WEBVTT 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:09.779 Welcome to Closer to Christ through General Conference, 00:00:10.039 --> 00:00:12.099 where two friends who love Jesus share our own 00:00:12.099 --> 00:00:13.880 approach to studying the most recent General 00:00:13.880 --> 00:00:16.579 Conference talks. This is Abbe and Amy. Let's 00:00:16.579 --> 00:00:27.789 jump into it. Today's talk, Divine Authority, 00:00:28.050 --> 00:00:30.210 Sublime Young Men by President Steven J. Lund, 00:00:30.410 --> 00:00:33.030 Young Men's General President. Each January, 00:00:33.090 --> 00:00:35.630 hands are laid on the heads of about 100 ,000 00:00:35.630 --> 00:00:37.789 young men to the Aaronic Priesthood. Elder Lund 00:00:37.789 --> 00:00:40.070 thought it was a significant thing, this truly 00:00:40.070 --> 00:00:42.689 is. It struck me that all around the world, time 00:00:42.689 --> 00:00:44.950 zone by time zone, sacrament meetings just like 00:00:44.950 --> 00:00:47.490 this one, tens of thousands of deacons, teachers 00:00:47.490 --> 00:00:49.369 and priests, like President Holland's friend 00:00:49.369 --> 00:00:53.429 Easton. were just being sustained to be ordained 00:00:53.429 --> 00:00:55.310 into lifelong priesthood ministries that would 00:00:55.310 --> 00:00:57.149 span the length and breadth of the gathering 00:00:57.149 --> 00:01:00.649 of Israel. He also wondered why there isn't a 00:01:00.649 --> 00:01:03.229 little more noise made of this with parades, 00:01:03.429 --> 00:01:05.549 Roman candles and being shouted from the rooftops. 00:01:06.049 --> 00:01:07.909 I appreciated his excitement for this and I thought 00:01:07.909 --> 00:01:10.650 if anybody would love to have some fireworks 00:01:10.650 --> 00:01:13.030 go off for this, those 11 year old boys, that's 00:01:13.030 --> 00:01:20.510 a pretty great idea. And for him as young men's 00:01:20.510 --> 00:01:23.390 general president to feel the importance of this 00:01:23.390 --> 00:01:26.769 event happening each and every January, he used 00:01:26.769 --> 00:01:28.329 another phrase that underlined the importance 00:01:28.329 --> 00:01:30.430 and caused me to pause as I made another pass 00:01:30.430 --> 00:01:33.569 at this talk. Knowing God's power for what it 00:01:33.569 --> 00:01:39.790 truly is, we were witness to the disruption of 00:01:39.790 --> 00:01:42.989 the very patterns of this world by godly authority 00:01:42.989 --> 00:01:46.620 spreading across the earth. What are the patterns 00:01:46.620 --> 00:01:50.760 of this world that he's referencing? Maybe philosophies 00:01:50.760 --> 00:01:54.180 of men, an eye for an eye, gods of men, meaning 00:01:54.180 --> 00:01:56.280 like what are our gods, whatever takes precedence 00:01:56.280 --> 00:01:58.579 over God, seekers of pleasure, doing the things 00:01:58.579 --> 00:02:01.459 that cannot bring lasting happiness but are a 00:02:01.459 --> 00:02:03.859 distraction, thinking primarily of ourselves 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:06.980 and how you're going to get ahead in this world 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:08.919 or selfishness. I feel like there are a lot of 00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:11.360 patterns of this world that are in direct opposition 00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:15.889 to the patterns of God. So, how are we going 00:02:15.889 --> 00:02:18.789 to disrupt the patterns of the world? I would 00:02:18.789 --> 00:02:21.750 say by choosing patterns of God. He talked about 00:02:21.750 --> 00:02:23.750 this. In our personal lives, we seek to live 00:02:23.750 --> 00:02:25.789 them and we also seek to teach them to the next 00:02:25.789 --> 00:02:28.430 generation so that they want to live them. Some 00:02:28.430 --> 00:02:31.830 patterns of God would be laws of God, do unto 00:02:31.830 --> 00:02:33.650 others as you would have done unto you, making 00:02:33.650 --> 00:02:36.469 covenants with Him, serving His children, helping 00:02:36.469 --> 00:02:38.990 to prepare for the second coming of the Lord, 00:02:39.210 --> 00:02:43.509 and helping to gather Zion. Like Elder Lung emphasized, 00:02:47.629 --> 00:02:50.030 I've been reading too much about lupus in my 00:02:50.030 --> 00:02:56.610 lungs. Like Elder Lund emphasized, each January 00:02:56.610 --> 00:02:58.909 a beautiful work of God is taking place without 00:02:58.909 --> 00:03:01.750 fanfare. I'll repeat it. Knowing God's power 00:03:01.750 --> 00:03:04.750 for what it truly is, we were witness to the 00:03:04.750 --> 00:03:07.069 disruption of the very patterns of this world 00:03:07.069 --> 00:03:10.009 by godly authority spreading across the earth. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:12.500 this right here, it kind of reminds me of President 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:15.280 Nelson and most recently, Elder Razban reminding 00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:17.900 us not to miss the majesty of what's happening 00:03:17.900 --> 00:03:20.159 right before our eyes. Isn't that what prophets 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:24.039 do? They're watchmen on the tower. They have 00:03:24.039 --> 00:03:27.919 accepted a call, extended to them, to many places 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:30.520 in this world. They serve, they travel, and they 00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:33.060 gain insight and experience. And then they share 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:35.319 these experiences with us, and I'm so grateful 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:41.889 for that. or reminds us, at least, that ordinations 00:03:41.889 --> 00:03:44.569 launch these young men into lifetimes of service 00:03:44.569 --> 00:03:46.949 as they will find themselves in consequential 00:03:46.949 --> 