Bro. Hudson (Young man about to serve a mission)...Bro. Hudson shared how he prayed for the desire to serve a mission. The desire didn’t come. He then began praying and reading the scriptures...and then attending the temple...and while serving in the temple, the desire came.
Prepare to receive your patriarchal blessing. Prepare to receive it or ponder the one you’ve received. Reflect upon it in your sacrament meeting and what it says about you to better understand who you are. When was the last time you studied it and pondered it? What can I do to further fulfill my blessing?
President Livingston - Stake President
Member of the Q. 70 Elder Keach who passed away a few months ago at age 58. Keach shared this experience with Pres. Livingston...
During a Q&A w/Elder Bednar at a missionary conference...An elder asked...sometimes I don’t feel like being a missionary...I don’t want to pray,..I’m tempted to do things I shouldn’t do etc...Bednar acknowledged the question and his courage for asking it in front of so many people and then turned to Elder Keach...What do you think? He said a few things. Then Bednar said he wanted to add to that...The Seed of Abraham...Bednar taught this young missionary what it meant to be a son of Moses and Aaron...about his divine heritage and identity....what his spiritual lineage was...a youth of a noble birthright....What does this have to do with controlling thoughts and getting up in the morning??? It has everything to do with it.
KNOW who you truly are. A son of God...eternal purpose...know in your soul who you are intended to become. This has everything to do with understanding your true identify. The BOM will also help you understand who you truly are.
Pres. Livingston shared about the moment the BOM saved his life. Failing BOM class his teacher challenged him to read it and write a paper. Upon opening it to read...he was overcome by a powerful feeling and emotions flooded him. It saved him that day. He began to realize who he was.
Go to the temple. Take your questions there. Ponder them. ASK. Who am I to become. HE will tell you. HF loves to do his own teaching in his house. Set aside time to go to the temple with your questions about you/yourself...who you are.
HF is our father in Heaven. He loves his children and blesses those who bears his priesthood. He wants you to become something. You are to become remarkable. Pray for that experience. This is his church and it’s led by his prophet. We are his noble sons.
- Patriarchal Blessing
- Study the Book of Mormon
- Go To the Temple
All these will help you realize who you are and who you are to become...sons of God with a noble birthright.
Elder Monk - Quorum Of the 70
This is the only stake he has ever known that has over 900 youth! Remarks directed towards the youth.
Priesthood Progression...Aaronic priesthood...Melchizedek...mission...temple
Growing up his Dad was a wheat farmer...his dad would drive out and dig in the dirt with his toe to assess moisture in the dirt. Elder Monk hated this...His Dad told him, ”Your problem is that you work for me..Some day you will find your passions and you will understand why it is that I dig in the dirt.” Richness of life comes in what you give...not what you get.
Whatsoever a man soweth...that shall he reap. You get out what you put in. This especially applies to your church experience. Give and it will be given unto you.
Grandfather clock story. As newly weds Elder Monk and his wife went to hear a sales pitch on condos so they could get a free grandfather clock. They had no furniture and thought a grandfather clock would be a great addition....They listened to the sales pitch and said no to the condo but asked for the clock. Turned out the clock was a cheap tiny put it together yourself clock. They were had! They had wasted their entire day to get something that was worthless and cheap. They laughed all the way home realizing they’d been duped into spending their time and energy on something of no value and had done so out of their own choice. Are we choosing to be in the right place and spend time on the right things? Are we chasing the free grandfather clocks in our lives?
We are needed in many places...It’s hard to minister if we’re not there. Hirelings vs. Good Shepherds....Hirelings...Flee when the wolf comes..The good shepherd giveth his life for the flock. We need to transition from being the hireling to the good shepherd.
As priesthood holders we bear the burden of the church upon us. We become shepherds. What do we give to the situation rather than take? Anticipate what needs to be done. Who needs my help?
What can I do? You have much power to influence. After home teaching a non active for four years and asking for those four years at the end “who’s turn is it to pray?” The inactive said...I guess I ought to learn how to do that.
What can I give...you have so much to offer.
Don’t become a victim. A victim blames other people for their problems. They create a habit that begins to define their lives. Do NOT become a victim. Take full responsibility.
Every good marriage is a 100/0 not 50/50. When both give all they have to give then it’s a great marriage.
Develop your passions and learn to give.
****ELDERS AND HIGH PRIESTS, if you have additional insights or notes to add please do so. Add your comments below and shares your insights, testimonies, experiences that you had at this wonderful priesthood meeting.
