I believe the way we see others significantly impacts their perception
of who they are and what they can become.
Sometimes I fear we figuratively give our young men of the Aaronic priesthood
children's chairs to sit on, rather than helping them see that God has given
them a sacred trust and a vital work to do.
President Thomas S. Monson counseled us that young men need to understand what
it means to be bears at the priesthood of God. They need to be guided to a
spiritual awareness of the sacredness of their obeying calling.
We who hold the Aaronic priesthood have been ordained to teach and invite all to
come unto Christ. To preach the gospel is a priesthood duty, and the power
associated with this duty is not just for prophets or even just for
missionaries, it is for you.
So how do we get this power? How does a 12 year old deacon or any of us bring
faith in Christ to the hearts of God's children? We start by treasuring up His
word so its power is within us. He has promised that if we do, we will have the
power of God unto the convincing of men. It may be an opportunity to teach at a
quorum meeting or visit the home of a member. It may be something less formal
like a conversation with a friend or a family member. In any of these settings,
if we have prepared, we can teach the gospel the way angels do, by the power of
the Holy Ghost.
Increased faith in Christ always leads to a desire to change or repent. So it is
logical that the key of the ministering of angels would be accompanied by the
key of the preparatory gospel, the gospel of repentance and a baptism and the
remission of sins. As you study your Aaronic priesthood duties, you will see a
clear charge to invite others to repent and improve. That does not mean we stand
on street corners shouting "repent ye," more often that means that we repent, we
forgive. And as we minister to others we offer the hope that
repentance brings because we have experienced it ourselves.
Young men as you diligently engage in your priesthood duties, you participate
with God in His work to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Experiences like these increase your desire and prepare you to teach
repentance and baptize converts as missionaries. They also prepare you for
lifelong service in the Melchizedek priesthood.
Young men, God has a work for you to do. Your Aaronic priesthood ordination is
central to helping his children receive Christ's atoning power. I promise as you
put these sacred duties at the center of your life, you will feel the power of God
as never before. You will understand your identity as a son of God, called with the
holy calling to do His work. And like John the Baptist, you will help prepare
the way for the coming of His Son. Of these truths, I bear witness in the name
of Jesus Christ, amen.