Monday Musings

Sketch of The Laying on of Hands by Arnold Friberg depicting Moses bestowing his mantle and authority to Joshua.

Article of Faith #5

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

I had one of those moments yesterday.  The kind that are far too few and far apart lately.  I felt the Spirit bare witness to me in a very strong way.  After church yesterday, the Bishop had us all gather in the RS room so that everyone who had received a calling in the new ward could be set apart.  He began with the new Relief Society president.  When he set his hands upon her head and gave he the charge of watching over the ladies of the ward, I felt the spirit confirm that this calling was of God, and that she was not only the right person for the right job, but that she would have a great affect upon the women of Relief Society.  I could almost see the heaviness of the mantle that was being placed on her shoulders, but at the same time, I could feel Heavenly Father saying that he would send his spirt and other angels to help her bear the weight.

As I sat there, feeling the spirit so strongly, it eventually became my turn to be set apart.  As the first counselor spoke my name and of the responsibilities which the Lord was entrusting me, I felt the spirit once again speak to me, letting me know that I too was where I needed to be.  Regarding being set apart, Spencer W Kimball said "The setting apart may be taken literally; it is a setting apart from sin, apart from the carnal; apart from everything which is crude, low, vicious, cheap, or vulgar; set apart from the world to a higher plane of thought and activity."

How grateful I am for the restoration of the Priesthood power upon the earth.  While my calling may be considered frivolous by some, I know that I am needed here, and that if I can set myself apart from the world and listen to his will, I can make a difference in the Forney ward.