Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise. - Luke 10:36-37.
Over a period of 14 years I served as executive secretary to six regional representatives. My call took me thousands of miles to hundreds of meetings, from the Pacific Ocean on the West to the Cascade Mountains in Central Oregon on the East.
Late in the fall of 1993, regional meetings were called in Redmond, Ore. I left early to help prepare for the day's meetings to which the eight stake presidencies in the region were invited to attend. The morning air was clear and crisp. There was a colorful array of red and yellow from the oaks and maples that were sprinkled throughout the firs and pines. The mountain lakes were smooth as mirrors reflecting the light of a new Sabbath day.
As I came over the Cascade Summit, my eyes were drawn to three men dressed in white shirts and dark ties standing by a public telephone booth. Recognizing them as the Lebanon Oregon Stake presidency, I wondered if they were having difficulties of some nature. I found a turn-around and went back.
The sight I next saw at the phone booth left a beautiful image in my mind and heart. There were no longer just three priesthood leaders there, but nine of them were there happily conversing in the morning sun. I did not even bother to stop to offer help. I knew that six of the men were unlike the ancient priest and Levite who had passed by one in need. The stake presidencies from Salem and Keizer Oregon stakes were living examples of the Lord's admonition as found in the parable of the Good Samaritan where He said of the acts of compassion of the Good Samaritan, "Go thou and do likewise."
I arrived at my assigned place knowing that those that are chief among us are truly the servants of the Lord.