Robert L. Millet [Millet - Men of Influence: The Potential of the Priesthood to Lift the World

Foreword

Ye who are called to labor and minister for God,
Blest with the royal priesthood, appointed by his word
To preach among the nations the news of gospel grace,
And publish on the mountains salvation, truth, and peace:

Oh, let not vain ambition nor worldly glory stain
Your minds so pure and holy; acquit yourselves like men.
While lifting up your voices like trumpets long and loud,
Say to the slumb'ring nations: "Prepare to meet your God!"

Then cease from all light speeches, light-mindedness, and pride;
Pray always without ceasing and in the truth abide.
The Comforter will teach you, his richest blessings send.
Your Savior will be with you forever to the end.

Rich blessings there await you, and God will give you faith.
You shall be crowned with glory and triumph over death,
And soon you'll come to Zion, and, bearing each his sheaf,
No more shall taste of sorrow, but glorious crowns receive.

Hymns, no. 321

Preface

The priesthood of Almighty God is intended to do more than allow men to preside over and conduct meetings; oversee the ordinances of salvation; and confer, ordain, and set apart to offices and callings, as important and vital as these labors are. The priesthood is the very power of God, the power by which worlds came rolling into existence, the power by which the gospel is preached, the sick are healed, the dead are raised, and by which souls who have exercised a lively faith and hope in Jesus Christ are everlastingly redeemed and glorified. It is God's power. He has chosen in his mercy and wisdom to delegate it to worthy boys and men. That delegation allows us to act in the place and stead of our Savior, to strive to so live that we may speak what he would speak, act as he would act, and bless as he would bless. It is a divine investiture of authority. It is a sacred trust.

This book, a sequel to Men of Valor, is intended to point us as priesthood holders to the divine reservoir of power that has been conferred upon us and to the righteous and everlasting influence we can have in the world. Though it is to be used on this earth, the priesthood is beyond anything earthly. It is a heavenly endowment intended to lift and lighten, to soothe and strengthen, to benefit and bless. Just how great is this power? We may never know in this life, but by and through the unspeakable work of the Spirit we may occasionally be granted a fleeting glimpse of who our God is and what it is that makes him who he is. A significant part of his essence, as well as his energies, is his priesthood. It is to better understand the nature of that most unusual authority and the means by which those who are called to labor may become a more powerful influence in our homes, communities, and nation that this short work has been prepared. It is not intended to be comprehensive but concise. It is intended not to be scholarly but sustaining.

Let me say at the outset that this short work will speak occasionally of grand ideals and of powerful experiences, of the fruits of faith and of the infinite nature of God's divine power that is within our grasp. I write of these things not from a position of personal spiritual attainment but rather as one who has sought understanding on the matter and, more important, one who longs with all his heart that one day, these attainments, these grand spiritual experiences promised in holy writ, may be yours and mine on a more regular basis. For me, as with most of humankind, the ideal is yet to become an unblemished reality. But I believe in focusing on the ideal and hope that this work will motivate others, with me, to strive toward the realization of righteous and enduring influence.

As always, I am indebted to many people who have helped to shape my thinking, particularly my beloved priesthood leaders through the decades who have built my faith in priesthood power by demonstrating that power in their own lives. I am grateful for men of power who have chosen to stand on higher ground and to resist the pull toward popularity while denying themselves of the pollutions and perils of this world. I thank God for noble examples of Christlike kindness, gentle persuasion, yet powerful leadership as manifest in their words and deeds. In his great intercessory prayer, Jesus said: "And for [the disciples'] sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth" (John 17:19). As Jesus, so many priesthood leaders have distanced themselves from defilement and, in the process, provided motivation and encouragement to those they were called to direct.

I am persuaded that today's holders of the priesthood are as faith-filled, as noble, as charitable, as hard-working, and as spiritually influential as any in times past. Knowing that it took the righteous Enoch 365 years to establish Zion in ancient times (D&C 107:49; Moses 7:6768), and that we probably do not have that much time to do the same in this last dispensation, is to some extent a marvelous compliment to those called and ordained today to bear the Holy Priesthood. I have great confidence in the men of the Church, largely because of what I have observed in so many of them. I know something of their hearts, a good bit about their souls, a great deal about their yearnings to be loving husbands and fathers, dependable priesthood representatives, responsible citizens, and influential servants of the Almighty.

I express appreciation to my friends at Deseret Book Company, especially Boyd Ware and Cory Maxwell, both of whom suggested that a second book written to men of the priesthood would be worthwhile and well accepted. I thank Suzanne Brady, my friend and my editor, whose keen insights into doctrine and the English language have blessed many writers, especially me. While I have sought to be in harmony with the standard works and the teachings of living apostles and prophets, I alone am responsible for the conclusions drawn from the evidence cited. This book is a private endeavor and not an official work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Brigham Young University.

Introduction

Called to Labor

Even before my parents became active Latter-day Saints, I wanted to hold the priesthood. When our family did go to church, once a month or so, I was deeply impressed by the dignity and sincerity of those men who took so seriously the call to labor. Because in those days we were a part of a very large district, the journey to district (stake) conference was quite a drive, and people in the various wards and branches often made a family vacation out of it. Some in our ward, however, were unable to attend because they could not afford the trip.

And so it was our practice, perhaps the result of a local decision, to hold sacrament meeting in our ward house for those who were unable to travel to New Orleans. I can remember, as though it were yesterday, Brother Charles Dixon conducting the meeting; preparing, blessing, and passing the sacrament; and delivering the sermon to a congregation made up mostly of older women and a few children. He loved what he was doing, and it showed. He represented his Lord and Saviorhe knew it, and I felt it. He did so with great delight, and his enthusiasm for his calling was contagious. He had been called to serve. He had been asked by our bishop to oversee this meeting, to labor in the vineyard of the Almighty. Observing his service had a significant influence on me.