At the conclusion of general conference April 3, President Gordon B. Hinckley referred to the "miracle . . . of modern technology" that made the conference available to 95 percent of Church membership worldwide. Indeed, it is amazing to witness how the Lord has made technologies available to govern and unify His Church in this last dispensation, revealing them as quickly as Church growth makes them necessary.

The tremendous benefit is that the words of a living prophet are now made instantly available in many different languages — proof of the Lord's tremendous love for His people living in a time of wickedness and moral confusion.

From time to time, critics will mock the messages of general conference as being little more than a repetition of the same warnings and counsel given countless times before. The Lord's messages to His people are indeed consistent. But anyone listening to this conference heard how it addressed specific needs of this time. Indeed, the remarkable thing is that the sins and vices of the world are the things that are numbingly dull and repetitious. They keep coming up again and again in varying forms, decorated with new-fashioned tinsel.

Without the wise counsel of men of God, they could snare people who ought to know better.

President Hinckley devoted his priesthood session address to gambling. That is hardly a new topic, but it is undergoing a resurgence in popularity, particularly among college students in the United States. The game of poker is becoming socially acceptable in many circles, and its lure is attracting even members of the Church.

President Hinckley carefully countered the arguments and rationalizations that may lead many astray. For example: "One of our young men recently said, 'Pay five bucks to see a movie; pay five bucks to play poker, it is the same idea.'

"It is not the same idea. In one case you get something for which you pay; in the other case, only one picks up the winnings and the others are left empty-handed," said President Hinckley.

He then went back to the days of Joseph Smith and carefully rehearsed the consistent counsel of the prophets in this dispensation, leaving absolutely no doubt as to the Lord's feelings on this matter.

Similarly, President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke about the "negative influences in our society that stalk traditional families." He identified television programs that glorify immorality, and denigrating music on the radio. He spoke of the dangers of debt and the trend toward home equity loans. He warned against thinking "yesterday's luxuries have become today's necessities."

Certainly, evil influences have been around since the beginning of time, and prophets have counseled through the ages against the burdens of debt, but people today are seeing these temptations dressed in new clothing. They need warnings tailored to the experiences they are having daily.

"Holiness is the strength of the soul," said President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, as he encouraged members to frequently attend the temple, there to "learn the transcending spiritual relations we have with Deity."

This conference was filled with such timely messages. It was filled, as well, with messages of hope and joy, and with blessed reassurance that the kingdom of God is growing and prospering in the world. This year marks two milestones in Church history. It is the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Lord's true Church.

As President Hinckley said, "How blessed we are. How fortunate we are in our knowledge of these transcendent truths."

And how blessed members of the Church are in far-flung corners of the world, where today they can hear the words of general conference in their own tongues, with technology speeding vital information necessary for people who are navigating the dangers of this earth en route back to our Father in Heaven.