President Thomas S. Monson declared that he cherishes "the noble word duty."
"Each of us has duties associated with the sacred priesthood which we bear," said President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaking in the priesthood session Saturday evening. "Whether we bear the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood, much is expected of each of us."
To those who are or have been presidents of their quorums, President Monson suggested that their duty does not end when their term of office concludes. "That relationship with your quorum members, your duty to them, continues throughout your life," he said.
He then spoke of his own experience as president of a teachers quorum. With the urging and assistance of the quorum adviser, he worked to ensure that each quorum member attended regularly. Two were a particular challenge but, as a result of perseverance and love, they began to attend. However, as time passed, each drifted back into inactivity.
"Over the years I have seen each of these two dear friends at various functions," he said. "Whenever I do, I place a hand on their shoulder and remind them, 'I'm still your quorum president, and I won't let go. You mean so much to me, and I want you to enjoy the blessings which come with activity in the Church.' They know I love them and that I'll never give up on them."
President Monson said Melchizedek Priesthood bearers are "shepherds watching over Israel. The hungry sheep look up, ready to be fed the bread of life."
He recalled one night when, driving home, he stopped at a hospital in Salt Lake City where a business associate named Max lay ill. Asking at the desk for the room number of his friend, he learned that the man had listed as his religious preference not LDS but another church.
"I entered Max's room," President Monson said. "I told him how proud I was to be his friend and how much I cared about him. I discovered that he had been offended by a comment or two from others and so had decided to attend another church. I said to him, 'Max, you hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. I would like to give you a blessing tonight.' He agreed, and the blessing was provided. He then informed me that his wife, Alice, was also very ill and was, in fact, in an adjoining room. At my invitation, Max joined me in giving a blessing to her. There were tears and embraces all around, making that Halloween evening one ever to be remembered."
Before leaving, President Monson, with the permission of Max and Alice, saw to it that their hospital record was changed to reflect their membership in the Church.
"Brethren," he said, "our task is to reach out to those who, for whatever reason, are in need of our help. Our challenge is not insurmountable. We are on the Lord's errand and, therefore, we are entitled to the Lord's help."
