Dear Brothers and Sisters:
How do you feel when you stand on the verge of doing something for the first time? Are you excited, anxious or frightened of the tests and trials that lie ahead, or do you view your future with courage and faith in God?
Last night I received a phone call from a young man, 16 years old and a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. His father has recently passed away and his two younger brothers are now of age to 1) be conferred the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained to the office of a Deacon and 2) advance in the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained to the office of a Teacher. The responsibility now belongs to this young man to perform his priesthood duty and he was naturally worried about doing this for the first time. He called me with an anxious heart for some counsel and reassurance.
This morning my son’s life-long best friend left for Fort Benning, Military Base in Georgia to begin his training to become a United States Army Ranger. His nervous excitement and anticipation for the future were palpable.
Each of us have experienced the assorted feelings of doing something for the first time: a new student, a new job, a new parent, and countless more. These experiences build upon one another and help to prepare us for the next first time. With repetition it becomes easier, and the feelings of fright and uneasiness seem to go away.
When Heber J. Grant was president of the Church, he had a slogan printed and distributed by the thousands. It said, “That which we persist in doing becomes easy to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that the power to do has increased.” That simply means we get better with practice! Someone has said, “We learn to do by doing.” This is absolutely true.
As we embark on another new year for the first time, I pray that we continue to view our future with courage and faith in our Heavenly Father and in His omnipotent plan. We need not be anxious or fearful as all things are known to Him and all events will continue to happen according to His time. May we all persist in improving our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ and live with great excitement and anticipation for the blessings we will receive this year. We love you! Washington Utah Stake Presidency Joel Beckstrand
Stake Presidency Second Counselor.