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Church makes ordinary people great

Magnify their callings

Lift, bless lives- Overcome ego, pride

The Church does not necessarily attract great people but more often makes ordinary people great," said Elder James E. Faust of the Council of the Twelve.

Speaking Saturday morning, Elder Faust related an experience that he and Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Seventy had in an airport of meeting a devoted and faithful couple who had given a lifetime of service to the Church.

" Isn't it remarkable,' " Elder Faust quoted Elder Condie as saying, "what people with five loaves and two fishes do to build the kingdom of God.' "

Elder Faust then referred to the account in the scriptures of Christ feeding five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. (John 6:5-6,9; Mark 6:41-44.)

Elder Faust said: "Many nameless people with gifts equal only to five loaves and two small fishes magnify their callings and serve without attention or recognition, feeding literally thousands.

"These are the hundreds of thousands of leaders and teachers in all of the auxiliaries and priesthood quorums, the home teachers, the Relief Society visiting teachers. These are the many humble bishops in the Church, some without formal training, but greatly magnified, always learning, with a humble desire to serve the Lord and the people of their wards.

"Any man or woman who enjoys the Master's touch is like potter's clay in His hands."

Elder Faust asked: "What is a central characteristic of those having only five loaves and two fishes? What makes it possible, under the Master's touch, for them to serve, lift and bless so that they touch for good the lives of hundreds, even thousands? After a lifetime of dealing with the affairs of men and women, I believe it is the ability to overcome personal ego and pride - both are enemies to the full enjoyment of the spirit of God and walking humbly before God.

"What of those who have talents equal only to two loaves and one fish?" Elder Faust asked. "They do much of the hard, menial, unchallenging, poorly compensated work of the world. Life may not have been quite fair to them. But they are not forgotten. If their talents are used to build the kingdom of God and serve others, they will fully enjoy the promises of the Savior. The great promise of the Savior is that they `shall receive [their] reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.' " (D&C 59:23.)

A major reason the Church has grown from its humble beginnings to its current strength, said Elder Faust, is the faithfulness and devotion of people who have only "five loaves and two small fishes to offer in the service of the Master. They have largely surrendered their own interests, and in so doing have found `the peace of God which passeth all understanding.' " (Phil. 4:7.)

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