Category Archives: Mormon Church Priesthood

My interview with Elder Echo Hawk and our new Stake Presidency

Posted on April 30, 2013 by | Leave a comment

As mentioned before, this past weekend was our Stake Conference. Our previous Stake President, David P Homer, was called to be an Area Seventy (he told us on Sunday that he had been called in November and had to keep it a secret all this time) so we needed a new Stake President. We were originally supposed to have Elder Eduardo Gavarret attend, but apparently he had visa problems, so Elder Larry Echo Hawk was asked Thursday afternoon to fill in. He attended with the already assigned Area Seventy, Elder Jeffery E Olson.
NOTE: I’ll have a posting about Elder Echo Hawk later this week.

My interview was scheduled for 9 am at the Stake Centre. I live about 45 minutes away, and was scheduled to work on Saturday, so I got up early and went to work for 6:45 am and then left just after 8 am to go to the interview. I got there just before 9 and waited/chatted with Elder Homer and the Stake Clerk.

Just as it was with Elder Russell M Nelson and Elder Gary Crittenden 5 years ago, the interview was very short. I was with them for 5 minutes max. They first asked me about men who I thought would be good candidates for the stake presidency and then they asked me some questions. They asked about my wife and my previous callings. I keep typing “they”, but it was actually just Elder Olson doing the talking. Elder Echo Hawk sat there watching and listening.

I then headed back to work and the waiting began. It is a strange process. You want your leaders to know that you are worthy, but we are certainly not looking to get the “job”. I knew the interviews were ending at around noon, so I thought if was getting called to something I’d hear within an hour or two. By the time it was pushing 2 pm I figured that they had chosen other men, and I felt fine with that. Then at about 2:15 I received a call from Elder Homer asking if it were possible for my wife and me to come back to the Stake Centre to meet with Elder Echo Hawk and Elder Olson.

We made arrangements for someone to look after our children and off we went. We got to the Stake Centre at about 3:40. I met with Elder Echo Hawk and my wife met with Elder Olson. I was asked about my worthiness and if there was anything that would lead to members of the stake not sustaining me (I still didn’t know what the position was). My wife was asked the same question, along with questions about how I treat her and our children. After that we were brought back together again and the call was extended. I was called to be the 1st Counselor in the new Stake Presidency. Without hesitation we accepted. I was surprisingly calm about it. I know it will be a lot of work, but I also know how much the Lord blessed me as a bishop, and I know He will do that again.

It was kind of funny during the rest of the afternoon/evening and Sunday morning before the business was done. Several people made a few comments to me wondering what was going to happen. I just had to kind of shrug my shoulders and brush it off. They would find out soon enough.

And so the time for the sustaining arrived, and as I’m sure it usually is, it was unanimous. We were invited to the stand to participate in the rest of the meeting. The outgoing Stake Presidency and their wives were invited to bear their testimonies, and then the incoming Stake Presidency was invited to do the same (unfortunately there wasn’t time for our wives).

After the meeting we were set apart. Elder Echo Hawk set apart the President, I was set apart by Elder Olson, and then Elder Echo Hawk set apart the 2nd Counselor.

Lastly there was a short (about 1 hour) introductory training meeting with our wives to go over the basic responsibilities and how to main balance.

It was a whirlwind of a couple of days! I feel good about things, and think we’ll be able to continue the great work that the previous presidency was able to do.

One thing that really stuck out in my mind over the two days was how many times Elder Echo Hawk and Elder Olson testified that they were there under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve and that the Spirit had definitely witnessed to them what they were supposed to do. A sceptic might say that they have to say that, but it was very sincere, and the Spirit was with them as they said it. As one of the people who was chose, this was definitely very comforting.

picture_1

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Mormon Church Doctrine and Teachings, Mormon Church Hierarchy, Mormon Church Meetings, Mormon Church Priesthood

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

183rd Annual General Conference – Priesthood Session

Posted on April 6, 2013 by | 1 Comment

183rd_annual_general_conference_screenshot

My father and I went to the Church for about 6:45 pm so we could setup for the traditional sub-sational. We had about 22 people there and had lots of subs, chips, and pop. It was nice.

