Listen to conference

      - Hearken to messages

      - Study prophet's words

      "With great urgency, we invite all to come to the source of the fountain of light and truth, even the revealed word of God as taught in the scriptures and by the present prophets and apostles and other general leaders of this Church," said Elder John E. Fowler of the Seventy.

      "We invite all to hear and hearken to the messages of this and other recent conferences."

      Speaking Sunday afternoon, Elder Fowler asked: "Do the members of the Church truly understand the importance of the messages spoken from this pulpit in general conference sessions and other special meetings held in the Tabernacle? Do our members understand that the inspired counsel and direction they receive from the leaders of the Church come as a voice of warning from a loving Heavenly Father who knows the various calamities `that should come upon the inhabitants of the earth?'

      "Because many `know not where to find it,' people of the world are impoverished for the word of God, spoken in clarity and plainness by true servants of the Lord and lived in a spirit of obedience by His disciples.

      "How much of the evil of the world, how much of the suffering and sorrow and sadness could be eliminated if people would hearken to the inspired instructions by leaders of the Church spoken from this pulpit."

      Elder Fowler quoted President Marion G. Romney: " `In this conference we have been greatly entertained at times with eloquent oratory. We have been taught by great teachers. We have heard enough truth and direction in this conference to bring us into the presence of God if we would follow it. We have been taken on to the spiritual mountain and shown visions of great glory, but how many of us have heard that voice saying we would have a part therein.'

      " `What we get out of general conference is a build-up of our spirits as we listen to those particular principles and practices of the gospel which the Lord inspires the present leadership of the Church to bring to our attention at the time. He knows why He . . . inspired the other brethren who have talked in this conference to say what they have said. It is our high privilege to hear, through these men, what the Lord would say if He were here. If we do not agree with what they say, it is because we are out of harmony with the spirit of the Lord.' "

      What of the volumes of teachings from President Ezra Taft Benson, Elder Fowler asked. "Like Moses, his hands have become somewhat heavy from his ministry, but his words, spoken from this pulpit throughout his inspired ministry will continue to bless the lives of the faithful.

      "We repeat our plea that members and others return to the messages of our beloved prophet. We should read them and heed them. And, as we hearken to those messages, along with the other words of the living prophets and leaders spoken from this pulpit, may we become wise unto salvation."