Simple principles of faith, forgiveness, knowledge and testimony were highlighted Sunday during concluding sessions of the 175th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Speakers and songs emphasized the faith's founding prophet, Joseph Smith, and spoke of his singular role in bringing about what Latter-day Saints believe to be the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

As he closed the final session Sunday afternoon at the Conference Center, President Gordon B. Hinckley announced "a celebration in tribute" to the faith's founder, scheduled on Dec. 23, 2005 — the 200th anniversary of Smith's birth. The event will conclude a yearlong churchwide celebration focused on the man many revere simply as "the Prophet Joseph."

If possible, President Hinckley said he would travel to Smith's birth-

place in Sharon, Vt., for the celebration. Other church officers will be in the LDS Conference Center for a program broadcast by satellite, he said. "There will be appropriate music and words of tribute spoken . . . to the great prophet of this dispensation," President Hinckley said.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which performed at both Sunday sessions, sang several hymns of the restoration focused on Joseph Smith, and President Hinckley said their performance was "but a dress rehearsal for the occasion in December."

In introducing the celebration, President Hinckley briefly recounted how on the night of Sept. 21, 1823, at age 17, Smith said he was visited by an angel who told him of an ancient record, now known as the Book of Mormon.

Prior to that visit, Smith said he received a vision where he saw both God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ — an event known by members of the church as the beginning of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. Knowledge of that restoration is fundamental to the beliefs of more than 12 million Latter-day Saints worldwide.

"He was a young man then, a poor farm boy with very little education," President Hinckley said of Smith's heavenly visit at age 17. "He lived in a rural community, scarcely recognized outside its borders. And yet the angel said to him that "he was a messenger sent from the presence of God . . . that God had a work for (Joseph) to do; and that (his) name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people."

Smith led by example, said President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency of the church. "The testimony of the Prophet Joseph continues to change lives," he said.

During remarks Sunday morning, President Monson outlined several examples of what Smith taught and the church continues to teach: faith, courage, honesty, patience and love.

"May we incorporate into our own lives the divine principles which he so beautifully taught — by example — that we, ourselves, might live more completely the gospel of Jesus Christ," President Monson said. "May our lives reflect the knowledge we have that God lives, that Jesus Christ is his son, that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that we are led today by another prophet of God — even President Gordon B. Hinckley."

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve also spoke of Joseph Smith, restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and what is known by members of the church as the Plan of Salvation. The Book of Mormon provides a tangible witness to "establish the truth" of the restoration, he said.

While foundational doctrines of the church are still in force and offer permanent guidance, President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, said constant revelation still occurs.

"Every soul who willingly affiliates with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and seeks to abide by its principles and ordinances is standing 'on Zion's hill,' " he said. "Each can receive assurance which comes through inspiration and testifies that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is just as he declared it to be, 'the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth.' "

Church members were also encouraged to abide by universal principles of forgiveness and scripture study, of faith in Jesus Christ, prayer and service.

Earlier this year, members of the church were asked to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year. "When we read the scriptures, we are hearing the voice of the Savior," said Sister Cheryl C. Lant, Primary general president.

But faith, diligence and sacrifice are not always easy, said Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve. "Through times good and bad, the Lord expects each of us to endure to the end," he said. "It often requires sacrifices, and we will likely experience some adversity. But in serving him, we discover that his hand is truly over us."

Said Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve, whose wife died unexpectedly in February, "I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, 'Why?' I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated."

Several speakers paid tribute to early Christian reformers, who they said set the stage for the restoration of Christ's gospel on earth. Many spoke of the worldwide spread of the faith, exemplified by the fact that the sessions were translated into 80 languages and broadcast to many lands.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Quorum of the Twelve, said the church can continue to expand even though it is centrally administered because "the organizational structure of the church allows great flexibility according to the size, growth pattern and needs of our congregations." Even so, "the gospel of Jesus Christ is the same in each unit" because leadership structure, scripture and doctrinal texts are uniform.

Though the church has grown too large for Salt Lake City-based leaders to regularly visit far-flung congregations, satellite technology provides a means for leaders to preside from afar, President Hinckley said.

During the Sunday morning session, President Hinckley spoke of forgiveness, which "may be the greatest virtue on earth" and "certainly the most needed."

"There is so much of meanness and abuse, of intolerance and hatred. There is so great a need for repentance and forgiveness," he said.

"May God help us to be a little kinder, showing forth greater forbearance, to be more forgiving, more willing to walk the second mile, to reach down and lift up those who may have sinned but have brought forth the fruits of repentance, to lay aside old grudges and nurture them no more."