The story of Naaman the leper, as contained in 2 Kings 5, was used by Elder Waldo P. Call of the Seventy to illustrate his Sunday afternoon sermon.
Elder Call's release from the Seventy after five years of service was announced in the Saturday afternoon session. He has been called to be president of the Mexico City Temple.Naaman was captain of the host of Syria, who went to the prophet Elisha to be healed from his leprosy, Elder Call recounted.
But instead of seeing him personally, Elisha sent a messenger to him with instructions to go wash seven times in the River Jordan. Naaman was wroth, having expected the prophet to come out to him and heal the leprosy by calling on the name of the Lord.
"His pride would not let him follow the prophet's direction," Elder Call commented. "So he was going home and he was leprous still. Could this be because of a proud heart?
"His good servants convinced him that he should do as the prophet had said, saying, ` . . . If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it?' "
Namaan then complied with the direction and was healed. His offer to Elisha of gold and silver and fine clothes was declined, but the servant of Elisha, unknown to his master, requested and received a talent of silver and two changes of clothing. As a result, the servant was cursed with the leprosy of Namaan.
Applying the story to contemporary society, Elder Call commented: "President Benson, the prophet of God, has counseled us on so many important things. Are we doing them?" Elder Call quoted Mosiah 3:19, the admonition to put off the natural man and become "submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict."
"My dear brothers and sisters and family, can't you see what we need to do? Be submissive, do not murmur, endure to the end. If we will do this He will show us the way if we will but follow His prophets and apostles."
He advised Church members not to look for proof of a particular doctrine or saying. "Keep the commandments, pray and walk in righteousness, and through the holy spirit you can know by that sweet calm feeling that it is true."
He warned: "Could we take the servant of Elisha as a type for us when we look at riches, worldly things and the wisdom of men, instead of following the prophets? Will we and our descendants be out of the Church or unclean forever more because of disobedience?"
