Missionary + Experiences + Tender Mercies

Our missionary son doesn't call home much or write, so I love when I get little glimpses from other people. Nate's Grandma Laura has a cousin who is serving in his same mission and will keep me updated from time to time.

She says: Missy, your missionary is changing lives here, especially with the missionaries. He is such a hard worker, and his diligence and obedience blesses everyone that he woks with. He is making a difference! She basically mentioned the same thing in a letter to Grandma Laura that was forwarded to the entire Ellis family. "Your missionary serving here in the Colorado Denver North Mission, Elder Nathan Leary is one of our finest missionaries! And that is the truth. He has an extremely good work ethic, and his companions love him. He's making a difference here!"

He consistently challenges me to look for opportunities. One of my goals over the past couple of years has been to follow through on those little thoughts and promptings I get.

This week I did just that and couldn't wait to email or talk to Nate about it. This is where that little tender mercy comes in. Nate's p-day is usually Monday and it didn't surprise me when he didn't call. But on Wednesday, immediately after hanging up the phone from arranging a much-needed blessing for a neighbor, Nate called. I couldn't believe it. P-day got moved due to meetings on Monday. I was ecstatic to tell him of my missionary experience.

We came home from our Thanksgiving vacation and I had a thought that I needed to reach out to my neighbor about her upcoming surgery. I knew it was happening; I just didn't know when. She messaged me with these words: " Hi Missy. It's Thursday Dec 2nd and I stay all night then come home Friday. I start PT Monday morning. OUCH. I'm so scared. . . ." That was the part that really got me thinking.

I could have just sent back some encouraging words. But the spirit told me that this lady needed more. She might could use a blessing.

Now, a little background. I would never have guessed that she belonged to my faith, but she shows up on our records (there is another story there). We've been neighborly. I've gone walking with her and shared my produce. She's asked us to watch their yard. But she's never been one I thought might in the least be interested in any kind of religion. The book The Power of Everyday Missionaries taught me you can never predict who or who wouldn't be a good candidate; you always ask and invite. So that is exactly what I decided to do.

Wednesday morning I sent her a quick message, asking if she'd like a priesthood blessing. I explained that God wants to bless all of his children and that I've had several blessings in my lifetime that have brought comfort and peace to me, something I knew she was needing.

I sat . . . and sat . . . and sat with my finger on the send button. I was a bit nervous not knowing how she would take it.

I finally pushed send, shut my laptop lid, and went to work.

At lunchtime I checked my messages and there was one from her. Oh how I was a little scared to open it. But I did.

"Hi Missy. Yes. I would like one."

I couldn't believe what I was reading. I knew I had followed through on promptings from the past couple of days. It was such a good feeling to know that the Lord trusted me with an errand and I followed through.

After several texts and phone calls, I went with her ministering brother and a member of our stake presidency, both who live on the same street and two people she knew (although she did message me later about how grateful she was that I came with -- it helped her feel more comfortable). It was a beautiful experience, one I hope to talk with her more about. She has never had a priesthood blessing in her life, so the two men did a wonderful job explaining how the whole process worked.

The whole day was one of shock and excitement. I got a little glimpse of what a missionary must feel. And it's something we can all be a part of. It made me want to try a little harder.

Running with a blessing in his back pocket

Nate is focused and knows what he wants. This year he knew he really wanted to run on the varsity cross country team which is only comprised of the top seven runners on the team. He ran all summer and has also been getting up early in the mornings to get a run in before school.

Region was on Friday and on Tuesday he started to come down with a cold, his second this season. The first cold he had did not allow him to run at full capacity and wasn't kind to his time and left his placement on the team in jeopardy. When he told me he wasn't feeling well, I thought why of all weeks. This week was crucial and would kind of determine whether he went on to state with the team. There were also 4 or 5 runners who were all vying for the coveted 5, 6, and 7 spots on the team, and each was only within seconds of each other.

Wednesday morning I asked him if he would like a priesthood blessing which he said yes to. Our wonderful friend, neighbor, former bishop came over later that night and gave him one. By Friday Nate was feeling much better but still a little congested.

I was nervous for him.

I wanted him to run well.

He wanted to run well.

It's hard to run well when you can't breathe.

He gave it his all and came in 6th place overall and 5th on his team.

Now there are some who would call this story a bunch of baloney and just coincidence. They would say Nate was on his way to getting better already.

But that isn't true.

Yesterday he was more congested than Friday and could hardly talk. Same with today.

God doesn't work in coincidences. God is in the very detail of our lives. He wants us to succeed. He cares deeply about what matters to us. He knew this race meant a lot to Nathan and he knew Nate had put in the effort and time to get to where he needed to be. He had done his part.

When all seems out of our control, turn to the One who is in control, who holds the power to overcome sicknesses and infirmities.

This week was a testimony to me of the power of the priesthood. How blessed we are that God would allow his sons and daughters to tap into his power to bless the lives of others when needed.

From Heart to Heart

President Thomas S. Monson passed away the first of January. It's a little strange to have him gone since he was such a stalwart member of leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for so long.

