I was reading a letter today written in 1848 from Brigham Young to Orson Spencer who was serving a mission in England. This letter was written shortly after President Young had become the second Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is an exerpt from the letter,
James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-75), 1:, p.336
“I asked your children how they would like me to send you word to stay another year, as I thought it was best to do so, and take them and Brother Bullock’s family over the mountains in the spring. Ellen replied, “If I thought it was best, they would like it so, for they wanted to do the best,” and they all said Amen to it. I told Ellen to buy a good milch cow, and I would pay for it, and reminded her of my saying last winter, that if she lacked anything she was to let me know. It is thought advisable for you to stay another year, and I will take your family on in the spring. ”
At this point in the history of the Church missionaries often served longer than the current two years. It struck me how Orsons family was willing to submit to the direction of a Prophet. They believed that if a prophet or church leader made a request, that the request was from God and they would be blessed for obeying.
Do we have this same mentality today? I would hope we do. We most likely will not be asked to serve a three or four year mission, or even be required to walk across the vast prairies of the Midwest. However, on a regular basis we are asked by the leaders of the church to obey their council and direction. Do we willingly follow or do we think the council doesn’t apply to us but to our neighbor?
A few weeks ago we had a stake conference where we were giving what I would call a commandment. Our stake president asked that each home in the stake to have a hard copy subscription of the Ensign and Liahona magazines. How would you respond to a leaders who made a request like this? Would you attempt to makes excuses or would you faithfully obey?
Boyd K. Packer, That All May Be Edified , p.238-239
“Others among us are willing to sustain part of the leadership of the Church and question and criticize others of us.
Some of us suppose that if we were called to a high office in the Church immediately, we would be loyal and would show the dedication necessary. We would step forward and valiantly commit ourselves to this service.
But (you can put it down in your little black book) if you will not be loyal in the small things, you will not be loyal in the large things. If you will not respond to the so-called insignificant or menial tasks which need to be performed in the Church and kingdom, there will be no opportunity for service in the so-called greater challenges.
A man who says he will sustain the President of the Church or the General Authorities, but cannot sustain his own bishop is deceiving himself. The man who will not sustain the bishop of his ward and the president of his stake will not sustain the President of the Church.”
Let us strive to be obedient in the “small” daily things that the Lord requires of us