00:03:49.389 times and places where their presence and prayers 00:03:49.389 --> 00:03:51.289 and the powers of the priesthood of God they 00:03:51.289 --> 00:03:54.590 hold will profoundly matter. He refers to the 00:03:54.590 --> 00:03:57.370 ordination as a controlled chain reaction and 00:03:57.370 --> 00:03:59.729 how it began with ministering angel sent of God. 00:04:00.270 --> 00:04:02.590 Here the chain reaction or the priesthood line 00:04:02.590 --> 00:04:05.430 of authority this follows. The resurrected John 00:04:05.430 --> 00:04:07.650 the Baptist of ancient times appeared to Joseph 00:04:07.650 --> 00:04:10.969 and Oliver. I want to add my testimony to you 00:04:10.969 --> 00:04:13.590 that I know that this event happened. I don't 00:04:13.590 --> 00:04:15.930 know that I stood on the exact place, but the 00:04:15.930 --> 00:04:22.089 spirit of that place in general, it touched my 00:04:22.089 --> 00:04:24.410 heart. I'm like, I stood where the priesthood 00:04:24.410 --> 00:04:27.470 was restored in this day and age, and I have 00:04:27.470 --> 00:04:31.529 a testimony of that. He placed his hands on their 00:04:31.529 --> 00:04:33.490 heads and said, "'Upon you, my fellow servants, 00:04:33.529 --> 00:04:35.410 in the name of Messiah, I confer the priesthood 00:04:35.410 --> 00:04:37.889 of Aaron, which holds the key of the ministering 00:04:37.889 --> 00:04:40.430 of angels and the gospel of repentance and of 00:04:40.430 --> 00:04:43.310 baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.'" 00:04:43.310 --> 00:04:45.629 Elder Lund's words also hint his excitement, 00:04:46.230 --> 00:04:50.089 and it has me thinking, my own son, next January, 00:04:50.569 --> 00:04:53.370 he'll receive the Aaronic priesthood and start 00:04:53.370 --> 00:04:58.120 what he described as a chain reaction. Yes. To 00:04:58.120 --> 00:04:59.879 these amazing things. I can't believe you're 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:03.459 already there, Abby. I know. I mean, he's three 00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:06.339 days short of having got it this year. Oh my 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:08.399 gosh. I know. I mean, he's a January 3rd birthday. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:11.420 But I think - He's an old soul now. Yes. Part 00:05:11.420 --> 00:05:12.779 of me is like, oh, he could have been in the 00:05:12.779 --> 00:05:14.160 temple and he could have been doing these great 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:17.319 things and he's got cousins that are - tell him 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:19.500 how excited they are about, you know, they do 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:21.139 pass the sacrament and they've been into the 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:22.540 temple and they go to young men's and stuff. 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:25.259 And I think for his personality, I think it's 00:05:25.259 --> 00:05:27.139 going to be good. He'll have another year of 00:05:27.139 --> 00:05:29.319 maturity to get in there. But yeah, it's coming 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:31.699 up awfully fast because we're halfway for like 00:05:31.699 --> 00:05:34.420 practically halfway through the year. Anyway, 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:37.420 I'm excited about the things that he's going 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:39.860 to be able to do, the milestones that he's going 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:44.660 to be able to reach. I love watching that new 00:05:44.660 --> 00:05:46.980 group of kids that have come in. And at this 00:05:46.980 --> 00:05:49.019 point in the year, they're pretty well versed. 00:05:49.079 --> 00:05:50.759 Their responsibilities at this point are to pass 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:54.180 that sacrament. We have varying personalities, 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:56.579 but they all take that so seriously. I've thought 00:05:56.579 --> 00:05:58.620 on that so many times because I see them out 00:05:58.620 --> 00:06:00.519 and they, you know, they're normal boys and they 00:06:00.519 --> 00:06:03.639 do normal boy things. for that brief moment, 00:06:03.699 --> 00:06:05.540 they know what their responsibility is. And that's 00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:08.199 where it starts. And that's something that, you 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:09.879 know, starts a chain reaction to the next thing 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:11.240 that's important to them. Maybe they're in charge 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:13.560 of preparing it to the next step, or they're 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:16.680 in charge of blessing it. And all of these things 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:18.759 are important. And in our ward with the new boundary 00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:23.680 changes, we've required, you know, the older 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:26.720 Aaronic Priesthood holders to step in and pass 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:30.639 and bless and do all of those things. And it's 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:33.720 just a reminder that whatever age you are, the 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:35.779 responsibility of holding that priesthood is 00:06:35.779 --> 00:06:37.540 to bless others in whatever capacity that you're 00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:40.500 asked to. Sometimes it looks like a priesthood 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:42.879 blessing for healing and sometimes it looks like 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:45.180 being a 60 -year -old passing the sacrament around. 