Service to others is duty of 'the royal priesthood'
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"A Royal Priesthood" was the theme of President Thomas S. Monson's address at the priesthood session Saturday evening, and he admonished priesthood holders to "be loyal to the royal within you."
President Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, commended priesthood holders for their faith in living the law of the fast and their generosity in the contribution of fast offerings. He also commended deacons and teachers for assisting in collecting fast offerings.He said beyond the ongoing assistance provided through the use of fast offering contributions, two special fast days in 1985 - and donations to the special relief of suffering since that time - totaled $13,145,527, of which $11,460,780 has been distributed to date.
"The contributions have been utilized in the following locations: Africa, $8,662,765, with the balance of the expenditures being distributed in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. . . ."
Helping rural farm families in Guatemala increase production; immunizing children in Africa; helping provide free dental care to residents of an urban homeless shelter; and providing clothing to Romania, Peru, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and in the United States are some of the projects President Monson mentioned for which proceeds from the special fast days were spent.
Citing King Benjamin's declaration, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mos. 2:17), he told of the late James Collier, who helped reactivate a large number of brethren in Bountiful, Utah, and then, afflicted with a terminal illness, expressed his love to them at a banquet honoring their having become worthy to go to the temple.
"Our Lord and Savior said, "Come follow me." (Luke 18:22.) When we accept His invitation and walk in His footsteps, He will direct our paths. His gentle voice guides us in life's journey and reminds us of our duty. . . .
"May we hear His voice. May we follow His example. May we live His teachings. Then we will be as the Apostle Peter declared, even a "royal priesthood."
