Who will find me?

James, the Bishop of Jerusalem, laid out a discourse in the Book of James of what it means to be a Christian. Alma, in the wilderness, taught the people what means to be baptised and how we must take care of each other. Lehi, in his tree of the Tree of Life, yearns for his family to eat of the tree.

The path to that tree begins with the opening of a gate, the gate of baptism. The path is marked and it has a iron rod for us to use on our journey. But sometimes we let go of the rail, we wander off the path and get lost in the mist. We get overly concerned about the people in the mansion and what they say about us. We become the sheep that has wandered away from the flock, we leave the 99.

Who will find me?

I could be a young man or women leaving home for the first time, going to college or the military. I could be the young mother with her first baby. I could be a new member wondering whats next. Or I could just be tired, worn down by life and all the things it throws at you.

What the Church needs are leaders, teachers, and members. Those that care about each other, who love us and express charity. That is what all three of these; leaders, teachers, and members, have in common. They care about us.

Ezra Taft Benson in a priesthood meeting talk in 1987 stated, "I rejoice in this opportunity to say a few words to you tonight. I feel impressed to speak to you about a priesthood program that has been inspired from its inception—a program that touches hearts, that changes lives, and that saves souls; a program that has the stamp of approval of our Father in Heaven; a program so vital that, if faithfully followed, it will help to spiritually renew the Church and exalt its individual members and families.

I am speaking about priesthood home teaching. With all my heart, I pray that you will understand, by the Spirit, exactly my feelings about home teaching.

Brethren, home teaching is not just another program. It is the priesthood way of watching over the Saints and accomplishing the mission of the Church. Home teaching is not just an assignment. It is a sacred calling."

The Lord set the example; he was a teacher and loves us unconditionally.

In Doctrine & Covenants Section 20 the duties of the priesthood are set out.
"Watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them;
"And see that there is no iniquity in the church. ...
"And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty."
"And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties."

President Benson continues;
"It is the heart of caring, of loving, of reaching out to the one—both the active and the less active.
It is priesthood compassionate service.
It is how we express our faith in practical works.
It is one of the tests of true discipleship.
It is the heart of the activation effort of the Church.
There is no greater Church calling than that of a home teacher."

As I reflect on my first experiences with the priesthood I realize that a majority of it happened because of home teaching. I went home teaching with my father who often found ways for me to provide service. It started as cutting lawns, feeding dogs, watering flowers. I collected fast offerings, gave blessing to the sick, blessed babies, dedicated graves. I shared the joys and the sorrows of the families.

President Benson states that there are three fundamentals that are essential to home teaching. The first is to know your families. Be a friend, who cares, loves, listens, and reaches out. The second is know the message. Have a testimony and bare it, use the Holy Ghost. Home Teaching insures that the priesthood is in every home at least once a month. Third is magnify your calling. Do not settle for mediocrity, be the Shepard and keep track of your families.

There is an old African story of the warrior who was travelling down a path when he encounters a lion. No matter how brave or strong he was, the warrior knew he could not beat the lion , so he backed off. The next day he again was travelling the path, again he encountered the lion. This time however he did not back down. He was with other warriors and together he knew they would all stand their ground and together they could beat the lion. The lion knew this too, so the lion backed down.

We are all part of the body of Christ, the church. We are all different and have different roles to fulfill. Each of us has different skills, talents and abilities but we are one. In 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 it states that the head cannot say to the feet, I don't need the feet. And the feet cannot say to the head, I do not need the head. There is place for everyone.

In Ephesians chapter 2 verses 19 and 20 it reads "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; "

In Christ and the church there are no strangers or foreigners. We are all His children. We are all Brothers and Sisters. We have responsibilities given to us by Christ to each other. I pray that we may strive to fulfill these responsibilities.

In the name of Jesus Christ;
Amen.