George Albert Smith was sustained as President of the Church in general conference in October 1945. Near the end of the conference, President Smith expressed gratitude for the sustaining vote of the Saints: “I thank you for the confidence that has been manifested, my brothers and sisters, in hoping that I may succeed, and promising as some of you have, that you will help me to succeed, because I am only a man, one of the humblest among you, but I have been called to this service—and I would not be here if I did not know I had been called—by the authority of our Heavenly Father.”
He then added this request: “I will need the help of every man and every woman and every child, not for my blessing, but for your blessing, and for the blessing of the children of men wherever they may be. That is not myresponsibility, that is our responsibility.
Sister Knies asked, "Have you ever had a time when you have been called to a calling when you felt that someone else would surely be a better choice, but as you progressed in your calling you could feel the prayers of support around you?" One sister shared her experience of being called as RS president with two young kids and an 8 month old baby. Her first Sunday as she stood to conduct she was overwhelmed and began crying. She was so grateful for her counselors and it became one of the greatest experiences of her life. Another sister shared her experience of just moving back to the states from living over seas for several years. She didn't know anyone and was immediately called as the YW president. She told the bishop that called her, "I don't know anything about Young Womens!" His response to her was "The Lord does not call the qualified, he qualifies the call". The same sister shared her experience as a Bishop's wife saying she knows a bishop could not do what he does without the prayers of the members.
While conducting a session of General Conference, President Smith introduced the sustaining of Church officers by explaining that it is more that just a passive act: "We now have one order of business that is customary with these Conferences; that is, the presentation of the Authorities of the Church to be sustained by the vote of the people. I hope that you will realize, all of you, that this is a sacred privilege...it will not be just a symbol but it will be an indication that, with the help of the Lord, you will carry your part of the work."
What does it mean to sustain the leaders of the church? Some replies: show support, do as asked. One sister commented that with an organization as large as our church, run completely by laymen, that can only be done with the hand of the Lord. Another sister commented that it is important to know who are leaders are and do our part. Another sister said it's important to not speak negatively about our leaders and if we are around someone who is, change the direction of the topic.
President Smith said, "When I think of the burdens that are carried by the President of the Church and his counselors, and realize the responsibilities that are placed upon their shoulders, with all my heart I desire to help them, that I may not be an encumbrance, but that in the position to which I have been called, with you, my brethren and my sisters, we may each take our place and carry our portion of the load and magnify our calling to the honor and glory of God."
Sister Knies asked, "What does it mean to carry our part of the work?" She then went on to share her experience as a mother with young kids when her husband was the bishop. It was hard. She valued her time as a family when he was able to pull away from his responsibilities as the bishop. One time they planned a much needed fan family activity and they were all looking forward to it. The morning of the planned day, her husband was woken by the phone at 6 in the morning. After the phone call, he apologized, but said he was going to have to cancel the family outing. She remembers in her heart feeling upset, angry and cheated. After he left, she got on her knees to pray. She immediately had an overpowering realization of "who calls at 6 am? Only someone that has been up all night, waiting for the first acceptable time to call for help." She asked for forgiveness and knew this was her part as sustaining her husband as the bishop.
President Smith explains, "There is no other organization like this in the world. There are no other people who are led as this people are led. It is truly said that those who preside are just men. It is through them that our Heavenly Father will perform his work. It is through them that the gospel must be taught...The man who presides over us today is not presiding because of his own native ability. He is not presiding because he is the son of some great potentate, but he is in the position he occupies because our Father in heaven knows the integrity of his soul. Realizing the determination he would have to carry this message to all the nations of the earth, he prepared him for the high calling that has been conferred upon him. He presides as a representative of our Heavenly Father."
Sister Knies asked, "What is the difference between the Lord's way and the world's way for hiring someone for a position?" Some answers: No campaigning! The world would never hire someone that didn't have a perfect resume. The Lord doesn't look on the outward appearance, but the heart. One sister shared an example of when they lived in a very educated, prosperous ward. Most of the men were graduates from Harvard or Yale. A new young couple moved in, fresh out of college and he was the man called to be bishop.
What happened when Joseph Smith died? The leader had already been chosen by the Lord and revealed through revelation. Perfect order prevailed. If Joseph Smith had been called by man, he would have had to answer to man. It's not enough to trust the system. We have to trust the Lord. We are entitled to pray to receive our own confirmation.
President Smith said, "I know that these men the General Authorities, are servants of the Lord, and I know they are seeking to bless mankind. I hope that not any of you...will fail to sustain them, not only by your faith and prayers but if they are misrepresented and their attitude misrepresented, that you may be willing and anxious to defend them, if need be, because there is a time coming when they will need your defense. The Adversary has not forgotten them, and one of the evidences to me of the divinity of the calling of these men is that evil men speak evil of them, and good men and good women speak well of them."
Monson said, "There will be occasion when we are called upon to defend or sustain our beliefs. The time to prepare is past."
Sister Knies shared a comment one of her daughters said, "What a difference it would make in our world if everyone assumed everyone was doing the best that they could."
President Smith said, "I stand here to plead with you, my brethren and sisters, not to permit words of criticism or of unkindness to pass your lips about those whom the Lord has called to lead us. Do not be found in the companionship of those who would belittle them or weaken their influence among the children of men. If you do, I can say to you that you will find yourselves in the power of the adversary. You will be influenced by him to go as far as possible from the pathway of truth, and if you do not repent you may find when it is too late that you have lost the "pearl of great price." Because of your selfishness and blindness you will have been led away, and your loved ones...will be sorrowing on the other side of the veil because of your weakness and your folly.
