Church leaders urged spiritual preparedness and loyalty during the Priesthood Session Saturday night.

Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve opened the Priesthood Session on Saturday night by saying it was the largest gathering of priesthood the world had ever seen because of the church's continual growth.

Speaking of the power of the priesthood, Elder Haight recounted stories from his life on his experience with the priesthood.

"Priesthood is the power and authority of God delegated to man," Elder Haight said on more than one occasion.

He told the story of his baptism as a boy by his father in an irrigation canal.

When his Bishop ordained him a few years later, Elder Haight said he felt for the first time that he had responsibilities and "had a special feeling that now I was a little different."

At his father's funeral, Elder Haight said he was touched because he saw good men "exercising the Priesthood, doing what is right."

"Live the way you should live and when people find out about it, you will have an influence on their lives," Elder Haight said.

He also told of an experience during World War II as part of the military when he was on a plane headed for Hawai'i.

During that sleepless night in the back of an airplane, Elder Haight said he took inventory of his actions, wondering whether he was truly serving with all his heart, might, mind and strength, as the scriptures counsel.

Stressing the importance of proper preparation for a mission, Elder Daryl H. Garn, former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, addressed his remarks to young men.

Elder Garn related the words of a recently returned missionary who said spiritual preparation was much like preparation for a basketball game.

Garn stressed that, just like basketball fundamentals such as dribbling and shooting should be learned before a game, spiritual preparation should occur before a missionary leaves.

"Missionary service includes a lifetime of preparation," Elder Garn said.

Young men, he said, should develop the skills and attributes and keep the commandments of God to prepare for a mission.

In talking about keeping the commandments of God, Elder Garn said some actions would exclude a prospective missionary from service.

Speaking of the inconsistency of planned repentance, he said, "There need to be absolutes in life. Some lines should never be crossed."

Presiding Church Bishop H. David Burton based his remarks on "and that's the way it is," a famous saying by Walter Cronkite.

Bishop Burton urged increased levels of worthiness and spiritual commitment by "raising the bar."

He said to "view rules as safety restraints, rather than chains" and that when the Lord commands, to do it.

Bishop Burton also spoke on the need to maintain focus on the important goals in life such as temple marriage and missionary service.

President James E. Faust, Second Counselor of the First Presidency, also addressed his remarks to young men, warning of dangers ahead and ways to avoid them.

He told a story about the Devil's Throat, a particularly dangerous part of the Iguacu Waterfalls in South America.

The adventurous would guide canoes through the turbulent waters to some rocks perched above the Devil's Throat, he said, running a great risk of being swept off the cliff and into the raging waters below.

Likening this analogy to life, President Faust quoted George Albert Smith who said, "If you cross to the Devil's side just one inch, you will be in his power."

President Faust said two great powers have existed since before the world was created, and members are caught in a tug-of-war between good and evil.

It is impossible, he said, to not choose one side or another.

President Faust also urged those serving in the military to choose good standards and not to lower their morals.

President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, spoke on the importance of reactivation and staying strong in the church.

He quoted Stephen L. Richards, who said, "I like to define the Priesthood in terms of service, and I frequently call it the perfect plan of service."

Saying a growing number of perspective elders are not found in church meetings, President Monson said "that must be rectified."

President Gordon B. Hinckley concluded the meeting by speaking on aspects of loyalty.

He stressed the need to be loyal to self, chosen companions, the church and to "God and His Son Jesus Christ."

"We must be true to the very best that is in us," President Hinckley said.

He then spoke on the dangers of pornography, drugs and other temptations the devil places in life.

"Every man and boy in the sound of my voice knows what is degrading," President Hinckley said. "You do not need a roadmap to tell you where indulgence will lead you."

Commenting on the problem of divorce, President Hinckley urged fidelity and loyalty in marriage.

He also strongly urged members to by loyal to the church, and promised that, as President of the Church, he would "never advocate anything other than that which would be beneficial to members of this church."

President Hinckley talked of a movement in 1933 to end prohibition, which prevented the sale of alcohol in the United States, and how Utah became the deciding state.

Against the council of the church, the majority in Utah voted for the referendum and prohibition was ended.

President Hinckley concluded his remarks by instructing the congregation to be loyal to God and Jesus Christ and to honor and serve them faithfully.



Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Apr 2003