Addressing his remarks to mothers, LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley warned against "rave" parties, illegal drug use, tattoos and body piercing at the 2000 General Relief Society Meeting Saturday evening.
The Relief Society is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' organization for women, and its annual meeting is held in the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
President Hinckley told those gathered that "many of our young people fall between the cracks."
He specifically spoke of "lewd" music concerts and "parties that go by the name of "rave" attended by teenagers and young adults, some of them members of the LDS Church.
"They run from 3 o'clock until 7:30 of a Sunday morning. Here young men and women, in their late teens and early 20s, dance to the metallic beat of so-called music pouring forth from stacks of amplifiers," President Hinckley said.
Raves are all-night dance parties, and local law enforcement officials have called them an open market for drug sales.
"Drugs go back and forth from sellers to users at $20 to $25 a pill," President Hinckley said. "I know of no better answer to these foul practices that confront our young people than the teachings of a mother, given in love with unmistakable warning.
"Opening your purse and handing a son or daughter money before you rush off to work will not do," he warned.
President Hinckley also counseled on the value of education, the importance of cultivating "good friends," and teaching children to respect their bodies.
"The practice is growing among young people of tattooing and piercing their bodies," he said. "The time will come when they will regret it, but it will then be too late."
President Hinckley reiterated what he said has been the church's position of "discouraging tattoos" and "piercing of the body for other than medical purposes, although (the church) takes no position on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings."
President Hinckley assured the women he was not "putting all of this responsibility on you," because he will "speak to the fathers concerning these matters in the General Priesthood Meeting two weeks from tonight."
Sister Mary Ellen W. Smoot, Relief Society general president, told the women at the meeting that the organization has a new focus for the coming 12 months: supporting the priesthood in building the kingdom of God.
"Sisters, we are needed here — by the Lord, by our priesthood leaders, by our families, and by each other," Sister Smoot said. "The Lord needs us to embrace our eternal callings and fill the measure of our creation. He needs us to come home to Relief Society and look for ways to serve others in the name of his organization for women, and to work together as sisters in helping the gospel kingdom move forward."
Sister Virginia U. Jensen, first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, echoed Sister Smoot's remarks.
"The cause of Christ — to redeem all souls — needs your strength, time and talents in your homes and in your communities," Sister Jensen said. "Your faithful works and words contribute significantly to the building of this, the Kingdom of God on Earth."
Sister Sheri L. Dew, second counselor, spoke of a personal tragedy, the recent death of a nephew and niece.
"As a family we've no doubt cried . . . but we don't worry as we would if we hadn't felt the transcendent reach and healing power of Jesus Christ. The gospel is beauty for ashes, it is the oil of gladness, it is such good news."
E-mail: mtitze@desnews.com
