Notes from the 4 April 09 General conference Priesthood session
Boyd K. Packer: Joke: Young men look to the future because they have no past. Old men look to the past because they have no future.
Br. Packer spoke of the AARONIC PRIESTHOOD restoration. The AARONIC PRIESTHOOD includes the ministering of angels and the outward ordinances of the Gospel. He reminded us of faithful young men from the scriptures, including: Daniel, David, Samuel, and Joseph Smith.
In the early 1950’s J. Ruben Clark spoke to the Seminary teachers of the Church and admonished them to teach boldly to the youth. As a boy, PRESIDENT PACKER had polio and he still remembers dragging himself around his kitchen. He recovered fully while some children were obligated to use leg braces and crutches all their lives. He resolved to do the best he could even though he would never be an athlete.
He felt inferior and told a joke about a man who went to his doctor because he believed he had an inferiority complex. After a thorough examination, the doctor said, you do not have an inferiority complex, you truly are inferior.
DC 89 promises us blessings if we live correctly. There is no comparison to the blessings we anticipate as sons of God. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost. We should respect our bodies. There should be no unworthy touching by us or of us. Pornography can destroy us. We should not tattoo or pierce our bodies. All bodies are stronger than evil spirits.
After his baptism, PRESIDENT PACKER resolved not to make mistakes. He quickly failed in that resolve. The Sacrament allows us to renew our baptismal covenants each week.
During World War II, PRESIDENT PACKER wanted to be a bomber pilot as his brother who was flying from England. PRESIDENT PACKER almost failed the entrance exam by one point but was given a second chance and passed when he could identify the common use of Ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is used as anti-freeze and PRESIDENT PACKER had often used it while working in his father’s garage. College education is fine but we also need to learn practical skills to be able to help ourselves and others. Young men need to learn to cook, sew, and take care of themselves.
During World War II, PRESIDENT PACKER learned to live with uncertainty. Life may start with fun and games but it quickly changes to hard work and responsibilities. Learn to work to support your family.
This weekend four grandsons of PRESIDENT PACKER visited him. One to introduce his fiancée, two to announce their engagements, and one to discuss his mission call to Japan. Happiness is the goal of our existence. (At this point he brought his talk to an abrupt end.)
Bishop Richard C. Edgley spoke on disasters and how the Church quickly responds. When asked how we are able to do so much, Bishop Edgley explains we are prepared, well organized and our hearts are filled with charity. It only takes a few phone calls to get the massive relief efforts moving.
Today we are in the midst of an economic storm. Unemployment has touched each ward and stake of the Church. Stake Presidents, Bishops, and Elder Quorum Presidents need to respond. This is your phone call.
President Monson told a story of a small brother named Ed who thought he had the best calling in the Church. He was the employment counselor and was able to find work for 12 people in a year. In another story an expert auto mechanic named Phil was put out of work when his shop closed. His bishop and elders quorum president discussed how they might best help Phil. The thought he would do best if he had his own business. A brother offered an unused barn for a shop location. The barn was cleaned and Phil was set up in business. He quickly succeeded and moved to a better permanent location.
Employment specialists are critical callings at this time. Employment resource centers are available in many areas. Deseret Industries training centers provide valuable assistance.
Priesthood leaders should use the sisters to identify needs in their wards. Make sure the leaders know if you need help. Gordon B. Hinckley encouraged all to help and taught that there was enough talent and resources in each quorum to help each other.
When Brigham Young learned of the plight of the Willie and Martin hand cart companies, he directed the Church to go out and bring those people in from the plains. The next day wagons loaded with relief supplies were on their way. Now it is your turn. This is your phone call. Go help those who are struggling in the current storm.
Elder Claudio R.M. Costa of the Seventy quoted Gordon B. Hinckley from June 2003 when the Prophet said our primary responsibilities are: First, to our families, Second, to our Employers, third to the Church, and fourth to ourselves.
Elder Costa stressed the need for family prayer and Family Home Evening. Many schools schedule events on Monday nights and we need to overcome this problem because we need to have Family Home Evening. Our responsibility is to hold FHE. Each child should have a role in Family Home Evening and scripture studies.
Elder Costa told a story of a little boy who was sent upstairs to get his scriptures for Family Home Evening. At that moment there was a power outage. His parents called to him and told him to light a candle so he could come back down stairs. They further told him to be careful with the candle when he came down the stairs so he would not burn the house down. A few minutes later the little boy was seen carefully coming down the stairs, a candle in one hand and his scriptures in the other hand. When asked why he was carrying his scriptures, he replied that if he burned the house down he did not want to have to go back to save his scriptures.
Gordon B. Hinckley taught that we should be honest in our employment. We should not do Church work while on the job. Home teaching is our responsibility. Fathers should set a good example. PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON taught that we will influence others either for good or for bad.
Elder Costa told of a family in Sao Palo Brazil who had a handicapped son. They were faithful in attending church each week. They worked faithfully in the temple. PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON told us we should work without fanfare. Jesus taught, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light…”
PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF joked he had struggled to find a good story to start his talk. He considered talking about animals, farms, nuclear power in honor of Elder Scott, pigeons, etc. But finally decided to talk about aviation, something he knows about. He told of a airplane crash in 1972 in the Everglades. The plane was perfectly capable of landing safely but the crew became focused on a burnt out little green light that indicated the nose gear had locked in place. While they were focused on the problem of the light, no one was flying the plane and it crashed, killing over 100 people. A 20 cent light bulb had distracted the people from more important duties. We need to stay focused on our important duties.