00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:51.839 It's all important. It's so fun. It is. And also 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:54.240 it reminds us, again, we're speaking of the rising 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:57.339 generation and like we've mentioned, the patterns 00:06:57.339 --> 00:07:00.279 of the world. lead more to selfishness than service. 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:02.300 And especially the teen years, they're formative, 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:04.480 a time to get to know who you are in this world. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:08.459 And they're usually thinking of themselves, right? 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:10.720 In general, that's the way that the natural man 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:13.819 goes. So this morning, I had an experience with 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:15.899 my almost 14 year old and just like what Abby 00:07:15.899 --> 00:07:18.060 just said, our ward has just been split and the 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:20.660 smaller size means that the teachers also pass 00:07:20.660 --> 00:07:24.019 the sacrament. So here's the text exchange with 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:26.839 my son this morning at 8 .15. Can I sleep in 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:30.519 please? Till when? I don't know. Do you mean, 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:33.300 can you sleep in and miss church? Yes. I'd rather 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:35.560 you get up and go and take a Sunday nap after 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:37.800 church to catch up on sleep. There are unseen 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:39.839 blessings that come to those who act on their 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:42.759 covenants with God. I won't feel tired then. 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:47.639 I seriously giggled at that one. I'm tired right 00:07:47.639 --> 00:07:50.879 now. He's like, no, that's not going to work. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:55.019 And the caveat, Amy's been, uh, Amy's been sick. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:56.819 And so he was like, mom's going to be home so 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:58.980 I can be here to support her. I'll be here for 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:01.759 her. And I'm like, Oh, I would love. And I loved 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:04.240 it too. My husband was already up at this point 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:06.439 and already in, you know, his church clothes 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:08.740 and was ready to go. So I love that we gave him 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:10.540 the opportunity to make his own decisions. I 00:08:10.540 --> 00:08:13.420 said, try it presented it with two options. Try 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:15.100 it around the teen years is when you discover 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:18.009 the beauty of the. Sunday nap, and then at 10 00:08:18.009 --> 00:08:20.730 .03 when he was at church. I said, I'm proud 00:08:20.730 --> 00:08:22.410 of you and I hope you have a great nap after 00:08:22.410 --> 00:08:24.689 church. Then after church, I hadn't even started 00:08:24.689 --> 00:08:28.050 this talk yet, Abby. Like it wasn't, the principles 00:08:28.050 --> 00:08:30.149 weren't in my heart and in my mind yet. You know, 00:08:30.149 --> 00:08:31.990 I should say they weren't fresh. I have read 00:08:31.990 --> 00:08:34.610 it before. After church, I sent him this text 00:08:34.610 --> 00:08:37.629 that is actually from this talk. The Lord entrust 00:08:37.629 --> 00:08:39.669 today's bearers of the priesthood of Aaron to 00:08:39.669 --> 00:08:41.870 do very much the same things they did anciently. 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:45.159 to teach and to administer ordinances, all to 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:47.899 remind us of His Atonement. And then this is 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:49.360 what caught my attention. This is my favorite 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:52.179 part. When deacons, teachers and priests help 00:08:52.179 --> 00:08:54.539 with the sacrament, they receive its blessings 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:56.980 just like everyone else by keeping the covenant 00:08:56.980 --> 00:08:59.440 they make as they individually partake of the 00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:01.919 bread and the water. But in the performance of 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:04.419 these sacred duties, they also learn more about 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:06.200 their priesthood roles and responsibilities. 00:09:06.940 --> 00:09:10.200 I love those words because, again, the things 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:12.659 that I'm teaching at home, the Church of Jesus 00:09:12.659 --> 00:09:14.759 Christ of Latter -day Saints and the gospel of 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:16.639 Jesus Christ are reinforcing those teachings. 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:20.320 Like literally, I love this follow -up that I 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:23.580 had and I didn't write it, but I absolutely echo 00:09:23.580 --> 00:09:26.679 it. Would my son have loved to stay in bed at 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:28.480 eight o 'clock on a cold, foggy Sunday morning? 