Being Where We Should Be

By Elder Randy D. Funk

Of the Seventy

When I was 11, I lived in Manti, Utah, USA. At the beginning of the year, my Primary teacher brought a small, beautiful hatchet that you could chop wood with.

“Whoever comes to Primary the most this year gets to keep the hatchet,” she said. Right then I decided to come every week. At the end of the year, I got the hatchet!

Soon my 12th birthday came. I was ordained a deacon. Around this time, my family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, USA. I missed my friends, but I was excited to make new ones. Madison was much bigger than Manti. My new school was large. There weren’t many members of the Church. One day some popular kids invited me to a party. But the party was on the same night as a Church activity. I had learned from my experience in Primary that good things happen when I am faithful in attending my Church meetings. I thanked them for inviting me, and I explained why I couldn’t come.

The day after the party, everyone at school was talking about it. They had been drinking alcohol at the party, and everyone who went got in a lot of trouble! I was so grateful that I had been where I needed to be.

I am thankful that I went to Primary and other Church meetings as I was growing up. I learned important lessons about the gospel there. And I had fun at the activities. Heavenly Father blesses us when we try to be where we should be and do what we should do. He strengthens our faith. He protects us from temptation and sin.

In Doctrine and Covenants 88:63, Jesus said, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.”

As we attend our Church meetings, including sacrament meeting, we draw closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We learn important truths to guide our decisions throughout the week, even when we are not at church or surrounded by others who share our beliefs. When you live righteously, the Holy Ghost will help you know where you need to be and what you need to do.