Sister Knies has a saying in her family, "Harmful or helpful". They try to ask themselves this before making or saying things that could be hurtful. Watch what is said especially in front of your children.
From the lesson, "It must be a source of strength to the President of this Church to look into the faces of thousands of honest men and women and observe them raise their hand in covenant with our Father in heaven, and sustain him in the office to which he has been called as president of this great Church. The obligation that we make when we realize our hands under such circumstances, is a most sacred one. It does not mean that we will go quietly on our way and be willing that the prophet of the Lord shall direct this work, but it means,-- if I understand the obligation I assumed when I raised my hand--that we will stand behind him; we will pray for him; we will defend his good name, and we will strive to carry out his instructions as the Lord shall direct him to offer them to us while he remains in that position.
While conducting a session of General Conference, President Smith introduced the sustaining of Church officers by explaining that it is more that just a passive act: "We now have one order of business that is customary with these Conferences; that is, the presentation of the Authorities of the Church to be sustained by the vote of the people. I hope that you will realize, all of you, that this is a sacred privilege...it will not be just a symbol but it will be an indication that, with the help of the Lord, you will carry your part of the work."
What does it mean to sustain the leaders of the church? Some replies: show support, do as asked. One sister commented that with an organization as large as our church, run completely by laymen, that can only be done with the hand of the Lord. Another sister commented that it is important to know who are leaders are and do our part. Another sister said it's important to not speak negatively about our leaders and if we are around someone who is, change the direction of the topic.
President Smith said, "When I think of the burdens that are carried by the President of the Church and his counselors, and realize the responsibilities that are placed upon their shoulders, with all my heart I desire to help them, that I may not be an encumbrance, but that in the position to which I have been called, with you, my brethren and my sisters, we may each take our place and carry our portion of the load and magnify our calling to the honor and glory of God."
Sister Knies asked, "What does it mean to carry our part of the work?" She then went on to share her experience as a mother with young kids when her husband was the bishop. It was hard. She valued her time as a family when he was able to pull away from his responsibilities as the bishop. One time they planned a much needed fan family activity and they were all looking forward to it. The morning of the planned day, her husband was woken by the phone at 6 in the morning. After the phone call, he apologized, but said he was going to have to cancel the family outing. She remembers in her heart feeling upset, angry and cheated. After he left, she got on her knees to pray. She immediately had an overpowering realization of "who calls at 6 am? Only someone that has been up all night, waiting for the first acceptable time to call for help." She asked for forgiveness and knew this was her part as sustaining her husband as the bishop.
President Smith explains, "There is no other organization like this in the world. There are no other people who are led as this people are led. It is truly said that those who preside are just men. It is through them that our Heavenly Father will perform his work. It is through them that the gospel must be taught...The man who presides over us today is not presiding because of his own native ability. He is not presiding because he is the son of some great potentate, but he is in the position he occupies because our Father in heaven knows the integrity of his soul. Realizing the determination he would have to carry this message to all the nations of the earth, he prepared him for the high calling that has been conferred upon him. He presides as a representative of our Heavenly Father."
Sister Knies asked, "What is the difference between the Lord's way and the world's way for hiring someone for a position?" Some answers: No campaigning! The world would never hire someone that didn't have a perfect resume. The Lord doesn't look on the outward appearance, but the heart. One sister shared an example of when they lived in a very educated, prosperous ward. Most of the men were graduates from Harvard or Yale. A new young couple moved in, fresh out of college and he was the man called to be bishop.
What happened when Joseph Smith died? The leader had already been chosen by the Lord and revealed through revelation. Perfect order prevailed. If Joseph Smith had been called by man, he would have had to answer to man. It's not enough to trust the system. We have to trust the Lord. We are entitled to pray to receive our own confirmation.
President Smith said, "I know that these men the General Authorities, are servants of the Lord, and I know they are seeking to bless mankind. I hope that not any of you...will fail to sustain them, not only by your faith and prayers but if they are misrepresented and their attitude misrepresented, that you may be willing and anxious to defend them, if need be, because there is a time coming when they will need your defense. The Adversary has not forgotten them, and one of the evidences to me of the divinity of the calling of these men is that evil men speak evil of them, and good men and good women speak well of them."
Monson said, "There will be occasion when we are called upon to defend or sustain our beliefs. The time to prepare is past."
Sister Knies shared a comment one of her daughters said, "What a difference it would make in our world if everyone assumed everyone was doing the best that they could."
President Smith said, "I stand here to plead with you, my brethren and sisters, not to permit words of criticism or of unkindness to pass your lips about those whom the Lord has called to lead us. Do not be found in the companionship of those who would belittle them or weaken their influence among the children of men. If you do, I can say to you that you will find yourselves in the power of the adversary. You will be influenced by him to go as far as possible from the pathway of truth, and if you do not repent you may find when it is too late that you have lost the "pearl of great price." Because of your selfishness and blindness you will have been led away, and your loved ones...will be sorrowing on the other side of the veil because of your weakness and your folly.
Sister Knies has a saying in her family, "Harmful or helpful". They try to ask themselves this before making or saying things that could be hurtful. Watch what is said especially in front of your children.
From the lesson, "It must be a source of strength to the President of this Church to look into the faces of thousands of honest men and women and observe them raise their hand in covenant with our Father in heaven, and sustain him in the office to which he has been called as president of this great Church. The obligation that we make when we realize our hands under such circumstances, is a most sacred one. It does not mean that we will go quietly on our way and be willing that the prophet of the Lord shall direct this work, but it means,-- if I understand the obligation I assumed when I raised my hand--that we will stand behind him; we will pray for him; we will defend his good name, and we will strive to carry out his instructions as the Lord shall direct him to offer them to us while he remains in that position.
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