The purpose of the Church "operating smoothly at the local level is to qualify individuals to return to the presence of God," regional representatives were told at their annual seminar Friday, April 5 in the auditorium of the Church Office Building.

President Howard W. Hunter, president of the Council of the Twelve, conducted the seminar and was the concluding speaker. He said that individuals can return to the presence of God "only by their accepting the covenants, receiving the ordinances and then living in accordance with all they have covenanted to do in the temples of our Lord."The annual Regional Representatives Seminar is held in connection with April general conference to train regional representatives from around the world.

Addresses from the First Presidency were given by President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, and President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency.

Instructions were given under the direction of the Council of the Twelve, and included presentations by Elder L. Tom Perry, Elder David B. Haight, Elder James E. Faust, Elder Russell M. Nelson, Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder M. Russell Ballard, all of the Council of the Twelve; Elder James E. Paramore of the Presidency of the Seventy; Elder Jack H. Goaslind of the Seventy; Presiding Bishop Robert D. Hales; Elaine L. Jack, general president of the Relief Society; and Ardeth G. Kapp, general president of the Young Women.

The seminar, said President Hunter, is in keeping with the Lord's admonition to " . . . teach one another words of wisdom . . . [andT to seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:118)

As the concluding speaker, President Hunter reviewed highlights from instructions given by other General Authorities during the seminar, attended by 250 regional representatives from 38 countries.

In his remarks, President Hunter spoke of the Church's "singular mission" and added, "To this end, we have sought to focus our efforts on making the saving covenants and ordinances of the gospel available to all mankind."

President Hunter said that in preparing members to receive the ordinances and covenants of the temple, leaders must not neglect the youth. "We cannot afford to wait until the youth are mature in years before teaching them eternal truths and values in preparing for making sacred covenants in holy places. . . ."

President Hunter told the regional representatives that the instructions they had received were "prayerfully prepared by study and by faith."

"Each of you," President Hunter continued, "now has the responsibility of going forth in that same spirit and taking this instruction to those who serve under your leadership, your stake presidents, bishops, and other Melchizedek leaders, as well as the auxiliary leaders."