Come out of the darkness into the light, said President James E. Faust Sept. 8 to the Church's young adults.

Photo by Peter Chudleigh

Thousands leave Conference Center after listening to Church Educational System fireside address by President James E. Faust. The talk was broadcast over the Church satellite system.

Photo by Peter Chudleigh

President James E. Faust

"The world presents alluring enticements," said President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency. "It is bewildering. Not only may some of you be unsure about where you are going, you may also be questioning your real worth. Let me assure you, I believe with all my heart that you are a chosen generation."

Speaking during a Church Educational System fireside, President Faust told more than 20,000 college-age young adults gathered in the Church's Conference Center in Salt Lake City that they can "receive light from the Lord."

An estimated 150,000 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, rebroadcast on KBYU-TV in Utah and will be made available on videotape to institute students around the world.

President Faust asked the congregation to study the scriptures, attend sacrament meetings, respond to Church callings, pay tithing, sing hymns and pray. "We are definitely entitled to increased spiritual and intellectual enlightenment if we first seek 'the kingdom of God, and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33),' " said President Faust.

Part of coming into the light depends upon the focus of one's faith, he added.

"As young people mature they feel new power, new passion, and new ambitions. Yet they are told that some of these must be restrained. Sometimes even a few returned missionaries grow tired of this so-called restraint and try to find freedom in self-indulgence. In so doing, they find that indulgence is not the road to freedom. However, bridling our passions, or yielding appropriately to restraint, is necessary for our personal growth and progression."

President Faust said that in this modern society many depict sexual intimacy outside of marriage as being socially acceptable, even desirable. However, he said, in matters of human intimacy, "you must wait."

"We must wait for the proper season in life to use some sacred gifts, we must prepare for that season. I did not kiss my wife until we were engaged to be married," he said. "I have tried to make up for it since."

Goodness, he told the worldwide congregation, will help them restrain carnal desires and find their real self and liberation. "It is seeking positively for those things which are worthwhile and worth living for. It is coming out of darkness into the light. It is discerning between good and evil by the light of Christ. It is expression of our gifts and talents. It is to lay hold on every good thing."

Faith, he added, is not a bundle of beliefs and practices that are too heavy to bear. "Those who have come out of the darkness find that their faith carries them. Faith is not heavy; faith lifts and gives us wings to carry us over hard places. . . . Coming out of the darkness into the light frees us from the dark side of our souls, which comes from fear, discouragement and sin. You can tell one who has come into the light by his or her countenance and attitude."

President Faust said since Sept. 11, 2001, many have been concerned with another type of darkness — the influence of terrorists and hijackers. "My dear young friends, your enemies are not all terrorists and hijackers. Some are within your peer group — perhaps even among those you look upon as friends — who would encourage you to free yourselves from restraints and to try drugs, alcohol, or intimacy with someone of the opposite sex — or even the same sex. They are critics, the dissenters, and the sceptics — anyone who keeps us in darkness and tries to keep us from finding the light in our eternal journey."

President Faust told members of the congregation that they have the responsibility to proclaim the truth of the restored gospel. "You will be effective in doing this only if you try to do right in your own individual lives."

Some of the young men and women in the congregation may be planning to serve a full-time mission, said President Faust. "To be called to serve as a missionary for this Church is not a right, it is a privilege. Missionary service is joyful, but it is not fun and games; it is hard work."

All missionary service, he emphasized, presumes personal worthiness. "Some of you are worthy, but because of health problems may not be able to stand the rigors of proselyting in the mission field. You may, however, find alternative service opportunities that will be a great blessing to you."

President Faust also told the worldwide congregation that the Holy Ghost will light their way out of darkness. "The most sure way to come out of darkness and into the light is through communication with our Heavenly Father by the process known as divine revelation. . . . The inspiration of God is available to all who worthily seek the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit."

Those who wish to come out of darkness into light must make sure they are in harmony with the inspiration and revelations which come through prophets, seers and revelators.

"The best way for young people to come in closer harmony with the Savior is to sustain His living prophet on the earth, the president of the Church — in our day and time, President Gordon B. Hinckley. If we do not follow the living prophet, whoever he may be, we are in danger of dying spiritually. Some people equivocate in their support of the living prophets, trying to lift themselves up by putting down the living prophets — however subtly.

"I can testify the process of continuous revelation comes to the Church very frequently. It comes daily."

Continuous revelation is necessary for the Church to fulfill its mission. "Without it we would fail. The Church constantly needs the guidance of its head, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

President Faust said continuous revelation will not and cannot be forced by outside pressure from people and events. "It is not the so-called revelation of social progress. It does not originate with the prophets; it comes from God. The Church is governed by the prophet under the inspiration, guidance and direction of the Lord."

Concluding, President Faust said his belief in and conviction of the divine truthfulness of the Church has now covered a long period of time — as long as he can remember. "I testify to you young people that the gospel contains the answers to life's challenges and problems."

E-mail: sarah@desnews.com