7th Ward –the flagship ward of the Stake. Like the ward I grew up in, Logan 5th - Temple Worker - University Kids - Few Young Families
What a blessing that time was in my life.
My scout master in his 60’s – AC Hull was the 1st Eagle Scout in the State of Idaho. The 2nd Eagle Scout was some kid named Howard W. Hunter. His scout master was some guy named Ezra Taft Benson.
Elder Uchtdorf’s mother-in-law was one of the widows living in our ward; she had a strong German accent – what a faithful and wonderful woman.
President Benson’s wife grew up in our ward and as the President of the twelve and as the prophet he and his wife would show up when possible. I remember on more than one occasion seeing the Bishop jump up and run down the aisle to greet the Prophet as he would show up unannounced.
-Original Logan wards - have a rich history and heritage.
-Making a foundation of faith and dedication that has influenced thousand to come unto Christ.
To you younger members of this ward – the counsel of President Packer is important.
“Young (people): Do not be so very foolish as to miss this association with the older (brothers and) sisters. They will bring more worth into your life than much of the activity you enjoy so much.”
In deed those that have experienced the paths of life have a clearer perspective of what is important or essential. That’s a concept that my teenagers have failed to grasp at this time of their lives.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said,
“The way to get along in any important matter is to gather unto yourselves wise men [and women], experienced and aged men [and women], to assist in council in all times of trouble.
Great example of this is in the Old Testament – Moses a prophet called of God – after he had led the children of Israel out of bondage began to counsel with those that needed it.
Exodus 18
13 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to ajudge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14 And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to aenquire of God:
17 And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is atoo heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee:
The Lord used his father-in-law to show the Prophet how to serve in his responsibilities. He show Moses the Lords way of taking care of his people. He had experience!
The Apostle Paul – counseled the aged – Titus 2: 4-7
4 That they (the aged) may teach the young awomen to be sober, to blove their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, achaste, bkeepers at chome, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, agravity, bsincerity,
What better groups to teach or set an example than those that have experienced the ups and downs of life?
Occasionally the older generation believes that their time of service is spent and they aren’t as useful in the service of God. But Paul’s counsel states otherwise, your teaching and examples are wonderful opportunities to testify, edify and instruct the rising generations.
Elder Packer gave a talk a few years ago that he entitled the Golden Years – he stated:
“Have you ever wondered why the Lord organized the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles so that the senior leadership of the Church will always be older men? This pattern of seniority values wisdom and experience over youth and physical vigor.
The average age of the Presidency and the Twelve at the present time is 77 years old. We are not very nimble. We may be past our prime. Nevertheless, the Lord ordered it to be this way.
A conference or two ago, Joseph Wirthlin said he was going to challenge the members of the Twelve to a race. I thought once, “Well, I’ll accept the challenge.” Then I thought it would be safer to race against 96-year-old Brother David Haight. I thought that over and decided that David might trip me with his cane, and I would lose the race. So I gave it up!”
Since that quote Elder Haight has passed away and a couple of younger Apostles have been called – but the concept is the same, the Lord values wisdom and experience.
With age also comes a number of challenges, these cause some of our faithful saints to be home bound or unable to serve in curtain capacities. That does not change their wisdom and experience – and even though their activity at church has changed, their activity in the gospel and the strength of their testimony has not.
Our opportunity and challenge is to seek them out and let them know that their worth and examples haven’t diminished. No matter what age we are the purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ is to bring all mankind unto Christ. There is no age requirement on receiving a manifestation from the Holy Ghost that God lives and Jesus is the Christ.
Elder Packer cont…
Bishop: Do you realize that some problems you worry about so much with the youth, and with others, could be solved if they would stay close to their fathers and mothers and to their grandparents, to the older folks?
All of the attention given to our youth, all of the programs, all we do for them, will be incomplete unless we teach them the purpose of the Restoration. The keys of the priesthood were restored and the sealing authority revealed and temples built to tie the generations together. From ancient times through all the revelations runs that eternal, golden thread, “Turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Mal. 4:6).
That scripture is used with temple and genealogy work as well. But those hearts should be turned to our fathers, mothers and grandparent for the rich heritage of the gospel and the freedoms we have in this great country.
One my greatest hero’s is my father – many of you older members would know him as the Judge! He was a judge here in Logan for more than thirty years. (life story)
Nothing was more important to his than his family – 10 kids and 60 grandchildren.
I have a strong heritage of Love and an example of service. He always had and fulfilled his responsibility in the kingdom of God. (ham on the run)
It wasn’t because I was faster than him that I was asked to go!
Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee”
To honour our parents or those that have made sacrifices in our behalf, helps us to remain humble and thankful for our blessing.
In this building there is a young married ward that is associated with the married University Stakes. It would be inappropriate, but I would love to talk in their sacrament meeting and tell them what a great opportunity their missing by not associating with their senior neighbors.
Brothers and sisters, one year ago this month my mother pasted away. She had been a widow for more than ten years. A few days before her passing, I had the opportunity to sit in her living room with her, just the two of us. We laughed and talked about Dad. We expressed our loves for each other. That exchange means so much to me. If I had known that it would be the last time I was to see her, the only thing I would have done different would have been to extend it longer.
At her passing no flags flew at half-mask, the Governor didn’t declare it a holiday. But more than 100 direct descendants sat in a chapel honoring her wisdom and testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ.
In thinking about her life, I love a quote given by Elder Eyring-
Your service may not be in what the world would recognize as a lofty calling. When the real value of service become clear in the judgment of God. Some people who worked in quiet anonymity will be the real hero’s. Many of them, perhaps most of them will be the underpaid, under recognized people, who nurtured others.”
In the end – what calling we have had in the church, what honors we have achieved in the world, how much wealth we have accumulated will make no difference? The only thing that will matter is our relationship and testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ, and our relationship with our families and those whom we have come in contact with. Are we one of those that nurtured others.
Like I said the 7th Ward – has a rich and wonderful heritage. But there are many of its members that aren’t here. Some because of inactivity, others are unable to get out. The scriptures say that pure areligion, undefiled before God and the Father is this, To bvisit the cfatherless and dwidows in their affliction, and to keep ourselves funspotted from gthe hworld.
This is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about – it’s not social events or youth conferences, these are fun, but it’s the unselfish service and dedication we give to those that are in need – to be a friend to the friendless, and example for those that need direction.
At the judgment bar of Christ which side will we be on –
Matt 25: 34-40 (-46)
Then shall the King say unto them on his aright hand, Come, ye bblessed of my Father, cinherit the dkingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an ahungred, and ye bgave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a cstranger, and ye took me in:
Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye avisited me: I was in bprison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee asick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have adone it unto one of the bleast of these my cbrethren, ye have done it unto me.
-Then shall he say also unto them on the aleft hand, bDepart from me, ye ccursed, into everlasting dfire, eprepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was an ahungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the aleast of these, ye did it not to me.
And these shall go away into aeverlasting bpunishment: but the crighteous into life eeternal.
No comments:
Post a Comment