Two hundred years ago this year, the Prophet Joseph Smith was born, and 175 years ago, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized. And as the just-completed 175th Semiannual General Conference demonstrated so vividly, those humble beginnings have grown into a mighty force for good. The best news that can be offered to the world is that God speaks today to the world through His ordained servants.

As President Gordon B. Hinckley said Oct. 1, in his opening remarks during the Saturday morning session, "the sun never sets on this (the Lord's) kingdom." It stretches across the entire earth. The gospel embraces many languages and touches the lives of people in a wide variety of cultures. "The growth of the Church from its infancy to its present stature is phenomenal, and we have only scratched the surface."

Conference weekend brings to mind the words of Portia, the wealthy heiress in William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice." Speaking of the quality of mercy, she said, "It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath." So it is with the words of the Lord's servants. Their words are not hard to hear for those who love the Lord.

In this time of trial, with many Church members watching conference amid the rubble of the hurricane-soaked Gulf coast, and with others struggling amid the growing wickedness of a world that seems to be drifting steadily more distant to the teachings of God, the overriding message was one of optimism and cheer. The Lord has put in place a mighty organization to guide His children through the frightening jungles of the latter days and, if we are prepared, we shall not fear.

That was the theme of President Hinckley's talk to holders of the priesthood Saturday evening. It was not a promise that members of the Church will avoid the sorrow of natural disasters and calamities as these increase in the world, nor was it a message that good people will always avoid the man-made tragedies of war, abuse and starvation.

But he did say, "We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. This is a first priority. We cannot expect His help if we are unwilling to keep His commandments."

And those commandments were highlighted, taught, admonished and exemplified through many talks and inspirational accounts. We are to forgive one another, study the scriptures, treat our own bodies with respect, and care for our fellow humans, to mention only a few of the admonishments.

There are physical preparations to be made as well. The Church itself is leading the way by organizing a humanitarian-response organization that provides relief for millions of suffering people each year.

Above all, we are to remember that the Lord has not forgotten His people; quite the contrary.

As President Hinckley noted, the Church now has 122 active temples in the world, and it soon will have more. The blessing of temple ordinances, like Shakespeare's gentle rain, is "twice blessed. It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."

What greater evidence could there be that God has re-established His kingdom and is concerned about each of His children? And what greater comfort could there be than to hear the words of His servants on conference weekend?