Interfaith conference aims to help parents strengthen family

War. A struggling economy. Crime. Drugs. Pornography. The fracturing of family life.

"With everything going on in today's world, with so many peripheral challenges to family and values, so many conflicting voices, we are constantly made aware that the home needs to be a safe and secure place," says Cecelia Benson.

But all too often parents feel they are fighting a lonely battle. "We feel that we are all alone in our homes, as wave after wave washes over us."

In reality, she says, "there are millions out there who share common values, who want to strengthen homes and families. And we need to stand together."

That's the guiding philosophy behind the upcoming Interfaith Conference on the American Family, sponsored by American Mothers of Utah, which will be at the LDS Conference Center on Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon.

With the theme "Standing Together, Standing Strong," it will be the largest family conference ever held in the state, says Benson, president-elect of AMI of Utah and a co-chairman of the conference.

Keynote speaker will be Father Val J. Peter, director of Boys & Girls Town, based in Nebraska. Other featured speakers include President Thomas S. Monson, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Barbara B. Smith, former president of the national American Mothers Inc. and former general president of the LDS Relief Society; Mervlyn K. Katashima, National Mother of the Year from Hawaii; and Carole B. Gates, national Young Mother of the Year, from Nevada.

Music will be provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the International Children's Choir, an interfaith Tongan Choir, and Alan and Suzanne Osmond and the Osmonds Second Generation. Steve Young, former professional football player and founder of the Forever Young Foundation, will be the master of ceremonies.

The conference is the result of "one miracle after another," says Benson. "We are a non-profit organization, and when we started talking about this a year ago, we literally had 12 cents in our bank account." An independent grant, generous donations and tireless volunteers have helped bring it together, she says.

"Our past conferences have had maybe 200 people. Going from that to 20,000 is a real leap. We're moms, we're not executives," Benson laughs. But it is a subject dear to their hearts. And she is particularly excited to have Father Peter attend.