President Gordon B. Hinckley, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "LET US OPEN OUR HEARTS, LET US REACH DOWN AND LIFT UP, LET US OPEN OUR PURSES, LET US SHOW A GREATER LOVE FOR OUR FELLOW MEN."
President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke to the men of the LDS Church Saturday evening, asking for their continued generosity for a new program that was created just six months ago.
President Hinckley 's remarks come at the end of the first day of General Conference meetings for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Religion Specialist Carole Mikita reports.
President Hinckley spoke about the church's new Perpetual Education Fund, created last April to help young men and women, returned missionaries from less-developed countries, receive an education or job training.
Tonight he said it's up and running and off to a good start.
President Hinckley told the audience at Priesthood session that church members have donated millions of dollars to the new Perpetual Education Fund, and it's moving forward in Peru, Chile and Mexico with 1200 in the program by the end of year and in three years, perhaps 3,000. But there is still a tremendous need.
President Gordon B. Hinckley:"WE NEED TO MAKE A LITTLE MORE EFFORT TO ASSIST THOSE WHO ARE DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LADDER. WE NEED TO GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT AND A LIFTING HAND TO MEN AND WOMEN OF FAITH AND INTEGRITY AND ABILITY."
Earlier today, he told conference-goers the world's perception of the church is changing, old hatred is disappearing. But they must continue to be good to all.
Pres. Hinckley: "FEEDING AND CLOTHING THE HUNGRY AND NEEDY, EXTENDING LOVE AND NEIGHBORLINESS TO THOSE ABOUT US WHO MAY NOT BE PART OF THIS CHURCH."
Several church leaders talked of recent tragic events and finding peace and comfort.
There was encouragement to the young people.
Sheri L. Dew/ General Relief Society Presidency: "RECENT DEVASTATING EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES SEEM TO INDICATE DIFFICULT DAYS AHEAD. BUT THEY ARE DAYS THAT WILL BE FILLED WITH CONFIDENCE AND COURAGE, IF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF YOUR GENERATION UNITE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AS NEVER BEFORE."
And advice to be good neighbors to people of all faiths, races and nationalities.
Elder M. Russell Ballard, Quorum of Twelve Apostles: "I HAVE HEARD ABOUT NARROW-MINDED PARENTS WHO TELL CHILDREN THAT THEY CANNOT PLAY WITH A PARTICULAR CHILD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SIMPLY BECAUSE HIS OR HER FAMILY DOES NOT BELONG TO OUR CHURCH. THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR IS NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST."
Elder Ballard is a member of a new community group called 'Alliance for Unity." He suggested that church members eliminate the words 'non-member' and 'non-Mormon' from their vocabularies.
A reminder to conference-goers Sunday. TRAX will start operating 2 1/2 hours earlier than normal Sundays and begin at 7:10am, with extra cars during peak periods.