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:31.460 Yep. Did he get up and pass the sacrament? Yes, 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:33.860 he did. And I'm praying that he feels the Spirit 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:35.860 teach him the importance of being the Savior's 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:38.240 hands. and of acting under the authority of the 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:40.480 Lord Himself, just like all the other boys across 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:43.139 the world who did the same thing today. The pattern 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:45.779 of the world would possibly be to sleep in and 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:48.460 catch up on your sleep, or to maybe hit the trails 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:50.860 or beach with friends. Instead, boys across our 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:53.120 country and in every time zone serve their ward 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:55.399 members the sacrament of the Lord so that each 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:57.960 could renew their own baptismal covenants with 00:09:57.960 --> 00:10:00.759 Heavenly Father. This act of service is truly 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:03.809 disrupting the patterns of the world. Not that 00:10:03.809 --> 00:10:06.409 it's a huge thing, it's a simple act of service, 00:10:06.690 --> 00:10:08.730 and many boys wouldn't give it a second thought. 00:10:10.590 --> 00:10:12.330 They wouldn't give it a second thought, but small 00:10:12.330 --> 00:10:15.230 and simple things bring past big things. They're 00:10:15.230 --> 00:10:16.850 like, it's what we do. It starts with such a 00:10:16.850 --> 00:10:19.649 small and simple thing. Did you notice the two 00:10:19.649 --> 00:10:28.230 stories he shared? Loved them. This the bishop 00:10:28.230 --> 00:10:30.289 of the war taught the deacon presidency these 00:10:30.289 --> 00:10:32.690 duties of the priesthood from the DNC Deacons 00:10:32.690 --> 00:10:35.990 and teachers are to warn expound exhort and teach 00:10:35.990 --> 00:10:38.529 and invite all to come unto Christ priests are 00:10:38.529 --> 00:10:42.570 to preach and to baptize this deacons presidency 00:10:42.570 --> 00:10:46.169 befriended Alan a grumpy sometimes profane neighbor 00:10:46.169 --> 00:10:49.230 and Did just this while his wife became a member 00:10:49.230 --> 00:10:50.789 of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day 00:10:50.789 --> 00:10:53.090 Saints Alan didn't want anything to do with the 00:10:53.090 --> 00:10:55.370 church the boys continued to be his friend invite 00:10:55.370 --> 00:10:58.710 him and he came to their core meetings every 00:10:58.710 --> 00:11:01.730 Sunday. Time passed, deacons became teachers, 00:11:01.750 --> 00:11:03.690 and as they continued to serve him, he taught 00:11:03.690 --> 00:11:05.929 them to work on cars and to build things. By 00:11:05.929 --> 00:11:07.809 the time these deacons turned to teachers, became 00:11:07.809 --> 00:11:11.289 priests, Alan was calling them his boys. So sweet. 00:11:11.850 --> 00:11:13.350 As the boys started to prepare for missions, 00:11:13.409 --> 00:11:14.990 they asked Alan if they could practice their 00:11:14.990 --> 00:11:17.389 missionary lessons. I laughed at that part. I 00:11:17.389 --> 00:11:19.269 was like, no! I remember laughing at that too. 00:11:19.690 --> 00:11:23.450 He said he wouldn't listen or believe, but they 00:11:23.450 --> 00:11:29.580 could practice at his house. Alan got sick, and 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:32.419 as it sometimes goes, his heart softened. Miracles 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:35.019 continued when Alan asked to be baptized, but 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:38.299 then he passed away before this could happen. 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:43.519 At his request, his deacons turned priests, were 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:46.519 the pallbearers, and the speakers at his funeral, 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:50.740 where they fittingly warned, expounded, exhorted, 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:53.940 and taught, and invited all to Christ, and I'm 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:57.059 imagining. that his group of friends that were 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:59.460 in that crowd were just the right audience to 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:02.360 practice their missionary skills on. And later 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:05.620 in the temple, it was one of Alan's boys who 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:09.039 was baptized in proxy for Alan. And I'm sure 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:12.220 he was there with them that day. I love that 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:15.039 story, Abby. And I love how they literally did 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:17.080 every single one of the things that was the duty 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:20.220 of their office. Just a beautiful story. And 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:23.559 not necessarily with like the outcome has to 00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:26.379 be Alan entering the water baptism. And in this 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:29.620 life, he technically didn't, but the lessons 