Welcome to Closer to Christ through General Conference,
where two friends who love Jesus share our own
approach to studying the most recent General
Conference talks. This is Abbe and Amy. Let's
jump into it. Today's talk, Divine Authority,
Sublime Young Men by President Steven J. Lund,
Young Men's General President. Each January,
hands are laid on the heads of about 100 ,000
young men to the Aaronic Priesthood. Elder Lund
thought it was a significant thing, this truly
is. It struck me that all around the world, time
zone by time zone, sacrament meetings just like
this one, tens of thousands of deacons, teachers
and priests, like President Holland's friend
Easton. were just being sustained to be ordained
into lifelong priesthood ministries that would
span the length and breadth of the gathering
of Israel. He also wondered why there isn't a
little more noise made of this with parades,
Roman candles and being shouted from the rooftops.
I appreciated his excitement for this and I thought
if anybody would love to have some fireworks
go off for this, those 11 year old boys, that's
a pretty great idea. And for him as young men's
general president to feel the importance of this
event happening each and every January, he used
another phrase that underlined the importance
and caused me to pause as I made another pass
at this talk. Knowing God's power for what it
truly is, we were witness to the disruption of
the very patterns of this world by godly authority
spreading across the earth. What are the patterns
of this world that he's referencing? Maybe philosophies
of men, an eye for an eye, gods of men, meaning
like what are our gods, whatever takes precedence
over God, seekers of pleasure, doing the things
that cannot bring lasting happiness but are a
distraction, thinking primarily of ourselves
and how you're going to get ahead in this world
or selfishness. I feel like there are a lot of
patterns of this world that are in direct opposition
to the patterns of God. So, how are we going
to disrupt the patterns of the world? I would
say by choosing patterns of God. He talked about
this. In our personal lives, we seek to live
them and we also seek to teach them to the next
generation so that they want to live them. Some
patterns of God would be laws of God, do unto
others as you would have done unto you, making
covenants with Him, serving His children, helping
to prepare for the second coming of the Lord,
and helping to gather Zion. Like Elder Lung emphasized,
I've been reading too much about lupus in my
lungs. Like Elder Lund emphasized, each January
a beautiful work of God is taking place without
fanfare. I'll repeat it. Knowing God's power
for what it truly is, we were witness to the
disruption of the very patterns of this world
by godly authority spreading across the earth.
this right here, it kind of reminds me of President
Nelson and most recently, Elder Razban reminding
us not to miss the majesty of what's happening
right before our eyes. Isn't that what prophets
do? They're watchmen on the tower. They have
accepted a call, extended to them, to many places
in this world. They serve, they travel, and they
gain insight and experience. And then they share
these experiences with us, and I'm so grateful
for that. or reminds us, at least, that ordinations
launch these young men into lifetimes of service
as they will find themselves in consequential
times and places where their presence and prayers
and the powers of the priesthood of God they
hold will profoundly matter. He refers to the
ordination as a controlled chain reaction and
how it began with ministering angel sent of God.
Here the chain reaction or the priesthood line
of authority this follows. The resurrected John
the Baptist of ancient times appeared to Joseph
and Oliver. I want to add my testimony to you
that I know that this event happened. I don't
know that I stood on the exact place, but the
spirit of that place in general, it touched my
heart. I'm like, I stood where the priesthood
was restored in this day and age, and I have
a testimony of that. He placed his hands on their
heads and said, "'Upon you, my fellow servants,
in the name of Messiah, I confer the priesthood
of Aaron, which holds the key of the ministering
of angels and the gospel of repentance and of
baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.'"
Elder Lund's words also hint his excitement,
and it has me thinking, my own son, next January,
he'll receive the Aaronic priesthood and start
what he described as a chain reaction. Yes. To
these amazing things. I can't believe you're
already there, Abby. I know. I mean, he's three
days short of having got it this year. Oh my
gosh. I know. I mean, he's a January 3rd birthday.
