This afternoon’s session, of the October 1983 General Conference, Thomas S. Monson speaks of Labels. We still suffer from this disease today, don’t we? And what is the cure? Elder Monson suggests “the change [is] one of attitude.”

In storytelling fashion, he gives two examples:

A certain town in Canada has been labeled as difficult to find baptisms. Mission President Monson decides to close the town from missionaries, wait for a fresh crop of missionaries, and announce a new town will be opening soon. New missionaries assigned there are enthusiastic, not burdened by previous labels and the town booms with more baptisms than any other area.

What was the difference? A changed attitude. The result? A miracle.

The second story happens as a junior authority. He goes with President Kimball to Shreveport, Louisiana in search of a patriarch. President Kimball doesn’t find the right man until the adult session of conference when he asks the name of a certain man sitting in the back of the chapel. This man has lost both hands, one arm, most of his eyesight and part of his hearing in WWII. No one would have ever considered him. But the Lord does.

This brother, when brought into the Stake President’s office, said it could never happen because he didn’t have any hands to place on anyone’s head. Pres. Kimball said, “Lean forward and see if the stumps of your arms will reach the top of my head. … If you can reach me, you can reach any whom you bless.”

These appeared to be impossible situations. Elder Monson concludes with this last thought. “May it ever be the label which identifies each of us: ‘Lord, here am I.’

Instead of making excuses, our willingness to find a way to do the Lord’s work will bring us closer to Him and His miracles. It’s typically just our attitudes that hold us back. This was a good reminder for people to be eager in letting the Lord work miracles in us.