Causse - Preparing the Way - April 2017

Bishop Causse speaks about the great preparations that he made as a youth that benefited him in his future career.  He speaks about an employer of his finding out that he studied in seminary and being offered a promotion due to this.  He said his employer knew he could trust him because he knew the type of person he was for making and keeping this commitment to study the gospel.  Bishop Causse talks about the need for unifying our efforts in the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods to being about the great work of salvation.

• This gathering of generations offers a marvelous vision of the unity and brotherhood that exist between the two priesthoods of God. Even though they are vested with different missions and authority, the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood are inseparable partners in the work of salvation. They go hand in hand and have great need of each other.

He speaks about the need for watching over each of the young men of the church and how the ward counsel has responsibility to help prepare our young men for future priesthood service.  He shares the example of one young man who had very little support at home and how the ward took him into their lives and included him in all their activities.  The service that he was able to provide to all the ward members was great preparation for being called as a full-time missionary.  Bishop Causse speaks to other bishops in the church and their responsibility to make sure none of these young men are lost.

• My dear bishops, you have, included in your ordination and setting apart as bishop of your ward, the sacred calling to serve as president of the Aaronic Priesthood and of the priests quorum. I am aware of the heavy burdens you carry, but you should make your duty toward these young men one of your highest priorities. You cannot neglect it or delegate your role in this responsibility to others.

He counsels us to make activities with our youth meaningful and with a heavenly purpose.  Our youth need activities that will build testimony and character and that have an impact on the work of the church.

• Too often we try to entertain our young men and relegate them to a spectator role, when their faith and love for the gospel can be best developed by magnifying their priesthood. By actively participating in the work of salvation, they will be connected with heaven and they will gain awareness of their divine potential.

Bishop Causse's comments are important to me as my son will be of priesthood age in the coming year.  I want him to have leaders that help build him personally as well as spiritually.  I want him to have leaders that understand that fun is appropriate and will teach him that spiritual things are part of our everyday lives.  My son will have the chance to serve in his quorums, in the temple, and in the ward and if all these are balanced, he will see great blessings come to himself and those he serves.