President Thomas S. Monson urged brethren of the Aaronic Priesthood, "whether deacon, teacher or priest," and Melchizedek Priesthood holders to "learn your duty."

Speaking at the priesthood session Saturday evening, President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, recalled leaving the Church Administration Building some years ago with his youngest son, Clark, then nearing age 12, when they were greeted by President Harold B. Lee. President Lee asked Clark what would happen when he turned 12. President Monson said he was relieved when his son responded, "I will be ordained a deacon."

"The answer was the one President Lee had sought," President Monson recounted. "He then counseled our son, 'Remember, it is a great blessing to hold the priesthood.'

"I hope with all my heart and soul that every young man who receives the priesthood will honor that priesthood and be true to the trust which is conveyed when it is conferred."

Regarding those who feel they are too weak to change or who fear failure, President Monson cited the Lord's words in Ether 12:27, that when men humble themselves, He will make weak things become strong unto them.

"Miracles are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified," he observed. "When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes."

President Monson said the call of duty can come quietly as priesthood holders respond to assignments they receive, and he quoted President George Albert Smith, who said, "It is your duty first of all to learn what the Lord wants and then by the power and strength of your holy priesthood to magnify your calling in the presence of your fellows in such a way that the people will be glad to follow you."

To magnify a calling is "to build it up in dignity and importance, to make it honorable and commendable in the eyes of all men, to enlarge and strengthen it to let the light of heaven shine through it to the view of other men," President Monson explained. "And how does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it. . . .

"Brethren, it is in doing — not just dreaming — that lives are blessed, others are guided and souls are saved."

He concluded with an example from his own experience. A cherished friend, Hyrum Adams, who seemed to have endured more of life's troubles and frustrations than he could bear, finally lay in a hospital terminally ill.

President and Sister Monson had gone to the hospital to visit another person who was ill, not knowing that Brother Adams was also in the hospital. As they exited the hospital and proceeded to their car, President Monson felt the impression to return and inquire whether Brother Adams might be a patient there.

"Long years before I had learned never to postpone a prompting from the Lord," he noted. "A check with the desk clerk confirmed that Brother Adams was indeed a patient."

Going to Brother Adams' room, the Monsons found balloon bouquets everywhere, with a "Happy Birthday" banner on the wall. Brother Adams was sitting up in his hospital bed with family members by his side. He said, "Why, Brother Monson, how in the world did you know that this is my birthday?"

"I smiled but left the question unanswered," President Monson related.

He then joined with those in the room holding the Melchizedek Priesthood in giving Brother Adams a blessing.

"May each of us ever be on the Lord's errand and thereby be entitled to the Lord's help," President Monson concluded.