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SALT LAKE CITY -- Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints urged church members to strengthen their families and their religious commitments in the face of growing secularism during the Sunday sessions of the General Conference.
"In this fast-paced life do we ever pause for moments of meditation -- even thoughts of timeless truths," said LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson.
The senior leaders lamented that many in broader society have tried to dismiss biblical teaching as outdated or false. Leaders also noted that the number of births outside of marriage is growing and blamed the trend for "a host of societal and economic ills."
"When people make the family and religious commitments to gospel principles, they begin to do better spiritually and often temporally as well," said Elder M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest ranking body in the church.
Saturday, many talks were about marriage and families. Focusing on relationships again, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf urged church member not to judge others and to forgive instead.
In this fast-paced life do we ever pause for moments of meditation -- even thoughts of timeless truths?
–- President Thomas S. Monson.
"When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm -- please apply the following: stop it," Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency said.
Ballard was among several leaders who spoke at the two-day General Conference. Mormons meet in April and October to hear speeches and spiritual guidance from the faith's senior leaders. More than 20,000 people gathered for the event at a church conference center in Salt Lake City. Millions more watched from around the world through satellite, Internet and radio broadcasts.
President Thomas S. Monson, considered a prophet by Mormons, urged church members to use their "power to think, to reason," to choose the right path as they move through life. He said blessings can be earned through a life of "striving, seeking" and repentance.
Monson also extended an invitation for people to join the faith or return to it and reminded Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ's death.
"In one week we will celebrate Easter," Monson said. "Our thoughts will turn to the Savior's life, his death and his resurrection. As his special witness, I testify to you that he lives and that he awaits our triumphant return."
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LDS Conference teaches forgiveness, family
Even as the world changes around them, the traditional family must remain the foundation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members.Apostle D. Todd Christofferson addressed what he called confusion about church teaching, affirming that core doctrine comes through revelation by church authorities. He said isolated statements by an individual church leader reflect "a personal, though well-considered opinion" but are not meant to be binding for the whole church.
The cold and rain Sunday did not dampen the spirits of those at the Conference Center.
"I love listening to the prophet and hearing him speak," said Deanna Lampropoulos, a Sandy resident.
Some who attended were first-time conference goers, unphased by the dreary weather.
"It was cool, I really liked it, you could feel the spirit more strongly," said Ala Kaufana, a West Valley City resident.
The 182nd Annual General Conference ended Sunday afternoon with words of encouragement to its members to be faithful to become better people.
In saying, 'farewell, for another six months' to the now 14.5 million Latter-day Saints, President Monson called himself their humble servant and asked them to love each other and end the contention.
Contributing: Associated Press
