Church members were encouraged by Elder Henry B. Eyring Sunday afternoon to teach the doctrines of Christ to those they love as a way of combatting the evil influences that rage in the world.

"All of us have family members we love who are being buffeted by the forces of the destroyer who would make God's children miserable," said Elder Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve.

"For many of us, there have been sleepless nights. We have tried to add every force for good we can to the powers swirling around the people who are at risk."

He told of the Book of Mormon prophet Alma "preaching the word" which had a "more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword." (Alma 31:5.)

"The word of God is the doctrine taught by Jesus Christ and by His prophets," Elder Eyring explained. These words of doctrine "can open the minds of people to see spiritual things, things not visible to the natural eye. And they can open the heart to feelings of the love of God and a love of truth."

Truth can prepare its own way, and simply hearing the words of doctrine can plant the seed of faith in the heart, said Elder Eyring.

"And even a tiny seed of faith in Jesus Christ invites the Spirit."

"The need to open eyes and hearts tells us how we must teach doctrine. Doctrine gains its power as the Holy Ghost confirms that it is true. We prepare those we teach, as best we can, to receive the quiet promptings of the still, small voice."

While the listener may have little faith or humility, "you can urge that they desire to believe."

Those who teach may not have a great deal of influence on their listeners, but they do have control over their own preparation, said Elder Eyring.

"We feast on the word of God in the scriptures and study the words of living prophets. We fast and pray to invite the Spirit for ourselves and the person we teach."

He cautioned against teaching beyond the true doctrine. "The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of truth. His confirmation is invited by our avoiding speculation or personal interpretation.

"One of the surest ways to avoid even getting near false doctrine is to choose to be simple in our teaching," he remarked.

Even a child can be taught simple doctrine of Jesus Christ.

"We have the greatest opportunity with the young," Elder Eyring said. "The best time to teach is early while children are still immune to the temptations of their mortal enemy, and long before the words of truth may be harder for them to hear in the noise of their personal struggles."

He said that because opportunities to teach children are rare when compared with the hundreds of hours of messages and images denying or ignoring the saving truths, wise parents should not miss a chance to teach the doctrine of Christ.

"The words you speak today may be the ones they remember. And today will soon be gone. . . . "Your teaching of sacred doctrine will be remembered," he promised.