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:32.299 learned in just learning love for each other 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:35.220 and mutual respect. Oh, I loved it. It's such 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:37.399 a sweet story. I love the story or the picture 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:39.320 he painted with him, teaching him about the cars 00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:41.559 and fixing things. I was like, oh, that's just 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:45.620 so great for both. It was reciprocal. The next 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:48.389 story was about a bishop and his wife. who Elder 00:12:48.389 --> 00:12:50.950 Lund had just met this past year. I think we 00:12:50.950 --> 00:12:53.429 all felt the sadness and grief as he said that 00:12:53.429 --> 00:12:55.850 they lost their two -year -old daughter in some 00:12:55.850 --> 00:12:58.289 sort of accident on the way to their son's baptism 00:12:58.289 --> 00:13:00.909 on Sunday morning. The next morning, which was 00:13:00.909 --> 00:13:03.289 Sunday, nobody in the ward expected to see them 00:13:03.289 --> 00:13:05.950 there, and yet the family walked into the chapel 00:13:05.950 --> 00:13:08.429 to worship with their ward family. The bishop 00:13:08.429 --> 00:13:11.450 walked straight past his regular seat on the 00:13:11.450 --> 00:13:13.950 stand and to the seats where the priests usually 00:13:13.950 --> 00:13:16.799 sit to bless the sacrament. He took his seat 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:20.340 there. In the anguished and sleepless night that 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:22.940 preceded the Sunday meeting, this bishop and 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:26.360 father received a strong impression of what his 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:29.940 family most needed, and what his ward most needed. 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:32.620 It was to hear the voice of their bishop, their 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:34.820 warderonic priesthood president, their grieving 00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:37.879 father pronounce the promise of the sacramental 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:41.909 covenant. I was so deeply touched by this. As 00:13:41.909 --> 00:13:43.850 Elder Lund spoke these words, something the Spirit 00:13:43.850 --> 00:13:47.029 spoke directly to my heart was that, intent is 00:13:47.029 --> 00:13:51.649 everything. Although this would be a prayer or 00:13:51.649 --> 00:13:55.070 covenant this congregation had heard every Sunday 00:13:55.070 --> 00:13:57.529 as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, it 00:13:57.529 --> 00:14:00.490 would not be an ordinary Sunday. This Sunday 00:14:00.490 --> 00:14:02.629 these words would reach their hearts in a more 00:14:02.629 --> 00:14:08.399 profound way than they had possibly before. because 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:10.659 of the circumstances that brought them together 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:38.320 this day. These are his words. instruction that 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:41.600 connects us to the very purposes of this life 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:44.759 and to the most magnificent outcomes of Heavenly 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:47.240 Father's plan for us. Abby, can you read us the 00:14:47.240 --> 00:15:07.529 words of that blessing? and always remember him 00:15:07.529 --> 00:15:09.370 and keep his commandments which he has given 00:15:09.370 --> 00:15:11.529 them, that they may always have his spirit be 00:15:11.529 --> 00:15:14.950 with them. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants, section 00:15:14.950 --> 00:15:19.269 20, verse 77. Elder Lonn asked a question. He 00:15:19.269 --> 00:15:21.289 said, can you imagine what the congregation heard 00:15:21.289 --> 00:15:23.990 in that chapel that day, what they felt in the 00:15:23.990 --> 00:15:27.850 words that we hear every Sunday in our chapels? 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:34.700 And as I was thinking of the Father saying that 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:36.639 prayer, I was thinking how important that line 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:41.659 would be that a deep plea like this very last 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:47.440 line keep His command, which is given that they 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:50.059 may always have His Spirit to be with them. What 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:52.100 are you going to need more than anything with 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:57.720 the loss of this child and knowing how many like 00:15:57.720 --> 00:16:01.100 lost memories and lost moments are going to be 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:05.100 had, but knowing that if you invite the Savior 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:07.039 into your life, that He'll always be there with 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:09.059 you. It's the greatest blessing that you could 00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:11.620 have just to feel surrounded by that love. I 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:15.159 love that, Abby. That's so true. Here we are 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:17.360 again. What did the Holy Ghost teach each member 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:20.320 of the congregation on that Sunday? What is the 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:23.320 Holy Ghost? So each person in that congregation 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:26.940 felt something from the Holy Ghost, right? And 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:30.940 then we can ask the question, what does the Holy 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:33.340 Ghost teach or reaffirm to you as you listen 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:35.539 to this story? Because now we are all listening 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:38.960 to this as well. We each get a personalized message 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.879 that is tailored to us right now in our lives. