- Serve as exemplifiers

- Focus on the Master- Are full of faith

In the Sunday afternoon session, Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke tenderly and eloquently on how inspired children help in "making our way through today's Sinai of secularism."

He commented on "the bitter and abundant harvest from permissiveness," and noted: "There are increasing numbers of victims of violence and crime, yet special attention is paid to the rights of criminals. Accompanying an ever increasing addiction to pornography are loud alarms against censorship. Rising illegitimacy destroys families and threatens the funding capacities of governments, nevertheless, chastity and fidelity are mocked. These and other consequences produce a harsh cacophony. . . .

"Ironically, as some people become harder, they use softer words to describe dark deeds." He said abortion, for instance, is called "a reproductive health procedure," or "termination of pregnancy." Illegitimacy is referred to as "non-marital birth" or "alternative parenting."

Elder Maxwell spoke of "tares

thatT masquerade as wheat, including the eager few who lecture the rest of us about Church doctrines in which they no longer believe." Some, he said, criticize the use of Church resources to which they no longer contribute and who seek to counsel Brethren they no longer sustain.

Though ringed by resentment, members must still reach out, counseled Elder Maxwell. "The exhilarations of discipleship exceed its burdens. Hence while journeying through our Sinai, we are nourished in the Bountiful-like oases of the Restoration."

The Lord has made "ample provision" for the journey, including families, neighbors and fellow servants, Elder Maxwell explained. "Each of these is given to strengthen, edify, instruct, comfort and inspire us while we are `knit together in love.' (Col. 2:2.) Therefore, we experience the contagiousness of commitment from the interlacings of our lives." He told of a convert, brought into the Church through his innate goodness and work of others, who is now a stake president in Brazil.

"Inspired children often help to show the way through the wilderness," Elder Maxwell said. "Children often have their `thoughts and the intents of

theirT hearts' focused on the Master. (Mosiah 5:13.) Though not full of years, such children are full of faith. Too young for formal Church callings, they have been `called to serve' as exemplifiers, doing especially well when blessed with `goodly parents.' "

He gave some examples: A boy in Arizona told his adoptive mother about the little girl the family would eventually adopt. A child with spina bifida consoled a hospital attendant. Two brothers felt the presence of and direction from their father after his death. A girl afflicted with leukemia smilingly wiped a tear from her mother's cheek. A dying boy meekly asked Elder Maxwell and Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy to sing "I Am a Child of God" after they had given him a blessing.

Elder Maxwell said: "No wonder the divine direction is for us to `becometh as a child.' " (Mosiah 3:19.)