(Priesthood Leadership Stake Conf. 6/08)
Brethren it’s a pleasure to be among holders of the priesthood of God. Who hold the authority to act in God’s name?
All of us have an opportunity to lead – direct and Sheppard our families and those with whom we have been given responsibility over.
Indeed every one of us should have a great desire to fulfill our stewardship is a way pleasing to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All of us should understanding what’s necessary to be an effective leader in the Church – as with most questions in the gospel we find the best examples in the scriptures. In the Book of Mormon, in Jacob chapter one is a great example of priesthood leadership. This was right after Nephi, their prophet, seer and revelator – passed the mantle of authority to his brothers Jacob and Joseph before his passing.
Brethren, please turn to Jacob chapter one – within this chapter it discusses the steps of being an effective leader. The order or secession I will use is slightly different than is stated in this wonderful chapter.
Brethren there are 7 steps mentioned to be an effective leader-
Step #1) vs. 18: For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi.
Brethren, as leaders in the priesthood we are called and consecrated – by those in authority, Jacob received his calling from a Prophet, whom also happened to be his brother and friend. Each one of you has been called of God, by those in authority. These calling should not be sought or used to receive glory or honor of men. After they have been extended, priesthood hands are laid upon our heads where power, authority and sometimes keys are given. This power is designed to serve and strengthen those who we have responsibility over, to act in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Step #2) vs. 17: Wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the Lord.
We must obtain our errand from the Lord. We need to know Gods message and our responsibilities. What is it that the Lord wants us to teach or do for those with whom we have been called? Never should our agendas be self serving or for personal gain. These messages are presented in the proper manuals or assigned handbooks and by those that preside over us and can come individually by the spirit of the Lord. These messages and words of counsel should always be given in the name of Christ – which is the right of all those that testify of Him and are fulfilling His errand. As the words of God are given by the power of the Holy Ghost, those that receive and those that listen hear by the same method – which will enlighten their souls and change their hearts.
It is our responsibility to do all in our power to learn that errand. By reading the manuals, studying the scriptures, and seeking the inspiration of the spirit of God and the Holy Ghost.
Step #3) vs. 5: For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should happen unto them.
With faith, we should be concerned for the well being of those with whom we serve; Jacob used the words great anxiety. Do we know what problems our people are struggling to overcome or if there are difficulties of employment, poor health or a wayward child. Brethren this knowledge then paves the way to minister as the Savior would do. Do we spend more time administering than ministering, failing to take care of those with whom we are called? Are we seeking revelation about their needs and to know what areas we need to prepare them for? As happened to Jacob, it can be made manifest unto us concerning those with whom we serve.
As a young Elders Quorum President – I believe my greatest tool was my mountain bike. On many occasion I told my wife that I was going for a ride – as I would ride the streets of our ward I would take every opportunity to see how the members of my quorum where doing. Looking for any opportunities to talk or meet with each member, active or not. I still remember a PEC meeting where our Bishop asked me: “How do you know all these things?”
Step #4) vs. 6: And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which should come.
Brethren one of the promises or blessing of the Aaronic Priesthood is the key of the ministering of angels. Added with the power and authority of the greater or Melchizedek Priesthood the power of godliness is manifest". It holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
Indeed when magnified we will be able to have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; we will have the influence of the Holy Ghost, because of His witness we may receive a testimony of the Savior, and what should come. Or as the scriptures states by the power of the Holy Ghost we will know the truth of all things.
King Benjamin asked an important question – Mosiah 5: 13
For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?
Brethren, we must have a vibrant and active testimony and knowledge that God lives and Jesus is the Christ, and of the reality and use of the Atonement.
Step #5) vs. 7: Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not enter in,
We need to do something! We should work or labor, with all our hearts, might, mind and strength to persuade all to partake of the goodness of God. In the Liberty Jail the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith that “we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness.” A few verses later he stated, “Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” Can we honestly say we have done all in our power for those whom we serve – are we wearing out our lives in the service of our God and those whom live in our wards.
I love the phrase to “cheerfully do all things that lie in our power.” Then we can be assured that he will lengthen our efforts and his “arm will be revealed.” Is our service one of cheer and excitement – or of gloom and driven only by obligation or guilt.
Step #6 vs. 8: Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men
not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon me to fulfill the commandment of my brother Nephi.
We know from the scriptures how great our joy will be if we can bring one soul to God – what a wonderful world it would be if we could persuade all men.
The verse shows great love, not only for those with whom we serve, but all men. The apostle Paul understood that no matter how great or eloquently we go through the motions if we have not love or charity we are nothing more than the sounding of brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Without charity, we are nothing, for charity never faileth. But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
As also mentioned, we need to testify of the great atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to make His sacrifice and loving redemption affective in our lives and the lives of those with whom we serve. Indeed we must have a great desire to fulfill this duty or responsibilities.
7th or final Step) vs. 19: And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.
We must take responsibility of our duties. We all live busy and diverse lives, much of which is filled with honorable and worthwhile endeavors. But if these things result in our neglect of that which is most important – to Come unto Christ and bring our families and those whom we serve to Him, we have been told that in the end it will matter very little what we have done. Now is the time to prepare to meet God, to take responsibility for our duties and fulfill the trust the Savior has given each of us. Brethren this responsibility is to waste and wear out our lives in bringing to past the immortality and eternal life of those with whom we serve. If not, then as Jacob mentioned we will stand accountable for our lack of dedication and even the possibility of answering for the sins of those we have not taught the word of God.
President Spencer W. Kimball -
Don’t let us be satisfied with just visits, with making friends. Friendship, of course, is important, but how better can you make a friend than to teach somebody everlasting principles of life and salvation?
Once again we must –
- Be called of God – by those in authority.
- Know and learn our duties.
- Know our peoples needs.
- Must have revelation or inspiration.
- Work hard, waste and wear out our lives.
- Love those whom we serve.
- Take responsibility for our actions.
At our last priesthood leadership meeting, I closed with the word Alma gave to holders of the priesthood in the City of Gideon.
And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.
This should be our goal. This is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of the priesthood. The priesthood is designed to serve others – but I testify the results of that serve cleanse our souls, strengthen our testimonies. Indeed - he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
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