President Russell M. Nelson has now taken the helm at the young age of 93. To look at him you would not believe it. I had a colleague tell me he still snow skis which is quite remarkable. After all he was a heart surgeon and knew a little something about how the body operates to keep it healthy and functioning.

Many years ago my father-in-law, who was a book binder by trade, pulled from their scraps at work a damaged copy of President Nelson's autobiography. He must have commissioned the bindery to print and bind it for his family because you can't find it anywhere.

Heart to Heart -- Top Right Corner

I was allowed to read this book and fell in love with President Nelson who was nothing more than a man, husband, and father at the time. I was intrigued with his insights he gave on the various organs of the body and their functions. The manner in which he described these left me with no doubt that the body is remarkable through the processes and systems that all work together seamlessly.

The following "event might serve to illustrate that men can do very little of themselves. With an education they can do a little more; with advanced medical degrees and training, a little more yet can be done. The real power to heal, however, is a gift from God, and he has deigned that some of the power may be harnessed via the authority of his priesthood to benefit and bless mankind when all man can do for himself may not be sufficient to accomplish all that may be needed that His will might be done.

When doctors attend social functions it is not uncommon to hear someone lightly jest, 'Isn't it nice to know there is a doctor here; he'll know just what to do if there should be trouble.' Medical training can indeed inspire confidence when people are in need. But I recall an occasion when many doctors gathered together could do little but stand helplessly when one of them was suddenly stricken.

This circumstance occurred in Manzanillo, Mexico, in February 1978. Dantzel and I were attending a medical meeting there with colleagues and classmates from our graduating class. Suddenly, one of the doctors became gravely ill with massive bleeding into his stomach. Around him were his learned colleagues representing a wide spectrum of medical specialties and with experiences, skills, and wisdom that each had accumulated in over thirty years of practice. Our colleague was bleeding! As we watched life's blood being projected from him, we helplessly realized that we were in a resort hut in a remote fishing village. there was no hospital; the nearest was in Guadalajara, many mountainous miles away. It was night; no planes could fly. Transfusions were out of the question because of lack of equipment. All the combined knowledge and concern there could not be converted to action to help our friend as we saw his life ebbing before our eyes. We were literally powerless to stop his bleeding.

He knew this. Ashen, pale, and clammy cold, he asked for a blessing. Several doctors there held the Melchizedek Priesthood and eagerly responded to his request. I was asked to seal the anointing. The Spirit dictated that he be blessed that the bleeding would stop, that he could continue to live and return to his home and his profession to continue to bless the lives of those who needed him.

The following morning, he was better. The bleeding had stopped. His blood pressure and heart rate had returned to normal. He was able to return to his home and his work. How he and we gave thanks to the Lord for this remarkable recovery.

Important as the body is, it is merely the place in which one dwells. The spirit inhabiting that tabernacle of flesh and bone is supreme. The gifts of the Spirit such as faith, love, knowledge, kindness, courtesy, charity, compassion, and gratitude are all nurtured by prayer and strengthened by daily exercise. Spiritual supremacy is achieved by contact with the Father of our spirits through daily prayer, study and pondering of the scriptures, and obedience to the commandments given us by God that we may have joy."

I imagine that many parts of this book will be put into his official biography which will allow many to read what I've read and loved.

Blessings

Blessing #1:
Nate turned 14 the end of July, but with so many family things going on, there just didn't seem to be a good time to have him ordained to the office of a teacher. And I was not liking the idea of pulling grandparents away from their busy schedules. One Sunday Brother Willis, his deacon adviser, approached us about about it and planted in my mind the idea that Erik could ordain him. This was a thought I had not even entertained since I did not know a young man in the office of a priest could do such a thing.

I talked it over with Nate and Erik and both were open to the idea, although Erik was extremely nervous about performing such a priesthood function. I approached the bishop and the ordination took place during our monthly home teaching visit in his office. He counseled Erik on the wording and how he knew what things to say in a blessing that often accompany such ordinations. Bishop Steinagel then left it up to him whether or not he would like to also give Nate a blessing at the end, which Erik was brave enough to do.

I believe there is nothing more humbling or terrifying than being the mouthpiece for the Lord. What a tender morning as the palpable spirit of God filled that room. It was a beautiful experience for all of us present and I can say with all sincerity that God our Father was pleased.

Blessing #2:
Later that same day, I sat in that same office as my Laurel presidency was set apart to perform their functions. Kiersten had been called as the secretary, and the bishop gave her such a beautiful blessing, affirming things to her that he could not have possibly known. But God knew and knew what Kiersten needed to hear.

The Holy Ghost is real and powerful and performs his functions through an all-knowing God.

Blessing #3:
Back in May a talk was given on patriarchal blessings which reminded Nate that he wanted to get his. Erik was moved enough by this same talk to also piggyback Nate and get theirs together. Our summer was so incredibly busy that an appointment with Patriarch Oscarson was set for August 21, the day before the start of school.

