Bye primary class...sniffle, sniffle.

Yesterday was the primary program at church. Nick was sitting up on the stand for moral support, I guess. I guess they didn't want me to sit up on the stand because it might be uncomfortable, or Nick and I might be tempted to kiss or something equally horrid. So I sat by myself in the pews while the children trotted forward to say their lines.

The theme for this year has been how various aspects of the gospel can bless our families. The program was done well by the new primary presidency. We have been released, sort of, or at least notified of being released (something that hasn't been done all that much in previous wards to me). They haven't announced the release in sacrament meeting yet but decided that we needed substitutes for our class so we wouldn't have to teach it anymore.

I didn't really understand why this was necessary so soon. I mean, yeah I'm having a baby but I have a few more weeks that I can handle normal life...I think. We actually asked to keep our calling but apparently it wasn't meant to happen. It turns out that one of the substitutes that took our class yesterday is our new home teacher. I asked him how he liked teaching that class and he said it was totally different than what he would have expected.

"They just sat there and listened. And then they gave really good answers when we asked them questions. And one of the boys knew who every single prophet was and a story about his life. It was amazing!"

So now maybe you know why we didn't want to be released. I don't know if the kids knew what was going on, but when I walked past them on the way to RS I heard them say, "hey look there is Sister Swenson". Probably wondering why we weren't teaching when we weren't officially released. That's okay, I was wondering the same thing. We even lost our primary manual a couple weeks ago.

In conclusion, I'd just like to say that sometimes we get callings where we are probably meant to learn from those we serve- more than they learn from us. Since there isn't any way to really measure how much each life is affected, I just think now that any calling we get is a chance for us to teach as well as learn. Teaching this class helped me realize that it is possible to raise children in the gospel who have amazingly solid testimonies. And ones that are really gospel smart and are interested in what we teach them. I now have a goal to create these kind of children in my home.

I remember when I was young and the leaders and teachers we had at church and in seminary would always say that our generation was special, chosen, or whatever. And I always kind of doubted or just shrunk from feeling like I was any better than any other generation. But now I feel the same way about the kids I have known while teaching. I was definitely not that righteous, aware, and strong in the gospel as they are (when I was that age). I think I was generally a good person but they are all really solid kids. I loved being around them for the short time I was allowed to be there.

I think in my next calling I'm going to not take it for granted. I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. I hope my little story has inspired you all to do the best in your callings and not take them for granted. Learn everything you can and teach what you already know.

Magnify Every Calling

I know we've been talking about callings and what not lately, and that's what is on my mind right now. Mostly because I got released from my teaching calling this past Sunday. Since I had Jared, the only opportunity to teach outside my home has been through my callings. I think the Lord gave me the outlet so I would feel as though I'm teaching.

I know I teach within my home, but I never really thought of it as 'teaching' because of the time and effort I habitually put into a formal lesson. This is not the way to think and I'm a bad teacher for thinking so. When I sat and thought about what I wanted to write today, I remembered how I gave a talk in our BYU ward shortly after we were married. Luckily, I still have it on my computer, so I want to share a few thoughts I shared then, right now.

In order to understand how to do our callings properly we need to understand how to magnify. When I think of the word magnify, I think of something brought closer, or enlarged, so I am able to understand it better. The focus function on 35 mm camera allows the image through the lens to be seen more clearly than without it. Strength increases with the power of focus. When we put the right amount of focus on our lives, tasks become easier to understand and easier to accomplish. 'To magnify’ means taking any situation and doing the best you can with the resources you have. One of the resources you have within your calling is the calling itself.

In order to succeed in magnifying our callings President Eyring suggests, in the October 2004 Conference, we should know three basic principles about our calling. And I personally believe these are essential to realize now rather than later.

1. We are Called of God: He says, “The Lord knows you. He knows whom He would have serve in every position in His Church. He chose you. The person who was inspired to recommend you for this call didn’t do it because they liked you or because they needed someone to do a particular task. They prayed and felt an answer that you were the one to be called. He prayed to know the Lord’s will for you. Every one who is called of God has the right to know that before anything else." We already know we are called of God through the Fifth Article of Faith. Since we are called of God, we are also called to represent our Savior. Think about this for a moment. Our voices, words, and actions become a representation of the Savior on the earth today. Our callings become more than just ward greeter or hymnbook coordinator; each and every calling is important in the eyes of the Lord because they aid in the building of his kingdom.
2. Just as the Lord calls us, he will guide us through revelation. President Eyring gives a caution about the Lord’s guidance: “[it] will come only when the Lord is sure you will obey. To know His will you must be committed to do it. The words 'Thy will be done,' written in the heart, are the window to revelation. The answer comes by the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit may also guide you to the scriptures for your answer. So many stories containing the doctrine and principles of the gospel in different situations will help you find the one that is right for you at that moment. And if not, searching the scriptures will help clear your thoughts to focus on the task ahead.
3. Not only does God call and guide you; he will magnify you. There is no need to feel inadequate in your calling. We do not magnify our callings by ourselves and if we think we do, then we are inadequate. The Lord will always be there for us. We are his children; he does not leave us to survive alone. President Erying continued further by suggesting that we feel inadequacy because the Lord’s presence is so much a part of our callings that we take it for granted.

Think back to my silly camera analogy. In today’s world the 35mm camera with focus is the thing of the past, it doesn’t have the newest digital capabilities in the world of photography. But, what happens when we put the two together? It creates the best camera on the market. The Lord is the newest digital technology to our little 35mm. He guides us to what or who we need to focus on at the right time. Without Him, we do not have the proper ‘magnification’ to succeed.

President Heber J. Grant once said, “By the assistance of our Heavenly Father there is no obligation and no law in the Church that we cannot fulfill. The Lord will give us the strength and the ability to accomplish every duty and rests upon us in an acceptable manner in his sight.” Elder Eyring said on this matter: “You can have the utmost assurance that your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart."

So, what are the callings we must fulfill and magnify? The Lord, through his prophets, specified two categories: callings in the Priesthood and the callings received through the power of the priesthood. Now wait a minute, doesn’t that mean all Church callings? Yes, but that's only the beginning.

The Lord created us with his powers, which includes the power of the priesthood. This means that everything we do in life, not just within the church, is a calling we must magnify. I tend to believe that the ultimate calling we have is that of a son or daughter of God striving to become a true disciple of Christ. We are given our other callings as Bishops, Visiting Teachers, Elders, Mothers, Fathers, etc. to magnify (or make better) our calling as divine beings. We give our best effort in these callings and the Lord will make up the difference.

For me, at this time in my life, it means to magnify my calling as a wife and mother in my calling. It is the first and foremost calling I have in my life and I should not be disappointed in being released.

If the Lord sees fit to give me another calling in the ward, then I will accept because He knows me and knows what I can handle. I challenge us all to never decline a calling; it's like saying you know better than the Lord. Think of the early days of the church when calls would be extended right then and there during sacrament meeting without asking the people involved; the Lord had faith that the members would except the call! Don't be afraid to accept and enjoy your callings; the Lord has faith in you--- have faith in Him.