Only An Elder

[avatar4321]

Only an Elder

This is an excellent priesthood resource. I think some of the best portions of the talk are the following:

The reactivation process consists of (1) using home teachers, (2) using the Church and all its programs, and (3) running the quorum itself in the proper manner. The most effective reactivation is always on a one-to-one basis, on a family-to-family basis. It is personal contacting. It is friendshipping. It is fellowshipping. It is done by home teachers! Use home teachers to reactivate!

There is no substitute for home teaching. We do not need to appoint special fellowshipping committees to help reactivate elders or prospective elders. We do not need to issue a special call or make special arrangements for fellowshipping work. Instead, we use home teachers to do the things that by revelation they are commanded to do. Home teaching is one of the best resources in the Church. Home teachers visit in the homes of the members, watch over and strengthen the Saints, see that there is no iniquity in their lives, and see that all do their duties.

Assume an extreme case, one in which the picture is dark, one where discouragement could come easily. Still, something must be done. A start must be made. And the load can be lightened through home teaching. If each active elder, in his role as a home teacher, on a one-to-one basis, on a family-to-family basis, assumed responsibility for only one other elder and his family, if each active elder conscientiously and actively did his duty—how many months would pass before there would be twice as many active elders who could be used? It may not be easy, but it is not insurmountable, and it can be done.

Home teachers have status. Their calls are official. They have been sent by their quorum president, by the bishop, and by the Lord. They should visit frequently in their assigned homes. They are there to do the things listed in section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Home teachers and their families should fellowship inactive families. Social and recreational arrangements are helpful. The home evening approach is excellent. On some evening other than Monday, the inactive family may be invited to a family home evening where family fellowshipping and gospel teaching will be involved. Home teachers tie their contacts into the quorum and its teaching and activity functions. Service is essential to salvation. Every quorum member, active and inactive, should be asked to serve on a task committee or quorum project as soon as it is possible to do so.[/b]

There are other great tidbits here

[Daniel]

Home teachers have status. Their calls are official. They have been sent by their quorum president, by the bishop, and by the Lord.[/b]

This is a nice quote to put up as a reminder of your calling as a home teacher.

[Pegtagatha]

On some evening other than Monday, the inactive family may be invited to a family home evening where family fellowshipping and gospel teaching will be involved.[/b]

One of the Elder's invited me to a Home Evening on a Monday.

[selek]

One of the Elder's invited me to a Home Evening on a Monday.[/b]

By all means, go if you can. You will have a chance to observe the Mormons in their natural habitat, observe their pack behavior and group interaction, and maybe even their feeding habits!

Stay away from the green jello with carrots in it, though......medical science has yet to determine the maximum safe dosage.

[Douglas]

I found the entire article to be most inspiring.

[the_jason]

I love that talk by Elder McConkie. Some people seem to think there is a hierarchy in the church, that a High Priest is somehow more righteous than an Elder, that a Stake President is more righteous than a Bishop. Nothing could be further from the truth. If I remain an Elder and a YM President for the rest of my life, and if I am worthy, I would be entitled to the same blessings as Joseph Smith.

Only an Elder puts into perspective just how special it is to be an Elder. An Elder is not just someone who sits in Elders Quorum each week and listens to a lesson. An Elder is a holder of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood. There is a reason why we refer to Seventies and Apostles as Elder. They are Elders, too.