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:43.879 I heard that intent is everything, and I've been 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:45.440 pondering on what the Lord is teaching me through 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:48.240 this. How can I deepen my intent as I renew my 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:50.799 baptismal covenants? Does He invite me to look 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:52.899 at my intent, not only with my covenants, but 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:55.980 also with my fellow men as well? Meaning the 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:58.000 two great commandments, to love God and to love 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:02.100 others as myself. Anyway, it's a lot to think 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:03.820 about and I appreciate the way that the Spirit 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:07.839 teaches me. I just hope that we can all take 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:10.240 this opportunity to ask what we've learned as 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:13.940 we've listened to the story of the bishop. and 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:16.640 taking the opportunity, if you think about it, 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:19.940 at such a low time in his life to bring his congregation 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:22.200 together and to bring them to Christ and to bring 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:24.880 him to his atoning grace and also to Heavenly 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:27.059 Father's throne. Like I love when it said he 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:29.740 spoke to his father, that got my heart. Like 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:32.980 I felt that. Abby, do you have anything that 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:37.200 you want to add in closing? I'm always touched 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:39.759 just thinking about the power that we have with 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:42.140 the priesthood restored on earth and that it 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:46.200 is power that's universal to both genders. The 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:49.559 message, I mean in the title of it, it was two 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:53.319 young men, but I'm a mother of a young man preparing 00:17:53.319 --> 00:18:04.519 for his priesthood ordination. my priesthood, 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:07.640 the power that I receive is through my priesthood, 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:13.380 my covenants in the temple and being seals to 00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:17.200 a partner who loves and honors his priesthood. 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:22.019 And as I was listening to this talk and listening 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:24.799 to your thoughts on it, I thought what an amazing 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:28.089 opportunity that we have. particularly for these 00:18:28.089 --> 00:18:30.950 young boys and these men who the world is teaching 00:18:30.950 --> 00:18:32.890 a different message of how they should turn out 00:18:32.890 --> 00:18:34.710 and what they should prioritize and where they 00:18:34.710 --> 00:18:37.430 should spend their time, and that in a divine 00:18:37.430 --> 00:18:41.769 plan, divine eons ago, and this priesthood authority 00:18:41.769 --> 00:18:48.650 is here and accessible, and it happens, you know, 00:18:48.890 --> 00:18:51.349 proper priesthood authority, that my job as a 00:18:51.349 --> 00:18:55.009 woman is to recognize that divine authority. 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:58.000 and see it for what it is. It's a huge blessing 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:00.799 to these men that we cherish and care about and 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:04.000 want the best for. See it as a way for them to 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:06.259 learn and to grow from the responsibility that 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:12.099 they have to hold and administer. And it might 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:14.240 be offensive to say, I just don't think men are 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:17.200 naturally inclined to do those things. I think 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:19.700 women have a natural innate sense to think and 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:21.660 look outside the box and do things for them. