Gratitude for bringing peace to the battlefield of war, and for the comfort that has come to the hearts of many, was expressed by President Thomas S. Monson in the Sunday morning session.

President Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, captured the emotions of the congregation as he described ways people reach out to help others, both in war and peace. This compassion is shown by community members to the less fortunate around them, and, in general, during the recent Persian Gulf war.As he contrasted the sting of war with the joys of service, President Monson described a number of service projects in which "the compassion of the community is in evidence every day."

In Salt Lake City, these include a homeless shelter, a dental clinic, a soup kitchen, and the Regional Bishops Storehouse.

"Without exception, those compassionate souls [at these facilitiesT who feed the hungry, clothe the weary, and relieve the suffering of fellow beings exclaim, `I have never before felt more blessed, more rewarded or so at peace.' "

The Savior's compassion for others was demonstrated on many occasions, said President Monson. Particularly touching was when He raised from the dead the only son of a grieving widow at Nain, "and he delivered him to his mother." (Luke 7:11-15.)

"What power, what tenderness, what compassion did our Master and Exemplar thus demonstrate! We, too, can bless if we will but follow His noble example.

"Opportunities are everywhere. Needed are eyes to see the pitiable plight and ears to hear the silent pleadings of a broken heart. Yes, and a soul filled with compassion, that we might communicate not only eye to eye or voice to ear but, in the majestic style of the Savior, even heart to heart."

President Monson noted that April 7 had been designated as a day of thanksgiving and a day of prayer.

"Today, knees will bow, bells will peal, hearts will swell and voices will proclaim the glorious message, `Thanks be to God.' In the United States of America, a grateful nation and a thankful President will give utterance to the tender feelings felt by all in a world that welcomed peace."

The feelings of those who served in the Persian Gulf were shared in many ways, even during the conflict, he noted.

"Every man and woman embroiled in that conflict thought of home, of family and friends," related President Monson. And, as the conflict ended, some soldiers reached out in service to men who had but a short time before been their enemies.

"At last the guns fell silent. . . . A scene on the desert sands, and a sentence uttered from the heart, spoke volumes," said President Monson. "An American soldier looked down at his vanquished enemy prisoner, touched the man's shoulder and reassured him with the words, "It's all right. It's all right."

President Monson recalled that before the conflict began, however, great uncertainty was felt by those called up to fight.

"The children cried but did not know why. Wives wept because they did know the danger, the loneliness, the fear that awaited."

After the conflict began, "constant bombardment not only by bombs and missiles but also by the press and over the tube provoked the haunting question, `Was the downed pilot my husband? Was the navigator taken captive my son?' "

As the conflict continued, people expressed their support and love for the service men and women with yellow ribbons, said President Monson. Yellow ribbons are not only being tied around trees, but also around lamp posts, street signs and mail boxes - even around the necks of pets.

Describing one welcome home scene after the conflict ended, President Monson said, "My eye caught the expression of a small boy holding aloft a stick around which was tied a yellow ribbon. No words could describe the unspoken feeling. It is the welcome home of the heart that brings tears to every eye and peace to every soul."

But from that conflict, said President Monson, 182 soldiers did not return. "Now there is a widow in Virginia who has buried her only son. A young man in western Pennsylvania whose wedding plans have been permanently tucked away. A wife in Alaska will soon deliver a baby her husband will never hold.

"There is no satisfactory answer to the unspoken question, `Of the thousands and thousands of soldiers, why is mine among those not coming back?'

"To all who have loved and lost on either side of this tragic conflict, your grief can be assuaged. There is `balm in Gilead.' There awaits the promise of a new day. There echoes from a land not far from where your loved ones fell even a promise of peace, spoken by the Lord, the Prince of Peace: In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you . . . that where I am, there ye may be also."

"His love, His promise, His presence is as a yellow ribbon, tied with care and marked with compassion. To your loved ones He has beckoned, `Welcome home.' "