Verses 30 and 31 of D&C 107 give us insight to the way in which priesthood quorums are to make decisions together. “The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity” (v. 30.) The promised blessing is that “if these things abound in them they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord” (v. 31.) These verses mirror very closely 2 Peter 1:5-8, and a similar promise is given that “if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 8). It’s interesting to see how the Lord’s methods of operation in His church are the same in all times and for all people. We are always to do things in faith, patience, virtue and love, and if we do then we will be blessed with knowledge from God on how to act.
These verses in section 107 immediately brought to mind section 121 verses 41-42 wherein we are told that the priesthood cannot have power or influence over another except by persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness, and pure knowledge. This is a scripture that I think we should all read often and try to apply in our lives, but it is especially important for priesthood leaders to read and apply often. I have seen in my service as elders quorum president how easy it is to see others as problems rather than people. You focus so much on trying to help them do what they need to do that you sometimes forget the real goal of helping them become what they need to be. Sometimes that become frustrating, and you need to read these verses again and strive to reach out to them in love unfeigned, with kindness, meekness and patience. President Monson gives us great advice when he encourages us to “see others as they may become” (“See Others as They May Become”, Ensign, Nov 2012, p. 68) and “never [to] let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved” (“Finding Joy in the Journey”, Ensign, Nov 2008, p. 86.)
We see this counsel to act with Christlike attributes as priesthood leaders repeated often in the New Testament, when the apostles were trying to establish the correct pattern of priesthood ministering. 2 Cor. 6:4-6 state that to approve ourselves as the ministers of God, we must act in patience in any affliction and possess love unfeigned. In 1 Peter the chief apostle admonishes the elders to “feed the flock of God...neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (5:1-3.) He speaks also specifically to husbands, which is a priesthood leadership role, to dwell with their wives according to knowledge, to honor them, to be of one mind, to have compassion, not to return railing for railing, but rather to return a blessing (3:7-9.) We are constantly reminded in every position of authority not to seek power, but to act in love and in the best interest of those we serve and to maintain patience and kindness, even suffering a long time if we must.
I believe these principles that are repeated over and over in the scriptures are important not only for priesthood leaders, but for any disciple of Christ. This is how we become like Him: through practicing and developing the attributes He possesses in full. They also apply to anyone who is called to lead another, whether it be as a young women’s advisor, a Sunday school teacher, a mother, or a ward choir director, or even something that isn’t church related at all. These are true principles in whatever leadership capacity we serve in.
I also find it interesting how much these verses emphasize having correct knowledge and acting thereon. We are to continually seek knowledge from God in doing right in His eyes. The only way we can know for sure what the right thing to do in any situation is is to receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is right. We need to be fruitful in the knowledge of the Lord (D&C 107:31) in order to live our lives right in preparation for returning to live with Him.
I feel like I've never really paid close attention to those verses in section 121 where it discusses "the priesthood cannot have power or influence over another except by persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness, and pure knowledge." But I love that. This just further proves that as men hold the priesthood, they are not entitled to anything. They are not magically able to have final say or practice unrighteous dominion. The culture of the church so often confuses priesthood authority with something else entirely but I love the comfort of knowing that the Lord has the true definition of how his church should function.
ReplyDeleteI like that you pointed out the link between those verses. As disciples of Christ, it is important that we follow Christ's example in all things, and in leadership positions especially. I don't think this list is meant to be exhaustive, (which is maybe why the two aren't the same) but instead, I think it is supposed to portray the idea of Christ-like attributes. These attributes in any form are becoming less common in society, not just among the men, but the women too. I think it important that we read these sections even if we aren't in a leadership position and ask ourselves what more we can add to our own character.
ReplyDeleteAnd we should read them often. Specifically, I've heard multiple church leaders council us to read D&C 121:41-42 frequently and apply it to our own leadership, whatever form our leadership may take. We may be mothers or fathers, Young Women's or Young Men's president, or even just caring friends, and that is an opportunity to be a leader.
DeleteI really loved how you started out saying how you noticed the Lord operates in the same way with everyone throughout the church and throughout the Church's history. It is interesting to look at some other religions which constantly change policies and beliefs. The consistency we experience is a wonderful thing to be a part of, and really builds my testimony that the prophets are God's messengers. We truly have Christ at the center of our religion, and enjoy the guarantee that it will be the same today and tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the connection to Pres. Monson's talks. I think that his counsel has a lot of positive outcomes. First, I think that loving people rather than thinking of them as a problem to solve will lead to better results in helping them overcome what they need to. Second, I think that we enjoy the process more, learn more from it, are uplifted, and get an new friend! Finally, it helps us feel the love of Christ for that person and they are more likely to feel the love of Christ. Thus both are drawn closer to Christ.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Love is not only the solution for helping someone in need, it is also the solution for helping us. I've experienced the effects of showing love to someone that it may not be normal to show love to. In doing interviews with the elders in my ward I've been trying to really show them that I care about them by giving them a hug afterward, and even telling some of them that I love them. In opening up with them in a way that guys don't often do with each other, I've felt more love for them and I know they've felt of my love for them and the Savior's, too.
DeleteI feel like these are simple principles, to not be over-bearing, but something that must be kept in line every single day of our lives. I feel that it is so easy to let pride, or arrogance, creep into our lives and affect our personalities. Just as it says in Mosiah 3:19, we must be quick to put off the natural man so that we are able to have more of the spirit which I believe will naturally lead to patience, persuasion and long-suffering.
ReplyDeleteI like the list of attributes that should be employed when priesthood quorums make decisions.One that stuck out to me when I was reading this post was knowledge. Something that my wife quotes her father as saying is "with information comes inspiration." I truly believe that to be accurate. It's not that Heavenly Father can't inspire His leaders to do the right thing without any knowledge at all. There are many examples of God calling under-qualified people to do miraculous and important works. However, just as is listed above, knowledge is important in doing the work of God. Bishops, teachers, quorum presidents, and other leaders can make better decisions when properly informed. This is why when anyone raises their hand to oppose the sustaining of someone in a ward, they are asked to let the bishop know why they opposed the sustaining. This can sometimes provide new light and knowledge to the bishop and help him make a more inspired decision. Then again, on the flip side, revelation is revelation. Sometimes people (members of our church or not) believe that they can change the course or doctrine of our church as a whole by simply performing demonstrations, protests, or campaigning for certain ideas. These kinds of activities do not change revelation. Truth cannot be influenced. The gospel truths and doctrines are absolute. If new revelation is received, it is not because we as humans petitioned and changed the will of God.
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