O Ye That Embark

My thought on Pres. Eyring's talk "O Ye That Embark"

I know he was speaking to Priesthood leaders but I took this to my womanly heart as well. In the first sentence he said:

"[T]onight I wish to encourage priesthood holders who at times feel overwhelmed with their responsibilities. That is a challenge I have spoken of before. I return to it because it returns so often in the lives of those I love and serve."

My heart feels overwhelmed most of the time because of my responsibilities placed at my feet. And lately I've needed my mother's advice and of course there is no one at the other end of the line to answer my call. Oh, how I miss her! (times infinity, as my kids would way.)

What is true for the goose is also true for the gander:
"Those of you further down the road are smiling because you know something about priesthood service. It is this: the more faithful service you give, the more the Lord asks of you. Your smile is a happy one because you know that He increases our power to carry the heavier load.
The tough part of that reality, however, is that for Him to give you that increased power you must go in service and faith to your outer limits."

I do feel tested to the outer limits. On days like today, I feel like the next phone call, next email, next request will push me over the edge. But then I remember his next line:
"It is like building muscle strength. You must break down your muscles to build them up. You push muscles to the point of exhaustion. Then they repair themselves, and they develop greater strength. Increased spiritual strength is a gift from God which He can give when we push in His service to our limits. Through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our natures can be changed. Then our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give."
(Which reminds me, I need to get back to the gym now that my surgeon has cleared me.)

As the visiting teaching coordinator I love this statement because everyone can do their part to lift the burden on the RS presidency if only they practice the "Life Where you Stand" principle talked about by Pres. Uchtdorf.
"That helps me understand when I see someone else who makes priesthood service look easy. I know that they have either passed hard tests or that the tests lie ahead. So rather than envying them, I stand ready to help when the going gets harder for them, because it surely will."

"That testing of our limits in priesthood service is made necessary by God’s plan to qualify His children to live with Him again forever. Heavenly Father loves His children. He offered us eternal life, to live with Him again in families and in glory forever."

We have to remember that Satan tempts and the Savior tests. Our response to the testing lets Satan, our Heavenly Father and other know where we stand. Of this I have a very strong testimony. When we don't remember this:
"It is not surprising that we feel from time to time nearly overwhelmed. Your thought that “I’m not sure I can do this” is evidence that you are understanding what it means to hold the priesthood of God. The fact is that you can’t do it by yourself. The responsibility is too difficult and too important for your mortal powers and for mine. Recognizing that is at the foundation of great priesthood service.
When those feelings of inadequacy strike us, it is the time to remember the Savior. He assures us that we don’t do this work alone. There are scriptures to put on your mirror and to remember in the moments when you are doubting your capacity."
We past the test. This is an open book, call on the professor kind of test. He may not give you the answers, but he will point you in the right direction and sooner or later those who are patient, faithful and obedient find the answers to His tests.

I love that our leaders recognize that we feel overwhelmed. They address it. They ask us to change it. They ask us to pick the best, not just the good or better. They ask the wards to cut back on activities so that we as families can come together. They are keenly aware of our troubles, and our feelings. For that I'm grateful.

And because they know they give us these promises from on high:
"I know that the promise of angels to bear us up is real."

I feel those angels in my life. We've discussed them before.
"[T]here are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with you."

President Eyring then tells a few things that will help us in our callings.
1. Recognize and welcome those who the Lord sends to help us.
2. See in every assignment the opportunity to strengthen another.
Notice he didn't say "one another" but strengthen another--service. How many times have we heard that when we are in the depths of woe to find someone to service and we will feel better. When we feel overwhelmed, look for help and help others.

I love what he wrote about Pres. Faust and the advice he gave to him and thus to us all.
"I said that doubt had come to me, as if I had hit a wall. I expected that he was going to reassure me. I told him that I appreciated his being aware of my doubts and asked for his help. But I was surprised by his kind, firm reply. He said, “Don’t ask me. Go to Him.” Then he pointed up to heaven. Now years later I sit in that same office. When I walk into it I look up and remember him and how he taught me by example how to help those who are feeling overwhelmed in the Lord’s service. Find a way to send them with confidence to Him. If they will follow your counsel, they will gain the strength they need and to spare."
How often do I try to tell my children the answers when the Lord has them. I need to direct my children to the Lord more often. I will start this week to do that. They will learn to trust in His answers.