But I think - He's an old soul now. Yes. Part
of me is like, oh, he could have been in the
temple and he could have been doing these great
things and he's got cousins that are - tell him
how excited they are about, you know, they do
pass the sacrament and they've been into the
temple and they go to young men's and stuff.
And I think for his personality, I think it's
going to be good. He'll have another year of
maturity to get in there. But yeah, it's coming
up awfully fast because we're halfway for like
practically halfway through the year. Anyway,
I'm excited about the things that he's going
to be able to do, the milestones that he's going
to be able to reach. I love watching that new
group of kids that have come in. And at this
point in the year, they're pretty well versed.
Their responsibilities at this point are to pass
that sacrament. We have varying personalities,
but they all take that so seriously. I've thought
on that so many times because I see them out
and they, you know, they're normal boys and they
do normal boy things. for that brief moment,
they know what their responsibility is. And that's
where it starts. And that's something that, you
know, starts a chain reaction to the next thing
that's important to them. Maybe they're in charge
of preparing it to the next step, or they're
in charge of blessing it. And all of these things
are important. And in our ward with the new boundary
changes, we've required, you know, the older
Aaronic Priesthood holders to step in and pass
and bless and do all of those things. And it's
just a reminder that whatever age you are, the
responsibility of holding that priesthood is
to bless others in whatever capacity that you're
asked to. Sometimes it looks like a priesthood
blessing for healing and sometimes it looks like
being a 60 -year -old passing the sacrament around.
It's all important. It's so fun. It is. And also
it reminds us, again, we're speaking of the rising
generation and like we've mentioned, the patterns
of the world. lead more to selfishness than service.
And especially the teen years, they're formative,
a time to get to know who you are in this world.
And they're usually thinking of themselves, right?
In general, that's the way that the natural man
goes. So this morning, I had an experience with
my almost 14 year old and just like what Abby
just said, our ward has just been split and the
smaller size means that the teachers also pass
the sacrament. So here's the text exchange with
my son this morning at 8 .15. Can I sleep in
please? Till when? I don't know. Do you mean,
can you sleep in and miss church? Yes. I'd rather
you get up and go and take a Sunday nap after
church to catch up on sleep. There are unseen
blessings that come to those who act on their
covenants with God. I won't feel tired then.
I seriously giggled at that one. I'm tired right
now. He's like, no, that's not going to work.
And the caveat, Amy's been, uh, Amy's been sick.
And so he was like, mom's going to be home so
I can be here to support her. I'll be here for
her. And I'm like, Oh, I would love. And I loved
it too. My husband was already up at this point
and already in, you know, his church clothes
and was ready to go. So I love that we gave him
the opportunity to make his own decisions. I
said, try it presented it with two options. Try
it around the teen years is when you discover
the beauty of the. Sunday nap, and then at 10
.03 when he was at church. I said, I'm proud
of you and I hope you have a great nap after
church. Then after church, I hadn't even started
this talk yet, Abby. Like it wasn't, the principles
weren't in my heart and in my mind yet. You know,
I should say they weren't fresh. I have read
it before. After church, I sent him this text
that is actually from this talk. The Lord entrust
today's bearers of the priesthood of Aaron to
do very much the same things they did anciently.
to teach and to administer ordinances, all to
remind us of His Atonement. And then this is
what caught my attention. This is my favorite
part. When deacons, teachers and priests help
with the sacrament, they receive its blessings
just like everyone else by keeping the covenant
they make as they individually partake of the
bread and the water. But in the performance of
these sacred duties, they also learn more about
their priesthood roles and responsibilities.
I love those words because, again, the things
that I'm teaching at home, the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter -day Saints and the gospel of
Jesus Christ are reinforcing those teachings.
Like literally, I love this follow -up that I
had and I didn't write it, but I absolutely echo
it. Would my son have loved to stay in bed at
eight o 'clock on a cold, foggy Sunday morning?
