Fix eyes on Jesus

      - Walk triumphantly

      - Remain unterrified

      Despite progress made in recent years, many parts of the world are still filled with strife, sorrow and despair, but there is hope, President Howard W. Hunter of the Council of the Twelve said in his Saturday morning address.

      Quoting President David O. McKay, President Hunter said the only hope to make the world a better place is "to choose as a leader one whose leadership is infallible, whose teachings when practiced have never failed. In any tempestuous sea of uncertainty, the pilot must be one who through the storm can see the beacon in the harbor of peace."

      The message of general conference, President Hunter said, is there is but one such guiding hand in the universe, only one truly infallible light, one unfailing beacon to the world: Jesus Christ.

      "As we search for the shore of safety and peace . . . Christ is the only beacon on which we can ultimately rely."

      The greatest need in all the world is an active and sincere faith in the basic teachings of Jesus, the living Son of the living God, President Hunter declared.

      He asked how individuals are supposed to act when offended, misunderstood, unfairly treated or sinned against: If they demand "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," said President Hunter, they might realize as did Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," that such an exacting law "finally leaves us blind and toothless."

      Everyone has significant opportunity to practice Christianity, President Hunter noted. He cited from Section 64 of the Doctrine and Covenants, in which the Savior taught: " . . . you ought to forgive one another; . . . I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." (D&C 64:9-10.)

      President Hunter referred to the New Testament account of the journey of Christ's disciples across the Sea of Galilee when the waves were so boisterous the men were frightened. The Savior approached, walking upon the waves, saying, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Peter, one of the disciples, fixed his eyes upon the Savior and walked toward Him. "Only when with wavering faith," President Hunter related, "he removed his glance from the Master to look at the furious waves and the black gulf beneath him, only then did he begin to sink."

      President Hunter continued: "It is my firm belief that if we . . . could, like Peter, fix our eyes on Jesus, we too might walk triumphantly over the swelling waves of disbelief and remain unterrified amid the rising winds of doubt. But if we turn away our eyes from Him in whom we must believe, as it is so easy to do and the world is so much tempted to do, if we look to the power and fury of those terrible and destructive elements around us rather than to Him who can help and save us, then we shall inevitably sink in a sea of conflict and sorrow and despair."