We watched the broadcast at the church and then my father and I still went out for another snack. We’ve done it for many years, and we want to keep the tradition alive. In another year and a half my oldest son will be able to join us.

President Dieter F Uchtdorf conducted

A priesthood choir made up of YSA from the Salt Lake City area sang Arise, O God, and Shine

Elder Ronald A Rasband offered the invocation

The choir sang Nearer, My God, to Thee

Elder Robert D Hales (he sounded good, but did not look good)

  • His father taught him about wearing the armor of God
  • If your father wanted to get into trouble, he had to go looking for it; today temptation finds you
  • The Church will remain constants
  • The gap between the world and the Church is getting wide
  • A true friend doesn’t ask us to choose between the gospel and their friendship
  • We are not authorized to negotiate the conditions of God eternal plan
  • Glorify God’s name by standing strong

Elder Tad R Callister

  • The priesthood of the boy is just as powerful as the priesthood of the man when exercised righteously
  • When on missions, people haev strong spiritual growth during those mission years
  • We should exercise these principles to help growth happen earlier
  • Trust our youth
  • Have high expectations of them
  • Provide training
  • Teach the YM how to lead
  • Leaders need to step back

Brother David L Beck

  • What does it mean to minister?
  • We need to help others feel loved
  • There are people around us who need to feel Heavenly Father’s love
  • We are always priesthood men, not just on Sunday’s

The choir and congregation sang Hope of Israel

President Dieter F Uchtdorf

  • We identify ourselves by titles
  • 4 titles that apply to all priesthood holders
    1. Son of Heavenly Father
      • No matter what we do, we are God’s literal spirit children
    2. Disciple of Christ
      • We are all different, but we have our discipleship in common
    3. Healer of Souls
      • We are to practice the Healer’s art
      • We need to build up, repair, uplift
      • We shoudl reach out to those in need
    4. Heirs to all that He has
      • We are joint-heirs with Christ
      • Does it make sense that so many of us spend time on wealth, prestige, or what is cool?
  • Live what you learn

President Henry B Eyring

  • The gospel is to go into all the world
  • Every member is to be a missionary
  • The members need to find people to teach

President Thomas S Monson

  • Missionary work is an identifying feature of the Church
  • Joseph Smith said that the greatest and most important duty is to preach this gospel
    1. Search the scriptures with diligence
    2. Plan your life with purpose
    3. Teach the truth with testimony
    4. Serve the Lord with love

The choir sang Ye Elders of Israel

Brother Larry M Gibson offered the benediction

Read the recaps and other notes from the 183rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

→ 1 Comment

Posted in General Religion and Spirituality, Mormon Church Hierarchy, Mormon Church Meetings, Mormon Church Priesthood, Mormon General Conference

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

183rd Annual General Conference – Saturday Morning General Session

Posted on April 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

183rd_annual_general_conference_screenshot

As mentioned in my Pre-conference notes, I had to watch this session at work. I got called out of my office at about 11:45, and didn’t get back to my desk until almost 12:30. I was surprised to note how anxious I was to get to my computer and watch conference. I felt like I was missing something. Then throughout the session, I kept getting calls. Usually I can just sit there and watch, but not today. There must have been something that the Adversary didn’t want me to hear!

I thought it was interesting that the Church is promoting the #ldsconf hashtag

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang Redeemer of Israel

President Dieter F Uchtdorf conducted

The choir sang In Hymns of Praise

Elder Randall K Bennett offered the invocation

President Thomas S Monson

  • Traveled to Germany, Alberta, Idaho in the last 6 months (the last two to dedicate temples)
  • Didn’t attend cultural celebration in Calgary as it was Sister Monson’s birthday
  • President Uchtdorf dedicated to Honduras to dedicated a temple
  • Announced new temples in Cedar City Utah and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • In October changes to missionary age announced
  • As of April 4, 65634 full-time missionaries
  • More than 20,000 more have received their call
  • 6,000 are in process
  • 58 new missions
  • We were invited to donate to the general missionary fund of the church

The choir sang Hark, All Ye Nations!

