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LDS conference interrupted with news of war; Hinckley urges holding evil accountable By
Steven Barfuss
Thousands of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints learned their nation was retaliating, when Church President Gordon B. Hinckley was handed a note that said George W. Bush had ordered missile attacks on Afghanistan. Hinckley announced the attack during his address to assembled church members Sunday. "Those of us who are American citizens stand solidly with the president of our nation. The terrible forces of evil must be confronted and held accountable for their actions," Hinckley said. Throughout the semi-annual conference of the LDS church, a theme of tolerance and love was expressed by those who addressed the massive congregations. "We value our Muslim neighbors across the world and hope that those who live by the tenets of their faith will not suffer. I ask particularly that our own people do not become a party in any way to the persecution of the innocent," Hinckley said. Mormons are a people of peace and followers of Christ, but there are times when they must stand up for freedom, civilization, their children and the cause of liberty, said Hinckley. Close to tears, Hinckley called on all members to pray on behalf of those who will carry the burdens of this campaign. "Let us reach out to help men and women of good will whatever their religious persuasion and wherever they live," Hinckley said. M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, said, "Occasionally I hear of members offending those of other faiths by overlooking them and leaving them out." He urged church members to teach their children to include others and to not exclude people because they are not of the same faith, culture, or political view, Ballard said. Adults should do the same. "For the most part, our neighbors not of our faith are good, honorable people -- every bit as good and honorable as we strive to be. They care about their families, just like we do. They want to make the world a better place, just as we do. They are kind and loving and generous and faithful just as we seek to be," Ballard said. The assembled crowd was asked to be more neighborly, to not be demeaning or belittling to others, and to coexist peacefully with one another. "Each of us is an individual. Each of us is different. There must be respect for those differences,² Ballard said quoting Hinckleyıs book, The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley. Picture of cadets: left to right; Jason Depew cadet 3rd class, Chris Culver cadet 3rd class, Beau Blanc cadet 3rd class, Sam Nelson cadet 2nd class, Aaron Stark cadet 2nd class.
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