This weekend we had the privilege of being with Elder Dale G. Renlund and Elder Richard L. Maynes and Elder Michael L. Southward. Friday night there was a meeting with the youth in Springfield and the surrounding stakes. Saturday morning young adults from the same area gathered, and then Saturday afternoon Priesthood leaders came.
A couple of observations. First they meet with those who are being ministered to – youth and young adults, and then they met with those who are to do the ministering. The youth and young adults had been asked to read a couple of talks before attending. One talk that they both read was Elder Anderson’s conference talk, “Faith is Not by Chance, but by Choice.” At the meeting, those attending were asked to comment on what they learned and then Elder Renlund either commented on or asked one of the other authorities to comment. It was a very engaging way to be edified. It wasn’t until today that I realized it was also a way to see what was important to the saints in the area before meeting with those who have the responsibility to shepherd those saints.
During both meetings, surprisingly, Elder Renlund asked me to comment. This is not something that I expected, but apparently the Lord knew because before the meeting I had a couple of experiences from my past flash into my mind. I had not thought of those experiences for a long time. When I was asked to comment, I realized that what I’d learned from those experiences were the answers to the questions. Since serving our mission I have come to realize, it is so very, much about paying attention to the thoughts the Lord places in your mind and the people he places in your path.
At one point I looked at Elder Renlund and thought, so this is what it is like to be in the presence of an apostle. (I have been in the presence of other apostles, but this was the thought I had.) Surprisingly, what I felt was very familiar. I have felt those same feeling as I’ve read about Alma, Paul, and Nephi. They are the feelings of the Holy Ghost. One of the jobs of the Holy Ghost is to testify of God the Father and Jesus Christ, which is the same job of an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
During my brief opportunity as a missionary to bear witness of Jesus Christ, I too hope others feel what I felt - the the truthfulness that the Savior did indeed, die so that we can have all the tools necessary to return to a loving Heavenly Father