My oldest boy ordained to an Elder

 This weekend was stake conference.  A Youth meeting  was held from 8:15-9:15am before Sunday session of stake conference. 

The chapel was filled with youth and their leaders to receive instruction from President Mosey and Elder Jeremy B Grisel, of the Seventy. President Mosey shared a few words, basing it on John 14:10, 1 Nephi 11:25 and 1 Nephi 12:16  emphasizing that Jesus is the source of living water. He encouraged the youth to go to the source of “living water” and study the scriptures daily. 

Elder Grisel based his message on how much the Lord loves the youth and their covenant path. His message was geared towards helping the youth understand their identity. He took time to talk about what a good missionary looks like, the excitement around missions, and what gives us anxiety about a mission. The youth were invited to share what they were excited about and what causes them anxiety about serving.  He encouraged the youth to pay for their own mission and it’s a privilege. However if they do their best to save but come up short, there are resources to assist, so cost is not an excuse not to serve. 

Elder Grisel then moved on to discussing identity, asking the youth to turn to Moses 1:6. Three great truths come from the first line: we are His son/daughter, He has a specific work for you to do, and third He knows you by name.  The first word out of Gods mouth to open this dispensation was “Joseph”, Heavenly Father knows you by name. As a member of the church, you are each a “go’El”, which means redeemer. With added blessings, you have the responsibility to go help others, your families, and your friends. We can help change lives. Much of this training happened before we were born. D&C 138: 56, this is a prophet seeing you before you were born, it’s in your DNA to help save others. How do you remember- John 14:26, the Holy Ghost. 

Elder Grisel invited the youth to spend more time reading their scriptures. He shared that he and President Mosey did not discuss this prior to both extend the sane invitation. He said as you read the scriptures and come to know the Holy Ghost, it will unlock your remembrance of who you are. Elder Grisel expressed to all the young men it is their priesthood responsibility to serve. It's not if but when. For young women, ask the Lorf if it's for them.

Elder Grisel bore testimony that Jesus Christ is real and loves the youth. He knows them by name and is mighty to save.

I did not pay as much attention during the Sunday morning session of Stake Conference because they did not present our 4 young men for sustaining that were being presented to the Stake to be ordained to the office of an Elder.  It was personal to me, because one was my son.  We were unsure if he could be ordained before sustained, but they did allow it.  I was a touch sad because the boys had all sat together by us to be able to stand together when presented.  

After the meeting, Jake was able to take our boy into an office and ordain him to the office of an Elder, preparatory to him becoming a missionary.  Jake gave him a beautiful blessing to help him understand who he was as God's on.  Although we may be nervous about his preparation for a mission, we are learning that we have to trust him and God. It s a challenge for me because I see his lack of of motivation for school (he is currently failing 2 classes so we have to decide if he needs to withdraw or what but either way, his scholarships are lost. It makes me sad because of the effects it will have on his future with debt, etc to get an education and be able to provide), taking his medication, and picking up after himself, but I am trying.  On the drive home, Jake had shared that he had said a silent prayer that it would be done the proper way. I have married a wonderfully good man. 

Ordination Circle. Papa, Sterling Hammond, Adam Dickey, Jake, Will, Samuel Young, Ricky Packard, & Jake Harper