True to the Faith

I have always found it interesting that some people, when they reach a certain age, feel there is no longer a need for them to serve in the Church. I'm not quite sure how that conclusion can possibly be reached with the incredible examples we have! I am constantly amazed at what our prophet, his counselors and the Quorom of the Twelve do! Their entire lives are devoted to the Savior and His Church! Prior to the passing of Elder Parry and President Packer, the average age of the First Presidency and the Twelve was 80! Without them, the average age is still 78 1/2.

The quotes come from Teachings of the President of the Church - Ezra Taft Benson, Lesson 16.

Much of this lesson comes from President Benson's October 1989 General Conference talk, also entitled "To the Elderly in the Church." At 90 years old, President Benson's health was beginning to decline so he asked President Monson, his second counselor, to read his talk. This was the last general conference he attended in its entirety. The only other time he was able to attend conference before his death in May of 1994 was when he attended a couple of sessions in October of 1991. He had faithfully served the Lord all his life. He was called to be an apostle on July 26, 1943. He became the president of the Church on November 10, 1985 at age 86.

President Benson said, "We must prove, every day of our lives, that we are willing to do the will of the Lord.” How blessed I have been to be surrounded by people who have done that! For many years, I had the best visiting teaching companion in the Church! She passed away a few years ago at the age of 97. Except for the last two months of her life, she went visiting every month! I love her and hope to be just like her! I have never known a time when my parents did not serve in the Church. They have served five missions a a senior couple. At 85 and almost 82, they still serve as ward missionaries. At 73, my father-in-law was called to serve in a branch presidency at the hospital branch in our stake. For more than 7 years, he took the assignment to give blessings at the hospital (a Trama One hospital) from midnight to 6:00 a.m. Shortly after his release, he was called into the High Priest Group leadership. He will be 81 in a couple of days.

The challenge for each of us, no matter our age, is to prove - every day of our lives - that we are willing to do the will of the Lord.