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Being worthy, willing and prepared to lead was the message by
Elder V. Dallas Merrell, former member of the First Quorum of
the Seventy, in his devotional address Tuesday, September 6, at
Brigham Young University-Idaho.
“Leadership is in high demand and generally in short supply. The
greatest need of this growing church, President Hinckley has
said, is for leaders. Freedom and democracy require a broad base
of leaders. Business will not emerge and become profitable
without leaders. Every family needs leadership,” Elder Merrell
said.
Elder Merrell discussed several examples of leaders who are
worthy, willing and prepared to lead.
“President Gordon B. Hinckley is an authentic, humble leader who
has paid attention, caught on, and step by step built a record
of accomplishments,” Merrell said.
Edler Merrell recalls getting a telephone call from Elder Joseph
B. Wirthlin early one Monday morning. Elder Wirthlin and
President Hinckley had just returned from Hong Kong after
dedicating the temple there. Elder Wirthlin said he was
exhausted, but woke up the next morning and knew President
Hinckley would be in the office at seven ready to work. Elder
Wirthlin woke up, dressed and hurried to the office after
realizing he shouldn’t be outworked by President Hinckley.
“President Hinckley is a doer, a man of vision, decisive. He
listens to the Spirit and the counsel of others,” Merrell said.
Another example of a leader Elder Merrell discussed is Jesus
Christ, who has been called the perfect leader. “In the little
book, Lectures on Faith, Joseph Smith explains the Savior’s
perfect leadership. No power is greater than His. He knows all
things. His love for us is perfect. He reconciles the demands of
eternal law and mercy. He connects vision and reality with
perfect strategy. His ideas about alliances are reflected in the
Godhead, presidencies, quorums, and councils. Thus, we can trust
Him, faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ,” Merrell said.
Elder Merrell continued by teaching that God desires each of his
children to become like Him. Jesus asked, “…what manner of men
ought ye to be? And then responded, “Verily I say unto you, even
as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27).
After identifying leaders, Elder Merrell told students not to
lose vision of their potential or they might fall short of their
possibilities. He proceeded by saying that leadership is linked
with helping friends and allies.
Next, Elder Merrell discussed attitudes about serving and how
they should reflect the example of President Kim Clark, who
willingly left the Harvard Business School to come to BYU-Idaho.
“We do not seek callings and we do not decide where and when we
serve. We already made our decisions with sacred covenants.
Furthermore, we are obligated to be worthy at all times, and to
be as capable and qualified as possible for any responsibility.
We are also to be free from entanglements that would restrict
our service, such as excessive debt, legal troubles, or a
negative image or reputation,” Merrell said.
Elder Merrell concluded by asking, “Will you lead? Will you be
worthy and do your best to be available to serve whenever and
wherever you are called? Will you expand your friendship and
allies? Will you accept those servants who will help you learn
to lead? Will you grow toward that ruling role for which
Heavenly Father has created you? Please answer me, will you
lead?”
Next week’s devotional speaker will be Elder Gary J. Coleman, a
member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. Devotionals are held
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional
seating in the Hinckley Chapel, Taylor Chapel, and Kirkham
Auditorium. Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m.
and rebroadcast Tuesdays at 7p.m. and Sundays at 5p.m. |