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:25.710 With men, I think it was decided eons ago that 00:19:25.710 --> 00:19:27.710 if they were to be holders of the priesthood, 00:19:27.789 --> 00:19:29.029 it would be something that they would have to 00:19:29.029 --> 00:19:31.109 do and give to others. That's how they would 00:19:31.109 --> 00:19:33.130 learn and sharpen that skill and hone that skill 00:19:33.130 --> 00:19:37.250 and learn to be more like Jesus Christ, be more 00:19:37.250 --> 00:19:43.970 like our heavenly parents. And so I see that. 00:19:45.529 --> 00:19:47.670 I just want to add my testimony to it, not to 00:19:47.670 --> 00:19:51.049 get into a debate on being a woman that doesn't 00:19:51.049 --> 00:19:53.930 have the priesthood. I've in no way been affected 00:19:53.930 --> 00:19:58.049 negatively. I just want to testify of that. I 00:19:58.049 --> 00:19:59.710 feel nothing but power in the priesthood and 00:19:59.710 --> 00:20:01.750 appreciation that it is restored on this earth 00:20:01.750 --> 00:20:03.910 and it is for my benefit. It is for the benefit 00:20:03.910 --> 00:20:08.349 of my posterity going forward and it has blessed 00:20:08.349 --> 00:20:10.910 my posterity behind me. And even if they weren't 00:20:10.910 --> 00:20:13.289 members of this church, because of proper priesthood 00:20:13.289 --> 00:20:16.170 authority, my temple attendance, I've been able 00:20:16.170 --> 00:20:20.380 to participate in making sure those blessings 00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:23.660 extend to them. I love that, Abby. I feel the 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:26.579 same way. I think I've said this before, when 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:29.180 I was a teenager and there'd ever be a lesson 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:31.319 about, quote, the priesthood, I would literally 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:33.099 tune out and be like, oh, that's not for me. 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:35.380 I can go on autopilot. I don't have to worry 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:38.299 about this, which is funny. I feel completely 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:41.160 different now. I do too. I am so grateful for 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:44.220 the... I'm so grateful for the Aaronic priesthood. 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:46.839 I love that this whole entire talk was laying 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:49.299 out what the duties of the Aaronic priesthood 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:51.440 are. I have, like I said, an almost 14 year old 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:54.059 and it's just beautiful to see what that whole 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:56.700 thing encompasses and how he can grow in to being 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:59.440 who he is meant to be and who God wants him to 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:02.359 be by these steps. Then I also have a son whose 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:06.440 mission farewell is next week and he is an elder 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:12.619 and he's received his endowment. Anyway, it's 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:16.720 just beautiful. And then I have another son who 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:19.660 is, both my adult sons happen to be home right 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:22.180 now for this small little time, and they've given 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:24.440 me many priesthood blessings through the past 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:27.720 three months. I was just listening back to them 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:29.599 this week and writing down some notes so that 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:31.880 I could remember things that the Lord has asked 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:35.140 me to do and given me direction. And then my 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:38.279 husband as well, I've talked about this before, 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:41.230 but I've been going through some serious health 00:21:41.230 --> 00:21:44.430 challenges for the past three months, and it's 00:21:44.430 --> 00:21:46.509 been really difficult because we just don't have 00:21:46.509 --> 00:21:48.609 a lot of answers right now. We have a million 00:21:48.609 --> 00:21:52.069 questions. We have a million symptoms, but not 00:21:52.069 --> 00:21:55.170 a lot of answers. Anyway, just last week, my 00:21:55.170 --> 00:21:57.680 husband sort of just got... fed up with everything. 00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:00.160 Said, I'm tired of this. I'm tired of all the 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.859 things that you're doing and you're not better. 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:04.140 You've been quote religious, but you know, you've 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:07.539 been very dedicated to this protocol and it changes 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:10.039 every month and you're not better. This isn't 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:14.200 okay. And we both knelt and prayed together. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:17.529 And I just had the thought, you know what? This 00:22:17.529 --> 00:22:19.190 has been harder for him because it hasn't been 00:22:19.190 --> 00:22:20.970 something he's dealt with every day, something 00:22:20.970 --> 00:22:23.750 he's prayed about every day. He has his own challenges 00:22:23.750 --> 00:22:25.609 and providing for the family and the things that 00:22:25.609 --> 00:22:29.470 he does. My point is this. I've been working, 00:22:29.670 --> 00:22:32.450 partnering with the Lord with my health, praying 00:22:32.450 --> 00:22:34.750 on who should I go to next? What are some questions 00:22:34.750 --> 00:22:36.450 I could have? Where should I look for answers? 