Priesthood must increase 'caring capacity'
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A simple prayer from the mother of a missionary, "Please bless Bob to honor his priesthood," should be the daily petition of all priesthood holders, Elder J. Richard Clarke of the Presidency of the Seventy admonished at the priesthood session Saturday evening.
"May I offer two suggestions to help us better honor the priesthood: 1. Live righteously to merit the power of the priesthood. 2. Aggressively search out opportunities for quorum service."Committing transgression may cause one to forfeit priesthood power, Elder Clarke warned, commending a young priest, Rick Dove of Tucker, Ga., who left a rock concert when he observed drinking, improper dress, profanity and general crudeness among the people there.
"For those who bear the priesthood, young men or adults, there is only one standard of moral decency," Elder Clarke declared. "Any film, television show, music or printed material unfit for youth is also unfit for parents."
The priesthood quorum, he said, was designed by the Lord to be the finest service fraternity in the world. He told of a priest who courageously battled muscular dystrophy and eventually died. He said the priest had provided an opportunity for his fellow quorum members to serve him by helping him pass and administer the sacrament.
"Many times we magnify our callings individually, quietly, without fanfare," Elder Clarke said.
"Brethren, we are the sons of God. We have been commissioned of Jesus Christ to bear His holy priesthood and to build up His Church. We must expand our awareness as quorums, and as individuals, and increase our caring capacity. Let us live righteously and extend the healing power of the priesthood, through loving quorum service, to `succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.' "