What a joy it was to accompany these two brothers to receive guidance and wisdom and direction through another mouthpiece of the Lord set apart for such service. For me, it was a unique circumstance to have two blessings given together, but individually, much like Esau and Jacob. I'm sure they don't remember a tenth of what was given but I do know the Lord knows them individually by what was pronounced to each boy through our great patriarch.

Patriarchal blessings are like a beautiful letter from our heavenly home. It's not a crystal ball describing what will happen in our future lives, but more like a road map describing the blessings awaiting should we stick to the path and knowledge of our divine characteristics. I also received mine on a hot August Sabbath in 1992, 24 years ago. What a treasure it has been and I guess also a kind of treasure map as things that didn't mean anything to me 24 years ago are now making sense. I continue to read mine often.

I am forever grateful for men and young men who are worthy to hold God's power to bless my family. My God is a god of miracles and love and uses the priesthood channel to direct that love and those tender mercies through worthy men on this earth.

Priesthood

Today was Nathan's priesthood preview. He doesn't turn 12 until July, but under the jurisdiction of the Primary, a meeting was held for all those boys who will be turning 12 sometime during this year to give them an overview of what the priesthood is and what their responsibility will be.

As the deacon's quorum president, Erik had to give a short little talk outlining the duties of a deacon. I was impressed with him. He did some research, wrote out a talk, practiced it for me, and actually presented it well for a 13-year-old boy.

Brother Douglas, a member of our bishopric, also gave a short little discourse. He said something that made me pause for a moment. I've always known the priesthood, which is the power to act in God's name, is used to bless the lives of others. He mentioned how these boys will one day receive the Melchizedek priesthood and be able to lay their hands on others to bless them. He then took his own hands and put them on his head and said that the priesthood is not used to bless ourselves. How that rang true to me. Hands are always laid on others.

Priesthood Lesson Notes (from a Relief Society lesson I gave 8 years ago)

Alma 13:8

Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end.

Order: to put in proper sequence
Ordain: the process of putting things in proper relationship
Ordinances: the ceremony by which things are put in proper order

Priesthood Authority (comes through ordination)

Priesthood Power (comes through righteousness)
(there are limits to priesthood power than can only be unlocked with the proper keys) 

Priesthood Keys (unlocks the authority over certain jurisdictions or stewardships; pertains to the priesthood workings in the church; no keys are given for priesthood in the family; keys are conduits of power and revelation) 

Analogy: Priesthood Authority is likened to having a driver's license. That license gives the driver the authority to drive a car. In order to drive a car, the driver must have the right key to unlock the horse power that is under the car's hood. Without authority and the right key, that power is useless.

keys of sealing authority
keys of resurrection
keys of eternal life
keys of commanding the elements
keys of the gathering of Israel
keys of the Abrahamic covenant
keys over a mission, temple, stake, ward, branch, district, quorum
keys of translation
keys of presidency
keys of the dispensation of the fulness of times 

(only the president of the church has the authority to exercise all the keys at one time)

Melchizedek Priesthood (Alma 13)
*The power of the Melchizedek Priesthood is to have the power of “endless lives”; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 322
 
*The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right from the eternal God and not by descent from father and mother (not patriarchal or handed down from father to son)

*Administers in spiritual ordinances made with an oath
 
*Must have to be in presence of God (D&C 84:22)
 
*Within this priesthood are the offices of Apostle, Seventy, Patriarch, High Priest, Elder (Angels are an office–Moroni 7:31)


Patriarchal Priesthood (D&C 107:40-57)
*Patriarchal authority (handed down from father to son)

*Has reference to the Abrahamic covenant. In Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith he says, “Go and finish the temple, and God will fill it with power, and you will then receive more knowledge concerning this priesthood.” (sealing ordinance)

*Is an appendage of the Melchizedek priesthood


Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood
*Administers in temporal or outward ordinances made without an oath

*Prepared for the Melchizedek priesthood

*Within this priesthood are the offices of Deacon, Teacher, Priest, Bishop

*Levitical order does not function today but its privileges and authority are embraced within the Aaronic for whatever future use the Lord may direct; has reference to the tribe of Levi and their priestly duties surrounding the temple 

*****

The fulness of the priesthood can only be acquired by keeping the commandments and obeying all the ordinances of the temple. The culminating priesthood power is that of sealing families together. You can only receive the keys of exaltation in the temple.

The highest order of the Melchizedek Priesthood is patriarchal authority" and that "the patriarchal order of the priesthood is the right of worthy priesthood‑holding fathers to preside over their descendants through all ages; it includes the ordinances and blessings of the fulness of the priesthood shared by husbands and wives who are sealed in the temple. (Daniel H. Ludlow)

Priesthood is an eternal principle. It is everlasting and has been from the beginning.

“It should not disturb either men or women that some responsibilities are bestowed upon one and not the other. Duties of the priesthood are delegated to men and are patriarchal, which means “of the father.” From the very beginning this has been so. The scriptures plainly state that they were “confirmed to be handed down from father to son. … This order was instituted in the days of Adam.”—Boyd. K. Packer, Tribute to Women, July 1989 Ensign