President Gordon B. Hinckley
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The demands on the church's lay priesthood leadership are heavy. To ease them, temple recommends will remain valid for two years. "This should cut the time that bishops and stake presidents and their counselors have to spend in interviews for temple recommends.
"I wish to endorse what (Elder Ballard) said (regarding missionaries). . . . We must raise the bar on the worthiness and qualifications of those who go into the world as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Missionary farewell sacrament meetings will be modified to eliminate parents and siblings speaking, or any special music. The departing missionary will have the opportunity to speak, and more than one may speak in the same meeting. Elaborate open houses after the meeting should also be avoided. "We know this will be a great disappointment to many families . . . (but) we are convinced that when all aspects of the situation are considered, this is a wise decision."
Elaborate open houses after the meeting should also be avoided. "Missionary service is such a wonderful experience that it brings with it its own generous reward."
Five thousand men and women are now being educated with the help of loans from the Perpetual Education Fund, and the future for them and their families will improve proportionately. "Their earning capacity is being increased. their power of leadership is being enhanced."
Family home evening needs to be re-emphasized. Monday nights should be reserved for it. "We respectfully request that our public school officials and others let us have this one evening a week to carry forward this important and traditional program."
Begin home storage and savings with small amounts, then build up. Avoid immorality. Child abuse is an "evil and despicable sin."
"May God bless you, my dear brethren of the priesthood."
