We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.

1. to be told she is valued. She needs to
By President Thomas S. Monson be told she is worthwhile.
Brethren, I know that men are very
See Others as
much like women in this regard. We
need to be told that we amount to
something, that we are capable and
worthwhile. We need to be given a
They May Become
chance to serve. For those members
who have slipped from activity or who
hold back and remain noncommittal,
we can prayerfully seek for some way
to reach them. Asking them to serve in
We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are some capacity may just be the incen-
at present but as they may become. tive they need to return to full activity.
But those leaders who could help in
this regard are sometimes reluctant
M
to do so. We need to bear in mind
y dear brethren, twice truth. Although to varying degrees, that people can change. They can put
each year this magnificent I believe every man or young man behind them bad habits. They can
Conference Center is filled to here tonight has a testimony. If you repent from transgressions. They can
capacity with the priesthood of God as feel that you do not yet have the bear the priesthood worthily. And they
we gather to hear messages of inspira- depth of testimony you would wish, can serve the Lord diligently. May I
tion. There is a marvelous spirit which I admonish you to work to achieve provide a few illustrations.
permeates the general priesthood such a testimony. If it is strong and When I first became a member of
meeting of the Church. This spirit deep, labor to keep it that way. How the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,
emanates from the Conference Center blessed we are to have a knowledge I had the opportunity to accompany
and enters every building where the of the truth. President N. Eldon Tanner, a counselor
sons of God assemble. We have surely My message tonight, brethren, is that to President David O. McKay, to a stake
felt that spirit tonight. there are countless individuals who conference in Alberta, Canada. During
Some years ago, before this beau- have little or no testimony right now, the meeting, the stake president read
tiful Conference Center was built, a those who could and would receive the names of four brethren who had
visitor to Temple Square in Salt Lake such a testimony if we would be willing qualified to be ordained elders. These
City attended a general conference to make the effort to share ours and to were men whom President Tanner
session in the Tabernacle. He listened help them change. In some instances knew, for at one time he had lived in
to the messages of the Brethren. He we can provide the incentive for that area. But President Tanner knew
paid attention to the prayers. He heard change. I mention first those who are and remembered them as they once
the beautiful music by the Tabernacle members but who are not at present were and did not know that they had
Choir. He marveled at the grandeur fully committed to the gospel. turned their lives around and had fully
of the magnificent Tabernacle organ. Many years ago, at an area confer- qualified to become elders.
When the meeting had ended he was ence held in Helsinki, Finland, I heard The stake president read the name
heard to say, “I would give everything a powerful, memorable, and moti- of the first man and asked him to stand.
I possess if I knew that what those vating message given in a mothers President Tanner whispered to me,
speakers said today was true.” In and daughters’ session. I have not “Look at him. I never thought he would
essence he was saying, “I wish that I forgotten that message, though nearly make it.” The stake president read the
had a testimony of the gospel.” 40 years have passed since I heard it. name of the second man, and he stood.
There is absolutely nothing in this Among many truths the speaker dis- President Tanner nudged me again and
world that will provide more comfort cussed, she said that a woman needs reported his astonishment. And so it
and happiness than a testimony of the to be told she is beautiful. She needs was with all four of the brethren.
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2. After the meeting, President Tanner president. I shall always remember the as they are at present but as they may
and I had the opportunity to congrat- day that I had an interview with him. I become when they receive testimo-
ulate these four brethren. They had told him that the Lord had inspired me nies of the gospel of Christ.
demonstrated that men can change. to call him to be the president of the I once attended a meeting in
During the 1940s and 1950s, an branch. After much protest on his part, Leadville, Colorado. Leadville is situated
American prison warden, Clinton and much encouragement on the part at an altitude of over 10,000 feet (3,000
Duffy, was well known for his efforts of his wife, he indicated that he would m). I remember that particular meet-
to rehabilitate the men in his prison. serve. I ordained him a priest. ing because of the high altitude, but I
Said one critic, “You should know that It was the beginning of a new day also remember it for what took place
leopards don’t change their spots!” for that man. His life was quickly put that evening. There were just a small
Replied Warden Duffy, “You should in order, and he assured me that he number of priesthood holders present.
know I don’t work with leopards. would live the commandments as he As with the branch in the Canadian
I work with men, and men change was expected to live them. In a few Mission, that branch was presided over
every day.” 1 months he was ordained an elder. He by a missionary and always had been.