00:22:37.130 --> 00:22:38.930 What article can I look up? What book should 00:22:38.930 --> 00:22:42.160 I read? All of these things. So I feel like I've 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.859 had more peace about the whole thing because 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:45.900 it's been a constant thing. So I was praying 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:48.220 that he would have peace. Yeah, what you needed 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.779 in the time. Yeah, I wanted Garrett to have peace. 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:53.880 So what I loved was as I asked Garrett for a 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:56.839 priesthood blessing. And I record my priesthood 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:58.680 blessings, and then I type them out. But the 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.079 prayer on your heart before this blessing was 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:01.960 that he could feel the same peace that you were 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:05.380 having? It was. And well, this is when I asked 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:08.140 for priesthood blessings this past weekend. There 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:10.200 were two separate things I needed. The first 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:14.200 one was I had felt some impressions and I wanted 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:19.119 the Lord to confirm or deny, exactly, through 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:23.220 the line of priesthood. I totally got a confirmation 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:25.259 on the things and I was so very grateful for 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:28.099 that. So for me, I love that my prayer, my personal 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:30.619 revelation is an absolute confirmation when I 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:32.160 receive a priesthood blessing and it's not the 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:34.140 things that Gary didn't even know what I was 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:36.720 praying about. The Lord knew and there was a 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:39.039 beautiful confirmation. Then after that, I was 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:42.980 able to ask my older son. I said, please give 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:46.759 dad a blessing. And my request is this. This 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:50.960 blessing is only about his peace. his comfort, 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:53.039 and anything that the Lord wants him to know 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:56.440 about my illness right now, my treatment. It's 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.859 not going to be about his work. It's not going 00:23:57.859 --> 00:24:00.119 to be about the things that he normally has to 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:02.619 worry about as a provider for the family and 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:05.539 as our, you know, as our provider. So I was just 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:08.200 so, so grateful for that. I just feel like in 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:12.059 my life, I am surrounded by the power of the 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:14.339 priesthood. I'm so grateful. How'd that blessing 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:19.329 go? Did you feel peaceful about it? I did. I 00:24:19.329 --> 00:24:22.829 did indeed. That's him testifying. It meant a 00:24:22.829 --> 00:24:28.109 few words. Anyways, I'm just grateful for that. 00:24:28.190 --> 00:24:30.390 I'm grateful that we can reach out to a Heavenly 00:24:30.390 --> 00:24:34.750 Father who has ways for us to hear him, to feel 00:24:34.750 --> 00:24:39.069 him near. I love it. That's a wrap, I think. 00:24:39.509 --> 00:24:44.670 Do you want me to close? There is his last testimony. 00:24:46.009 --> 00:24:48.670 Do you want me to share that, Amy? Sure. Or do 00:24:48.670 --> 00:24:50.970 you want to share it? You should share it. I 00:24:50.970 --> 00:24:55.069 think you should share it. Okay. His testimony, 00:24:55.130 --> 00:24:57.789 and I end with this, I'm forever grateful that 00:24:57.789 --> 00:24:59.769 the holders of the Aaronic Priesthood with its 00:24:59.769 --> 00:25:03.009 powers, ordinances and duties do bless all of 00:25:03.009 --> 00:25:05.650 us through the keys of the very ministering of 00:25:05.650 --> 00:25:08.170 angels and of the gospel of repentance and of 00:25:08.170 --> 00:25:11.069 baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. 00:25:11.470 --> 00:25:14.700 In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Grateful 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:17.200 for the holders of the priesthood. My husband 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.980 loves to emphasize that. He's like, they're not 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:20.920 the priesthood. They are not. They are holders 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:23.779 of the priesthood. Love that. Happy to say it 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:25.920 into that. Yes, thanks for being with us. Catch 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.420 you next time.