The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America and the resulting uncertainty felt around the world were an undercurrent as leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened the 171st Semiannual General Conference Saturday.
Many speakers alluded to the attacks, but none dwelt on them other than as a springboard to messages that called for increased faith and righteousness among Latter-day Saints. President Gordon B. Hinckley, who heads the church's 11 million members scattered around the world, said in his welcoming remarks that he will speak more in depth on the international crisis Sunday.
Reciting the many evils that biblical prophet Paul predicted would exist in "these last days," President Hinckley said, "We see today all of these evils, more commonly and generally, than they have ever been seen before, as we have been so recently reminded by what has occurred in New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
"We live in a season when fierce men do terrible and despicable things. We live in a season of war. We live in a season of arrogance. We live in a season of wickedness, pornography, immorality. All of the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah haunt our society. Our young people have never faced a greater challenge. We have never seen more clearly the lecherous face of evil."
Such events as the semiannual conferences, which bring Latter-day Saints together, are opportunities to "fortify and strengthen one another, to help and lift one another, to give encouragement and build faith, to reflect on the wonderful things the Lord has made available to us and to strengthen our resolve to oppose evil in whatever form it may take."
Those who offered prayers to open and close sessions Saturday asked divine comfort for those who were directly affected by the devastating attacks and for wisdom among world leaders who must make decisions as to how to respond.
In a talk on prayer, Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve also commented on the war, the effect on world economies and the fact that crops are failing "in places all over the earth." Such cataclysmic events "have flooded heaven with prayers," he said, as is common in times of great stress. He urged Latter-day Saints to make prayer a constant in their lives, living in obedience and focusing on scripture study.
"And with that, your prayers will come from the heart, full of thanks and of pleading. . . . You will pray always. And you will not forget him, no matter what the future brings."
The continuing growth of the church was noted by some speakers, including President Hinckley, who said in essence that church members need to grow in their faith and good works, as well as in numbers. "Notwithstanding the afflictions about us, notwithstanding the sordid things we see almost everywhere, notwithstanding the conflict that sweeps across the world, we can be better."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve also pressed LDS members to contribute to continuing growth by aiding the missionary effort of the church. He outlined a process for being effective in that effort. He mentioned a new church Web site that was unveiled Friday, www.mormon.org, as a helpful way to provide answers for those looking for more information about the faith and its teachings.
In the same vein, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, in an afternoon address, pleaded with church members to open their circles to those not of their faith. There is no room in the church for exclusivity, he said, and interaction with all people should be conducted with respect and civility.
Elder Ballard represents the LDS Church as part of the local interfaith Alliance for Unity, which recently issued a call for all Utahns to " 'seek to build a community where differing viewpoints are acknowledged and valued.' Perhaps there has never been a more important time for neighbors all around the world to stand together for the common good of one another."
Also in the afternoon session, Elder Walter F. Gonzalez of the Seventy stood as an example of church expansion worldwide. "English is the language of the Restoration," he said. "English spoken with an accent is the sign of growth of the church." Elder Gonzalez, a native of Uruguay, and others who have been named to church leadership ranks from countries other than the United States represent the increasing diversity in the church.
A number of groups protesting church positions or simply advertising their own causes, such as opposing or promoting homosexuality or decrying abortion and what they perceive as the LDS Church "support" for abortion, lined up at midblock outside the Conference Center, carrying signs and trying to engage conferencegoers in conversation. They had few takers.
The church has steadfastly stood against acts of homosexuality and abortion, except in rare instances when the life of the unborn infant or its mother is at stake.
One protestor tried to increase his presence by using a bullhorn, but conferencegoers appeared to show little interest, nor did they seem upset at the differences of opinion..<!--
One large sign announcing "The way to Hell" with an arrow pointing at the center elicited a response from a man hurrying to get into the morning session: Looking at the magnificent marble structure, he noted, "Hell must be a very nice place." By the time conferencegoers filed out of the center at noon, there were only a handful of signs to be seen. -->
What started as a near-perfect autumn day, with flowers on church properties making a colorful last stand before the weather changes, altered with a brief localized rain squall just as the afternoon session ended. Sunday's forecast calls for breezy conditions with possible showers.
Thousands of church faithful, eager to hear words of encouragement and guidance, came to the conference. Shortly before meetings were to begin, a loaded northbound TRAX train was emptied by scores of Sunday-dressed riders.
Among those who snagged spots on planters outside the filled-to-capacity Tabernacle was Mark Lindsey of the Leander Ward, Round Rock Stake, in Austin, Texas. A suitcase by his side announced that he had arrived late — about a half hour after the morning session began — and came directly from the airport to conference.
"I've enjoyed this a great deal," he said, after listening to the opening session via loudspeaker. "I hope I can stay through all the sessions."
Nearby, Linda Thompson of Mesa, Ariz., talked even while she listened to a telephone message from home. She had a special reason to want to see the conference center, she said. Her late husband, David Thompson, was the electrical superintendent during construction of the hall, which seats more than 20,000 in the main auditorium.
Some, like Thompson, who couldn't actually get inside the hall, flashed signs seeking tickets from anyone who had them to spare. "We need tickets — please," announced a small postboard held by two young men.
The Tabernacle Choir will perform its usual Sunday program from 9:30 to 10 a.m., when the opening session of the day will begin. The afternoon session begins at 2 p.m.
E-mail: tvanleer@desnews.com