Yep. Did he get up and pass the sacrament? Yes,
he did. And I'm praying that he feels the Spirit
teach him the importance of being the Savior's
hands. and of acting under the authority of the
Lord Himself, just like all the other boys across
the world who did the same thing today. The pattern
of the world would possibly be to sleep in and
catch up on your sleep, or to maybe hit the trails
or beach with friends. Instead, boys across our
country and in every time zone serve their ward
members the sacrament of the Lord so that each
could renew their own baptismal covenants with
Heavenly Father. This act of service is truly
disrupting the patterns of the world. Not that
it's a huge thing, it's a simple act of service,
and many boys wouldn't give it a second thought.
They wouldn't give it a second thought, but small
and simple things bring past big things. They're
like, it's what we do. It starts with such a
small and simple thing. Did you notice the two
stories he shared? Loved them. This the bishop
of the war taught the deacon presidency these
duties of the priesthood from the DNC Deacons
and teachers are to warn expound exhort and teach
and invite all to come unto Christ priests are
to preach and to baptize this deacons presidency
befriended Alan a grumpy sometimes profane neighbor
and Did just this while his wife became a member
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day
Saints Alan didn't want anything to do with the
church the boys continued to be his friend invite
him and he came to their core meetings every
Sunday. Time passed, deacons became teachers,
and as they continued to serve him, he taught
them to work on cars and to build things. By
the time these deacons turned to teachers, became
priests, Alan was calling them his boys. So sweet.
As the boys started to prepare for missions,
they asked Alan if they could practice their
missionary lessons. I laughed at that part. I
was like, no! I remember laughing at that too.
He said he wouldn't listen or believe, but they
could practice at his house. Alan got sick, and
as it sometimes goes, his heart softened. Miracles
continued when Alan asked to be baptized, but
then he passed away before this could happen.
At his request, his deacons turned priests, were
the pallbearers, and the speakers at his funeral,
where they fittingly warned, expounded, exhorted,
and taught, and invited all to Christ, and I'm
imagining. that his group of friends that were
in that crowd were just the right audience to
practice their missionary skills on. And later
in the temple, it was one of Alan's boys who
was baptized in proxy for Alan. And I'm sure
he was there with them that day. I love that
story, Abby. And I love how they literally did
every single one of the things that was the duty
of their office. Just a beautiful story. And
not necessarily with like the outcome has to
be Alan entering the water baptism. And in this
life, he technically didn't, but the lessons
learned in just learning love for each other
and mutual respect. Oh, I loved it. It's such
a sweet story. I love the story or the picture
he painted with him, teaching him about the cars
and fixing things. I was like, oh, that's just
so great for both. It was reciprocal. The next
story was about a bishop and his wife. who Elder
Lund had just met this past year. I think we
all felt the sadness and grief as he said that
they lost their two -year -old daughter in some
sort of accident on the way to their son's baptism
on Sunday morning. The next morning, which was
Sunday, nobody in the ward expected to see them
there, and yet the family walked into the chapel
to worship with their ward family. The bishop
walked straight past his regular seat on the
stand and to the seats where the priests usually
sit to bless the sacrament. He took his seat
there. In the anguished and sleepless night that
preceded the Sunday meeting, this bishop and
father received a strong impression of what his
family most needed, and what his ward most needed.
It was to hear the voice of their bishop, their
warderonic priesthood president, their grieving
father pronounce the promise of the sacramental
covenant. I was so deeply touched by this. As
Elder Lund spoke these words, something the Spirit
spoke directly to my heart was that, intent is
everything. Although this would be a prayer or
covenant this congregation had heard every Sunday
as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, it
would not be an ordinary Sunday. This Sunday
these words would reach their hearts in a more
profound way than they had possibly before. because
of the circumstances that brought them together
this day. These are his words. instruction that
connects us to the very purposes of this life
and to the most magnificent outcomes of Heavenly
Father's plan for us. Abby, can you read us the
words of that blessing? and always remember him
and keep his commandments which he has given
them, that they may always have his spirit be
with them. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants, section
20, verse 77. Elder Lonn asked a question. He
said, can you imagine what the congregation heard
in that chapel that day, what they felt in the
words that we hear every Sunday in our chapels?
