Led By a Living Prophet

by Elder Kent D. Watson
of the Seventy
First Counselor in the Asia Area Presidency

Someone recently asked me: “What has impressed you the most since you received your present calling?”

My answer was spontaneous because it is something that has had a profound effect on my life since receiving the sacred calling that I now have. The thing that has impressed me most is that we truly are led by prophets, seers, and revelators.   I have gained a deep respect for the awesome burden of their callings.  I marvel at their wisdom and insight.  I am amazed at their tireless stamina and their enthusiasm, even in some cases at ages 84, 87, and 89.

I love President Thomas S. Monson.  He was called to be an apostle the same year that I was called to be a missionary.   In October 2011 General Conference he said:  “This conference marks 48 years—think of it, 48 years—since I was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by President David O. McKay.  That was in October of 1963.”[i] It was also in the fall of 1963 that I received a letter from President David O. McKay calling me to be a missionary.

The first time I met President Monson was in his office 22 years ago when he invited my wife and me to serve as President of the Taiwan Taichung Mission.

In October 2011 General Conference, he has taught that “there is nothing which can bring more joy into our lives or more peace to our souls than the Spirit which can come to us as we follow the Savior and keep the commandments.  . . . The term natural man can refer to any of us if we allow ourselves to be so.”[ii]

In the final session of conference he reminded us:  “We are all here because we love the Lord and want to serve Him.”[iii] That admonition applies to every member of the Church—we have made a commitment because we love the Lord and want to serve Him.

To the rescue has been the hallmark of President Monson’s service throughout his life.  Since becoming the prophet his invitation to each of us is to do likewise.  I learned an important principle by trying to follow the prophet and attempting a rescue.

I made friends with Doyle[iv] when we were classmates in college over 40 years ago.  He was always one of the top students in our class. Three years ago, Doyle was attending a basketball game and had a serious stroke.  The stroke has left one side of his body paralyzed and his speech is more deliberate than when he was younger.  I went to visit Doyle when I was in Salt Lake to attend General Conference.

He told me that a few months following the stroke, he received a call from his former missionary companion, Elder John B. Dickson of the Seventy.[v] Many may remember Elder Dickson from when he served as the Asia Area President.  As a young man, Elder Dickson was called to serve his mission in Mexico.  After receiving his call, it was discovered that he had bone cancer in his arm and was not expected to live.  His father blessed him.  His arm was amputated.  Ten months later, he was in the mission field.

Elder Dickson has never felt that losing his arm was a handicap.  He has said:  “Losing my arm has proved to be one of the greater blessings in my life. I am more patient with other people because I have had to be patient with myself.”  His desire is to help others know the Savior and come unto Him.

As Doyle was assisted into Elder Dickson’s office, he was greeted with enthusiasm.  Elder Dickson warmly declared that he would teach Doyle how to tie his neck tie using only one hand.  Doyle, though stricken with an unfortunate malady, was taught by this simple gesture not to feel sorry for himself.  Rather, his life was of value and he could contribute much by serving others.  It was Elder Dickson’s way of following the example of President Monson and going to the rescue.

When I went to visit Doyle a couple of months ago, the first time since he had his stroke, we embraced and wept together.  He did not ask why me? He did not feel sorry for himself.  Rather, in his now emotional and deliberate way of speaking, he first inquired as to how I was doing and asked about my wife and each of our children.  He then shared with me this testimony.

“I was born and raised in a small farming community in Utah.  As a boy, I went to Church each Sunday.  Like others, I applied to go on a mission when I was 19 years old.  I was called to Mexico.  It was then that I asked myself do I have a testimony and is this Church really true?  I read the Book of Mormon and prayed as instructed.  My answer was not immediate, but as I pondered what I had learned as a young man growing up on a farm, I thought of the beautiful world in which we live.   I gazed at the stars and contemplated the order of the universe.  I thought of people, animals, and plants.  Surely this is not happenstance.  There has to be a greater power.  I thought of the things that I had learned throughout my life about the Plan of Happiness and our Savior.

“I reflected on what I had read in the Book of Mormon.  How could Joseph Smith, a young man without education, have written a book so profound?  How would he have been able to explain something as complex and incomprehensible as faith, in a way that I could understand?  How was it possible for him to write a story of an ancient family with so many doctrines and lessons that were not only in complete harmony with the Bible, but also clarified mysteries and added understanding?  How could he dream all of this up?  He could not have!  How can anyone see the order all around us, from our own bodies to all living things over the face of our earth to the entire universe and doubt, or worse deny, that God lives and is our father?  I knew it was true.  I was excited to go on a mission.”

Doyle further said:  “When I reflect back on this experience, I think of wonderful humble people in Mexico who accepted me into their homes.  My Spanish was limited.  My understanding of the gospel was minimal.  But, when I told them of Joseph Smith and the restoration, they felt something and they believed.  How is it, that in spite of the inadequacies of the messenger, to the sincere in heart the message rings true and they change their lives to conform?  I am most grateful for the blessings of the Lord in my life.”

