As I was reading Pres. Monson’s Priesthood address, Dare to Be Alone, it occurred to me that both men and women have responsibilities. Women can glean much from these talks, and we should read, study, and pray over them as well. But men have the BURDEN of the Priesthood to bear. Women don’t have this burden. For men, they have been CALLED to protect their wives and children. In this world, there is much protection necessary. This is a heavy burden every man is accountable for. And I gather that men are not performing well.

Pres. Monson mentioned an article he read in the newspaper concerning morality. The article revealed that those questioned didn’t have any idea what morality really meant. Sadly, these men can’t protect anyone if they lack understanding. If they can’t stand up against the adversary, we women will be exposed. That is the burden of the Priesthood.

Bishop McMullin taught about the power of the Priesthood. Power is different from authority. The Lord said, “I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father. I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” This is the standard boys and men must live up to. Their power comes from Jesus Christ, as sent through the power of the Holy Ghost. All of their actions should be in His name.

Missionary work is a calling and duty of the brethren of this Church. Elder Waddell asks these important questions: Do boys have a personal testimony of the Book of Mormon? Do they use their gift of the Holy Ghost in daily life? Do they know how to work, how to teach, how to converse, how to inspire?

Pres. Eyring reminds the men to teach the boys their burden. Pres. Uchtdorf reminds the men that it is their mission to open their eyes, use the priesthood, and go to work in the Lord’s way. Elder Holland was none too subtle when he cried, “We need tens of thousands of more missionaries in the months and years that lie ahead. They must come from an increased percentage of the Aaronic Priesthood who will be ordained, active, clean, and worthy to serve.” This is the burden of the Priesthood.

Now, what does this have to do with the women? Everything!

We have the responsibility to nurture. Both husbands and sons.

As mothers, we must train our boys to be missionaries. We must train our girls to be faithful and fearless. Our responsibility is to keep our families on the right path by loving them, teaching them, honoring them, supporting them, and being righteous examples for them. Pres. Benson said, “In all ages, prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day. Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us. Make no mistake about it—you are a marked generation…”  (from Pres. Monson’s talk)

In order to teach our sons the difference between authority and power of the priesthood, suggested in Bishop McMullin’s talk, we women need to understand the difference. By our support, teachings, and example, all of our men should “speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and administer the sacred emblems of the sacrament [where] men and women, boys and girls will strive to repent, to increase their faith in Christ, and to have the Holy Spirit with them always.”

When missionaries go out, they are allowed two phone calls a year: Mother’s Day and Christmas. This is unequivocal proof of a mother’s influence. Elder Waddell’s talk encourages boys, but who is it that usually encourages scripture reading, how to recognize the Spirit, and demands good work ethics?

Pres. Eyring’s talk reminds leaders to inspire opportunities to lead and to serve. Often, it’s easier for an adult to just do it themselves. But this is not how Christ teaches. Sometimes we wish He didn’t leave it up to us to fail, get up again, and try harder. But then again, maybe we love Him more for it.

Welfare is the responsibility of both Priesthood and Relief Society. Pres. Uchtdorf said,

“The Lord has placed His priesthood and its organization at our doorsteps in every nation where the Church is established. And, right by its side, He has placed the Relief Society. As we priesthood holders know, no welfare effort is successful if it fails to make use of the remarkable gifts and talents of our sisters…In the end you must do in your area what disciples of Christ have done in every dispensation: counsel together, use all resources available, seek the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, ask the Lord for His confirmation, and then roll up your sleeves and go to work.”

This gospel is carefully choreographed with each role spelled out importantly in its message. We are all players within its glorious embrace. When we misstep, we miss out. When we align ourselves, our line takes us home.

P.S. Elder Holland’s talk deserves a separate post. Stay tuned…