Many years ago it was my oppor- and his wife and family eventually That night we had a lovely meeting,
tunity to serve as president of the went to the temple and were sealed. but as we were singing the closing
Canadian Mission. There we had a Their children served missions and song, the inspiration came to me that
branch with very limited priesthood. married in the house of the Lord. there ought to be a local branch presi-
We always had a missionary presiding Sometimes letting our brethren dent presiding. I turned to the mis-
over the branch. I received a strong know they are needed and valued sion president and asked, “Isn’t there
impression that we needed to have a can help them take that step into someone here who could preside—a
member of the branch preside there. commitment and full activity. This can local man?”
We had one adult member in the be true of priesthood holders regard- He replied, “I don’t know of one.”
branch who was a deacon in the less of age. It is our responsibility to During the singing of that song,
Aaronic Priesthood but who didn’t give them opportunities to live as they I looked carefully at the men who
attend or participate enough to be should. We can help them to over- were seated on the first three rows.
advanced in the priesthood. I felt come their shortcomings. We must My attention seemed to be focused
inspired to call him as the branch develop the capacity to see men not on one of the brethren. I said to the
November 2012 69

3. mission president, “Could he serve as had such phenomenal success when at our friends, our associates, our
the branch president?” others didn’t. The young man said that neighbors this way. Again, we have
He replied, “I don’t know. Perhaps he attempted to baptize every per- the responsibility to see individuals
he could.” son whom he met. He said that if he not as they are but rather as they can
I said, “President, I’ll take him into knocked on the door and saw a man become. I would plead with you to
the other room and interview him. smoking a cigar and dressed in old think of them in this way.
You speak after the closing song until clothes and seemingly uninterested in Brethren, the Lord told us something
we return.” anything—particularly religion—the about the importance of this priesthood
When the two of us walked back missionary would picture in his own that we hold. He told us that we receive
in the room, the mission president mind what that man would look like it with an oath and a covenant. He gave
concluded his testimony. I presented under a different set of circumstances. unto us the instruction that we must be
the name of the brother to be the new In his mind he would look at him as faithful and true in all that we receive,
branch president. From that day for- clean-shaven and wearing a white and that we have the responsibility to
ward, Leadville, Colorado, had a local shirt and white trousers. And the keep this covenant even unto the end.
member leading the unit there. missionary could see himself leading And then all that the Father has shall be
The same principle, brethren, that man into the waters of baptism. given unto us.2
applies to those who are not yet mem- He said, “When I look at someone Courage is the word we need
bers. We should develop the capacity that way, I have the capacity to bear to hear and hold near our hearts—
to see men not as they are but as they my testimony to him in a way that can courage to turn our backs on temp-
can become when they are members touch his heart.” tation, courage to lift up our voices
of the Church, when they have a tes- We have the responsibility to look in testimony to all whom we meet,
timony of the gospel, and when their
lives are in harmony with its teachings.
Back in the year 1961, a worldwide
conference was held for mission pres-
idents, and every mission president in
the Church was brought to Salt Lake
City for those meetings. I came to Salt
Lake City from my mission in Toronto,
Canada.
In one particular meeting, N. Eldon
Tanner, who was then an Assistant to
the Quorum of the Twelve, had just
returned from his initial experience of
presiding over the missions in Great
Britain and western Europe. He told
of a missionary who had been the
most successful missionary whom
he had met in all of the interviews
he had conducted. He said that as he
interviewed that missionary, he said to
him, “I suppose that all of the people
whom you baptized came into the
Church by way of referrals.”
The young man answered, “No, we
found them all by tracting.”
