The future holds greater blessings for mankind than ever before, and Church members should seize every opportunity to move forward in faith, said President James E. Faust.

Speaking Saturday morning, President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, encouraged members to look "beyond the year 2000 into a future bright with hope, acknowledging that all good gifts come by divine providence."

"With such increased knowledge comes a higher responsibility," he said. "If we work hard, wisely manage our personal stewardships, and live providently, the Lord will prosper our use of this heightened knowledge to advance His holy work."

President Faust counseled members to remember that as "we stand on the brink of the next century," the most significant events of the past 2000 years are the Atonement of the Savior and the restoration of the gospel with the priesthood keys and authority. "These two singular events will continue to be of transcendent importance to mankind as we move forward in time.

"The past, present and future pivot on these marvelous, divine interventions."

He spoke of the increase in technology over the past century and commented, "I believe that God has opened up these treasures on intelligence to enhance His purposes on the earth. The next century will bring exponential advances in that treasury."

However, President Faust said that people are most hungry for spiritual and moral leadership, which are needed if inventions and technology are to lead to joy, and not to pitfalls.

He observed that many people are obsessed with the Y2K problem, which, he said, is a natural concern since "we have come to rely on electronics for much of our daily work. . . . While some glitches may occur, I am optimistic that no catastrophic computer breakdown will disrupt society as we move into the next century.

"I have a far greater fear of the disruption of the traditional values of society," he said. "Indeed, I am more concerned about the failure of our moral computers of honesty, integrity, decency, civility and sexual purity."

He said that many people become caught up in waves of popular issues and tides of rhetoric and moral breakdowns occur as teachings of God are separated from personal conduct.

"An honorable man or woman will personally live up to certain self-imposed expectations, with no need of an outside check or control. I would hope that we can load our moral computers with the three elements of integrity: dealing justly with oneself, dealing justly with others, and recognizing the law of the harvest."

President Faust encouraged members to keep their personal worship of the Savior uncomplicated so that the simple majesty of gospel truth can bring peace. "Religion is more than ritual; it is righteousness," he said.

The Church, as an institution, is well-equipped to meet the challenge of the year 2000, he asserted, pointing to growth in membership, new temples and inspired organization.

"Having the images of technology in our minds is commendable, but in order to move forward spiritually we need to have the Savior's image in our countenances and in our hearts," he said.

Excitement, President Faust continued, abounds as the world enters not only a new century, but also the third thousand years since the birth of Jesus Christ.

Jesus of Nazareth, a solitary figure without status or wealth, changed the world, President Faust said. "His message was simple: Peace be to this house (Luke 10:5). "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matt. 22:37.) "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matt. 22:39.)

"With these and other simple principles He introduced a new way of life," said President Faust. "He taught of love, the doctrines of hope and salvation, the pathway for peace in this world and the world to come. He spoke of the Resurrection, when spiritual darkness would be removed and the bright light and hope of eternal life would be given to all mankind."

After the Savior ascended into heaven, His apostles did a majestic work of carrying the message of hope far and wide, President Faust related.

"Today," he continued, "the information highway, with all of its means of communication, affords an opportunity for us to carry the mission with a thousandfold greater speed and ease than did Peter, James and John and the other intrepid disciples. Thousands of missionaries, their feet shod with the gospel of peace, now go forth with the message of God."

As the world approaches the year 2000, the pressures of mastering the wonders of technology becomes more and more challenging, President Faust said. However, daily prayer, scripture reading, family home evenings, and keeping our covenants and ordinances on a daily basis will keep "our computers of faith working so that we can constantly remain on the course of righteousness."

President Faust said that perfection is an eternal goal. "While we cannot be perfect in mortality, striving for it is a commandment, which ultimately, through the Atonement, we can keep."

He cautioned that the "marvels of modern science and technology will not exalt us. . . . Technical savvy is not fully useful unless there is a spiritual purpose and meaning to it. I am certain that the Lord expects us to apply it to the advancement of His purposes and the blessing of mankind, but we must adopt these lofty ideals as personal goals and desires before we can direct technology to those purposes."