David A. Bednar - One by One

2017 David A. Bednar

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ISBN 978-1-62972-382-2

Printed in the United States of America

Lake Book Manufacturing, Inc., Melrose Park, IL

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Cover image Yet I Will Not Forget Thee
J. Kirk Richards

Chapter 1

One by One and
Spiritual Patterns

The first experience I had on an assignment as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints occurred on the weekend following my call to serve, my sustaining in general conference, and my ordination and setting apart. I traveled to a city in the United States to preside at a stake conference and was greeted at the airport by the stake president. As he and I were driving from the airport to the stake center and talking about the conference, I asked him the following question, President, why do you think the Lord sent the newest member of the Twelve to your stake this weekend?

He responded, I really have no idea.

I then said, Well, I do not know either. I am new at this. I believe you will know the answer to that question before I do. So, just as soon as you figure it out, please let me know.

We were approximately halfway to the stake center when the president turned to me and said, Elder Bednar, I think I may know one of the reasons why the Lord sent you to this stake this weekend.

I requested, Please, tell me.

He explained, I have a brother who joined the Church five years ago. He is struggling with a specific challenge. Would you be willing to visit with him?

I replied, I would be happy to.

An appointment was arranged, and after the Saturday evening session of conference I went to the high council room, where the stake presidents brother was waiting for me. I entered the room having given no prior thought to what I would say or do. The man stood up. I greeted him and shook his hand. I introduced myself and said, Two days ago I was ordained and set apart to be an authorized representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Savior sent me to this stake this weekend to deliver a specific message to you: You can do this. As His servant, I promise you will have His help to face this challenge and overcome it.

I embraced him. We talked for several minutes. I gave the man my contact information and invited him to update me periodically about his progress. We walked together out of the high council room after a brief but edifying experience.

The stake president may have believed that this divinely orchestrated encounter was intended primarily to bless and benefit his brother. But as I reflected repeatedly on this experience, I realized the Lord had provided me with one of the most impactful learning opportunities I could ever receive. I had been sent to represent and speak for the Lord in delivering a message to the stake presidents brother. And the method of delivery was one by one.

A Spiritual Pattern

People frequently ask me to identify and share some of the important lessons I have learned during my years of service as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Because I am blessed to meet, serve with, and learn from faithful Church members all over the world, the lessons are many and wide-ranging. Over the years, however, the principle and spiritual pattern of one by one has blessed me and influenced my ministry in powerful ways. This book is an attempt to describe that basic truth and some of its implications for each of us.

The life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ are the greatest examples of the principle of one by one. I believe the scriptural phrase one by one (1) reveals essential aspects of what we need to know about and emulate in the Saviors nature, attributes, and character and (2) teaches us in powerful ways how we are to minister to and serve Gods children.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught this truth: True disciples of Jesus Christ have always been concerned for the one. Jesus Christ is our greatest example. He was surrounded by multitudes and spoke to thousands, yet He always had concern for the one. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost [Matthew 18:11], He said. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? [Luke 15:4].

This instruction applies to all who follow Him. We are commanded to seek out those who are lost. We are to be our brothers keeper. We cannot neglect this commission given by our Savior. We must be concerned for the one (Concern for the One, Ensign, May 2008. Please note: emphasis to all quotations throughout the book has been added unless otherwise noted ).

Elder Wirthlins explanation emphasizes two important implications that derive from the principle of one by one. First, the Savior knows, is concerned about, and loves each of us as a unique individual.

And second, each of us as a disciple of the Master has a responsibility to minister to others and recognize that what we do truly matters, even if what we do may seem small or inconsequential. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell observed, That same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well ( That My Family Should Partake [1974], 86).

The Lesson Is Enriched

I first became aware of and gained experience with the principle of one by one long before my call to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I recall with fondness the lessons I learned from my faithful mother. She was a model of ministering one by one. Aunts, uncles, and cousins selflessly served and were tremendous and tireless examples to me. The devoted priesthood and auxiliary leaders, advisers, and teachers of my youth consistently reinforced the importance of helping and blessing individuals one by one. And opportunities to serve as a priesthood leader throughout my life enriched greatly my understanding of ministering one by one.

The single greatest human exemplar of the principle of one by one with whom I am familiar is Susan Bednar, my wife. For many years, I have witnessed her individualized love and attention directed to me, to our children, to our growing family, to her parents and siblings, to the friends and associates of our children, to the sisters she serves as a visiting teacher, to the members of the wards we attend, to our neighbors, and to countless people around the world. Susans prayers provide a rich tutorial in the principle of one by one.