We should not be texting while we are driving. LDS have the Holy Ghost to guide them to stay focused on what is important. We sometimes fail to align our actions with our understanding of what matters most. We need to do a self-evaluation because sometimes even good things become obsessions and are carried to extremes. He specifically mentioned genealogy, the Internet, and gardening. We cannot ignore our children. Even Church programs can be carried to extremes. We need balance in our lives.
We live in an era of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. Priesthood holders are trusted agents of the Lord. They must not be distracted from important things.
PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF then related the story of Nehemiah from the Old Testament who received permission to rebuild Jerusalem. Nehemiah and his followers returned to the ruins of Jerusalem and started to rebuild the city walls. Enemies tried to stop this work and tried to trick Nehemiah to come out to discuss the rebuilding with them. Each time they called to him, Nehemiah responded, “I am doing a great work, I cannot come down.” The work continued with the workers keeping their swords at their sides. In 52 days the walls were rebuilt.
What could we accomplish if we were fully dedicated to the work of the Lord? If every priesthood holder served with his full heart and refused to be distracted. We should remember Nehemiah and not be distracted from important things. We should say, “I am doing a great work, I cannot come down.”
President Eyring said we must be brave and bold in our Priesthood service. He spoke of the situation seen on battlefields when a soldier was wounded and the call was heard, “Man down”. Medics would rush to the scene to provide aid and evacuate the wounded soldier.
PRESIDENT EYRING talked about the events surrounding the event portrayed in the movie “Blackhawk Down” that happened in 1993 in Somalia. Two rangers (who he did not name) requested three times to be inserted into the firefight to aid their comrades on the ground. The two rangers finally received permission to drop into the fight and were able to save two men although they lost their own lives in the battle after their ammunition ran out.
The two rangers (GORDON, GARY I. And SHUGHART, RANDALL D.) Were awarded the Medal of Honor in which they cited for actions “above and beyond the call of duty.” PRESIDENT EYRING asked would they have considered it above their call of duty? We are now in a situation with spiritually wounded comrades and we need to move quickly, before the cry for medics.
We hear all sorts of excuses such as it is not my responsibility. The bishops are authorized to provide help but you need to find the lambs that you see are straying. Your priesthood includes a responsibility and a trust. You need to be like Jacob in the Book of Mormon who took the responsibility upon himself. All priesthood holders are obligated to help. PRESIDENT EYRING also cited Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 wherein it says that two are better than one because if one falls the other will pick him up. PRESIDENT EYRING warned that if you can help and do not, you will be sorry.
PRESIDENT EYRING admonished junior home teachers to get to know their families and pray so they will know how to help. He reminded us of the duties of a Teacher from D&C 20. You will know how and when to help if you are watching over your families. If changes are needed, the Spirit will guide you and blessing will follow. Teachers may touch the hearts and feel the Saviors gratitude. If young men are responsible for members of their quorum friends they will confide with them about dangers and steer them away. If they neglect this responsibility they will feel the pain.
PRESIDENT EYRING admonished us to pray for bravery in the Priesthood. We should be like the sons of King Mosiah. We should think of the bravery of Jesus who knowing the difficulty of his task said to the Father, “send me.” We need to make sure there is no one left behind.
PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON commented that Priesthood responsibilities are significant for both the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods. Harold B. Lee taught the Priesthood is the Lord’s troops against evil. Each Priesthood holder must be worthy and do his duty. He must accomplish the Lord’s work. With God on our side, we cannot fail.
The AARONIC PRIESTHOOD has a vital role each Sunday to prepare and administer to the Sacrament. When PRESIDENT MONSON was secretary of the Deacons’ Quorum as a boy he was called upon with no notice to account for his duties in a Ward Conference. He was very frightened by this assignment. We should go forth with the hope that is in us knowing the Lord will bear us up. We should have no fear.
PRESIDENT MONSON gave three suggestions: Study diligently, pray fervently, and live righteously. Study daily because there is no “Crash course” in learning the scriptures. PRESIDENT MONSON admonished us to become acquainted with the stories and parables in the scriptures. We should obtain and hold on to the “Rod of Iron”. He promised that if we study the scriptures we will receive power from God.
We should pray fervently. Joseph Smith’s first prayer was fervent and brought great results. From Adam to Jesus we can read of fervent prayers in the Bible. James 1:5 is about fervent prayer. Prayer is our passport to promises.
PRESIDENT MONSON told about a woman named Daisy Orgongo in New York City who spoke with the missionaries but then lost contact with them when her work schedule changed. Later she remembered what the missionaries were teaching her and she prayed fervently to find them again. She saw two missionaries as she was getting into a taxi but was unable to contact them before they disappeared.
At the same time, the missionaries in her area were looking through old tracting records and praying to find someone to teach. They found Daisy’s name and went to see her. She greeted them at the door with the words all missionaries love to hear, “Come in elders, I have been waiting for you.”
We need to live righteously. We should touch no unclean thing. We need straight talk. The priesthood humbles men. We must avoid evil. PRESIDENT MONSON told a story about a Utah marching band that was invited to perform in the Calgary Stampede parade. On the way the bus stopped in Cardston and the band was given sack lunches by the members there. One boy was not hungry so he put is lunch in the back window of the bus. The sack contained an egg salad sandwich. A few hours later the boy ate the sandwich and became ill. He was too sick to get off the bus in Calgary. Two of his friends who had recently received the Melchizedek Priesthood blessed him and he was instantly healed. The band won the first place prize. Priesthood service was given when it was needed because these boys were living righteously.
Be conscientious in how you study, pray, and live and the Lord will help you. Be as Joshua who said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
