SALT LAKE CITY -- Mormon leaders called on members to practice tolerance despite political differences, providing the faith's U.S. members guidance at a church conference Saturday amid a presidential campaign marked by harsh rhetoric and bickering.
The faith's leaders also reiterated the belief that its leaders are prophets speaking for the Lord. They implored members to be more thoughtful and sensitive toward children from all backgrounds, many of whom don't come from "picture-perfect" families.
Kevin Duncan, a member of a second-tier leadership council of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said people should resist resenting others because they belong to another religion, hold opposing political views or even root for a different sports team.
"Let us all remember that God looketh not upon the color of the jersey or the political party," Duncan said. "In the competitions of life, if we win, let us win with grace. If we lose, let us lose with grace."
Mormon leaders don't endorse candidates or parties, but they sometimes weigh in on what they consider crucial moral issues.
This presidential cycle, the church has defended religious liberty after Republican front-runner Donald Trump suggested banning Muslims from entering the U.S. It also renewed calls for an end to culture wars where people stake out extreme positions.
More than 100,000 Mormons are expected to attend five conference sessions over two days, with millions more watching live broadcasts from their homes. The conference is held twice a year.
Also in the Saturday morning session, Henry Eyring said the religion is the only true church.
Eyring, a longtime member of a top church leadership council called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, urged members to listen carefully to speeches from Mormon leaders during the conference so they can feel closer to the Lord. He is the second-highest ranking leader of the Utah-based faith.
Church President Thomas Monson, 88, gave a speech during the evening session. He is considered the religion's prophet.
The Mormon church reports more than 15 million members around the world. By comparison, Catholics number 1.2 billion, according to the Vatican. The Pew Research Center says there are 1.6 billion Muslims.
Neil Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve urged members to embrace all the children of the faith -- no matter their family situation. He said the religion has hundreds of thousands of children who live with only one parent or whose parents aren't Mormon.
"While a child's earthly situation may not be ideal, a child's spiritual DNA is perfect because one's true identity is as a son or daughter of God," Anderson said.
Anderson didn't mention children of gay parents. The church came under fire last November when it announced new rules banning baptisms for children living with a gay or lesbian parent.
Those children are still welcome to attend church services. Church leaders have said the rules were intended to prevent children from being caught in a tug-of-war between teachings at home and church.
In a nod to the increasing globalization of the Mormon religion, Donald Hallstrom, of a second-tier leadership group called the Quorum of the Seventy, told a story of an inspiring worship service last year in the African country of Liberia.
Despite several thousand people dying in an Ebola outbreak and other challenges in the country, Hallstrom said he was touched by the congregation's spiritual vigor.
"In today's world, no matter where we live and no matter what our circumstances are, it is essential that our pre-eminent identity is as a child of God," Hallstrom said.
A Section on 04/03/2016