Covenants are sacred
Trifle not with sacred things- Be diligent, obedient
Gratitude was the theme of Elder Adney Y. Komatsu's final address as a General Authority Saturday afternoon. He had been granted emeritus status in the Saturday morning session.
"As this phase of my service draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for the many blessings my family and I have received during this time," said Elder Komatsu. He served for 17 years as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and a year and a half before that as an Assistant to the Twelve.
He thanked his wife, children, General Authorities and friends for having sustained him through the years.
"As I review our experiences and try to express my feelings this day, you can imagine that many thoughts are crossing my mind. As I attempt to sort through them I would like to continue the theme of appreciation for my family by sharing with you an admonition that was given by the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in Harmony, Pa., in April 1829. It is recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 6, verse 1, and states: `Trifle not with sacred things.'
"There are many sacred things within the gospel, but one of the most sacred is the covenants we make in the holy temple. The words trifle and sacred are an important part of the admonition that cautions us not to take for granted or to make light of the sacred, holy and honorable blessings received.
"The relationships between husbands and wives are sacred, and we should never trifle with that great blessing. Many couples enter into marriages without understanding the importance of the admonition not to trifle with sacred things, and divorce often follows.
"Likewise, we should follow this admonition in relationships between parents and children. We must never take our children for granted and always keep our relationships sacred, honorable and holy."
Elder Komatsu then quoted from a 1986 priesthood address of President Ezra Taft Benson. "Even though he was speaking specifically to the young priesthood brethren, the same directives apply to young women as well."
" Young men [and young women],' " Elder Komatsu quoted President Benson as saying, "the family unit is forever, and you should do everything in your power to strengthen that unit. In your own family, encourage family home evenings and be an active participant. Encourage family prayer and be on you knees with your family in that sacred circle. Do your part to develop real family unity and solidarity. In such homes, there is no generation gap.' "
Concluding, Elder Komatsu said, "Let us all be diligent and obedient in keeping the commandments of the Lord that we may be worthy to receive the blessings He has in store for the faithful."