In Galatians we are taught:  “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  For every man shall bear his own burden.  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.  . . . And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”[vi]

In my arrogance, I went to Doyle’s house thinking that I was going to the rescue to lift his spirit like President Monson has taught.  I was thinking of the scripture in Luke where Jesus said to Peter:  “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”[vii]

Instead, I came away searching for the scripture in Galatians.  I went to rescue, but the would-be rescuer became the rescued.  I came away uplifted by the one I somewhat selfishly thought that I could lift.

May I invite each of you, to think of someone whose hands hang down, someone whose knees are feeble—then go “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”[viii] I suggest that when one goes to the rescue they truly become the rescued.

The Savior taught His disciples, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:  but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”[ix]

Of this President Monson said:  “I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives.  Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.”[x] Doyle continues to be strong in the faith, earnestly trying to serve others.  I am strengthened by his blessing.

Since receiving this calling, the thing that has impressed me the most is that we truly are led by prophets, seers, and revelators.   I have gained a deep respect for the awesome burden of their callings.  And even a deeper respect for their devotion to the Lord.  May each one of us pray for our prophet dear.

May I close with the blessing President Monson left with each of us this past general conference when he said:

“May the spirit we have felt here be and abide with us as we go about those things which occupy us each day.

“May we show increased kindness one toward another.

“May we ever be found doing the work of the Lord.

“As the winds of change swirl around us and the moral fiber of society continues to disintegrate before our very eyes, May we remember the Lord’s precious promise to those who trust in Him:  “Fear thou not; for I am with thee:  be not dismayed; for I am thy God:  I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

“May heaven’s blessings be with you.

“May your homes be filled with harmony and love.

“May you constantly nourish your testimonies, that they might be a protection for you against the adversary.

“May God give us the strength and the ability and the determination to play our part well.

“May we realize and understand how close to us He is willing to come, how far He is willing to go to help us, how much He loves us, and how much He does and is willing to do for us.

“May He bless you.

“May His promised peace be with you now and always.”[xi]

I testify that we are led by a living prophet—Thomas S. Monson.

Keep All His Commandments

by Elder Sam Wong
Of the Area Seventy

In the October 2011 general conference, President Thomas S. Monson gave us this wise counsel – “There may be those of you who are thinking to yourselves, ‘Well, I’m not living all the commandments, and I’m not doing everything I should, and yet my life is going along just fine. I think I can have my cake and eat it too.’ Brethren, I promise you that this will not work in the long run” (“Dare to Stand Alone,” Liahona, Oct. 2011, 62).  To me, our living prophet is raising his warning voice to help keep us stay in the narrow and strait path.  We need to keep All His commandments.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we made a covenant at our baptism.  In the book True to the Faith, it states that “Your Baptismal Covenant - When you were baptized, you entered into a covenant with God. You promised to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end (see Mosiah 18:8-10; D&C 20:37). You renew this covenant each time you partake of the sacrament (see D&C 20:77, 79).  Taking upon Yourself the Name of Jesus Christ - When you take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, you see yourself as His. You put Him and His work first in your life. You seek what He wants rather than what you want or what the world teaches you to want” (True to the Faith, 23).

In Mark 10 of the New Testament, a rich young man came unto Jesus and asked Him, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17).  In the past, I thought this young man could not have been a member of the Church.  This year when I read this story again, I realized that I might have made a mistake.  I think he could well be one of us who have already made our baptismal covenant.  He ran and kneeled to Jesus Christ.  He wanted to find out how he might inherit eternal life.  He had a great desire to follow Jesus Christ and receive exaltation, just like us.

This rich young man knew Jesus Christ was a good master and he wanted to learn from Him.  He had been observing from his youth the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud‍ not, Honour‍ thy father and mother” (Mark 10:19).

In verse 21, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give‍ to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow‍ me.”  When Jesus saw this young man, He loved him.  Our Lord loved him so much that He gave this young man His loving invitation – to follow Him, the Savior of the world.

Verse 22 recorded the young man’s response, “And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”  Are we in the same situation at times?  Not willing to give up everything or anything to follow our Savior.  When we heard counsel given at General Conferences, did we go away grieved?  Do our great or even small possessions hinder our progression along the strait and narrow path to eternal life?  Do we really own our possessions or do our possessions own us instead?  Are there things standing between us and our Savior that hinder us from making the best choice to seek the Lord’s kingdom first?  Possessions come in many ways and forms.  Do our possessions cloud our view in making the best choices?  We have to prepare spiritually daily by keeping all His commandments and praying for the Holy Ghost to guide us in our choices.

Do you still remember the “Good, Better, Best” counsel wisely given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks in 2007 October’s general conference?  Elder Oaks taught that “We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives…. We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families” (“Good, Better, Best,” Liahona, Nov. 2007, 104, 107).

In the Book of Mormon, this counsel was recorded many times – “For the Lord God hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence” ( 2 Nephi 4:4).  Let us remember our baptismal covenant by observing the Sabbath every week and worthily partaking of the Sacrament.  Renewing our covenants and promised blessings helps us keep them.