Each man and boy who holds the priesthood of God must strive to learn his duty and then do it to the best of his ability, President Thomas S. Monson declared at the priesthood session of conference Saturday evening.
"In the world today we face difficulties and challenges, some of which can seem truly daunting," he said. "However, with God on our side we cannot fail. As we bear His holy priesthood worthily, we will be victorious."
President Monson said, "This is not a time for fear, brethren, but rather a time for faith — a time for each of us who holds the priesthood to be his best self."
Further, he added, "Although our journey through mortality will at times place us in harm's way, may I offer to you tonight three suggestions which, when observed and followed, will lead us to safety."
The three suggestions are these: Study diligently, pray fervently, and live righteously.
"These suggestions are not new," the Church president said. "They have been taught and repeated again and again. If we incorporate them into our lives, however, we will have the strength to withstand the adversary. Should we ignore them, we will be opening the door for Satan to have influence and power over us."
1. Study diligently. "Every holder of the priesthood should participate in daily scripture study. Crash courses are not nearly so effective as the day-to-day reading and application of the scriptures in our lives. Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach. Learn the background and setting of the Master's parables and the prophets' admonitions. Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth."
Recalling Nephi's interpretation of the vision of the tree of life, that the rod of iron represented the word of God, President Monson said, "I promise you, whether you hold the Aaronic or the Melchizedek priesthood, that if you will study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive the direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased."
2. Pray fervently. President Monson cited the examples of Joseph Smith praying in the sacred grove and of Adam, and of Jesus praying. "We know the outcome of their prayers," he said. "He who notes the fall of a sparrow surely hears the pleading of our hearts."
Addressing those who are struggling with challenges and difficulties, President Monson said, "Prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer."
He told of Daisy Ogando, a Church member who lives in New York City. Some years ago, she met with missionaries and was taught the gospel but gradually lost contact with them.
"Then, in 2007, the principles of the gospel she had been taught by the missionaries stirred within her heart," he said. One day as she was getting into a taxi, she saw Church missionaries at a distance but could not make contact with them before they disappeared from view. In a prayer, she made the promise that if the missionaries would be directed to her once again, she would open her door to them.
"In the meantime," President Monson related, "two young missionaries who had been sincerely praying and working to find people to teach were one day examining the tracting records of missionaries who had previously served in their area. As they did so, they came across the name of Daisy Ogando. When they approached her apartment the very afternoon that Sister Ogando offered that simple but fervent prayer, she opened the door and said those words that are music to every missionary who has ever heard them: 'Elders, come in. I've been waiting for you!'"
Missionary lessons were taught to her and arrangements were made for Sister Ogando and her son, Eddy, to be baptized.
3. Live righteously. "Holders of the priesthood may not necessarily be eloquent in their speech. They may not hold advanced degrees in difficult fields of study. They may very well be men of humble means. But God is no respecter of persons, and He will sustain His servants in righteousness as they avoid the evils of our day and live lives of purity."
To illustrate, he told of a high school marching band from Utah that was invited to travel to Canada to march in the parade of the famous Calgary Stampede. While en route by bus, they stopped in Cardston, where local Relief Society sisters had prepared sack lunches for the band members to enjoy. One of the band members, Brad, was not immediately hungry, so he tossed his lunch behind the last row of seats to save it for later. Meanwhile, the hot July sun shone through the rear window and spoiled the egg salad sandwich contained in the sack lunch. Brad consumed the sandwich later and was beset with stomach pains and other discomforts associated with food poisoning.
President Monson said: "Upon arriving at their destination, the band members exited the bus. Brad, however, did not. Although he knew his fellow band members were counting on him to play his drum in the parade the following morning, Brad was doubled over in pain and was too sick to leave the bus. Providentially for him, two of his friends, Steve and Mike, who had recently graduated from high school and recently been ordained to the office of elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood, found that Brad was missing and decided to look for him. They found him in the rear of the bus and felt helpless. Then it occurred to them they could bless him by the power of the priesthood. Despite their total lack of experience, they had faith in the power they held. From the moment of the blessing, his symptoms were completely gone, and he took his place with the band the next day. The band received first-place honors in Calgary.
"Far more important, however, was that two young men, inexperienced but worthy priesthood holders, had answered the call to represent the Lord in serving their fellow man," President Monson said.
"Brethren, are we prepared for our journey through life? The pathway can at times be difficult. Chart your course, be cautious, and determine to: study diligently, pray fervently and live righteously.
"Let us never despair," President Monson admonished, "for the work in which we are engaged is the work of the Lord."
