Sunday, April 28, 2013

NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE

Grandfather Soliai had been the loving leader of the Black Village on one of the small dots in the Pacific called Samoa. Over the countless years of his life his family had grown to willingly follow his wise counsels. They had come to feel the calming influence of his words as they were spoken with love and concern for the betterment of, the village, his extended family.

One day in priesthood meeting, a discussion arose as to whether the home teachers should be fed during their visits. A hearty discussion with points and counter points being exchanged ensued:

Tradition demands that we always feed those who pay us the respect to visit in our homes!

If we feed the home teachers only one visit a night can be made!

Island hospitality demands that home teachers be fed!

For those families who are struggling, the obligation to feed the home teachers is a hardship!

Finally after all points had been made, the group reverently turned to Grandfather Soliai for the patriarchal and deciding voice on the discussion. Sternly and with great authority his words resounded in the small meeting room. “You must always honor the home teachers by feeding them, just as we feed all guests in our homes to show our respect and honor to them.”

Very meekly, a young returned missionary raised his hand and softly spoke these words. “Grandfather while I was on my mission the Prophet of God told us that the home teachers were not to be fed.”

Sternly and with great authority Grandfather Soliai’s words resounded against the walls of the small meeting room, “The Prophet said, you must never feed the home teachers when they come to visit.”

In this humble setting and in a very simple way the often taught principle was passed on to another generation, that no matter what our station or stewardship in life may be, there will always be a Higher Authority. Our beloved Savior expressed this principle powerfully in these last testimony words, “Not my will, but thine be done.”

It is staggering to contemplate:

How many wounds would be avoided,

How much pride would be eliminated,

How much sorrow would be cast off.

If good men and women everywhere could come to these fundamental understandings:

We have come to do His will not ours,

Agency is best used when given back to the Giver,

Mankind can be raised to greater heights through becoming a conduit of His light than by any other means or power.

Through this willing submissiveness we come closer to knowing that true discipleship:

Requires it to be His way we strive to trod,

Requires it to be His love we strive to share,

Requires it to be His light we strive to hold up.

May the Lord bless us with His abundant grace as we stumblingly attempt to do that which He sent us to do and bless us that we might with greater frequency do it in His way.

13 comments:

  1. presidente muchas gracias este mensaje me llego justo cuando como estaca y como lideres estamos enfrentando unos problemas con algunas personas que no quieren aceptar la autoridad del líder que el señor a puesto para presidirrnos y me ha dado consuelo y ahora se que hacer pues tengo la responsabilidad de visitarlos y llevarles un mensaje. muchas gracias.

    Enalvis Padilla Berrio

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  2. Thanks once again. You have added so many thoughts about the resolve to be obedient.

    Jean Seavey

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  3. Mil gracias mis amados Pte. y Hna. Riley!!!!!

    Me han inspirado para compartir el mensaje de la estaca esta mañana y cumplir mejor con mi responsabilidad...

    Con Amor,

    Julio Medina

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  4. Bill, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I've been preparing this lesson for Relief Society and just reached a road block. This just opened it up for me. I just had prayed for this, this morning.

    Marilyn Curtis

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  5. Thank you for this. It really touched me. What a great message.

    Sue Ellen Hall

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  6. QUE ASI SEA HERMANO

    Maria Victoria Ospina Grisales

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  7. Thanks Bill for this lesson. I've decided to keep supporting the Boy Scouting progam in a financial manner...

    Tom Borgquist

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  8. muchas gracias,queridos hermanos,por el mensaje tan hermoso de este pensamiento,siempre tenemos q, obedecer lo q, el maestro nos ordenas,aunq,no estemos muy de acuerdo,en sus ordenanzas,,,linda ensenanza. les envio un fuerte abrazo,con carino.

    Rocio Rochel

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  9. I loved reading your thoughts tonight. Thank you for those truths put so well. You practice what you preach in the way you share His light and not promoting yours

    Love you

    Dave Foote

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  10. gracias hno. por tan bonito principio el cual debemos poner en practica cada vez que podamos y por eso nuestro padre celestial nos a dado un profeta para que lo oigamos y pongamos en practica todo lo que nos hace saber y a la vez como debemos autuar que el señor le bendiga y gracias por enviarme estos pensamientos son muy bueno

    Jeny Anzora

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  11. Gracias por su mensaje presidente,saludos a su esposa

    Ricardo Uressti

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  12. Dear Sons,
    I know you all know how important it is to sustain your church leaders, both local and general. I realize you understand and honor that commandment in your lives which makes me very happy as your father. The other day a was talking with a good friend of mine a member of the church about the scouting program and the changes that are presently taking place in that wonderful organization, and the church's position in sustaining those new changes. I was very surprised when my friend made the comment to me "that he would no longer support the scouting program financially," as he opposes the position taken by the Church leaders in this matter." Each of you four boys have benefited greatly from your efforts to become eagle scouts. I know today you are each pleased to be numbered among that special group of men so honored. I think my good friend misses the important point that we are directed in this church my Prophets, seers, and revelators, and by inspired local leaders. Our duty as priesthood bearers is to always sustain our leaders with all our heart, might mind and strength. I received this wonderful thought from Brother Bill Riley a fellow sealer and good friend in the temple several weeks ago that so well teaches this important principal. I hope you enjoy it, and always follow what it teaches....

    Much love, father

    D. Thomas Borgquist

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