SALT LAKE CITY — Mormon church President Thomas S. Monson urged his faith's followers to embrace the power of prayer and to reach out to people in need.
Monson said Sunday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' 182nd semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City that God hears the faithful and knows them.
"We can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer and those prayers will be heard and answered. Perhaps not how and when we expected they would be answered, but they will be answered," the 85-year-old leader said.
He also urged the church's more than 14 million members worldwide to be open to people in need.
"The opportunity to be a blessing in the life of another often comes unexpectedly," he said. "The Lord is in the details of our lives."
Other speakers Sunday emphasized the teachings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and his mandate to love and serve, The Salt Lake Tribune reported (http://bit.ly/Q5pwOe).
"For some, serving or ministering one by one, following the Savior's example, doesn't come easily," said Relief Society President Linda K. Burton. "But with practice, each of us can become more like the Savior as we serve God's children."
LDS apostle Jeffrey R. Holland told the faithful "the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty."
LDS believers have "neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do," he said. "In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord."
The speeches on the general conference's final day also were broadcast on the Internet and beamed via satellite to millions of Mormons worldwide watching in LDS chapels.
On Saturday, Mormon apostle Dallin H. Oaks urged Mormons to protect children, denouncing abortion, divorce, abuse, cohabitation and single and same-sex parenthood as harmful to their welfare.
Abortion is "a great evil," he said, and it should be assumed that kids raised by same-sex couples or unwed mothers will be at a disadvantage.
"Children are also victimized by marriages that do not occur," Oaks said.
Mormon leaders have taught that viewing marriage as a mere contract easily entered into and broken "is an evil meriting severe condemnation," especially when children suffer as a result, he added.
"There are surely cases when a divorce is necessary for the good of the children, but those circumstances are exceptional," Oaks said. "In most marital contests the contending parents should give much greater weight to the interests of the children."
Fellow apostle Quentin L. Cook lamented the portrayal of violence and immorality in music, entertainment and media today as "unprecedented."
Cas Lee posted at 7:51 pm on Sun, Oct 28, 2012.
Hello, my fellow American voters!
I watched the Oct. 3rd, 11th, 16th, and 22nd debates.
1st Romney-Obama debate covered 7 topics: jobs; budget deficit/debt; social security/entitlements; federal gov’t economic regulation and role; healthcare; partisan gridlock.
2nd Romney-Obama debate covered 11 topics: college graduate jobs; gas prices; taxes; equal pay; Bush policies; Obama’s record; illegal immigrants; Libya; assault weapons; jobs; candidate misperceptions.
3rd Romney-Obama debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Syria; Egypt; U.S. world role; military spending; Israel; Iran; Afghanistan; China; U.S. national security threats.
Ryan-Biden debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Iran; economy; medicare/social security/entitlements; tax reform/spending/budget cuts; military policy; Afghanistan; Syria; abortion; negative campaign tactics.
Romney and Ryan won all 4 debates, although Obama improved some in the 2nd debate and Romney slightly took the win both in the 2nd and 3rd debates.
In the 3rd debate (unlike in prior debates), Obama reflected his weakness and disrespect by interrupting Romney a lot and using too many “one-line quips” to try to denigrate Romney.
Ryan won despite Biden’s consistently rude behavior during the debate (often interrupted Ryan, laughed when Ryan talked, pointed his finger). Biden’s tactics to evade issues/truth disrespected Americans interested in facts, figures, forecasts, and solutions for real people with real problems.
Romney and Ryan won with substance, directness, integrity, respect, clarity, facts, commitment, inspiration, credibility, and leadership.
As an INDEPENDENT female feminist (egalitarian) voter, I support the Romney/Ryan ticket.
Romney and Ryan, with their no-nonsense and methodic approach to solving America’s problems, are the best persons in terms of qualifications and character to lead our country and make life better for all Americans.
I am inspired by Romney/Ryan, and I hope that you are too!
Best regards,
Cas Lee
DonMey posted at 11:06 pm on Mon, Oct 8, 2012.
Ted said: "Is it a mis-print that they always say "the Savior" instead of "our Savior" when referring to themselves here?"
An interesting observation. I'd be curious to see an analysis of the text and the actual word usage. However, it's more an evolution of language in a more inclusive/missionsary lifestyle. "Our" Savior implies he/she/it will only save "us". "The" Savior implies it/she/he will save "all". (conditionally, of course. ALWAYS conditionally)
tededitedit posted at 6:19 pm on Mon, Oct 8, 2012.
Is it a mis-print that they always say "the Savior" instead of "our Savior" when referring to themselves here? Also, their speaker talks about "wrongs to make right". Does telling a young person that his/her family's Christian faith is inferior to the LDS organization's teachings qualify as a wrong? I think if the Mormon family also says that "we ARE Christians and we believe the same things" to convert them that it is a wrong!
Hot-in-Gilbert - I know, get a life. I don't need one, but I know at least one young person in the East Valley who needs their life back from your group!
samkat posted at 6:15 pm on Mon, Oct 8, 2012.
Religion is for the church services, not the news columns. :-)
Engaged Voter posted at 9:42 am on Mon, Oct 8, 2012.
The article mentions that "other leaders" emphasized the teachings of Jesus Christ...but they always seem to forget (or ignore) this one:
Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and churches and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
AG posted at 7:10 am on Mon, Oct 8, 2012.
My Pastor has taught these things from the bible week after week for years, Luke 18:1, a man should always pray & not faint. Not sure why, because it's a "Mormon" leader saying it, it's front page news. Glad however to see a article encouraging prayer.
Juggernaut8000 posted at 5:57 am on Mon, Oct 8, 2012.
DTR,
You make a claim that christianinty is a 'real' religion, and imply LDS is a fraud...which is true but no more fabricated that any other religion.
Religion is a fairy tale and it is pathetic you fools still believe mumbo jumbo that was written by men who believed the world is flat, snakes talk and people can walk on water. Grow up, it is 2012.
teejcee44 posted at 1:59 am on Mon, Oct 8, 2012.
So, I suppose that encouragement to do good, and serve your neighbor, live an exemplary life emulating the Savior is now drivel? I have heard many church leaders speak clearly, and pointedly to their flock these same things, but when it comes from the "Mormon" church, somehow it is propaganda. Downtownresident, you are simply jealous, or misinformed, or evil. Maybe all of those things. If you can't say something good about people, don't say it at all. Your words will be a type to come for yourself.
hotingilbert posted at 9:57 pm on Sun, Oct 7, 2012.
Resident, it appears you have significant experience with your own arrogance and drivel. Get a life.
downtownresident posted at 7:56 pm on Sun, Oct 7, 2012.
What a crock! The shear arrogance of these people is sickening.
The liberal anointing of cult members with biblical titles is an insult to Christians, and other true religions world wide.
The self serving, self righteous drivel "reported" here is just propaganda.
Mitt won't win, no matter how they distort the facts.
Go find some real news!