One general conference address that
has really resonated with me has been one that was given by Jeffrey R. Holland in
October 2012. The First Great Commandment It was beautiful. And it has been something of a theme of my
life. First, the back-story: the 10 remaining apostles have just witnessed the crucifixion,
ascension, and subsequent return of the resurrected Christ. The Savior had left
again and the apostles were at something of a loss. What now? The last three
years had been a life changing experience with miracles being by the Master’s
hand, so what else is there? From convert to apostle, their journey had been
one of progression and persecution interspersed with some of the most glorious
teachings imaginable. But what is supposed to follow? In essence they had
served their mission and had given their homecoming talk, so to speak. A job
well done and enough spiritual experiences to share stories in sacrament
meeting and elder’s quorum for the rest of their lives. Time to get back to the
life that they knew and were comfortable with. It was time to go fishing.
With that statement 6 other
apostles joined with him and headed to the ship. Well that night the fishing
wasn’t very good. In fact it was awful. Not a single solitary fish. Now that
has got to be depressing for a lifelong fisherman who has returned to his
previous endeavors only to have nothing to show for it. The night was long and
in the rays of the morning sun they noticed a man on the shore who spoke to
them. This man instructed the apostles to cast the net on the other side of the
boat whereupon they caught so many fish that they could not pull it in.
Now, to those who are familiar with
this story I am sure you can appreciate the miracle that transpired, but I don’t
think that the fish in the net were the miracle, but the heart that was
changed. Peter had an exchange with the Son of God that I would suggest is the
turning point in the life of this apostle. I would encourage any who reads this
to read John 21 to study the account for yourself. Christ asks if Peter loves Him,
to which Peter gives the affirmative. Of course he loves the Savior. Who doesn’t?
Who wouldn’t say within themselves at this moment that they love God? Well read
on. The question was repeated three times and the response was given. I think
Peter’s thoughts might be something along these lines; Why is He asking me the
exact same question? Am I not understanding what is being asked? Is He not satisfied
with my response?
I think that the sermon that was
taught by the Savior is short, simple, and of eternal significance. God doesn't
need fish, fisherman, or well-meaning saints. He wants YOU. All of you. Your
whole heart, might, mind and strength. He wants you to stop fishing and start to feed
His lambs. Please do not misunderstand, we have other obligations such as
employment and the duties of life but I am firm in my belief that nothing
should ever come before God. If we chose to put anything before God then I
think that our fishing won’t be very good. Be that good activities, or bad. If
we want to show God that we truly love Him and are not just Sunday saints then
we need to stop talking about what good things that we have done and do something,
today.
I had an elder’s quorum president
that requested that we not share “mission stories” in our lessons and
discussions but share things that we have experienced and done since we
returned home. He wasn't discrediting our mission experiences by this inspired request.
He had served and loved his mission, but realized that we rely on the past
spiritual experiences. If you feel inclined to share selfless deeds of years
past, ask yourself how comfortable you might feel if the Son of God looked into
your eyes and asked you now, right now, “Do you love me?” I pray with my whole soul that I will be able to answer him honestly, “Yea Lord, thou knowest that
I love thee. I fed your sheep."
