Teaching gospel fills heart with joy
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Scenes from the new Church motion picture, "Called to Serve," projected onto a large screen, helped illustrate the address of Elder L. Tom Perry of the Council of the Twelve at the priesthood session Saturday evening.
"Through the ages of gospel history, the charge, especially to the bearers of His holy priesthood, has always been the same - teach, baptize, and continue the teaching to build lasting testimonies in the hearts of as many of our Father in Heaven's children as it is possible for us to reach," he said. "We have been called to serve!"Preparation by young men to serve missions must have them ready to sit with their bishops and certify their personal worthiness, Elder Perry said. He told of his pre-mission interview with his bishop, who happened to be his father.
"He could have interviewed me in our home, in our barn, in the field, or in our car, or anyplace where we spent time together."
But his father wanted to make it a special occasion, so he telephoned his son for an appointment at the bishop's office, which was neat and orderly when the son arrived. They discussed moral cleanliness, the Word of Wisdom, obedience, the atonement and partaking of sacred ordinances, all in the context of scriptures.
The interview, Elder Perry said, prepared him with three basic ingredients he needed to serve a mission: gospel knowledge accompanied by a testimony, personal righteousness and an even greater desire to serve a mission.
Temporal preparation is also necessary, he pointed out, adding that the new Missionary Equalization Program has removed much of the guesswork about financial resources that will be required.
With scenes from the videotape showing young men and women receiving their mission calls, Elder Perry remarked, "The excitement of that moment will be remembered for the balance of your lives.
". . .Your heart will be filled with joy that comes from teaching the truths our Father in heaven has established for us to live by here on earth."