President Boyd K Packer (he looked good, but spoke from his chair and had oxygen tubes in his nose)

  • In 1992 he turned 68
  • He shared a short poem he wrote at that time (he updated it at 78 and again at 88)
  • He is getting older. Although he loses physical ability, there are “great spiritual gains” that come with age
  • We need to protect our homes
  • The priesthood has been given to protect the home
  • There are few things more powerful than the prayers of a righteous mother

Bishop Dean M Davies

  • Talked about earthquakes in California
  • We must build on sure foundations in order to be safe
  • Just as buildings use the right material, we need to be built properly spiritually
  • We wouldn’t knowingly build our homes on sand

Sister Elaine S Dalton

  • spoke about the first line in the YW theme… we are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him
  • we need to understand who we are and whose we are
  • we must never lose sight of the strength of the women
  • we need virtue to be a vital value in society

The choir and congregation sang Let Us All Press On

Elder Craig A Cardon

  • The Savior forgives sin on earth, not just in the eternities
  • In this forgiveness the enabling power of the Atonement helps us
  • False faith does not justify sin
  • “I will be merciful unto your weakness”
  • He knows our weakness
  • “Notwithstanding your sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you”
  • The Savior wants to forgive

Elder M Russell Ballard

  • “And worlds without number have I created”
  • The Milky Way is just one of 200+ billion galaxies
  • It is impossible to fathom
  • The power by which these were created is the priesthood
  • The source of this power is God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ
  • Men administer the priesthood but they are NOT the priesthood
  • Just as a woman cannot have a child without a man, a man can’t properly use his priesthood without a woman
  • Shared an analogy of growing a tomato plant, it’s potential, and what happens when it is neglected
  • Those who hold the priesthood but don’t honour it will wilt spiritually
  • Spoke of the recent Worldwide Leadership Training videos about the role of priesthood and strengthening the family

The choir sang Faith

President Henry B Eyring

  • This is His church and we take His name upon us as we enter the Church
  • “I will encircle thee in the arms of my love”
  • Recounted much of the life of Christ
  • Great blessings come from faithful service
  • Christ has shown us how to hear our Heavenly Father
  • He bore powerful witness that he knows Christ lives as surely as if he were there

The choir sang My Redeemer Lives

Sister Jean A Stevens offered the benediction

Read the recaps and other notes from the 183rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

→ Leave a comment

Posted in General Religion and Spirituality, Mormon Church Doctrine and Teachings, Mormon Church Hierarchy, Mormon Church Meetings, Mormon Church Music, Mormon Church Priesthood, Mormon Church Scripture, Mormon General Conference

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The bald-headed guy

Posted on June 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

A couple of weeks ago in High Priests Group we had a lesson about making the temple a priority in our lives. We were discussing why it isn’t always a priority. One of the members tried to mention a talk he remembered and said:

You know… what’s his name? The bald-headed guy…

Of course he meant Elder Dallin H Oaks, and he was referring to the Good, Better, Best talk he gave in the October 2007 General Conference. Gotta love those forgetful High Priests :-)

(Note: the brother who said this is a super nice guy, and is always really “with it”, so this must just have been one of those forgetful moments, but it was still funny)

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Mormon Church Hierarchy, Mormon Church Priesthood, Mormon General Conference

Tagged , , , , , , ,

The truest thing said at the most recent General Conference

Posted on April 23, 2012 by | 1 Comment

As I commented before, I quite enjoyed General Conference. I felt the Spirit often as I listened to the speakers.

There was lots of eternal truths spoken during the conference, but one of the “truest” things said was just an unscripted throw-away line. Brother Adrián Ochoa spoke during the Priesthood Session. The talk was called Aaronic Priesthood: Arise and Use the Power of God. About halfway through the talk, he mentions that the Church has a section of their web site where you can hear stories about youth. The official transcript records it this way:

You can find some of these stories and many others like them on the Church’s youth website, youth.lds.org. By the way, the Internet, social media, and other technologies are tools the Lord has placed in your hands to help you exercise your priesthood duties and extend the influence of truth and virtue.

However, that’s not what he said exactly. If you watch the video of the talk, you’ll see that he says the following (it starts at about 8:45):

You can find some of these wonderful stories and many others like them on the Church’s youth web site. Just Google it. Be careful. By the way, the Internet, social media, and other technologies are tools the Lord has placed in your hands to help you exercise your priesthood duties and extend the influence of truth and virtue.

