General conference is further evidence of the love the Lord has for His children, and that He does not intend to leave them wandering alone during difficult times. As He has said, "Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:38).

Prophets and apostles do walk the earth today, and their counsel points the way to happiness. For Latter-day Saints, conference is a time to humbly and eagerly set aside the things of the world and listen to the Lord's anointed.

For the next six months, the challenge is to study their words again and again, to make it a part of our lives and to share it with others.

For a world reeling from economic troubles, from natural disasters that have left many homeless and alone, and from moral decay that confuses tolerance with acceptance, the 179th Semiannual General Conference, held Oct. 3-4, was a prescription to make things well.

But it isn't the type of prescription that involves a lot of rest. It also doesn't involve any of the sophistry one tends to hear from media pundits examining the world's problems.

No, for two days President Thomas S. Monson and others stressed the need for all people to treat others with love and to provide service and be more Christlike. "We become so caught up in the busy-ness of our lives," President Monson said in the Sunday morning session. "Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we're doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the 'thick of thin things.' In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes."

Those important causes are the people in need, often close by. "We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children," President Monson said. "He is dependent upon each of us."

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, declared in his Sunday morning address: "Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him, our perfect example. Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others. There is no surprise in that, since the Lord proclaimed that as the first and great commandment. It is the love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey Him.

Adding his voice to proclaiming the mandate to continually serve others, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, said in the priesthood session, "Retirement is not part of the Lord's plan of happiness. There is no sabbatical or retirement program from priesthood responsibilities — regardless of age or physical capacity."

With the world seemingly growing ever more uncivil, not only in everyday interactions but in the realms of politics and government, President Monson's admonition to priesthood holders to avoid anger was especially timely. "To be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan," he said. "No one can make us angry. It is our choice. If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry. I testify that such is possible."

Presiding Bishop H. David Burton's Sunday morning address confronted the same topic, as he described what he called the "ity" virtues, such as "integrity, humility, charity, spirituality, accountability, civility, fidelity, etc." Society will suffer greatly unless people behave with "Christlike virtues," he said.

Imagine what would happen to the hot and contentious issues of the day if the world were to follow such prescriptions.

These and many other addresses made this conference a vital source of guidance not only for all Church members, but also for all people in the world. The talks should be studied carefully as we strive to cope with our own unique challenges.

Many Church members wait with great anticipation for each October and April, to hear what the Lord would have them to know through the mouths of His servants. No wonder; conference provides a treasure box of rich advice, admonishments, encouragements and blessings.