Latter-day Saints should preserve their relationships with family and friends who distance themselves from God or the church, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Saturday morning at the beginning of the faith’s two-day, global general conference.
With millions watching and listening via broadcasts on the 189th anniversary of the organization of the church, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told 20,000 people in the Conference Center across the street from Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City that some church members may be experiencing sadness, agony and regret over loved ones who distance themselves from faith, but he encouraged members to love, embrace and pray for them.
“Sincerely rejoice with them in their successes,” he said. “Be their friends and look for the good in them. We should never give up on them but preserve our relationships. Never reject or misjudge them. Just love them!”
His statement came two days after church leaders said love and compassion were driving factors in the updated policies allowing baby blessings and baptism for children living with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents.