80 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 2, 1995 Morning Session President James E. Faust Humbled and grateful to serve ing heart has blessed the people of this church tremendously over the many brothers sisters My beloved and and years of his ministry. friends, in responding at this pulpit as the First Presi- the newest member of The Church's rich cultural diversity dency of this church, I recall the words of Solomon, who said, "I am but a little Today I would like to speak to the child: I know not how to go out or come members of the Church worldwide. in." ' Like Solomon, I pray that God will I hope we can all overcome any differ- give me an understanding heart. We ences of culture, race, and language. miss our beloved friend and associate. Since the early days of the Church, the President Howard W. Hunter, beyond General Authorities and missionaries expression. We honor and praise his have traveled over much of the earth to name. His memory will be blessed to us proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, as forever. restored through the Prophet Joseph President Hinckley has honored me Smith, and to establish the Church with beyond my ability to express in asking keys and authority in many lands. An me to serve as his second counselor. I impressive and enjoyable part of our don't think that even my mother ever ministry has been to worship with the dreamed that her son would sit in these wonderful people of many cultures and chairs. As I explained last night in gen- ethnic groups. It has been soul satisfying eral priesthood meeting, my long associ- to feel of their spiritual strength and ation with President Gordon B. Hinckley their love and to love them in return. has blessed me over most of my adult life. Now the curtains are opening up to As you know, he is a man of remarkable more and more of the nonindustrialized gifts and talents. All these long years nations. In some of these countries a he has been teaching, guiding, and bless- large percentage of the population is ing all of us. Over the years we have seen poor. Many of them have much less him grow in strength as the Lord has opportunity than others to acquire the time and time again called and magni- comforts of life and even some of the ne- fied him. He has had increasingly burden- cessities. We have seen men and women some responsibilities in many callings, working to exhaustion from sunrise to including as a counselor to three Presi- sundown for a pittance. Yet their ready dents of the Church. He has magnified smiles and cheerful countenances in- each calling he has received with great dicated that they had found some hap- inspiration, intelligence, and energy in a piness with their lot in life. remarkable way. His ministry has blessed Some might say, "Where is the jus- the work of God throughout the world. tice in the fact that some of God's chil- I also feel privileged to have worked dren have so much of health and this so closely with President Thomas S. world's goods and others so very little?" Monson ever since he was the newest So many of those who have in abun- Apostle. President Monson has been dance seem unappreciative of what they blessed with a great mind and capacity. have. But we have also seen the generos- He has always been an outstanding ity of members of this church who have leader as a boy and a man. Great re- great concern for those worldwide who sponsibilities came upon him very early lack the necessities of life. They gener- in life to school him. He is a man of ously contribute to help the poor in many great, simple faith. His outgoing and car- countries, even though we have no mem- ^ PRESIDENTJAMES E. FAUST 81 bers there. Humanitarian help has been feeling is universal, and all men ought given in 114 countries since 1985. to be, in deepest truth, engaged in the I have learned to admire, respect, and same great work—the search for and love the good people from every race, the development of spiritual peace and culture, and nation that I have been priv- freedom."^ ileged to visit. In my experience, no race or class seems superior to any other in Satisfy basic needs through obedience spirituality and faithfulness. Those who the humble servants of the seem less caring spiritually are those in- As God— General Authorities, the missionaries, dividuals—regardless of race, culture, or and others travel throughout the world, nationality—spoken of by the Savior in — the parable of the sower who are "choked we are compelled to ask: What can we with cares and riches and pleasures of do for the peoples of the earth? What can give that one else can? What this life, and bring no fruit to perfec- we no tion."3 can justify the great expenditure of ef- fort, time, and means to "go . into all the world,"'' as the Savior Look to the divinity within commanded. We cannot change the economy of coun- One of this nation's leading poll- tries. We do not seek to change govern- sters, Richard Wirthlin, has identified ments. The answer is simple. We can through polls an expression of the basic offer the hope promised by the Savior: needs of people in the United States. "Peace in this world, and eternal life in These needs are self-esteem, peace of the world to come."' mind, and personal contentment. I be- Lives are changed as the servants lieve these are needs of God's children of God teach God's children everywhere everywhere. How can these needs be to accept and keep the commandments satisfied? I suggest that behind each of of God. Anyone, regardless of culture these is the requirement to establish or economic circumstance, can go to the one's own personal identity as the off- depths of his spiritual wells and drink spring of God. All three needs, regard- of that water. He who partakes of this less of ethnic background, culture, or water, as the Savior said, "shall never country, can be met if we look to the thirst; but [it] shall be in him a well of divinity that is within us. As the Savior water springing up into everlasting life."* himself has said, "And the Spirit giveth The basic needs of mankind identified light to every man [and woman] that by Dr. Wirthlin—self-esteem, peace of cometh into the world; and the Spirit mind, and personal contentment—can enlighteneth every man [and woman] be fully satisfied by faithful obedience through the world, that hearkeneth to to the commandments of God. This is the voice of the Spirit."" true of any person in any country or cul- President David O. McKay said: ture. "Generally there is in man a divin- ity which strives to push him onward Seek a unity of the faith and upward. We believe that this power Though many lack the necessities of within him is the spirit that comes from life, I take comfort in the of Ne- God. Man lived before he came to this words phi: "But they were . one, the children earth, and he is here now to strive to per- of Christ, heirs to the of fect the spirit within. At sometime in his and kingdom God."" life, every man is conscious of a desire to come in touch with the Infinite. His As we move into more and more in the world, find a rich cul- spirit reaches out for God. This sense of countries we 82 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, April 2, 1995 Morning Session tural diversity in the Church. Yet every- The sacramental prayers are the same where there can be a "unity of the faith."'" everywhere. We sing the same hymns in Each group brings special gifts and tal- praise to God in every country. ents to the table of the Lord. We can all The high moral standards of this learn much of value from each other. church apply to all members in every But each of us should also voluntarily country. Honesty and integrity are taught seek to enjoy all of the unifying and sav- and expected everywhere. Chastity be- ing covenants, ordinances, and doctrines fore marriage and absolute fidelity to of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. wife or husband after marriage are re- In the great diversity of peoples, cul- quired of members of the Church every- tures, and circumstances, we remember where. Members who violate these high that all are equal before the Lord, for as standards of moral conduct place their Paul taught: Church membership in question any- "Ye are all the children of God by where in the world. faith in Christ Jesus. The requirements for temple atten- "For as many of you as have been dance do not change from place to place. baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Where a temple is available, priesthood "There is neither Jew nor Greek, authority gives no greater or lesser bless- there is neither bond nor free, there is ings in one place than another. Temple neither male nor female: for ye are all worship is a perfect example of our unity one in Christ Jesus. as Church members. All of us answer "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye the same questions of worthiness to en- Abraham's seed, and heirs according to ter the temple.