The Lord Wants Me to Magnify My Calling

Today for so long that I, finally sat down and reading Come, Follow Me – The Book of Mormon.

I am reading Jacob 1 and 2. It was the time when Nephi was old and dying, he had assigned his own younger brother Jacob to teach the word of God. To Jacob, teaching the word of God was more than an assignment from his brother – it was an “errand from the Lord,” so he laboured diligently to “magnify his office”.

President Gordon B. Hinckley  taught that we magnify our callings “as we serve with diligence, as we teach with faith and testimony, as we lift and strengthen and build convictions of righteousness in those whose lives we touch”.

Think about your own “[errands] from the Lord” as you read Jacob 1:6-8, 15-19 and 2:1-11. Why did Jacob serve so faithfully?

What does his example inspire you to do to magnify your Church callings and your responsibilities at home?

I am not sure this had been planned earlier by the Lord, that He would wants me to know that, I should… and I should magnify my calling, before I just given it up and told Branch President about my concerns.

When I saw these questions, I am stunned. It seems as I have give up and give in to the calling that the Lord given to me because of my own personal struggles and personal family matters.

I feel guilt as I do not measure up to the things the Lord wants me to do. May be the things can be better if I just rely and pray to Him and find a way to listen to Him. Most of the time I am thinking of my paths ahead are blurry and I am unable to connect to Him somehow. I should have pray and talk to Heavenly Father more.

Everything seems started to crumble in me after we came back from Kuching. The counsel that we had indeed gave me a huge punch on face. So was Alvin. That was why and how I got from him a lot lately.

Alvin did tell me to my face that I am not mature enough to be a mother and my mentality still stays where I was 20 over years ago, and that behaviour and mentality of mine would not be accepted by him and his family.

I was hurt and feel pain. For over this one year ever since I had accepted my calling as Relief Society President, I was wondering what the Lord wants me to learn in this calling? Or what are the things that He would wants me to learn faster, so that I can face the challenges in front of me in the later days?

I have been thinking a lot lately after came back from Kuching that I should have focus more on my own family. Most of the time, Alvin’s behaviour towards me easily distracts me emotionally. I feel as overwhelming of the work, home and calling.

I feel as I cannot concentrate and focus on to ministering the sisters, and it is not fair that I keep on holding on that position. That is why in the midst of the various kinds of thoughts I had, I talked to the Branch President finally on my decisions to be released.

Branch President did ask me to go back and pray about it. I did as what he asked me to. I feel the warmth in my heart. Eventually, every time when Alvin started to tell me off, the thoughts of to be released would rise again.

Finally, I went to Branch President again and told him what I think is the best for me.

Well…back to the questions: Why did Jacob serve so faithfully?

Jacob serves so faithfully even though his responsibility was difficult, because he cared about the people and he wanted to obey God’s commandments.

What does his example inspire you to do to magnify your Church callings and your responsibilities at home?

Last night we just had our Relief Society Presidency meeting through the WhatsApp video call. Both my beloved counsellors are so great and amazing! I feel as this would be the last meeting that we had…

And today I read the scripture and frankly I am kind of regret – why I should give in my calling every time Alvin had sounded me? If only I could have a clear mind and peace heart that seek for the divine help, and continue be like Jacob, I am sure that everything would be going great. Because as what Jacob said in the scripture, “But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them;…”

But what I had done was done, and I have to continue in doing what my responsibilities at home but this time I will learn to rely to the Lord more in every decision I make.

“And so to everyone-- man or woman, girl or boy-- who has been called or who will yet be, I will give you my counsel.

First, you are called of God. The Lord knows you. He knows whom He would have serve in every position in his Church. He chose you. Your call has eternal consequences for others and for you. In the world to come, thousands may call your name blessed, even more than the people you serve here. They will be the ancestors and the descendants of those who chose eternal life because of something you said or did, or even what you were.

There will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with a feeling that you are inadequate. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone. The Lord will magnify what you say and what you do in the eyes of the people you serve. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart.

Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and his beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your companion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve, and you will know that you have seen the arm of God lifting those you serve for him. And lifting you.”

Rise to Your Call

Elder Henry B. Erying

October 2002 General Conference