ELDER A . THEODORE TUTTLE 37

men according to their language, him and his Son Jesus Christ with unto their understanding" (2 Ne. better words of love and appreciation 31:3). to our loved ones and our neighbors in a language pure and undefiled and Pure and undefiled language with a desire to communicate in a divine way. For example, in one of his re- Our Heavenly Father lives; his cent addresses, President Kimball Son is Jesus Christ, our Savior and emphasized the need to learn and Redeemer; his prophet on earth today know more than our own language. is Spencer W. Kimball; he is the "We need much more language mouthpiece of the Lord. May His training. We need more people fluent holy name be sanctified by our words in Mandarin and Cantonese" (Re- forever and ever, in the name of gional Representatives Seminar, 30 Jesus Christ, amen. March 1979). By studying other lan- guages, we can also improve in our President N. Eldon Tanner ways to give the message of the res- toration of the gospel to the world. We have just listened to Elder The Lord's people must be distin- Charles Didier, a member of the First guished among other nations not only Qurorum of the Seventy. by their calling and behavior, but The congregation will stand and also by the purity of their language. join with the choir in singing In Deuteronomy we read: "For thou "Come, Ye Children of the Lord." art an holy people unto the Lord thy After the singing, Elder A. Theodore God: the Lord thy God hath chosen Turtle, a member of the Presidency thee to be a special people unto of the First Quorum of the Seventy, himself, above all people that are will speak to us. upon the face of the earth" (Deut. 7:6). Language is divine. Some may The congregation and choir sang know this but do not realize its the hymn "Come, Ye Children of implications in their daily family life. the Lord." Love at home starts with a loving language. This need is so important that, without loving words, some President Tanner become mentally unbalanced, others emotionally disturbed, and some may Elder A. Theodore Turtle, a even die. No society can survive member of the Presidency of the after its family life has deteriorated, First Quorum of the Seventy, will and this deterioration has always now address us. started with one word — one single, He will be followed by Elder simple word. Yoshihiko Kikuchi, a member of the My prayer is that as children of First Quorum of the Seventy. our Heavenly Father we can glorify

Elder A. Theodore Turtle

Members in distant lands the members of the Church who live We have an International Mis- outside the boundaries of regularly sion in the Church, over which Elder established stakes and missions. This Carlos Asay presides. It cares for all includes the families who live in far- 38 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Saturday, October 6 First Day

distant countries away from the cen- organized Church might even be a ters of the Church. These families blessing, because family members generally are on assignment with the draw closer together and because government or with the military, or they cannot delegate to the Church work for international corporations. things that a father and mother Typical of these is a family should do wherever they live in the down in the Indian Ocean on the world. island of Reunion. There is a family

of eight living in Benghazi, Libya. Home is center of learning Another family of five lives in Karachi, Pakistan. For these and The Lord organized the family many other families there is no orga- unit in the beginning. He intended nized unit of the Church. They have that the home be the center of to teach their own children. learning — that the father and mother Many of these families regularly be teachers. He has given counsel conduct "church" services. Actually that applies whether the family lives they are "home" services for their within or without the boundaries of family. The mother may gather her an organized unit of the Church. I small children about her and hold cite but a few of the scores of verses: Primary. In this case she serves as "And they shall also teach their the president of the Primary, the children to pray, and to walk up- counselor, the teacher — and always rightly before the Lord " (D&C the janitor. If the family has priest- 68:28). hood-age sons, all the regular priest- "The glory of God is intelli- hood offices somehow merge into gence, or, in other words, light and one — the father — as he teaches them truth. ... I have commanded you to their duties and ministers to his bring up your children in light and family. truth" (D&C 93:36, 40). Actually, where the Church is "But ye will teach them to walk fully organized, priesthood and auxil- in the ways of truth and soberness; iary leaders are striving to have all ye will teach them to love one anoth- parents teach their children anyway. er, and to serve one another" Often these distant families re- (Mosiah4:15). ceive only a few basic materials from "Train up a child in the way he the Church. We now have available should go: and when he is old, he an excellent basic lesson manual for will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6). the men and boys and one for the mothers and daughters, a manual for Responsibilities of parenthood small children, and a very fine basic manual, Gospel Principles. Generally The Lord fixed families to give these families receive the Church pe- parents more influence on children riodicals and have access to the fam- than all other agencies combined. ily home evening manual, and, most There is safety in this arrangement. It important, the standard works of the provides parents the privilege, the Church. Activities are planned and awesome privilege, of molding the centered around their families. In life and character of a child, even spite of limited materials, if the par- though outside agencies have ents teach their children the gospel, influence. these homes may be as blessed as Parenthood imposes a singular any in the Church. responsibility. Not only must parents The things that are essential to put good things into the minds of these homes are essential in every children, we must keep bad things home. In fact, living away from the out. That is why we have been ELDER A. THEODORE TUTTLE 39

