Interesting Quotes

“What are you presidents of elders quorums, who bear a major responsibility in this phase of the Lord’s work, doing to convert your men? My suggestion to you is to ponder and earnestly implement the procedure prescribed by the Lord when he said, “The duty of the president over the office of elders is to preside over ninety-six elders, and to sit in council with them, and to teach them according to the covenants. This presidency is a distinct one from that of the seventy, and is designed for those who do not travel into all the world.” ( D&C 107: 89-90)

“But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.” (D&C 84:33–41.)  I used to think if that was the penalty, it would have been maybe better for me not to have received the covenant, with that penalty over me, if I break it. And then I read the next verse, and it said, “And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received.” (D&C 84:42.)  I knew I had only one chance—that was to receive it and honor it. From these scriptures it seems perfectly clear to me that to receive the holy priesthood and not magnify my calling in it, I will fall short of eternal life; and that if I fail to receive the holy priesthood, I will likewise fall short. There is but one safe course, and that is to receive it and magnify my calling in it. To me this is the meaning of the Lord’s concluding statement: “And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. “For you shall live [you priesthood bearers, you shall live] by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” (D&C 84:43–44.)”

Personal Thoughts

These last three talks; Bishop Brown, Elder Bangerter and Elder Romney, came one after the other during the priesthood session of the November conference.  What a tremendous set of talks!  I read them while siting outside the Holywood Road chapel in Belfast.  And when I finished with Elder Romney’s talk, I thought long and hard about my own priesthood responsibility.  As the Elder’s Quorum President in a small branch, and owing to the small numbers of priesthood holders, I am responsible for all the Melchezidek Priesthood holders in the branch.

While I read the talks I was furiously jotting down ideas and thoughts as they came to me.  I will save these talks and refer back to them from time to time.  This is why I took this challenge, and I am confident there will be many more talks that will hold meaning for me!