Urging priesthood brethren to be strong and rise above the evil of the world, President Gordon B. Hinckley admonished them to let their personal integrity, their sense of right and wrong and simple honesty govern their actions.

"What a tremendous brotherhood this is, comprised of hundreds of thousands of men and boys who have been ordained to the priesthood of God," President Hinckley exclaimed at the priesthood session Saturday evening.

"You are the backbone of the Church, my brethren. From your ranks come the bishops and branch presidents, district and stake presidents, the Area Authority Seventies and all of the General Authorities.

"You young men are the substance of a great missionary program whose influence is felt throughout the world. Altogether you are men and boys who have taken on the whole armor of God to move forward His work in the earth."

Priesthood holders have become a great body of men, young and old, such that "there is scarcely anything we cannot accomplish if we work unitedly together with one mind and one purpose and one heart."

He described the priesthood as the authority of God in the earth carrying power to govern in the affairs of the Church, bless in the name of the Lord, lay hands upon the sick and call down the powers of heaven.

"Its authority is expressed in mortality and reaches beyond the veil of death," he said. "I hope we are worthy of the priesthood we bear. I plead with you, every one of you to conduct your lives in such a way as to be worthy of it.

"This is a season of great evil in the world. We are constantly exposed to the muck and filth of pornography, of salacious and evil behavior, totally unbecoming anyone who holds the priesthood of God. It is a challenge to work in the world and live above its filth," he declared.

President Hinckley then turned to a theme he had discussed in general conference more than 10 years ago, the bishops of the Church.

He told of the miracle wrought by the Church organization in Central America last fall in the wake of Hurricane Mitch.

"I have only commendation for other relief efforts which came in from across the world," he said, "but I have unending admiration for the wonderful manner in which the Church operated. The bishops appealed to their stake presidents, who appealed to the area presidency, who appealed to headquarters here in Salt Lake City. Within hours, great quantities of basic foodstuffs, medicine and clothing were on their way from our storehouses."

President Hinckley said he stood in "humble gratitude and respect and admiration for the bishops of the Church."

"How thankful I am for these men who, without regard for their own comfort, give of their time, of their wisdom, of their inspiration in presiding over our wards throughout the world. They receive no compensation other than the love of their people. There is no rest for them on the Sabbath, nor very much at other times. They are the ones closest to the people, best acquainted with their needs and circumstances."

Referring to Paul's words in 1 Tim. 3:2-3 and Titus 1:7, 9, President Hinckley said the requirements for the office of bishop are the same today as in those days.

Speaking directly to bishops, and peripherally to stake presidents and others in similar callings, President Hinckley said: "In calling you we have placed in you our total confidence. We expect you to stand as the presiding high priest of the ward, a counselor to the people, a defender and helper of those in trouble, a comforter to those in sorrow, a supplier to those in need. We expect you to stand as a guardian and protector of the doctrine that is taught in your ward, of the quality of the teaching, of the filling of the many offices which are necessary."

President Hinckley said a bishop's personal behavior must be impeccable, "above reproach of any kind." He must be "fearless in denouncing evil, willing to take a stand for the right, uncompromising in defense of truth. While all this requires firmness, it must be done with kindness and love."

Further, President Hinckley told the bishops each is the father of his ward and guardian of his people. "You must reach out to them in their times of sorrow and sickness and distress. You stand as president of the Aaronic Priesthood, and with your counselors must give leadership to the deacons, and the teachers, and the priests to see that they grow in 'the nurture and admonition of the Lord.' (Eph. 6:4.)"

A bishop is a husband to his wife, her protector and provider, and a father to his children, nurturing them with love and teaching them with appreciation, he said.

"You may expect that the adversary will work on you," he warned. "You, of all men, must exercise self-discipline, standing far apart from sin and evil of any kind in your own life."

A bishop cannot use his office to further his own business interests among his people, lest some accuse him of benefiting monetarily from his service, President Hinckley counseled.

And a bishop, he said, stands as a common judge in Israel, determining in some instances even the eligibility of his people to be members of the Church, their worthiness to receive baptism, ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood, serve missions, "and above all their qualifications to enter the House of the Lord and partake of the blessing there to be had."

The bishop is to see that none goes hungry or without clothing or shelter and is to be a comforter and guide to his people, President Hinckley said. "Your back must be strong in sharing their burdens. You must reach out in love even to the wrongdoer."

He invoked the blessings of the Almighty upon bishops in the great responsibilities they carry. "May God bless you with health and strength," he said. "May He touch your mind with wisdom and understanding, with appreciation and love. May the interests of your people be the dominant concern of your life, without sacrificing the demands of your employment or the proper attention given your family. . . ."