Eyring - The Preparatory Priesthood - October 2014

President Eyring speaks to the priesthood session of General Conference.  He speaks about the Aaronic Priesthood and how the preparation period is necessary to understand the full power of the priesthood responsibilities that will be upon each of us in the future.  The "lesser priesthood" is about preparing us for greater service in the future in God's kingdom.

• Just as the time we have been given to live in mortality is to prepare to meet God, the time we are given to serve in the Aaronic Priesthood is an opportunity to prepare us to learn how to give crucial help to others. Just as the Lord gives the help we require to pass the tests of mortal life, He also sends us help in our priesthood preparation.

Great people will be encountered during our journey in priesthood service.  Maybe it will be a loving Bishop, a kind High Priest, or a patient Elder how has been assigned to be home teaching companions with a newly ordained Teacher.  Whoever is assigned to help look after this young men we be able to bless him in two ways.

• Two of the blessings that a senior priesthood companion can give are trust and an example of caring.
  

If we are assigned to help a young man or not, we all have an obligation to help prepare young men for priesthood responsibilities.

• All of us in the priesthood have an obligation to help the Lord prepare others. There are some things we can do that could matter most. Even more powerful than using words in our teaching the doctrine will be our examples of living the doctrine.
  
• In priesthood preparation, “show me” counts more than “tell me.”
• A father or a bishop or a senior home teaching companion who shows that he trusts a young priesthood holder can change his life.
  

Love is the essential characteristic necessary to help Aaronic Priesthood bearers grow.  At times, we have to correct them, but it should always be done in a feeling of love, and after the correction, a greater showing of love and support for that person.

• Our success in preparing others in the priesthood will come in proportion to how much we love them. That will be especially true when we must correct them. Think of the moment when an Aaronic Priesthood holder, perhaps at the sacrament table, makes a mistake in performing an ordinance. That is a serious matter. Sometimes the error requires public correction with a possibility of resentment, a feeling of humiliation or even of being rejected.
  
• Those of you who are preparing priesthood holders will certainly see them make mistakes. Before they receive your correction, they must have felt of your love early and steadily. They must have felt your genuine praise before they will accept your correction.

President Eyring concludes with his testimony of the purpose of preparing Aaronic Priesthood bearers for future service.

• I testify that all who serve together in the priesthood are preparing a people for the coming of the Lord to His Church.
  

President Eying does such a great job of encouraging us to look out for those that are preparing for future service in the church.  We can all have great influence over those that are learning about the Priesthood and we have an obligation to show love and support as they learn what is expected of them.  I remember my first companion in the mission field.  He was so eager to get me quickly involved in using the Priesthood that he set up for me to give a young lady a blessing my first day in the mission field.  I was nervous as I had never given a blessing before.  He spoke kindly as he explained the purpose, the process, and the meaning behind what was going to happen to this young woman.  He spoke about the necessary faith that was needed.  And then, as I had watched many men in my life do previously, we placed our hands on her head and I was the mouthpiece for the Lord to bless this child of God.  I know what it is like to have someone take the time to teach, instruct, and guide me in my priesthood service.  I use this example in my endeavors today to try to teach our newly called Aaronic Priesthood holders to prepare for a future time, when they will be called upon to provide greater priesthood service.