This was not just 'another' Saturday evening session of Stake Conference. Words were spoken and hearts touched by the message and spirit of our visiting General Authority of the First Quorum of the 70, Elder Bruce D. Porter last evening.

He began to tell us that 2000 years ago in China, if a person desired to wish you bad luck, he would say, "May you live in interesting times!" Such are our tines. He quoted D&C 88:91 and reminded us that we live in times "when all things will be in commotion." He reminded us that President Hinckley warned us after the eventful "9/11" catastrophe in New York City, to prepare. I was gently reminded that at that time President Hinckley alluded to Joseph of Old's interpretation of the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine dream the King of Egypt was plagued with. IRONY: IT HAS BEEN EXACTLY 7 YEARS SINCE PRESIDENT HINCKLEY SPOKE THESE WORDS!! He told us not to fear for our grandchildren--we will find ways to support ourselves, to continue our education, etc. "We won't always live in the most prosperous of times...Trust in Heavenly Father, pray, follow His council and all will be taken care of!"

He then cited an abbreviated version of the "Parable of the Ten Virgins," reminding us that this is a parable of the last days. All the women were virgins, active and worthy members of the church. Referring to D&C 45:57, "For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide and have not been deceived--verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day," he taught us this parable is about living worthily to have the Holy Ghost as our guide and to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary. The "oil in our lamps" is the reception of the Holy Ghost.

Then, he taught us two powerful principles to take the Holy Ghost as our guide.
1. We must overcome the worldly things. DON'T COVET (Tenth Commandment). Covetousness is the desire for world things we don't need. Our economy is based on it-spend, spend, spend and perpetual borrowing is the basis of our economy. Our economy will fail, but we need to work hard to save it. "Get over thinking we need to have so much." His simple financial formula was three words: S B T (Stop Buying Things!). STOP GOING TO THE STORE!!

The Prophet Joseph Smith said that "the reason the children of Israel apostatized was because they didn't keep the last commandment (10th)." Don't covet! This is the 'bridge' commandment to higher law (heart) and lower law (outward). We cannot serve God and mammon (money)! We won't have Holy Ghost in our hearts if we worship money. OVERCOMING COVETOUSNESS IS VITAL IF WE ARE TO SURVIVE!!

AFFLUENCE + COVETOUSNESS= DISASTER!! As a point of humility, citing an example of an African woman and member of the Church who ate only one meal a day because of lack of food, she ask Elder Porter for clarification if she should then be fasting every three days, Monday, Thursday, Sunday?? He said that 1 billion people in the world are starving (Bolivia also) because the cost of grain has increased. He warned us again, "don't borrow; work hard, save and prepare to give to others!!" He reminded us of King Benjamin's warning to pray that our hearts might be softened and pure.

2. We are too encumbered with too many things--"It doesn't give us time to seek God!" He cited a story of a busy Bishop whose ward members didn't feel comfortable to come to see him because of their perception that he was too busy. "Business has become to be prestigious"in our day. Christ wasn't rushed once--he was never over-scheduled. He reminded us that President Monson doesn't do things that don't matter, so that he has time to do important things. He still visits the widows and shut-ins 2-3 evenings a week.

He cited the "Parable of the Fig Tree" whose branches gave plenty of leaves but no fruit. The Savior cursed the fig and tree and it withered (Galatians-Paul). He interpreted the 'fruits of the Spirit" as gentleness, long-suffering, kindness, etc. that He would have us bring forth.
"We must overcome distractions and covetousness so we can heed the voice of the Holy Ghost."

How do we overcome business and distractions? PRAYER. All too often our prayers are insincere and redundant, full of vain repetitions. "Often we don't pray in sincerity, earnestness, holiness and peace; prayer is not another checklist or a 'to do' list.'" One memorable example of a man who prayed earnestly was Heber C. Kimball, First Counselor to Brigham Young. B. Y called him his 'prophet.' Whenever Pres. Young couldn't find a answer, he would go to Heber and ask him to pray to God for answers. Heber even built a 'prayer room' in the attic of his home' in Salt Lake.

WE MUST ALLOW QUIET TIME FOR STUDY OF SCRIPTURES AND PRAYER! IF WE DO THIS, WE WILL COME TO KNOW GOD AND HAVE 'OIL IN OUR LAMPS!'