Church activities planned with purpose and aimed at helping participants on their path to perfection bring everlasting joy and occupy an important place in the Church, said Elder Adney Y. Komatsu of the Seventy.

Speaking Saturday afternoon, Elder Komatsu recalled the invitation made by the First Presidency in December 1985 to those who have ceased activity to "Come back . . . and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship with the saints."Elder Komatsu remarked: "While most of us in the Church may think of activities as primarily fun and games, there is a part that activities play in the Church that reaches far beyond this shallow perception.

"Most of us have experienced times of isolation and loneliness in our lives. . . . The fact that people are physically nearby, regardless of the setting, does not always equate to feelings of acceptance, understanding, inclusion, and fellowship.

"Feelings of acceptance and inclusion come when someone invites us into their circle of friendship and activity. Far beyond the fun and games, activities represent at least one non-threatening way to accept, include, understand, and fellowship others. Perceived in this manner, activities become another vehicle to show charity, love, kindness, forgiveness, service, and to include, not exclude."

Elder Komatsu said those members who haven't attended Church for a time can experience the warmth of loving arms and open hearts as they are invited to and participate in activities in the Church.

"Through activities, individuals can sense a feeling of being included, wanted and needed," he remarked. "Participating in Church activities provides opportunities to associate with members of the quorum, Relief Society or the ward on neutral ground. Their participating in activities is often the forerunner to their participation in meetings of worship on the Sabbath. . . ."

It is critical to plan and conduct activities that help less-active members work their way back into full fellowship, activities that represent safe harbors of acceptance, he explained.

Elder Komatsu admonished members to plan wholesome activities that place emphasis on including rather than excluding individuals and groups, provide opportunities for participation by active and less-active members, and display a sense of forgiveness and forgetting.

"When a person returns to full fellowship in the Church as a result of love, kindness and forgiveness from those who care, the feeling of joy is almost inexpressible," he added.

"May I invite all to Come unto Christ. Come back, and partake of His joy."