Explaining that he had previously spoken to mothers and fathers, young women and young men, and single adults, President Ezra Taft Benson directed his remarks Sunday afternoon to the children of the Church.

President Benson's address was read by President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, while the prophet listened intently."How I love you," began President Benson. "How our Heavenly Father loves you.

"Just like the beautiful Primary song you sing, each of you truly is a child of God," President Benson testified. "For you rich blessings are in store, and if you learn to do His will, you will live with Him once more. I know this to be true.

"Today I desire to teach you what our Heavenly Father wants you to know so that you can learn to do His will and enjoy true happiness. It will help you now and throughout your life."

President Benson first commended the children for reading the Book of Mormon and becoming familiar with its contents.

"Many of you have read the Book of Mormon all the way through," President Benson declared.

"In family home evening and in Primary, you have dramatized Book of Mormon stories, you have sung songs about the Book of Mormon, you have learned the names of the books in the Book of Mormon, you have played Book of Mormon games, you have learned about wonderful Book of Mormon prophets. Some of you have even earned money to send copies of the Book of Mormon around the world.

"How pleased I am to hear of your love for the Book of Mormon. I love it too, and Heavenly Father wants you to continue to learn from the Book of Mormon every day.

"It's Heavenly Father's special gift to you," the prophet explained. "By following its teachings, you will learn to do the will of our Father in Heaven."

President Benson then told the children there were other things Heavenly Father wanted them to do.

"He wants you to pray to Him every day," he said, urging children to pray for help and to thank Heavenly Father for their blessings, including thanking Him for sending Jesus Christ into the world, and for their families and the Church.

President Benson also told the children to ask Heavenly Father to bless them with His Spirit.

The prophet instructed the children to honor their parents, attend sacrament meeting, and to enjoy Primary.

"Be honest. Do not lie nor steal," he continued. "Do not cheat. Do not use profanity, but be clean in your thoughts and speech.

"Be a true Latter-day Saint. Stand up for your beliefs."

Satan does not like people to be happy, explained President Benson.

"He wants you to be miserable as he is," he noted. "He has captured the hearts of wicked men and women who would have you participate in bad things such as pornography, drugs, profanity, and immorality. Stay away from these evils. Avoid books, magazines, videos, movies, and television shows that are not good. As the scriptures tell us, avoid the very appearance of evil."

Additional counsel President Benson gave children included dressing modestly, doing well in school, beginning a personal library, loving the country they reside in, and planning on serving a full-time mission.

"Now I want to say something to you children who do not feel safe and are frightened or hurt and do not know what to do," the prophet said.

"Sometimes you may feel all alone. You need to know that even when it seems that no one else cares, your Heavenly Father does. He will always love you. He wants you to be protected and safe. If you are not, please talk to someone who can help you. A parent, a teacher, your bishop, or a friend. They will help you."

Quoting from 3 Nephi 17, the prophet then shared one of his favorite stories with the children. The chapter tells of the Savior's visit to the people on the American continent after His resurrection. After teaching, instructing and praying with the people, the Savior wept and took their little children and blessed them, one by one.

"I promise you, dear children, that angels will minister unto you also. You may not see them, but they will be there to help you and you will feel their presence.

"Dear children, our Heavenly Father sent you to earth at this time because you are some of his most valiant children," President Benson continued. "He knew there would be much wickedness in the world today, and He knew you could be faithful and obedient.

"Dear child, you are God's gift to your parents, and the gift your parents can give God is to bring you back to Him sweet and pure and faithful.

"He expects your parents and leaders to teach you, to walk beside you, and to be shining examples to you so that you will know the way you should go. They must spend time with you and love you and pray with you and for you.

"God bless the children of this Church. How I love you. How Heavenly Father loves you. And may we, as your parents, teachers, and leaders, be more childlike - more submissive, more meek, and more humble."

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Prophet entertains children

- Following President Ezra Taft Benson's address at the closing session of conference, a short video clip was shown of the prophet, entertaining several Primary children with his own rendition of "I Am a Mormon Boy."

The video was filmed in the foyer outside of President Benson's office in the Church Administration Building. The clip is available on the Church videocassette, "Teacher, Do You Love Me?"

At the conclusion of the song, the video shows President Benson hugging a small child who is sitting on his lap. "I love you," he tells the child. Then, turning to the other children gathered around him, he added, "All of you."