Remember who you are

I have been reading through some of my journals and have found some interesting thoughts that I would like to preserve here for easier future reference. While I was serving as a deacon’s quorum adviser I had this experience--

I've been interested to watch a new deacons quorum presidency. Two of them, the counselors, are best friends, and are kind of jokesters. They have had a hard time adjusting to being examples to the rest of the quorum. Where before they could have their fun and still participate with the quorum – now they are in positions of responsibility and need to be examples. Others are going to follow whatever example they set.

Case in point: We have the 1:00pm church schedule and so priesthood opening exercises are held in the chapel. When these two entered, they went to the very back of the chapel over flow which is back at the half court line, and sat down. The president was right behind them. Within 90 seconds half of the quorum was there with them. They were quite pleased with themselves.

I went to the back to talk with them. I shook the hands of the presidency members, called them by their proper quorum titles, and said, “I want you three to notice how the rest of the quorum follows your example.” I didn't tell them to go up and sit with their fathers, but that is what they did.

What did I learn from this?

One possible lesson is about the temple. The temple doesn't teach anything specific about running a scout troop or a quorum or how to raise children. The temple reminds us who we are. Then we can go and do with proper focus. General conference is the same way. As I am reminded of who I am, I can better focus on what is truly important and improve. Just like the deacons, remembering who I am is a motivator to change and do better.