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Show Honor, Magnify Priesthood r Members of the First Presidency admonished priesthood holders Saturday night to take counsel from their authorized leaders and to magnify their callings in accordance with the priesthood covenants they have made. l . Harold B. Lee President advised his listeners to accept changes in the MIA programs as inspired and not be Monday morning quarterbac' s," second-guessin- g the General Authorities on the organizational changes. He also urged them to be wary inof called of He doctrine. terpreters on priesthood holders to function righteously in their callirgs, and on fathers to give first priority home and to strengthening family. Priesthood had gathered in the Assembly Hall, as well as the Tabernacle, on Temple Square, and in more than 800 other locations in the United States and Canada. It was estimated and some 180,000 heard the addresses by General Authorities and the First Presidency. I want to say to you that there is no subject that has received longer and more searching prayerful discussion by the of the Authorities General church than the matters that pertain to the young people of Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood groups and the women of President Lee similar ages, told them. He explained that the announced changes in MIA do not do away with the Young Men's and Young Womens Mutual Improvement Associations of the past, but have, ,gi.ven them self-servin- priesthood identity. He said it was expected under the new organization that many more young people would be brought into activity and that none would be missed. ings, they act in the stead of Turning to another subject. Lee advised the President priesthood bearers to be wary of those who try to appear closely connected with church leaders in order to serve their own ends, or to gain favor for their enterprises. He warned particularly of a rash of writings by persons making much of their church standing, and quoting church officers out of context to make their words appear as endorsements. Others, he said, have used similar tactics to draw church members to meetings, even in competition with church functions, to serve their own ends. administering the sacrament. Priesthood is the power by which our Heavenly Father works through men through deacons, through teachers, through priests. And I have a feeling that were not impressing that upon our young men, the President said. I have never performed an ordinance, such as administering to the sick, without first excusing myself, if I were out in the garden or somewhere, until I was properly clothed to make the best appearance I could because I felt in so doing I was drawing close to the Lord Himself, and I want to appear at my best in His presence, President Lee emphasized. He spoke of the great influence an army of righteous priesthood holders could have in stopping the spread of pornography, and permissiveness in society. And he called on fathers to strengthen their own families. He quoted a 1936 statement by Elder Anthony W. Ivins of the Council of the Twelve, who said: Now my brethren and sisters, if the church has anything to say to you It will come to you direct and not from the writings of other men. It will come to you in a manner that you will understand it. It will not be speculative. It will come to you philosophically, truthfully and governed by common sense. President Lee spoke at length to the priesthood bearers about magnifying their calling, reminding them of the Lords statement to Edward Partridge that He would put His hands on Elder Partridges head by the hand of my servant, Sidney The church leader Rigdon. used this instance to show the priesthood holders that when they act righteously in their call God. A deacon, he emphasized, rep- resents the Lord in carrying the sacrament. A teacher does so in home teaching, and a priest in Dont neglect your wives, you brethren, dont neglect your children. Tuke time for your family home evening. Draw your children round about you, teach them, guide them and guard them. There was never a time when we need so much the strength and the solidarity of the home, he said. President Lee called on the priesthood holders again to support their leaders. So its a call to arms. Arms to do what? To teach. Our only hope is that by intensifying the responsibility of the priesthood with the youth orcan we that ganizations their hands and strengthen reach out to these young men and women who need so much the influence of the priesthood, for in so doing we feel sure that we can help you raise up a righteous generation who will carry on the work throughout the ages that lie ahead of us, he affirmed. President Ni Eldon Tannerj first counselor in the First Presidency, also dealt with the obligations of priesthood holders. First, let us refer to the father in the family. He is the patriarch and head of the home. We cannot overemphasize the importance of example. The father has a great responsibility to magnify his priesthood, and by example and precept teach his. family to respect and honor the priesthood and fully sustain those in authority and never, criticize them, he said. If the father will love God, love his family, and honor his priesthood, he will have very little to worry about, he added. He spoke of the importance of example, and told of one young man who said he ' could hardly wait to go to the temple himself because of the example of faithfulness and reverence set by his parents. President Tanner told also of his own father's magnificent example; he taught his sons to be upright and magnify their priesthood, and he did it in part by spending time with them, showing them that he loved them and they were important. He called on bishops, stake presidents and other church officers to take a personal interest in Aaronic Priesthood holders and help them to remember that in using their priesthood they are representing the Lord. President Tanner reminded them also that they must be sure young men are worthy to hold priesthood offices to which they are called. Love all, but tolerate no iniquity. When it appears that something is wrong, it is your duty to investigate and handle all cases of transgression according to the seriousness of the case, he admonished. He stressed that bishops and stake presidents cannot shirk their duty to discipline transgressors. Then he addressed himself to young men who hold the priesthood and reminded them of their duty to magnify their calling, keep the Word of Wisdom, keep the Sabbath, and be honset and morally clean. He told them that honoring their priesthood requires them to honor and respect' womanhood and protect a womans virtue with his life if necessary. If we will live each day so that we could look the bishop, branch or stake president, or the Lord in the eye and say, I am doing my best to magnify this priesthood which I hold, we would then be prepared and worthy of the blessings which are promised to the faithful," he added. Holding the priesthood is a great honor, a great privilege, and it alone, if we honor it, will prepare us for salvation and ex- Contlnued on Page 11 |
