President Gordon B. Hinckley affirmed here May 17 that even though others may question the LDS belief in the Bible, "we are a biblical church."

To more than 7,000 members of four stakes, gathered in the Georgia International Convention Center for the first general session of the Atlanta Georgia Regional Conference, President Hinckley spoke of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."This wonderful testament of the old world, this great and good Holy Bible is one of our standard works," he said. "We teach from it. We bear testimony of it. We read from it. It strengthens our testimony. And we add to that this great second witness, the Book of Mormon, the testament of the new world, for as the Bible says, `In the mouths of two or three witnesses shall all things be established.' "(Matt. 18:16.)

President Hinckley also addressed an additional 6,000 Church members, from another three stakes, in the second general session of the regional conference that day.

The Church president was accompanied to the conferences by his wife, Marjorie; Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve, and his wife, Barbara; and Elder John K. Carmack of the Seventy and president of the North America Southeast Area, and his wife, Shirley - who all also spoke.

President Hinckley said during the first session, "Let me just review with you this morning a half dozen or so scriptural statements of which we have an interpretation and an understanding, but of which others do not seem to have an understanding." Some of those statements include:

- "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." (Rev. 14:6.)

President Hinckley explained, "These words of prophecy from the Book of Revelation found their fulfillment in the visit of the Angel Moroni, the great prophet-historian of the Western Hemisphere, who returned in this day and time to teach the Prophet Joseph Smith of the Book of Mormon and to lead him to an understanding of it, and to give prophecies concerning his great place in this work.

"Each of you," President Hinckley told conference-goers, "could stand and bear testimony of the divinity of the calling of the Prophet Joseph."

- "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." (John 10:16.)

President Hinckley noted that Jesus taught among the people of Palestine and then following His resurrection, He visited those on this continent - His other sheep - that there might be one fold and one shepherd. "Does anyone else have an explanation of that Bible statement, so clear and well-defined as we have?" he questioned.

- "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first." (2 Thes. 2:3.)

"There must be a falling away, according to Paul," explained President Hinckley, "and it is our teaching, given in charity and with love, that a great falling away occurred and because of that falling away, it became necessary to have a restoration - not a reformation - a restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ if the truth were to be found on the earth."

- "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" (1 Cor. 15:29.)

President Hinckley said that the explanation for Paul's words, are found in temple work. "The Savior made it very clear that baptism was incumbent upon everyone, baptism of the water and of the spirit and that a man or woman could not enter into the kingdom of God without it," he said. "There are no exceptions made."

- "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." (1 Peter 2:9.)

President Hinckley told the congregation they are part of a chosen generation.

"A royal priesthood. It is upon the earth. . . .

"An holy nation. I don't think that pertains to a political body. That pertains to a great congregation of Saints. . . .

"A peculiar people. Do you ever think of yourself as peculiar? Well, you are. You are peculiar. You look peculiar. You are all cleaned up. You are all dressed up. You look wonderful."

During both conference sessions, President Hinckley spoke of the Southern Baptist convention to be held in Salt Lake City next month. "I don't know how many will be there. I have heard everything from 12,000 to 18,000," he said. "I hope there are 20,000 of them. I hope they have a wonderful time. I hope that our people are hospitable toward them and will reach out the hand of fellowship and show love for them.

"I hope they won't get in arguments or debates, but will quietly bear their testimony of the truth and the divinity of this work."

President Hinckley told the congregation in the second session to not let anyone ever say that they are not Christian.

"Now we may not be Christian by the standards of the world," he explained. "In fact, we are not Christians by the standard under which they are Christian. If we were, there would have been no need for a restoration of the gospel. The restoration of the gospel occurred to correct all the mistakes of the past."

President Hinckley added, "We are Christians in terms of following the teachings, the example, and the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it doesn't bother me a bit when people say we are not Christians, because they are looking at what they are saying in terms of a long tradition, whereas we speak from the depth of our hearts out of the words of modern revelation."

During the session, President Hinckley also spoke directly to the young people of the Church. "You young people - you youth of the noble birthright - you brave generation of marvelous young people who are growing up in the nurture of the Lord - what a wonderful time it is for you to be alive. I congratulate you most warmly. . . . We have never had a generation of youth in the Church quite as able, quite as good, quite as dedicated as you are. I compliment you very highly, everyone of you."

He asked the young men and women to study hard, be true to the Church, be humble and clean and pray daily. "The work of the Lord in the future will be in your hands and that time will come ever so soon. This is the great day of preparation and the Lord has said, `If ye are prepared ye shall not fear,' "(D&C 38:30.)

President Hinckley closed by asking the Church members to live the Word of Wisdom and the law of tithing, and to be Latter-day Saints in their demeanor and behavior. "This Church has become as a city set upon a hill whose light cannot be hid, and you are this Church in this great area of the world."