Emphasizing that he feels "very strongly about it," President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke Saturday evening on retaining converts to the Church.

And in the second portion of his priesthood session address, the prophet drew from Paul's admonitions to Timothy as he urged young men to be faithful and true.Regarding converts, President Hinckley said: "Each year a substantial number of people become members of the Church, largely through missionary efforts. Last year there were 321,385 converts comprised of men, women and children. This is large enough and then some in one single year to constitute 100 new stakes of Zion. . . . This places upon each of us an urgent and pressing need to fellowship those who join our ranks."

Each convert needs three things, President Hinckley said: a friend, a responsibility and a nurturing "with the good word of God."

"It is our duty and opportunity to provide these things," he added.

To illustrate, he told of an unfortunate incident in which a young man whom he, as a missionary, baptized in London, England. The young man later fell away from the Church after being criticized "in a rather unmerciful way" for a simple mistake.

After a long search, President Hinckley was able to locate him and through the years gave him encouragement and incentive to return to Church activity, but he never did.

"He died a few months ago," the prophet related. "His wife wrote me to inform me of this. She said, `You were the best friend he had.'

"Tears coursed down my cheeks when I read that letter. I knew I had failed. Perhaps if I had been there to pick him up when he was first knocked down, he might have made a different thing of his life. I think I could have helped him then. I think I could have dressed the wound from which he suffered. I have only one comfort, I tried. I have only one sorrow, I failed."

President Hinckley said the challenge now is greater than ever because the number of converts is greater. "A program for retaining and strengthening the convert will soon go out to all the Church. I plead with you brethren, I ask of you, each of you, to become a part of this great effort. Every convert is precious. Every convert is a son or daughter of God. Every convert is a great and serious responsibility."

He said it is a work for everyone: home teachers and visiting teachers, the bishopric, priesthood quorums, Relief Society, young men and young women and even the Primary.

Turning to his second topic, President Hinckley opened the New Testament. He read from and commented upon Paul's letters to Timothy.

"I picture Paul as the old, battered teacher of truth," President Hinckley said. "He writes to his young friend in whom he has great confidence and for whom he has great love."

Here, in italic type, are some of the scriptures he read followed by some of his commentary:

We both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (1 Tim. 4:10.)

"Paul was persecuted and driven, he was hated and despised. Eventually his life was taken because he fearlessly bore witness of the Redeemer of all men. We must be prepared to do likewise."

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Tim. 4:12.)

"Boys, we cannot indulge in swearing. We cannot be guilty of profanity, we cannot indulge in impure thoughts, words, and acts, and have the Spirit of the Lord with us."

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. (1 Tim. 4:14.)

"Who are the presbytery? They are the elders of the Church. Each of you deacons, teachers and priests has been ordained by one having authority, in most cases by your fathers or bishops. You have been given a great and precious gift. You can speak the truth. You must speak the truth. You can bear testimony of the great and good things of the gospel. This is your gift. Neglect it not!"

Keep thyself pure. (1 Tim. 5:22.)

"Stay away from television shows which lead to unclean thoughts and unclean language. Stay away from videos which will lead to evil thoughts. . . . Stay away from books and magazines which are sleazy and filthy in what they say and portray."

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. (2 Tim. 1:7-8.)

"So many of us are fearful of what our peers will say, that we will be looked upon with disdain and criticized if we stand for what is right. . . . As deacons, teachers and priests, ordained to the holy priesthood, we can stand tall and without equivocation or fear declare our testimony of Jesus Christ."

Expressing his love for and confidence in the young men, President Hinckley said, "We pray for you that you may be faithful and true."