- Revere legacy

- Have courage- Live the gospel

Speaking directly to the "rising generation," Elder Jeffrey R. Holland at the priesthood session Saturday evening said: "We, who have already walked that portion of life's path you are now on, try to call back to you something of what we have learned. We shout encouragement and try to warn of pitfalls or perils along the way. Where possible we try to walk with you and keep you close to our side."

Elder Holland of the Council of the Twelve said he was endeavoring to impress young men with their legacy and the significance of the offices in the priesthood they hold and will yet hold.

He recounted that President Gordon B. Hinckley, who he said was prepared for his current calling even before he came to earth, was in a stake priesthood meeting as a newly ordained deacon when he heard the hymn "Praise to the Man."

"This young boy, who would one day be a prophet himself, had it borne upon his soul that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet, that he had in truth `communed with Jehovah,' that `millions shall know Brother Joseph again.' Yes, some part of the preparation for this morning's solemn assembly began when a 12-year-old deacon heard faithful, experienced, older men sing the hymns of Zion in a priesthood meeting."

History teaches, Elder Holland pointed out, that "the future may be daunting but you young men are more than equal to the task."

He told of Elder Rudger Clawson, who served 45 years in the Council of the Twelve, 22 years as the quorum president, who as a young missionary over a hundred years ago faced down a mob who had killed his missionary companion. Thinking he was to face the same fate as his companion, he looked his assailants in the face and said simply, "Shoot." Stunned, the mobsters did not shoot the young elder and did not interfere as he tended to the body of his companion.

For the most part, priesthood holders today do not face such dramatic threats, but their courage will be no less crucial, Elder Holland noted.

As an example he related an incident from the life of Bishop J. Richard Yates of the Durham 3rd Ward in North Carolina. When he was on a mission, it was the family's plan to sell future litters of his pigs to finance the mission. The family met with a continuous string of misfortune with the death of the pigs and dairy cows, and ulitmately a bank note fell due on the farm.

The father, Tom Yates, explained the family's situation to the bank president, who was not a member of the Church and was regarded as stern and aloof. The bank president simply asked Brother Yates if he was paying his tithing. Not knowing how the answer would be receieved, he replied, "Yes, I am." The banker then said he should keep paying his tithing and supporting his son on his mission, and he would take care of the note, knowing Brother Yates would repay him.

"Bishop Yates said he remembers hearing this heretofore unknown story with considerable emotion that evening, asking his father - the note to the bank long since repaid - if all that worry and fear and sacrifice had been worth it just to try to live the gospel," Elder Holland recounted. " `Yes, son,' he said, `and a lot more than that if the Lord asks it of me.' "