Bright lights from news media photographers brought a different look to a recent youth conference held in this community near Savannah, Ga.
Local media were interested in the conference primarily because its keynote speaker was Dr. James O. Mason, director of the national Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. Dr. Mason, regional representative in the Tallahassee Florida Region, has been interviewed many times in recent years about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).In addressing the youth conference, which was under the direction of Charleston South Carolina Regional Representative Jack J. Joyner, Dr. mason emphasized the seriousness of violating God's laws. He related two examples to illustrate that "just once" can really matter:
*He spoke of a young father, who a few years ago had a "shared-meedle experience with drugs." The young man was just a teenager when he experimented with drugs. He has tested positive for having the AIDS virus, and the virus has been transmitted to his wife.
*He told of a young wife who has discovered she is infertile because of a venereal disease she contracted form "just one moral mistake."
Dr. Mason told of having attended a congressional hearing on infertility, in which it was reported that one in six (3 million) U.S. couples are unable to have a baby, primarily because of infectious diseases.
Dr. Mason listed several reasons to stay morally clean:
1. Immorality often leads to disease: "There are 23 identified sexually transmitted diseases. Disease alone will give us good reason to be morally clean. There are about 10 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases annually - two-thirds among adolescents and young adults."
2. Immorality often leads to pregnancy: "More than 600,000 teenagers become pregnant annually in the United States because young people violate the simple law of chastity. Statistically, there would be more if it had not been for abortion - another broken law."
3. Immorality is expensive: "The ideal family would have two parents. Pregnancy out of wedlock has enormous costs."
He said Adam and Eve were schooled in the law of chastity. "Also it was so well recorded by the finger of the Lord to Moses: 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.' (Ex. 20:14.) Some say only a person who is married can commit adultery, but the Lord has made it known through His prophets 'thou shalt not . . . commit adultery . . . nor do anything like unto it.' (D&C 59:6.) Petting and fornication are like unto it (adultery)."
Dr. Mason continued, "There are preventive vaccines for polio and whooping cough. No one should suffer from these diseases." The best prevention for AIDS and venereal diseases, he emphasized, is abstinence form drugs and premarital sex.
"Abstain from sexual activity. Say 'No' until you are married. Keep the commandments and most diseases would not be in the world today."
He said the incubation period for measles in 7-10 days. For AIDS, the average incubation is somewhat greater than seven years.
"Our attitude toward those with AIDS should be one of helping them," said Dr. mason. "Be compassionate."
After Dr. Mason's address, reporters interviewed several young people, asking for their views on moral issues. One young woman said, "This gives us the understanding and knowledge that we need to . . . go on with our lives so that we can seek eternal life."
The conference included other events, including workshops and activities.