Elder M. Russell Ballard: Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship

I really enjoyed this talk, especially since this was my first general priesthood meeting with Taylor.

Elder Ballard started his talk by saying how much he enjoyed seeing fathers and sons together at this priesthood meeting. Then he said:

It is a visual reminder of two of the most powerful elements of our theology: priesthood and family.  Everything in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, including the ordinances of the holy temple, is focused on the possibilities of families becoming part of the eternal family of God.


We're all on a journey. Dads are a little further down the road, but none of us has yet arrived at our final destination. We are all in the process of becoming who we will one day be. [I really like that quote, "We are all in the process of becoming who we will one day be."] Fathers and sons can play a critical role in helping each other become the best that they can be.


Fathers, you are the primary model of manhood for your sons. You are their most meaningful mentor, and believe it or not, you are their hero in countless ways. Your words and your example are a great influence on them.


Tonight I want to give you young men three simple suggestions on how to take full advantage of your relationship with your dad. And then I want to give you fathers three suggestions about relating to and communication with your sons.


First, trust your father.  Your dad wants more than anything for you to be happy and successful, so why would you not want to trust someone like that?


Second, take an interest in your father's life. Ask about his job, his interests, his goals. How did he decide to do the work he does? What was he like when he was your age? How did he meet your mother? 


Third, ask your father for advice. Let's be honest: he is probably going to give you his advice whether you ask for it or not, but it just works so much better when you ask!  Ask for his advice on Church activity, on classes, on friends, on school, on dating, on sports or other hobbies. Ask for his counsel on your Church assignments, on preparing for your mission, on decisions or choices you have to make.


OK, fathers, now it's your turn.


First, fathers, listen to your sons - really listen to them. Ask the right kinds of questions, and listen to what your sons have to say each time you have a few minutes together. you need to know - not to guess but to know - what is going on in your son's life. Don't assume that you know how he feels just because you were young once. Your sons live in a very different world from the one in which you grew up.  A one-on-one relationship should be a routine part of your stewardship with your sons.


Don't think you have to try to fix everything or solve everything during these visits. Most of the time, the best thing you can do is just listen.


Second, pray with an for your sons. Give them priesthood blessings.


Third, dare to have the "big talks" with your sons. You know what I mean: talks about drugs and drinking, about the dangers of today's media - the Internet, cyber technologies, and pornography - and about priesthood worthiness, respect for girls, and moral cleanliness. While these should not be the only subjects you talk about with your sons, please don't shy away from them.  I am especially concerned that we communicate openly and clearly with our sons about sexual matters.


This was a lot of copying on my part, but this talk is a pretty good manual for fathers. I am grateful for it.

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi: I Love Loud Boys

Elder Yoon used, as the basis of his talk, the story of a group of "loud boys" who lived in his neighborhood and came to church with a couple of their member friends.

There are two basic principles that helped these young men become like the sons of Helaman.  Even though the boys' mothers were not members of the Church and did not understand the words of the Lord, priesthood leaders became like their fathers, and leaders' wives became like their mothers. 


These nine boys - I call them the "Boys of the Lord" - learned that they would be blessed when they listened to the Church leaders, even though they didn't always understand why.


He then goes on to talk about how successful the boys became - as men in general and as leaders in the church.

Modern sons of Helaman come not only from our precious families within the Church but also from new and young converts who do not have parents in the gospel. You and your wives are to be their "goodly parents" until they become like the sons of Helaman.

Revealed Quorum Principles - Brother Michael A. Neider sat am

As bearers of the holy priesthood, we should see that the sisters are not the only examples of virtue.

This is a reference to the recent Young Women's addition of 'virtue' as one of their Young Women's values. Priesthood holders need to value virtue just as much.

Brother Neider sets the topic for the young men by stating:

I invite young men ages 12-18 and their quorum presidencies to listen, for we will be discussing scripture the Lord has directed to you. (That's one of the remarkable things about this church, that young men are entrusted with some much responsibility and given so many opportunities as early as age 12.) I emphasize the principle of study, or obtaining God's word. We should be earnest students of revealed priesthood and quorum principles. Our goal is to correctly use inspired direction from God and His prophets to maximize the virtues and blessings of the quorum and strengthen young men and their families. The work of the quorum is to increase faith in Christ, prepare and save young men, and eliminate mistakes and sloth in implementing God's will.

This is great direction for the young men and should be part of leadership training, especially the 'work of the quorum':

1. increase faith in Christ
2. prepare and save young men
3. eliminate mistakes and sloth in implementing God's will.

President Stephen L. Richards taught that a quorum is a class, a brotherhood, and a service unit: a class where a young man may be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ; a brotherhood where we can strengthen, build, lift, and friendship each other; and a service unit to give service to quorum members and others.

Once again, this is excellent leadership training material for quorum presidencies and quorum members. It is not enough to just be in a quorum. We should understand what a quorum is and what it does.

Verse 85 of section 107 (of the Doctrine and Covenants) instructs a deacons quorum president how to minister to his quorum members: "And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over the office of a deacon is to preside over twelve deacons, to sit in council with them and to teach them their duty, edify one another, as it is given according to the covenants."

More training material for quorum presidencies, specifically deacons:

1. Preside over twelve deacons
2. sit in council with them
3. teach them their duty
4. edify one another

This is quite a responsibility for 12-13 year-old boys, but they can do it. The Lord trusts them.

I invite quorum presidencies to ask the following questions and seek other questions the Spirit will inspire: What does an Aaronic Priesthood quorum president do to preside over a quorum? What are his duties? What does he do as he sits in council with quorum members? How and when does he teach? What are the covenants referenced in the verses? And what do the quorum adviser and the bishopric member do as each assists the president in his duties and in his use of priesthood keys of presidency?

These are all good questions for all presidencies and should be part of leadership training. I like the idea that this is just a start, or suggestion, and that the presidency should seek by inspiration other questions they should be asking themselves. He does suggest some other questions that (I would add) might be good for PPIs and presidency meetings:

Does my quorum operate as described by the Lord in scripture? If not, why not? And what should I do to appropriately implement revealed quorum principles in my quorum? As a presidency prays for help and guidance, the Spirit, the bishopric, advisers, and the quorum will help and be sure to regularly use the inspired Church handbooks.

More youth leadership can then be exerted by quorum presidencies, while advisers can spend more time in support and leadership training. As we focus on quorum duties, the frequency of regular quorum presidency meetings usually increases for better preparation and leadership opportunity.

This is how it should be happening. This is a good indicator or milepost for quorum advisors.

Many tools have been given by the Lord and our Brethren to assist in the work of the Aaronic Priesthood quorum, including mighty prayer of faith, fasting, scripture study, "For the Strength of Youth", Duty to God, the quorum instruction manual, "Preach My Gospel" as a resource, varied activities, and Scouting.

This is a great list of resources. I found it very interesting that the first three mentioned were not manuals.

The quorum is expected to help parents strengthen their sons spiritually and in every other facet of their character, activity, and personal lives.

This is a good description of the parent-auxiliary relationship. This was a very powerful and instructive talk for boys, parents, and advisors.