As a child in Northern Virginia, the Washington D.C. Temple was “my” temple. My parents were baptized in 1974, the summer the temple opened for public tours before its dedication. My parents volunteered as tour guides. I still have the tickets from the tours. I always loved to drive the beltway and see the temple appear magically on the horizon over the crest of a hill.

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There are two types of counsel to have: the kind we obey quietly and the kind for which we stand up and be counted. The former would be counsel like having more fervent prayers, more faith, or to repent. The latter would be calls for temple service, missionary service, service projects, or even bigger calls.

Those who seek to follow inspired priesthood counsel understand that no matter the challenges inherent in the call, the blessings of God will ultimately attend their righteous efforts. For example, the Lord asked for 500 men to join the Zion’s Camp march. The call was answered by just over 200 men. Those men, along with some women and children, walked 1,000 miles, endured harsh conditions, difficult weather, mobs and plagues of disease.

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The Lord loves a good agricultural image. During His earthly ministry, he used them often in teaching opportunities. He especially loves teaching about missionary work in this way. “For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul” (D&C 4: 4).
But one thing often overlooked in these images is the amount of time it takes to bring forth the work. Think of the mustard seed, which needs many years to grow before birds can nest in mature branches (see Luke 13). The process is slow.

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This issue of Desert Saints Magazine focuses on counsel from President Monson, given in the October 2008 General Conference. He spoke of the changes that inevitably happen in our lives. Some are slow and imperceptible, some come suddenly. Some are expected, while others turn our lives upside down.

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My sweetheart and the funniest guy
you know, Dave Ellis.

What a great message our Father in Heaven gives us. Of all the names He could be known by, He chooses simply “Father.” More than any superlative title, He wants us to speak of Him with the term that reminds us of our close relationship to Him.

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