Bishop Young implored us to have hope for our futures. He asked us to envision what we want out of our lives, work to make it happen, and when necessary, patiently wait.
President Harrison began his talk by stating that he hates lists. In terms of dating when he was young, his lists failed him, derailed him, and confused him. Athleticism, musical ability, girl-next-door qualities all failed to help him find his future companion. With decades of experience since then, President Harrison advised us to give up those types of qualities on our "lists." This isn't groundbreaking news to many of us-- that Beehive lesson ran out of steam a long time ago for me. But President Harrison asked us to consider a new list: simply, 1. Loves the Lord. 2. Loves Me. 3. Loves the Priesthood.
That night, I was reminded of an email exchange I had with our Elder's Quorum president a couple of years ago. He was teaching a lesson to the quorum based on Jeffrey R. Holland's talk to "Step Up". He asked me and the rest of our Relief Society Presidency to give advice on how to step up. I wanted to share a bit of that email exchange here:
Maggie,
I hope you are doing well! On July 1st, our Priesthood lesson will be on how to “Step Up”. Jeffrey R. Holland’s conference address encouraged men to rise up and step up (basis of lesson in below paragraph). In your opinion, in what ways can the men step up? I would like to share your responses with the quorum. Thanks in advance for your willingness to provide suggestions.
"I especially make an appeal for husbands and fathers, priesthood bearers or prospective priesthood bearers, to, as Lehi said, “Awake! and arise from the dust … and be men.”5 Not always but often it is the men who choose not to answer the call to “come join the ranks.”6 Women and children frequently seem more willing. Brethren, step up. Do it for your sake. Do it for the sake of those who love you and are praying that you will respond. Do it for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, who paid an unfathomable price for the future He wants you to have."
This was my response (it was read word for word to the men):
I've thought about this for a while. I know the other girls in the presidency have too. I decided I certainly don't feel qualified to tell men how to "step up," because there are areas in my life that I need to improve too. But I'm willing to share a few of the things I see men doing day to day that impress me.
I'm impressed with the men in our ward when:
They attend Sunday School and actively learn
Attend the Temple
Arrive to church early/stay late to set up chairs, etc.
Wear white shirts to administer the priesthood
Magnify their callings
Hometeach and become friends with the people they hometeach
Attend ward activities
Have one-on-one conversations with me, and remember things I've told him about me
Say nice things
ask a variety of girls out with the intentions of committing and dating to marry
Have plans for their futures ie, career, finances, education, housing
Show passion for their interests
I guess these things boil down to:
Going above and beyond the Temple Recommend requirements
Make me feel special
Show you are capable of fulfilling the role as provider
That you are interesting and happy
It feels strange to list out all these things, but I do see these qualities in the guys in our ward from time to time. Those are the things that impress me the most. When they are doing these things they are being MEN!!
I'm impressed with the men in our ward when:
They attend Sunday School and actively learn
Attend the Temple
Arrive to church early/stay late to set up chairs, etc.
Wear white shirts to administer the priesthood
Magnify their callings
Hometeach and become friends with the people they hometeach
Attend ward activities
Have one-on-one conversations with me, and remember things I've told him about me
Say nice things
ask a variety of girls out with the intentions of committing and dating to marry
Have plans for their futures ie, career, finances, education, housing
Show passion for their interests
I guess these things boil down to:
Going above and beyond the Temple Recommend requirements
Make me feel special
Show you are capable of fulfilling the role as provider
That you are interesting and happy
It feels strange to list out all these things, but I do see these qualities in the guys in our ward from time to time. Those are the things that impress me the most. When they are doing these things they are being MEN!!
Bremen and I talked a lot about this last night. He shared with me his list that includes 4 things, and I told him about this letter I wrote and the four main points at the bottom. So in light of all these discussions, I wanted to share my "list" here:
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I know next Sunday we are having a special combined 3rd hour meeting where a former member of our ward, who is a licensed marriage and family therapist, is coming to speak to us about "lists". I'll be interested to see if my views change after hearing what she has to say. But for now, this is IT!!!
Image sources: Temple Special Happy (via) Provide
