In [Elder Oaks'] quest to be a special witness of Christ, he particularly enjoyed the guidance of Elder [Bruce R.] McConkie, who had become known for expounding doctrine during nearly four decades as a General Authority, but was battling colon cancer. Elder Oaks had him review a talk he planned to give at the Temple Dedication in Dallas, Texas. Elder McConkie returned it with only minor corrections.

"Then," Elder Oaks wrote, "He enthusiastically and fervently clapped me on the shoulders with his huge hands, grinned his big grin, and said: 'But the best thing about this talk is that it shows the direction you are taking. It is a genuinely doctrinal talk. It is apostolic.' I was so pleased at this comment about my talk," Elder Oaks rejoiced, "as I do wish to understand and expound doctrine, and there is no living apostle whom I respect more in that sphere than Bruce R. McConkie. I told him I wanted to be one who preaches doctrine. If the Lord wanted me to function as a lawyer, I told him, he would have called me to be general counsel. Since he called me to be an apostle, I am determined to try to be an apostle."

Later, as Elder McConkie lay dying, Elder [Boyd K.] Packer reflected on what his loss would mean and expressed the importance of having scriptorians among the junior members of the Twelve. "I am so unqualified to carry the banner for such expectations," Elder Oaks told his journal, "yet I feel willing to try, and I feel a certain inevitability about this." …

Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." With the diligence and determination that characterized his entire adult life, Elder Dallin H. Oaks grasped the plow firmly in both hands, and did not look back.

Pornographic or erotic stories and pictures are worse than filthy or polluted food. The body has defenses to rid itself of unwholesome food. With a few fatal exceptions, bad food will only make you sick but do no permanent harm. In contrast, a person who feasts upon filthy stories or pornographic or erotic pictures and literature records them in this marvelous retrieval system we call a brain. The brain won't vomit back filth. Once recorded, it will always remain subject to recall, flashing its perverted images across your mind and drawing you away from the wholesome things in life. …

But the good news is that no one needs to follow the evil, downward descent to torment. Everyone caught on that terrible escalator has the key to reverse his course. He can escape. Through repentance he can be clean. …

First, acknowledge the evil. Don't defend it or try to justify yourself. …

Second, seek the help of the Lord and His servants. …

Third, do all that you can to avoid pornography. …

Finally, do not patronize pornography. Do not use your purchasing power to support moral degradation.

I will conclude by describing another subtle form of deception—the idea that it is enough to hear and believe without acting on that belief. Many prophets have taught against that deception. The Apostle James wrote, "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22). King Benjamin taught, "And now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them" (Mosiah 4:10). And in modern revelation the Lord declares, "If you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you" (D&C 78:7).

It is not enough to know that God lives, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that the gospel is true. We must take the high road by acting upon that knowledge. It is not enough to know that President Gordon B. Hinckley is God's prophet. We must put his teachings to work in our lives. It is not enough to have a calling. We must fulfill our responsibilities. The things taught in this conference are not just to fill our minds. They are to motivate and guide our actions.