To achieve their potential, young men of the priesthood will need to honor four sacred principles in their lives, President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, said at the priesthood session Saturday evening.

He identified the four sacred principles as follows:

Reverence for Deity. "During most of the world's history, mankind has labored much in idolatry, either worshiping false gods or becoming preoccupied with acquiring the material opulence of this world," he observed.

"The requirement that we should love the Lord above fish, bank accounts, automobiles, fine clothing, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, or any other possession is total, and it is absolute," President Faust declared.

"I am frequently offended by hearing people in public discourse and on television so causally violate the commandment 'Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.' "

He said those who have been "commissioned with priesthood authority to act in the name of the Savior need to respect the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost above all else."

Respecting and honoring family relationships. "This should begin with reverence for mother's sacred love," President Faust said.

He added that noble fatherhood gives a glimpse of "the divine attributes of our Father in Heaven. "He should magnify his priesthood and be an example of righteousness. In companionship with his wife, he should be the source of stability and strength for the whole family. He should be a protector and provider and the champion of members of his family. Much of his love for his children should flow from his example of love, concern and fidelity for their mother. By his uncompromising example he should instill character into his children."

He told of a distraught father who went in frantic search for his son following a 1989 earthquake in Armenia. For 38 straight hours, the father dug through the rubble of a school, until he finally found his son and 14 surviving classmates.

"All family relationships should be honored, including those of our kindred dead," President Faust noted. "Love, service and help should flow between brothers, sisters and extended family."

Respect for and obedience to the ordinances and covenants of the priesthood. "We honor the Lord by keeping our baptismal covenants, our sacrament covenants, our temple covenants and by keeping the Sabbath day holy," President Faust said. He said that priesthood holders do not wear priestly attire as anciently, but "we show respect by wearing appropriate clothing when administering the sacrament and anointing the sick."

Respecting oneself as a son of God. President Faust told of a missionary who said his mission in the British Isles had been a failure because he "only baptized one dirty little Irish kid." Years later, a man approached him and introduced himself as the "dirty little Irish kid" he had baptized. The man was Elder Charles A. Callis, then of the Quorum of the Twelve.

"That little Irish boy came to a knowledge of his potential as a son of God" and left a lasting legacy for a large family, President Faust said.

"If we are constantly aware of the seeds of divinity within us, it will help us rise above earthly challenges and difficulties," he said. "Being fully aware of our divine heritage will help young men and old to grow and magnify the divinity which is within each of us. . . .

"Individually, perhaps, our contribution may not seem great, but unitedly I believe the priesthood power we collectively hold is the greatest force for good in the earth today. . . .

"Brethren, I have been privileged, as a boy and as a man, to enjoy the warm, comforting, spiritual mantle of the holy priesthood for 68 years. I cannot express in words what a great and marvelous sustaining influence this has been to me and my family. . . . So long as there is breath in my life, I want to be found testifying of the wonder and glory of the restored gospel with its priesthood keys and authority."