Tapestry of wisdom: LDS officials offer Mormon faithful instruction and encouragement

SALT LAKE CITY — Encouragement and instruction for those struggling with challenges, disappointments and losses in their lives seemed to be Saturday's common thread in the multi-topic tapestry of LDS Church general conference messages

"We love you and pray for you," said President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday as he opened the church's 180th Annual General Conference.

"Many messages, covering a variety of gospel topics, will be given during the next two days," he continued in his opening address. "Those men and women who will speak to you have sought heaven's help concerning the messages they will give."

And many of those first-day addresses, which can be seen in their entirety online at deseretnews.com, reminded members of the relentless attacks of temptation and evil against individuals, families and home and the members' roles in strengthening and protecting their own immediate families as well as their "extended family" among Heavenly Father's spiritual children.

"We see so many challenges today from distracting and destructive influences intended to mislead God's children," said Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve, emphasizing the importance of mothers teaching their children in the home.

"We are seeing young people who lack the deep, spiritual roots necessary to remain standing in faith as storms of unbelief and despair swirl around them. Too many of our Father in Heaven's children are being overcome by worldly desires. The onslaught of wickedness against our children is at once more subtle and more brazen than it has ever been. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences."

Acknowledging he was speaking particularly to fathers, President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, explained the difference between priesthood authority and priesthood power, with the latter needed to help bless and protect homes and families.

"We need everyone — the tired or worn out or lazy, and even those who are bound down with guilt, must be restored through repentance and forgiveness," he said. "Too many of our priesthood brethren are living below their privileges and the Lord's expectations."

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, said he was following his "father-son" instructions of last conference with directives Saturday to mothers and daughters.