Speaking to chiefs of police from throughout the world in Salt Lake city Oct. 20, President James E. Faust expressed "a hope, even a prayer, that law enforcement efforts and officials all over the world could be more family friendly."

President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke at a luncheon of the International Association of Chiefs of Police held in the church Office Building in Salt Lake City. The police chiefs met in the city Oct. 17-21 for their 105th annual conference that drew an estimated 14,000 participants.

"Our nationals will not be stronger than our families," President Faust declared. "This is because a strong family is the basic unit of our society. It is in the families and the churches of our society that the values of honesty, decency, morality and respect for the law are taught. Your work will never become easier until violence decreases. These family values are not generally taught in the schools, and the only places where they will be taught effectively will be in the homes and in our churches. Over the centuries, the churches have been the conservators of moral values such as faith, goodness, sexual fidelity and respect for others. With these values strongly in place among the citizenry, there would be less crime and violence."

Saying that officers of the law can do great good if they take personal interest in those with whom they come in contact, par6ticularly young people, President Faust told of George Beckstead, a former Salt Lake County sheriff.

"Sheriff Bechstead too a particular interet in the boys of the county," he said. "He would organize baseball activities for them. If a boy got into trouble, George would try not to make a public record hbout would take the boy home to his father."

President Faust said the church does all it can to encourage the traditional family with father at the head as provider and the mother equal but in a special God-given role as nurturer. . .We try very hard to give little children the moral foundations and strength for them to be able to confront the very serious challenges of growing up in today's world."

He referred to the Proclamation on the Family issued thee years ago by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, copies of which were placed at the settings of each person at the luncheon.

"We have members of the church in 161 countries," he noted. "We urge all of our members everywhere to be law-abiding citizens." He then quoted the 12th Article of Faith about obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.

"I wish to express appreciation to those of you from other countries where we have members of the Church and young men and women serving as missionaries for your help, protection and consideration to them," he said.

The Church has no political mission, he explained, but local members are urged to accept the responsibility of citizenship in their own countries.

He encouraged the association members to do all in their power to support and strengthen families and to look within their own organiations to see what might be done to strengthen the families of their officers and staff.

President Faust expressed concern about an increasing lack of respect for and even occasionally fear of local police authority. "The citizens cannot be expected to have respect for the law if they do not have respect for those who enforce the law," he said, adding that law enforcement officers should be found observing the law like everyone else.

"May I state that your work is essential if we are to have a civilized society," he said. "Protection from crime is vital. Yours is a difficult task. It is dangerous. You and your officers are not well compensated. You face risks almost daily. Without conscientious peace officers society will crumble and we will inherit chaos.

"I hope and pray that all of us can do all within our power to support and build strong families. Our children are our most priceless possession. I pray God will sustain you in your essential work in maintaining peace in our societies."