Eternal families should be top objective
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Complete transcipt of this talk
Modern prophets have a mantle whereby they see what lies ahead and will give warning to those wise enough to listen, said Elder L. Aldin Porter Feb. 4 to college-age young adults worldwide.
"What we need today is more people with listening ears — people who internalize, who can feel, the words of the living prophets," said Elder Porter of the Presidency of the Seventy.
--Elder L. Aldin Porter
Speaking during a Church Educational System fireside, Elder Porter urged more than 18,000 college-age young adults gathered in the BYU Marriott Center to "search the prophets" — just as pioneer members did more than 150 years ago. Thousands more heard the address live, via satellite, throughout North, Central and South America. The fireside, translated into 22 languages, was broadcast on a delayed basis throughout Europe and will also be made available on videotape to institute students around the world.
During his address, Elder Porter spoke of modern prophets and their role in reminding Church members of values that do not change. To illustrate his point he quoted from "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," introduced by President Gordon B. Hinckley during the September 1995 general Relief Society meeting.
Elder Porter explained that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve were inspired to reaffirm, in the sacred document, standards, doctrines and practices relative to the family, which the prophets of this Church have repeatedly stated throughout history.
"The majority of those of you listening tonight will within a few months or years seriously contemplate getting married," he said. "Some of you may have already taken that most important step. May I suggest in all seriousness and solemnity that a very careful study of that proclamation will assist you in a major way as you begin to build a home and a family. If your proposed marriage partner is not in agreement with the doctrines taught therein, know there is danger in your committing your life to him or her."
Elder Porter explained that when first reading the proclamation and noting that it carried the stamp of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, he was reminded of a statement by President Joseph Fielding Smith: "Neither the President of the Church, nor the First Presidency, nor the united voice of the First Presidency and the Twelve, will ever lead the saints astray or send forth counsel to the world that is contrary to the mind and will of the Lord."
Elder Porter then bore witness of the truthfulness of the statement, testifying that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve do speak the mind and will of the Lord.
He continued, reading the proclamation one section at a time and emphasizing important portions. He told the young adults their No. 1 objective should be to establish an eternal family. He emphasized the role of gender, noting that there is a great deal of confusion in the world today on the topic. He spoke of the serious consequences of sexual sin and pornography.
"The message through the ages from the prophets has been to stay clean, to stay pure, and they promise you will reap unlimited happiness," Elder Porter said. "Much of what is seen today on network television, videos and in movies is degrading to women and desecrates the sacredness of the powers of procreation. I wish I had sufficient words or capacity in the English language to impress upon you the necessity of cleanliness of thought and action in order to build a strong foundation of righteousness in anticipation of a happy and fulfilling life."
Elder Porter also reminded the young adults of their sacred responsibility to care for the physical and spiritual needs of their future children and urged the worldwide congregation to not be self-centered and demanding of others as they reach adulthood.
"Will you understand that we simply cannot have all that we may want at any age," he said. "Discipline and freedom must walk hand in hand. License is not freedom, though Lucifer would have you think so. License is eventually slavery. Discipline will bring freedom. . . . Much unhappiness develops in a home where there is no financial discipline."
Quoting President Hinckley, Elder Porter asked those in attendance to avoid debt and set their houses in order. He added that during the last decade there has been "a serious decline in honesty, truthfulness, fidelity, honor and veracity. In their place many have substituted duplicity and falsehood."
A great deal of contention originates in the home over a lack of discipline in financial matters, he said. "Remember, again, discipline is a prerequisite to personal and family freedom."
Elder Porter concluded his address, reaffirming that in matters of obedience to spiritual and temporal laws, Church members would be very wise to listen to the Lord's counsel as revealed through His prophets.
"You need to understand that this is our day," he said. "This is our time. We honor our forefathers for their enormous sacrifice . . . but are we to be only the descendants of great men and women? Do we not have a part to play in the ongoing work of the Lord Jesus Christ? The answer is, 'Of course, we do.' And as our forefathers did not fail in their challenges, we must not fail in ours. They found the light and direction they needed in the living prophets of their day. We will find the light and direction we need in our day from the same source, even the living prophets of today."
E-mail: sarah@desnews.com
