Keep the commandments

      - Never lose hope

      - Turn minds, hearts to

      Jesus Christ

      Elder M. Russell Ballard's Saturday afternoon address reflected the joy of hope in difficult times.

      A member of the Council of the Twelve, Elder Ballard said when he is asked if he thinks the end of the world is near, he gives the answer Jesus gave 2,000 years ago: "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels . . . neither the Son, but the Father . . . watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." (Mark 13:32-33.)

      He referred to disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, famine, political unrest, warfare and economic chaos. He spoke of plagues of pornography, drug misuse, immorality, AIDS and child abuse.

      He said many feel helpless, give up hope and surrender to despair. "My message to you today . . . is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not over react, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations, but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope. . . .

      "Our one hope for spiritual safety during these turbulent times is to turn our minds and our hearts to Jesus Christ. Faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is absolutely essential for us to maintain a balanced perspective through times of trial and difficulty."

      Elder Ballard further said: "As we put our faith and trust to work, hope is born. Hope grows out of faith and gives meaning and purpose to all that we do. It can even give us the peaceful assurance we need to live happily in a world that is ripe with iniquity, calamity and injustice. . . ."

      To those who have lost hope because of sin and transgression, he said, "Never give up."

      He told of having performed the temple sealing ordinances for a family. The husband and father had spent most of his teen and early adult years as a less-active member. His moral fiber seemed eroded away by alcohol and other drugs. Yet, through the flicker of testimony instilled in childhood by his mother that his Heavenly Father loved him, he was able to repent and return to Church activity.

      "Hope helps faith develop," Elder Ballard said. "Likewise, true faith gives birth to hope. When we begin to lose hope, we are faltering also in our measure of faith.

      "The principles of faith and hope working together must be accompanied by charity, which is the greatest of all. . . . Working together, these three eternal principles will help give us the broad eternal perspective we need to face life's toughest challenges, including the prophesied ordeals of the last days."