An Unexpected Lesson From a Prophet
What a wonderful General Conference that just concluded. I find it remarkable how much energy President Nelson has at 94 years of age. I clearly remember when he and President Oaks were called as apostles at the April conference in 1984. They both made a great impression on my mind at the time, and I have watched them and listened to them closely over the years. There have been so many wonderful prophets during my lifetime. I have admired and respected each of them and learned so much from each one.
However, one of my most memorable lessons from a prophet came quite unexpectedly. While living in the Dayton Ohio Stake, I had an opportunity to accompany our bishop and my wife Denna, who was serving as Young Womens president in our ward at the time, on a youth trip to Salt Lake City for a special church event. While there, one of our youth expressed a desire to attend the Salt Lake temple to perform baptisms for the dead. We quickly arranged to do this and found ourselves in the temple on a Thursday morning.
As myself, the bishop, and our three young men were on our way to the baptistry all dressed in white, we were shocked as we turned a corner to see the First Presidency about 100 feet away down the hallway. President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors, President Eyring and President Uchtdorf were greeting the temple presidency on their way into the temple. I quickly motioned to the boys to stop and be very quiet. We stood motionless. We were far enough away that I was certain we would not be noticed. But immediately President Monson looked up from down the hallway and motioned for us to come to them. We obeyed!!!
As we approached, President Monson with a huge smile and the warmth of summer sun, exclaimed, “Well who do we have here?” He then greeted each of us and treated these young men as if they were dignitaries. He asked about each one. He learned we were from Ohio and jokingly confided that he was a Michigan fan growing up. He commented that my son looked like himself growing up … 6 feet 3 and 140 pounds. He made each of us feel special. And then they were off, on their busy schedule to do the Lord’s work.
In that moment, I learned as much as I have from any conference talk. I felt and experienced firsthand the abundant love a Prophet has for God and his children. How blessed we are to be led and guided by a prophet of God. How blessed we are to have such an example to follow. Follow the prophet. Follow the prophet. Follow the prophet. He knows the way!
Akron Ohio Stake News 