Avoid peril seemingly enveloping the world
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In his priesthood session address, Elder Cecil O. Samuelson focused on prophecies of "perilous times" in the last days, commenting that it is both comforting and worrisome to live in a time of their fulfillment.
"As careful as we might and should be, absolute avoidance of much of the peril which seemingly is enveloping us is at best difficult and often near to impossible," said Elder Samuelson of the Seventy.
"In this general conference, consistent with the pattern covering the entire history of the Church, we have learned and will learn of the restoration of the gospel in our day; of the remarkable clarity and testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ found in the Book of Mormon; of the mission and contributions of the prophet Joseph Smith and his successors in the presidency of the Church, including especially President Gordon B. Hinckley, who teaches and testifies with such power, spirituality and lucidity; and of the strength, comfort and blessings that accrue from the presence of other living apostles and prophets in our midst. Not only do we learn these things, but we are assured that they are true, knowing, as Paul said, 'of whom (we) have learned them.' "
"For most of us, this understanding does not come all at once and likely will not be fully complete during our mortal sojourn," he said. "We do know, however, that as we learn line upon line, that our appreciation for the Savior's contributions will increase and our knowledge and assurance of their truthfulness will grow."
Eyewitness accounts by ancient apostles can strengthen those still struggling to become fully convinced in their own testimonies about Jesus Christ, Elder Samuelson said, quoting President James E. Faust.
"In our own day," Elder Samuelson added, "we have been promised that the Lord has many gifts in store for those that 'love (Him) and keep all (His) commandments,' and also those 'that seeketh so to do' (Doctrine and Covenants 46:9). While not every gift of God is pledged to every person, we have been assured that 'to every (person' is given a gift by the Spirit of God' " (Doctrine and Covenants 46:11).
He declared, "When we begin to really sense that this hope is real and is actually centered in Jesus, being made possible because of His love for us and especially His love of His Father, then we can gratefully and individually proclaim, using the words of favorite hymns, 'I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me' (Hymns No. 193)."
