April 6, 2002
The announcement of new leaders of the women's organization, a mention of the success of the Olympics, and making note of a special anniversary-- all of this took place today during opening sessions of General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Religion Specialist Carole Mikita reports.
General Conference began this morning with President Gordon B. Hinckley's remarks. He talked of this day, April 6th, and its signifigance to today's gathering.
172 years ago today, Joseph Smith and a handful of associates met in this farmhouse in upstate New York and organized what was called the Church of Christ.
In 1980, there was a special broadcast with then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley to commemorate the 150th anniversary.
The growth from then to now, Pres. Hinckley called nothing short of remarkable.
President Hinckley/"FROM THE ORIGINAL SIX MEMBERS HAS GROWN A VAST FAMILY OF WORSHIPPERS, 11 MILLION STRONG. FROM THAT QUIET VILLAGE HAS GROWN A MOVEMENT THAT TODAY IS SCATTERED THROUGH SOME 160 NATIONS OF THE EARTH. THIS HAS BECOME THE FIFTH LARGEST CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES."
He then talked of the Olympics, with its spotlight on Salt Lake City and the church.
President Hinckley thanked thousands of church members who served as volunteers and translators.
Pres. Hinckley/"I DO NOT WISH TO INFER THAT SUCH HOSPITALITY WAS LIMITED TO OUR PEOPLE. THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY JOINED TOGETHER IN A GREAT EXPRESSION OF HOSPITALITY."
From that came media coverage-- pictures like these, he said, went to billions across the earth and there were thousands of stories, most of them positive.
Pres. Hinckley/"REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA, SO OFTEN A TOUGH AND CALLOUSED GROUP, WITH VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS SPOKE AND WROTE IN LANGUAGE BOTH COMPLIMENTARY AND ACCURATELY DESCRIPTIVE OF A UNIQUE CULTURE THEY FOUND HERE."
Also today, came the announcement of two new general authorities to the Second Quorum of the Seventy-- well-known LDS author Gerald Lund and investment banker William Walker.
Bonnie D. Parkin, Kathleen H. Hughes and Anne C. Pingree are the new General Presidency of the Relief Society.
And in light of recent headlines, came a warning about abuse.
Pres.Boyd K. Packer, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "THERE IS NOTHING IN WHAT WE BELIEVE OR TEACH THAT GIVES LICENSE TO PARENTS OR ANYONE TO NEGLECT OR ABUSE OR MOLEST OUR OWN OR ANYONE ELSE'S CHILDREN."
Priesthood Session
Pres. Hinckley/"NOW I WISH TO MENTION ANOTHER FORM OF ABUSE THAT HAS BEEN MUCH PUBLICIZED IN THE MEDIA. IT IS THE SORDID AND EVIL ABUSE OF CHILDREN BY ADULTS, USUALLY MEN."
He called it a warning voice tonight-- strong words from President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Saturday night, President Hinckley made the church's positions clear, that abuse cannot be tolerated, that church leaders must find help for victims, and offenders must face civil and ecclesiastical penalities.
"SHE IS NOT YOUR SERVANT, YOUR CHATTEL, NOR ANYTHING OF THE KIND. HOW TRAGIC AND UTTERLY DISGUSTING A PHENOMENON IS WIFE ABUSE."
"BUT HOW TRAGIC IT IS, HOW ABSOLUTELY REVOLTING IS ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY."
"IT (Child Sex Abuse) IS A MOST DESPICABLE AND TRAGIC AND TERRIBLE THING. I REGRET TO SAY THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME VERY LIMITED EXPRESSION OF THIS MONSTROUS EVIL AMONG US. IT IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE COUNTENANCED OR TOLERATED."
"THESE ACTS ARE OFTEN CRIMINAL IN THEIR NATURE. THEY ARE PUNISHABLE UNDER THE LAW."
30 other area authorities were also announced today. And, the church now has more than 11,394,000 members.
But tonight's talk from President Hinckley was what he called a voice of warning and an issue of great concern for church leaders around the world.
