Learn, do and be and make a difference
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The blessings of heaven are ours as we learn what we should learn, do what we should do and be what we should be, taught President Thomas S. Monson as he concluded the priesthood session of conference Saturday evening.
President Monson reminded priesthood holders "ours is the precious privilege...to make a difference in the lives of others."
Reading Ezekiel 36:26-28, he emphasized the new heart and new spirit promised by the Lord as individuals "walk in my statutes," "keep my judgments" and "be my people."
To merit the promise and qualify for the blessings, President Monson suggested three imperatives that "are within our reach," with the help of Heavenly Father.
"First, learn what we should learn," he said. "Second, do what we should do; third — be what we should be."
Learn what we should learn
President Monson quoted Stephen L Richards, a former member of the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency, who underscored the priesthood as an instrument to be used. "For practical purposes, I like to define the priesthood in terms of service, and I frequently call it 'the perfect plan of service," taught President Richards.
"Now, some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling," said President Monson. "Remember that this (work) is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help.
"Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it."
Declaring that powerful teaching can occur outside the chapel and the classroom, he recalled as a young man traveling on annual Aaronic Priesthood outings to the Clarkston, Utah, Cemetery to the grave of Martin Harris.
There, the young men learned the history of one of the Book of Mormon's three witnesses while listening to scriptures and testimonies.
Then it was on to the temple in Logan where, while lying on the temple grounds looking up at the temple's spires, the young men listened as the purpose of temples was taught.
"Covenants and promises became much more than words. The desire to be worthy to enter those temple doors entered those youthful hearts. Heaven was very close. Learning what we should learn was assured."
Do what we should do
President Monson singled out a well-recognized Doctrine and Covenants verse to underscore the transition from "learning" to "doing."
"Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence" (Doctrine and Covenants 107:99).
Of serving, he said, "No assignment is menial in the work of the Lord, for each has eternal consequences."
And for those concerned about personal inadequacy when "doing," President Monson recited the adage: "Do your duty, that is best; leave unto the Lord the rest."
Doing doesn't require spotlights and formal attention, he added.
"Most service given by priesthood holders is accomplished quietly and without fanfare. A friendly smile, a warm handclasp, a sincere testimony of truth can literally lift lives, change human nature and save precious souls."
As an example, President Monson related the efforts of Juliusz and Dorothy Fussek, who were sent to Poland to help prepare the way for a mission.
They were as trailblazers who trusted in the Lord and their two-year mission, with an enormity of challenges, turned into five years of service with grand results.
President Monson recalled later joining Church leaders meeting with Minister Adam Wopatka of the Polish government. "We heard him say, 'Your church is welcome here. You may build your buildings, you may send your missionaries. You are welcome in Poland. This man,' pointing to Juliusz Fussek, 'has served your church well. You can be grateful for his example and his work."'
Be what we should be
President Monson urged all to pray concerning their assignments and seek divine help in being successful.
"Someone has said that the recognition of a power higher than man himself does not in any sense debase him. He must seek, believe in, pray and hope that he will find. No such sincere, prayerful effort will go unanswered; that is the very constitution of the philosophy of faith. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it."
Further, President Monson said, "From the Book of Mormon comes counsel that says it all. The Lord speaks: 'Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am' (3 Nephi 27:27).
"And what manner of man was He? What example did He set in His service?" asked President Monson, then reading John 10:11-15, in which the Savior called Himself "the good shepherd" who, unlike the hireling, was willing to give His life for His sheep.
"May we learn what we should learn, do what we should do, and be what we should be," President Monson said. "By so doing, the blessings of heaven will attend. We will know that we are not alone. He who notes the sparrow's fall will, in His own way, acknowledge us."
