General conference serves as a reminder to the world of the inestimable value of living prophets and apostles. For believing Latter-day Saints everywhere, it is a time to humbly and eagerly set aside the things of the world and listen to new scripture as it comes from the Lord through His anointed.

They understand that "he that receiveth my servants receiveth me" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:36). They know that no other source, no other experts, counselors or friends can help them deal with life's challenges in a way that leads to joy and eternal life.

They know, as did the prophet Amos, that "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).

The just-completed conference was filled with inspired messages of reassurance, love and guidance. These messages were especially timely, given that the world has in recent weeks been gripped with concern over failing financial systems and teetering markets.

Anyone looking for investment advice or opinions for politicians dealing with bailouts and public policies might have been disappointed, but listeners heard what the Lord wanted His faithful to know in order to deal with difficult times. What could be more timely or important?

"We must make certain that those for whom we share responsibilities do not go hungry or unclothed or unsheltered," President Thomas S. Monson said at the Saturday night priesthood session. "When the priesthood of this Church work together as one in meeting these vexing conditions, near miracles take place."

As he urged people to look beyond themselves to help others in need, President Monson also repeated the advice of previous prophets for people to "be conservative in their living and to avoid excessive or unnecessary debt."

Other speakers also touched on the economic problems afflicting the world and repeated similar advice. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve reminded listeners, "We have been encouraged at almost every general conference of the Church I can remember not to live beyond our means. Our income should determine the kind of housing we can afford, not the neighbor's big home across the street."

Imagine how the current economic crisis would be different if everyone had decided to heed that advice.

In his Sunday afternoon address, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve tenderly reminded people, "We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development. We also know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. It is also true that every cloud we see doesn't result in rain." The important thing to remember, he said, is that through the atonement, the Savior takes "upon Him our infirmities...."

For two days, each speaker provided a timely and vital message that people would do well to study again and again. Together, they constitute exactly what the Lord wants people to hear in 2008. Together, they were a reassurance of the love that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for each person, and of their concern for each person's problems and needs.

As he closed the conference Sunday afternoon, President Monson said, "Brothers and sisters, how blessed we are that the heavens are indeed open, that the restored Church of Jesus Christ is upon the earth today and that the Church is founded upon the rock of revelation. We know that continuous revelation is the very lifeblood of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

It is indeed a blessing — one that a troubled world desperately needs to hear.