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A Raised Right Hand and Two Big Thumbs Up

I am happy to raise my hand and voice in full support and sustaining of the new First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the course of my entire adult life, I have grown to love and admire Presidents Nelson, Oaks and Eyring. Their leadership, wisdom and love is a force for good – not only in the Church, but in the world.

As is always the case when there is a leadership transition, it becomes quickly obvious that the Lord has prepared His servants for the appropriate time and place. This is no exception. The unique strengths and knowledge that these brethren possess are remarkable. Even more important is their willingness to do, and voice, the will of God.

We are in good hands – God’s hands. It is now up to us to decided what to do with it.

On an additional note, I woke up with a story in my head that I had not thought of in a long time. I leave it to you to apply it as you desire:

 

One night at sea, a ship’s captain saw lights of another ship heading directly towards him on a collision course. He had his signalman blink to the other ship: “Change your course 10 degrees south.”

The reply came back, “No. Change your course 10 degrees north.”

The ship’s captain answered, “I’m a full captain – change your course south.”

To  which the reply was, “Well, I’m a seaman first class – change your course north.”

This infuriated the captain, so he signaled back, “I say change your course south. I’m on a battleship.”

To which the reply came, “And I say change your course north. I’m in a lighthouse.”

 

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Comments

  1. I believe the historical/biographical information I have read about Elder Uchtdorf is that he was born in a German speaking land, but that during the war his family was displaced or otherwise lived in a Russian speaking land, possibly East Germany, where he had to learn Russian. His main reason for learning English to pursue his goal of being a pilot. He said that it was harder for him to learn than had been Russian.

  2. Also, I heard that President Uchtdorf speaks Russian along with his native German. Germany is rife with problems right now. I think he has his work cut out for him. So I was really happy with how that turned out.

  3. (Love that lighthouse story!)

    We have an adult stake institute class on Tuesday mornings and we got to watch the broadcast there, but had an hour prior to learn more about President Nelson. I learned that his call to the Apostleship was an over-the-General-Conference-pulpit-surprise (and sent one if his daughters into labor) and that he was not a General Authority prior to that. Also that he and Elder Oaks (I guess that’s President Oaks now) were called on the same day, but that Elder Oaks’ ordination was later (because of a business trip, or something, I believe), so President Nelson is senior.

    I have been expecting these events since Elder Anderson’s October Conference talk, and I personally fully expect that during President Nelson’s tenure, China will be opened!

    1. President Nelson was my father’s surgeon in 1984. It was a week or so after the surgery, and Dr. Nelson told us that he would be missing rounds the next day as he had been called over to church headquarters for some reason. He was called and sustained that weekend. He did “finish” up on my Father’s case.
      So it may have been an over the pulpit surprise, but there was some warning! Love you, President Nelson!

    2. Dallin Oaks was a sitting member of the Utah State Supreme Court, and his resignation from that position was delayed until the court term was finished; then he was ordained. It caused quite a stir. It was a unique surprise, in that both Elders Nelson and Oaks were totally outside the general leadership rather than already serving as Seventies or in any similar calling at the time they were called.

  4. I hadn’t even considered Elder Oaks being a counselor, only thought of him as the next President of the Quorum of 12 Apostles. After seeing that he was installed instead as a counselor, it became so evident to me that the Lord was placing him in the presidency, probably as a grooming opportunity. Wow, this is indeed the Lord’s church and He is directing it each and every day! Another example of how our inferior mortal comprehension does not always know what is best and how things are to be directed in the church, as well as our lives.

  5. Just read your post and wanted to share something funny. My husband had a temple recommend interview on Sunday. When it came to the question about sustaining the prophet, there was a bit of a stall. The usual phrasing didn’t work.

    1. I was asking that question and also had a moment to consider how impactful it was to be able to declare that you do sustain the Prophet no matter what the Tuesday announcement revealed.
      Unique question timing for sure.

  6. I don’t care if I’m a full admiral. I’ll take my directions from whoever is manning the lighthouse!

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