Google it, and be careful

→ 1 Comment

Posted in General Religion and Spirituality, Mormon Church Doctrine and Teachings, Mormon Church Hierarchy, Mormon Church Priesthood, Mormon General Conference

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Why do we need prophets?

Posted on April 10, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Portrait of the Prophets (Temple Prophets) by D O Christensen

That was the title of the first article in the March 2012 Ensign. The first article is the one we are to use when home teaching. I reviewed the article before going out a couple of weeks ago, and it definitely got me thinking. I understand the theory of why we need prophets… they are God’s representatives on the Earth… it is the way God communicates with His people, etc. However as I thought about how prophets affected me on a daily basis, I thought of them more as inspirational speakers. I thought to myself that my life is generally in line with the teachings of the Church. I read and pray and the Holy Ghost guides me. So why do we need prophets? Is it just for the “big” revelations?

As we discussed this topic while home teaching, one of the people we visit said she sees one of the most important reasons is so that there is a consistent message to the world declaring what the standards of God are. I thought this was a good point. But in my mind I wondered if prophets had a greater role for non-believers than for me, since I know what the standards are.

Let me interrupt here and say that I don’t want anyone to think that I don’t know the role and importance of prophets. I do. But it was an interesting question for me to think about. Before thinking about this question, I don’t know if I would have been able to explain clearly why they are important to me.

We visited three people that one night, and I had the question in my mind for 4 days and then General Conference came along. There was nothing new taught at General Conference, but I felt the Spirit consistently throughout every session. It was perhaps the most inspiring conference for me. It became very clear to me that our prophets, seers, and revelators are NOT just inspirational speakers. They are not a version of Tony Robbins or Jim Fannin. They are speaking for God. They are the watchmen on the towers. They speak of love, kindness and compassion. The talk of Christ and preach of Christ. They do inspire people, but it is not just a feel-good seminary. Our spiritual intelligence increases as we are enlightened by the Spirit.

Why do we need prophets? We need prophets so that we will always have an authorized representative from God who warn the people of the consequences of not following His commandments. We need prophets to help us have hope in the atonement of Jesus Christ. We need prophets so that all of the keys of the priesthood, with the associated ordinances, can be on the Earth. We need prophets so there are always those on the Earth who will speak by the power of the Holy Ghost. We do indeed need prophets. We thank thee, O God, for a prophet!

→ 1 Comment

Posted in General Religion and Spirituality, Mormon Church Hierarchy, Mormon Church Priesthood

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

182nd Annual General Conference – Post-conference notes

Posted on April 1, 2012 by | Leave a comment

A few random thoughts as the conference comes to an end:

  • I say this after each conference, and I think I will say it forever… I have a hard enough time staying awake for 10 hours, how do these men in their 70s and 80s?!?!
  • General Conference was fantastic. I always enjoy it, but there was something different this year. I’m not sure why, but I welcome it. I felt the Spirit through many of the talks, and loved the music.
  • We are so blessed to hear from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir regularly.
  • In between sessions on Sunday I watched The World Report. It’s always interesting. I like seeing some of the “behind the scenes” activities around the world.
  • I’m sure other goofy people have thought this before, but I noticed that Elder Malm offered the benediction of the Sunday Morning session. We have a dresser in one of our dressers from Ikea that is called Malm.
  • I can’t get over how great Elder Perry looks. He’s going to be 90 this year!
  • Before I die I hope to make it to Temple Square to hear the choir sing in person
  • More than half of births to American woman under 30 occur outside of marriage. Nearly half of marriages end in divorce.
  • Elder Ballard spoke powerfully to both male and female YSA about marriage
  • I’ve never heard of Elder Wilson before, but I really enjoyed his style (as well as substance)

It was a long, but enjoyable 10 hours. I’m grateful that we have prophets, seers, and revelators and other Church leaders who can help us feel the Spirit in this way.

Read the recaps and other notes from the 182nd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Mormon Church Doctrine and Teachings, Mormon Church Hierarchy, Mormon Church Meetings, Mormon Church Music, Mormon Church Priesthood, Mormon General Conference

Tagged , , , , , , ,