Priesthood Fireside Focuses on Service

The theme of the May 5 fireside commemorating the restoration of the priesthood was service—more spirituality in service, more diligence in service.

Thousands of priesthood holders heard the call as they gathered in the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City or in stake centers throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. The fireside was broadcast via satellite and rebroadcast later on KBYU-TV.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency, presided and conducted the meeting in the Tabernacle, with President Ezra Taft Benson watching the broadcast from his apartment near Temple Square.

“Miracles are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified, when faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving. The power of God will bring to pass his purposes,” said President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency.

He spoke of the kind of miracles that happen when priesthood holders give diligent, devoted service. He told the story of Tobias Burkhardt, a boy who, some years ago, took on the task of caring for the grave of Joseph Ott, a missionary from Utah who died in Dresden in the 1890s. Tobias felt that in this way he could give some service to the missionary cause, since in the German Democratic Republic where he lived, he would not be allowed to serve a mission.

But the world has changed since Tobias Burkhardt was a deacon. President Monson called Elder Burkhardt, just finishing a mission in Utah, to the pulpit to bear his testimony during the fireside. The missionary spoke of the ways in which service, along with the teachings of the gospel and the influence of his parents, have shaped his life.

President Monson also recalled that a wise teachers quorum adviser helped him learn service many years ago. The adviser gave him two pigeons, but one of them would return to the former owner’s loft every time it was set free. And every time young Tom, the president of the teachers quorum, went to retrieve it, his adviser would counsel him on how the quorum president could help one of the other boys in the group.

In his address, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve referred to Abraham’s vision of the “noble and great ones” who lived with the Lord before earth life. (See Abr. 3:22–23.)

“Brethren, I believe that the noble and great ones described by Abraham, the ones that God would make his leaders, include those who hold and honor the holy priesthood.”

Priesthood is not, as some may believe, the authority to testify, to pray, to teach in the name of the Lord, Elder Oaks explained; members who do not hold the priesthood have authority to do those things. Those to whom priesthood power is delegated, who use it worthily, “do not just act in the name of the Lord. Priesthood holders act for the Lord,” in things that will be recognized not just in this life but in eternity.

“What a responsibility! When we use priesthood authority, we must strive with all the power we possess to say or do only that which God would have us say or do as his representative, acting for him in that circumstance.”

Elder Marion D. Hanks of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke of virtues that priesthood holders need, particularly integrity. “Real integrity calls us to be, and not to seem,” he said.

He recalled the example of humble Peter, who put his net into the sea again at the Lord’s bidding, even though he had fished all night long and had caught nothing. (See Luke 5:1–11.) “In the Lord’s service, we are invited to put down the nets as he bids us,” Elder Hanks added. It does not matter that we are tired or haven’t been particularly successful before; power to direct the harvest is his.

Elder Jack H. Goaslind of the Seventy, Young Men General President, was the first speaker of the fireside. “The priesthood you hold is indeed a worldwide brotherhood,” knowing no language or cultural barriers, he said. As part of that brotherhood, he introduced three Aaronic Priesthood holders whose talks had been videotaped in their home areas. They were Derek Ryan, a deacon from Ireland; Erickson B. Ballados, a teacher from the Philippines; and Daniel Borba, a priest from Brazil. Each spoke on service through the priesthood, and on preparation for greater service in life.

A section of the Church video production Putting the Melchizedek Priesthood to Work was also shown during the fireside, indicating ways in which priesthood holders can reach out to members who need strengthening.

President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, spoke at the fireside telecast from the Tabernacle. A priesthood (right) from Orem, Utah, furnished music. (Photos by Phil Shurtleff.)