In an unusually frank public sermon on a sensitive topic, Elder Richard G. Scott told Latter-day Saints during the faith's general conference on Saturday that God knows the details of each act of verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse and will help victims while holding abusers accountable.

To abusers: "You likely have deceived yourself in the false, temporary security that you have successfully hidden your transgression from the civil or church authorities. But know that the Lord Jesus Christ is completely aware of your sins. Know that sometime, some way, your abusive actions will be made public."

He urged those who have abused others to "recognize that you need help with your addiction or it will destroy you. You will not overcome it by yourself. You likely need specialized professional help. I plead with you to be rescued now," he said, with a recognition that forgiveness is possible with complete repentance through Christ's atonement.

Such action "affords the perpetrator a way to avoid the severe punishment the Lord has decreed for such acts."

Seeking to provide hope and direction to the abused, he said he knows victims of serious abuse "who have successfully made the difficult journey to full healing through the power of the atonement," including a woman who had been severely abused by her father as a child.

She then brought her father to see Elder Scott, telling him she loved her father but that he remained concerned about his abusive actions toward her. "They are no longer a problem for me. Could you help him?" she asked.

"If you are currently being abused or have been in the past, find the courage to seek help. You may have been severely threatened or caused to fear so that you would not reveal the abuse. Have the courage to act now. Seek the support of someone you can trust."

He urged victims not to be discouraged in seeking help. "Predators are skillful at cultivating a public appearance of piety to mask their despicable acts. Pray to be guided in your efforts to receive help. That support will come.

"Rest assured that the perfect judge, Jesus the Christ, with a perfect knowledge of the details, will hold all abusers accountable for every unrighteous act. In time, He will fully apply the required demands of justice unless there is complete repentance."