Ottawa members counseled to avoid society's pollution
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More than 3,000 Church members listened intently as President Gordon B. Hinckley addressed an Aug. 5 member meeting at the Corel Centre here.
President Hinckley made a stop in Canada's capital city to address members of the Ottawa Ontario Stake and Trenton Ontario District.Speaking of the trip, President Hinckley said it was an inspiration to come to Canada, calling it a "choice land." He also said he was impressed with the [Gothic style] architecture in many of the government buildings in downtown Ottawa.
During the meeting, President Hinckley spoke about five themes: how to recognize the promptings of the Spirit, serving missions, temple marriage, forgiveness and dealing with the pollutants of today's society.
"There is a pollution in our society and it's sweeping across the world in a flood," he said. "Stay away from it. Stay away from pornography of any kind. . . . It is on television, in theaters, in literature. Stay away from drugs as they will utterly destroy you and take away your control. Live the Word of Wisdom."
Patricia Nimis, a member of the Champlain Ward, called the evening beautiful. "I was so happy to have been part of the choir, to be that close to the prophet," she said.
Karen McDonald, a two-month convert in the Ottawa 2nd Ward, said it meant a lot to hear the prophet's voice.
"I'm sure it will take some time to fully appreciate his visit," she said. "But I did enjoy it. . . . I have always been kind of shocked over the things on television and how society seems to be more accepting of the unacceptable. Hearing him say how wrong these things are really meant a lot to me," Sister McDonald said.