And as I was thinking of the Father saying that
prayer, I was thinking how important that line
would be that a deep plea like this very last
line keep His command, which is given that they
may always have His Spirit to be with them. What
are you going to need more than anything with
the loss of this child and knowing how many like
lost memories and lost moments are going to be
had, but knowing that if you invite the Savior
into your life, that He'll always be there with
you. It's the greatest blessing that you could
have just to feel surrounded by that love. I
love that, Abby. That's so true. Here we are
again. What did the Holy Ghost teach each member
of the congregation on that Sunday? What is the
Holy Ghost? So each person in that congregation
felt something from the Holy Ghost, right? And
then we can ask the question, what does the Holy
Ghost teach or reaffirm to you as you listen
to this story? Because now we are all listening
to this as well. We each get a personalized message
that is tailored to us right now in our lives.
I heard that intent is everything, and I've been
pondering on what the Lord is teaching me through
this. How can I deepen my intent as I renew my
baptismal covenants? Does He invite me to look
at my intent, not only with my covenants, but
also with my fellow men as well? Meaning the
two great commandments, to love God and to love
others as myself. Anyway, it's a lot to think
about and I appreciate the way that the Spirit
teaches me. I just hope that we can all take
this opportunity to ask what we've learned as
we've listened to the story of the bishop. and
taking the opportunity, if you think about it,
at such a low time in his life to bring his congregation
together and to bring them to Christ and to bring
him to his atoning grace and also to Heavenly
Father's throne. Like I love when it said he
spoke to his father, that got my heart. Like
I felt that. Abby, do you have anything that
you want to add in closing? I'm always touched
just thinking about the power that we have with
the priesthood restored on earth and that it
is power that's universal to both genders. The
message, I mean in the title of it, it was two
young men, but I'm a mother of a young man preparing
for his priesthood ordination. my priesthood,
the power that I receive is through my priesthood,
my covenants in the temple and being seals to
a partner who loves and honors his priesthood.
And as I was listening to this talk and listening
to your thoughts on it, I thought what an amazing
opportunity that we have. particularly for these
young boys and these men who the world is teaching
a different message of how they should turn out
and what they should prioritize and where they
should spend their time, and that in a divine
plan, divine eons ago, and this priesthood authority
is here and accessible, and it happens, you know,
proper priesthood authority, that my job as a
woman is to recognize that divine authority.
and see it for what it is. It's a huge blessing
to these men that we cherish and care about and
want the best for. See it as a way for them to
learn and to grow from the responsibility that
they have to hold and administer. And it might
be offensive to say, I just don't think men are
naturally inclined to do those things. I think
women have a natural innate sense to think and
look outside the box and do things for them.
With men, I think it was decided eons ago that
if they were to be holders of the priesthood,
it would be something that they would have to
do and give to others. That's how they would
learn and sharpen that skill and hone that skill
and learn to be more like Jesus Christ, be more
like our heavenly parents. And so I see that.
I just want to add my testimony to it, not to
get into a debate on being a woman that doesn't
have the priesthood. I've in no way been affected
negatively. I just want to testify of that. I
feel nothing but power in the priesthood and
appreciation that it is restored on this earth
and it is for my benefit. It is for the benefit
of my posterity going forward and it has blessed
my posterity behind me. And even if they weren't
members of this church, because of proper priesthood
authority, my temple attendance, I've been able
to participate in making sure those blessings
extend to them. I love that, Abby. I feel the
same way. I think I've said this before, when
I was a teenager and there'd ever be a lesson
about, quote, the priesthood, I would literally
tune out and be like, oh, that's not for me.
