People should focus on things that matter most, he advised. "I think most of us intuitively understand how important the fundamentals are. It is just that we sometimes get distracted by so many things that seem more enticing."

A common theme of many speakers was the dangers society presents to families who wish to live good, clean, righteous lives.

"An ever present danger to the family is the onslaught of the evil forces that seem to come from every direction. While our primary effort must be to seek light and truth, we would be wise to black out from our homes the lethal bombs that destroy spiritual development and growth. Pornography, in particular, is a weapon of mass moral destruction. Its impact is at the forefront in eroding moral values. Some TV programs and internet sites are equally lethal. These evil forces remove light and hope from the world. The level of decadence is accelerating. If we do not black our evil from our homes and lives, do not be surprised if devastating moral explosions shatter the peace which is the reward for righteous living. Our responsibility is to be in the world but not of the world," explained Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

He said that many people of faith are concerned about efforts by some to destroy faith and religious influences.

"We also find the majority of people are still respectful of basic moral values. But make no mistake there are also people who are determined to both destroy faith and reject any religious influence in society. Other evil people exploit, manipulate, and tear down society with drugs, pornography, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, robbery, and dishonest business practices. The power and influence of these people is very large even if they are relatively small in number," said Elder Cook.

"There has always been an ongoing battle between people of faith and those who would purge religion and God from public life. Many opinion leaders today reject a moral view of the world based on Jodeo/Christian values. In their view there is no objective moral order. They believe no preference should be given to moral goals," said Elder Cook. "Still the majority of people aspire to be good and honorable," he added.

Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, taught parents that the prayers of their children can help during times of trial and stress. She told a story of a young mother who was driving in a snow storm, and clamed herself and her children through prayer.