THE STIRRING SERMONS, THE MAJESTIC MUSIC AND THE POWERFUL PRAYERS OF ANOTHER GREAT GENERAL CONFERENCE ARE NOW HISTORY.

BUT WHAT REMAINS FROM LAST WEEKEND'S MEMORABLE MEETINGS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF CONFERENCE - DOING WHAT WE HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO DO.The servants of the Lord have again fulfilled their scriptural mandate to lift up their voices and speak the mind and will of God. In so doing they have provided the guidance needed to keep the ship of the Church sailing safely through today's troubled waters.

Part of the mandate to the Lord's servants to speak in His behalf is given in Section 100 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Consider these words of commentary about that section:

"It is a very striking fact that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ever since its organization, has proceeded on its onward course, no matter what the outward circumstances have been. There has been no turning back, no hesitation, no vacillation. As a mighty ship with its precious cargo, it has steered straight for the goal. The wind may have been adverse at times; the waves may have been breaking over it from stem to stern; it may have been assailed by hostile craft from above and from below, and from all sides. There may have been disaffection and even mutiny among the crew, but the command has always sounded clear and high above the storm and the din of conflict, `Forward, full speed!' " (Smith and Sjodahl, Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, p. 630.)

Section 100 was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith at an interesting time in Church history. The year was 1833, just over three years after the organization of the Church. Angry mobs were threatening the Church as they assembled their lawless forces to plunder and persecute. There was great fear among the members of the Church. And what did the Lord do in this tumultuous time? He called the Prophet Joseph to go on a mission to New York and Canada to preach the gospel.

Leaving home and loved ones in early October, the Prophet and his two companions found themselves in Perrysburg, N.Y., on Oct. 12, 1833. Here the revelation, Section 100, was given. After the Lord had assured His servants that their loved ones were safe at home, He told the Prophet that there were many souls in that area who needed to be taught the truth, saying:

"Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;

"For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment what ye shall say.

"But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.

"And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this, the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say." (D&C 100:5-8.)

What better words could describe this conference.

Our leaders today have lifted up their voices, speaking the thoughts that the Lord has put into their hearts. Their timely testimonies cannot be confounded by those of the world.

What they have declared in the name of the Lord has truly been given in the solemnity of their hearts. Their words, given with care, were in the spirit of meekness, not overbearing or pretentious. But they did not hold back and fail to speak of the real needs of today.

Search the pages of this Church News edition. Look at the summary of some key quotations on page 2. Read the reports of the various speakers and as you do so will you know by that same Spirit that accompanied each speaker, even the Holy Ghost, that what has been said is true.

Study the published reports of the conference in the months to come, and the Spirit will direct you in your quest for happiness and peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.

God bless the leaders of this Church. And may God bless the members of the Church as well to be able to recognize those "lighthouses" whom He has placed among us to help us sail safely toward that celestial port where He awaits us.