cautioned against the unrestricted in- loving and believing in him and vasion of our homes by the media. having him belong. Provide security While some agencies that have in- that children need. These are the val- fluence on our children are good, ues of which life is made. Establish some are not. Parental vigilance these, and then we won't need to should be constant. Safeguard your worry about the frills that too often children against those who seek to concern us. destroy them. As prophetic events unfold, one thing is certain: we will need to be Parents have divine charge to teach more self-reliant. We will all need to teach more within the walls of our How would you pass the test, own homes. In the Book of Mormon parents, if your family was isolated we find some models: from the Church and you had to "I, Nephi, having been born of supply all religious training? Have goodly parents, therefore I was you become so dependent on others taught somewhat in all the learning that you do little or nothing at home? of my father" (1 Ne. 1:1). No doubt Tell me, how much of the gospel Nephi was taught the things of the would your children know, if all they Spirit — his writings reveal that. He knew is what they had been taught at probably was taught practical matters home? Ponder that. I repeat, how as well, for he was a very much of the gospel would your chil- resourceful man. Today that son is dren know if all they knew is what fortunate whose father teaches him they had been taught at home? somewhat in all his learning. Remember, the Church exists to help Enos, son of Jacob, was another the home. Parents, the divine charge who esteemed his father: to teach has never been changed. Do "I, Enos, knowing my father not abdicate your duty. that he was a just man — for he taught

We have been counseled to me . . . in the nurture and become self-reliant and independent admonition of the Lord — and blessed temporally. It is as important spiri- be the name of my God for it. . . . tually! Suppose conditions changed. "Behold, I went to hunt beasts

Suppose you could not receive all the in the forests; and the words which I services to which you have become had often heard my father speak con- accustomed. Suppose that much more cerning eternal life, and the joy of responsibility were placed on your the saints, sunk deep into my heart. shoulders to care for the spiritual "And my soul hungered; and I welfare of your family. Surely you kneeled down before my Maker, and cannot study the scriptures without I cried unto him in mighty prayer knowing that perilous times are com- and supplication for mine own soul" ing. Will you be unaffected? (Enos 1:1, 3-4). His life of service pivoted on Strengthen families this great spiritual experience. This experience occurred because of the Prepare now! Take steps now to words of his father. These are great strengthen your family. Spend time models. They are good examples of together. Establish and maintain fam- the power of parental teaching. One ily traditions that build happy memo- thing is essential. Parents and chil- ries. Maintain a discipline with fair dren must spend time together. rules and regulations. Express uncon- Some few of us may receive ditional love to one another through public acclaim for our deeds. Most word and act. Develop within each of us will live out our lives in com- one self-esteem and self-respect by parative anonymity. This need not 40 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Saturday, October 6 Firs! Day

matter. Serve your fellowman. Love President N. Eldon Tanner and teach your children. Then one day we will merit a tribute from Elder A. Theodore Tuttle, a them, which in the eternal plan, will member of the Presidency of the mean more than fame or wealth: First Quorum of the Seventy, has ad- dressed us. "I . . . [was] born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught." In the name Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi, a of Jesus Christ, amen. member of the First Quorum of the Seventy will now speak to us.

Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi

Tabernacle Choir visit that he and his associates were left deeply touched. As our beloved I seeking for the guidance am of prophet, President Spencer W. the Holy Spirit today. President Kimball, has told us before, "As we Kimball, President Tanner, President incline our hearts to our Heavenly Romney, President Benson, all of the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, we Brethren of the Twelve, all the other hear a symphony of sweet music General Authorities, and brothers and sung by heavenly voices proclaiming sisters, on behalf of the Saints in the gospel of peace" (Ensign, May Japan and Korea, I would like to 1974, p. 46). extend our warm and sincere Brothers and sisters, today I appreciation for the angelic voices of would also like to express my the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. appreciation to the many missionaries During their recent trip to Japan and who have come to our land and to Korea, they were magnificently ac- the Land of Morning Calm. When I cepted by both members and non- see their wonderful works, my heart members. Their wholehearted turns to their parents who sent them appreciation can be seen in the and to those who are giving great excellent comments of the reviews in sacrifices now that their sons and some of our most important news- daughters may go on missions. I met papers. I would like to share these a mother who was driving a taxi in comments. this city as a part-time job so she One reviewer wrote: "You could send her son on his mission. could find beauty and the profound She spoke very proudly of her son, sound of completeness or perfection" who was on his mission serving his (Yomiuri Tokyo, 8 Sept. 1979). An- Father in Heaven. other wrote: ' 'They gave us a taste of the glorious quality and power of Missionary experience music" (Kobe News, 10 Sept. 1979). And still another wrote: "The choir May I share with you a beautiful found its way to the depths of our missionary experience I encountered hearts, leaving us with the most inde- recently? I saw a miracle performed scribable sense of beauty and by one of your missionary sons who feeling." (Kyoto News, 11 Sept. so dearly loved an investigator. I met 1979). The president of Chukyo this gentleman at a special fireside. Television, a major sponsor for the He said, "I appreciate very much the trip and of course he is a nonmem- young Mormon missionary who ber, said that the eyes of the choir taught me the most important thing members were so beautiful and pure in life and gave me happiness. Some-