I can go on autopilot. I don't have to worry
about this, which is funny. I feel completely
different now. I do too. I am so grateful for
the... I'm so grateful for the Aaronic priesthood.
I love that this whole entire talk was laying
out what the duties of the Aaronic priesthood
are. I have, like I said, an almost 14 year old
and it's just beautiful to see what that whole
thing encompasses and how he can grow in to being
who he is meant to be and who God wants him to
be by these steps. Then I also have a son whose
mission farewell is next week and he is an elder
and he's received his endowment. Anyway, it's
just beautiful. And then I have another son who
is, both my adult sons happen to be home right
now for this small little time, and they've given
me many priesthood blessings through the past
three months. I was just listening back to them
this week and writing down some notes so that
I could remember things that the Lord has asked
me to do and given me direction. And then my
husband as well, I've talked about this before,
but I've been going through some serious health
challenges for the past three months, and it's
been really difficult because we just don't have
a lot of answers right now. We have a million
questions. We have a million symptoms, but not
a lot of answers. Anyway, just last week, my
husband sort of just got... fed up with everything.
Said, I'm tired of this. I'm tired of all the
things that you're doing and you're not better.
You've been quote religious, but you know, you've
been very dedicated to this protocol and it changes
every month and you're not better. This isn't
okay. And we both knelt and prayed together.
And I just had the thought, you know what? This
has been harder for him because it hasn't been
something he's dealt with every day, something
he's prayed about every day. He has his own challenges
and providing for the family and the things that
he does. My point is this. I've been working,
partnering with the Lord with my health, praying
on who should I go to next? What are some questions
I could have? Where should I look for answers?
What article can I look up? What book should
I read? All of these things. So I feel like I've
had more peace about the whole thing because
it's been a constant thing. So I was praying
that he would have peace. Yeah, what you needed
in the time. Yeah, I wanted Garrett to have peace.
So what I loved was as I asked Garrett for a
priesthood blessing. And I record my priesthood
blessings, and then I type them out. But the
prayer on your heart before this blessing was
that he could feel the same peace that you were
having? It was. And well, this is when I asked
for priesthood blessings this past weekend. There
were two separate things I needed. The first
one was I had felt some impressions and I wanted
the Lord to confirm or deny, exactly, through
the line of priesthood. I totally got a confirmation
on the things and I was so very grateful for
that. So for me, I love that my prayer, my personal
revelation is an absolute confirmation when I
receive a priesthood blessing and it's not the
things that Gary didn't even know what I was
praying about. The Lord knew and there was a
beautiful confirmation. Then after that, I was
able to ask my older son. I said, please give
dad a blessing. And my request is this. This
blessing is only about his peace. his comfort,
and anything that the Lord wants him to know
about my illness right now, my treatment. It's
not going to be about his work. It's not going
to be about the things that he normally has to
worry about as a provider for the family and
as our, you know, as our provider. So I was just
so, so grateful for that. I just feel like in
my life, I am surrounded by the power of the
priesthood. I'm so grateful. How'd that blessing
go? Did you feel peaceful about it? I did. I
did indeed. That's him testifying. It meant a
few words. Anyways, I'm just grateful for that.
I'm grateful that we can reach out to a Heavenly
Father who has ways for us to hear him, to feel
him near. I love it. That's a wrap, I think.
Do you want me to close? There is his last testimony.
Do you want me to share that, Amy? Sure. Or do
you want to share it? You should share it. I
think you should share it. Okay. His testimony,
and I end with this, I'm forever grateful that
the holders of the Aaronic Priesthood with its
powers, ordinances and duties do bless all of
us through the keys of the very ministering of
angels and of the gospel of repentance and of
baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. Grateful
for the holders of the priesthood. My husband
loves to emphasize that. He's like, they're not
the priesthood. They are not. They are holders
of the priesthood. Love that. Happy to say it
into that. Yes, thanks for being with us. Catch
you next time.