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SALT LAKE CITY (AP/KSL News) -- LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley was back at the pulpit as expected Saturday night to close the first day of the faith's twice-yearly conference.
Hinckley, in his 11th year as leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was scheduled to give the opening address Saturday morning, but James E. Faust, one of two other men in the church's top leadership, led the proceedings instead.
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Pres. Faust "President Gordon B. Hinckley, who presides at this conference, has asked that I, Brother Faust, conduct this session..."
No official reason was given for the change, although church spokesmen said Hinckley was conserving his energy.
When he spoke Saturday night, the 95-year-old Hinckley expressed regret over lives lost in wars and he denounced jealously, pride, arrogance, carping criticism and the racial denigration of others.
"I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ," the church president said, noting that in recent years he has dedicated two church temples in Africa, where membership is growing.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "Brethren, there is no basis for racial hatred among the priesthood of this church. If any within the sound of my voice is inclined to indulge in this, let him go before the lord and ask for forgiveness and be no more involved in such."
President Hinckley also spoke of judgmental behavior a young man in our community experienced.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "He says that when he was growing up some of his LDS associates belittled him, made him feel out of place and poked fun at him. He came to hate this church and its people. He saw no good in any of them."
Eventually that young man met a friendly Latter-day Saint and joined the faith. President Hinckley says his wish list for church members is not long.
Hinckley also called upon those gathered to extend kindness and forgiveness to others, reminding them that "a miracle can happen and will happen when there is kindness, respect and love."
President Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "It is that we would live the gospel more fully in our homes, in our work, and in every aspect of our lives."
Dave Ross, attended conference "Had a very wonderful message, a very forceful message of being tolerant with each other and so forth, i was very much appreciative of his words..."
Robert Sainsbury, attended conference "To be sure that we're not involved in anything discriminatory towards people of other races or religions, gave us great counsel."
Nothing in Hinckley's demeanor hinted that illness might be the reason behind his decision not to give a Saturday morning address.
"He was strong and vibrant and it was vintage President Hinckley," said Dale Bills, a church spokesman, after Saturday evening's remarks.
But the aging president's health was in question earlier this year.
Hinckley suffers from a mild form of diabetes. In late January, he was hospitalized for six days for surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his intestine. He spent another 10 days or so recovering and then went back to work, including making a trip last month to Santiago, Chile, for the rededication of a church temple.
Entering the facility on Saturday, Hinckley walked slowly while carrying his cane, waving it in the air while greeting the audience.
Mormons gather in April and October to hear from church leaders on a variety of topics meant to strengthen faith and provide spiritual direction to the more than 12 million church members worldwide. More than 100,000 attend the conference's five sessions.
The two-day conference is broadcast via satellite, television, radio and the Internet to 83 countries in 86 languages.
Throughout the day, speakers focused their message on two themes: lauding church members for their service to others and calling for members to gird themselves against the temptations of a changing moral climate, including pornography, drugs and reckless spending.
Well-known for its charitable works around the world, Mormons were active in relief efforts throughout 2005, giving money time and goods to aide victims of the December 2004 tsunami in southeast Asia, the earthquakes in northern Pakistan and India, as wells as the hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf Coast.
"The simple word, 'thanks,' almost seems trite," said H. David Burton, who oversees LDS humanitarian missions.
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Following the tsunami, church members took supplies to some of the hardest hit areas.
Bishop H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop "From the mosques, community leaders announced that another donation from the Jesus church has arrived."
The church, he said, is now involved in building more than a thousand permanent homes there and restoring hospitals and schools.
Four days after the earthquake in Pakistan, the Islamic Relief Agency provided a 747 filled with emergency supplies from the bishops' storehouses, including 75-thousand winter tents.
In the U.S., following Hurricane Katrina, church members provided the necessities to sustain life. Bishop Burton has hundreds of letters of gratitude, this one from a woman in Mississippi.
Bishop Burton (reading letter): "Had God answered my prayers so quickly? Tears immediately began to roll down my cheeks as men in hard hats and boots, with chainsaws of all shapes and sizes, appeared out of the debris."
Burton's praise of members' generosity was followed by two speakers offering stern reminders that the church ascribes to strict moral code that eschews tobacco and alcohol use, encourages modesty in dress and behavior.
Thomas S. Monson, who with Hinckley and Faust makes up the church's First Presidency, focused his concerns on immorality, saying behavior that was once considered immoral has in modern time become acceptable behavior.
Pornography presents another threat to Mormon homes, Monson said.
"Avoid any semblance of pornography," he said. "It will desensitize the spirit and erode the conscience."
Finally, Monson warned members against spending themselves into excessive debt, which he said will "crush our self-esteem, ruin relationships and leave us in desperate circumstances.
"I urge you to live within your means," he said.
Debt is a pronounced problem in Utah, where about 12 percent of church members live. The state has one of the highest rates of personal bankruptcy in the United States.
In the afternoon, the church's young men were also reminded of the importance of serving a two-year mission for the church.
"It will change everything," said David F. Evans, a church elder. "The work will be difficult, but there will also be great satisfaction and joy as you serve."
Church members said they missed hearing from President Hinckley.
Becky Smith, conference goer "Usually he speaks or says we're glad you're all here, we're excited for conference but he didn't at all today, hopefully tomorrow he will..."
On the Net: http://www.lds.org/
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