Brother Tanner asked him what was
different about his approach—why he
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4. remembering that everyone must have The holy scriptures contain no proc- Christ. When our lives comply with
an opportunity to hear the message. lamation more relevant, no responsibil- God’s own standard, those within
It is not an easy thing for most to do ity more binding, no instruction more our sphere of influence will never
this. But we can come to believe in direct than the injunction given by the speak the lament, “The harvest is
the words of Paul to Timothy: resurrected Lord as He appeared in past, the summer is ended, and we
“For God hath not given us the Galilee to the eleven disciples. Said He: are not saved.” 9
spirit of fear; but of power, and of “All power is given unto me in The perfect Shepherd of souls, the
love, and of a sound mind. heaven and in earth. missionary who redeemed mankind,
“Be not thou therefore ashamed of “Go ye therefore, and teach all gave us His divine assurance:
the testimony of our Lord.” 3 nations, baptizing them in the name of “If it so be that you should labor
In May of 1974, I was with Brother the Father, and of the Son, and of the all your days in crying repentance
John H. Groberg in the Tongan islands. Holy Ghost: unto this people, and bring, save it be
We had an appointment to visit the “Teaching them to observe all one soul unto me, how great shall be
king of Tonga, and we met with him things whatsoever I have commanded your joy with him in the kingdom of
in a formal session. We exchanged you: and, lo, I am with you alway, my Father!
the normal pleasantries. However, even unto the end of the world.” 6 “And now, if your joy will be great
before we left, John Groberg said This divine command, coupled with with one soul that you have brought
something that was out of the ordi- its glorious promise, is our watchword unto me into the kingdom of my Father,
nary. He said, “Your Majesty, you today, as it was in the meridian of how great will be your joy if you should
should really become a Mormon and time. Missionary work is an identifying bring many souls unto me!” 10
your subjects as well, for then your feature of The Church of Jesus Christ Of Him who spoke these words,
problems and their problems would of Latter-day Saints. Always has it been; I declare my personal witness. He is
largely be solved.” ever shall it be. As the Prophet Joseph the Son of God, our Redeemer, and
The king smiled broadly and Smith declared, “After all that has been our Savior.
answered, “John Groberg, perhaps said, the greatest and most important I pray that we will have the cour-
you’re right.” duty is to preach the Gospel.” 7 age to extend the hand of fellowship,
I thought of the Apostle Paul Within two short years, all of the the tenacity to try and try again, and
before Agrippa. I thought of Agrippa’s full-time missionaries currently serving the humility needed to seek guidance
response to Paul’s testimony: “Almost in this royal army of God will have from our Father as we fulfill our man-
thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” 4 concluded their full-time labors and date to share the gospel. The respon-
Brother Groberg had the courage to will have returned to their homes sibility is upon us, brethren. In the
bear his testimony to a king. and loved ones. Their replacements name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼
Tonight there are many thousands are found tonight in the ranks of the NOTES
of our number who are serving the Aaronic Priesthood of the Church. 1. In Bill Sands, The Seventh Step (1967), 9.
2. See Doctrine and Covenants 84:33–39.
Lord full-time as His missionaries. In Young men, are you ready to respond? 3. 2 Timothy 1:7–8.
response to a call, they have left behind Are you willing to work? Are you pre- 4. Acts 26:28.
home, family, friends, and school and pared to serve? 5. 1 Corinthians 9:16.
6. Matthew 28:18–20.
have gone forward to serve. Those President John Taylor summed up 7. Teachings of Presidents of the Church:
who don’t understand ask the question, the requirements: “The kind of men Joseph Smith (2007), 330.
“Why do they respond so readily and we want as bearers of this gospel mes- 8. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John
Taylor (2001), 73.
willingly give so much?” sage are men who have faith in God; 9. Jeremiah 8:20.
Our missionaries could well answer men who have faith in their religion; 0. Doctrine and Covenants 18:15–16.
1
in the words of Paul, that peerless mis- men who honor their priesthood; . . .
sionary of an earlier day: “For though men full of the Holy Ghost and the
I preach the gospel, I have nothing to power of God[;] . . . men of honor, Short Video Highlight
glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; integrity, virtue and purity.” 8 Scan this QR code to watch
or share a short video clip
yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not Brethren, to each of us comes (1–2 minutes) of this message.
the gospel!” 5 the mandate to share the gospel of
November 2012 71