Recently I was told a story that has caused me to ponder a principle of life that blesses us all. The story is of President Packer and a man named Daniel who was invited to Elder Packer’s office for a small council meeting. Daniel knew Elder Packer was busy and felt he would be as short as possible with his part of the meeting. Upon entering the room, graciously Elder Packer invited him to share something about his family. Daniel spoke of his wife and children and if not to take too much time, ended there. Elder Packer asked Daniel “is that all?” Daniel went a little deeper into his family tree with his father and mother and their names and condition at their age. Elder Packer asked again “is that all? This time Daniel gave him a deeper description of his family tree with grandfathers and grandmothers, even great grandfathers and great grandmothers from his family line. Daniel thought, how this could be the most important thing for the meeting when his part of the council agenda was just a very small portion, and President Packer’s time was so precious? Once again Elder Packer asked “is that all”. A bit confused, Daniel asked President Packer “what would you have me say more about my family?” President Packer loving smiled and looked squarely into Daniels eyes and said “I want to know whose shoulders you are standing on.” It was a profound moment for President Daniel Judd, our beloved Mission President, as he began to recount the rich Church heritage he was standing upon as he prepared for his future Church assignments.
We all are “standing upon others shoulders”, aren’t we? Some have shoulders of pioneer saints who walked the plains moving west; some have rich heritage of Ireland or Germany, or Japanese or English or Lamanite or Spanish conquistadors from South America. We are supported by others testimonies sometimes, sometimes by the faith of family or loving parents, sometimes by heavenly angels and sometimes by our little ones encircled by fire. The world would not teach this truth, but we can trace our roots to men and women who paved the way for our eternal successes. In the Lord’s kingdom, we can feel the gentle promptings of our loving Heavenly Father and our most precious Heavenly Mother. We all have sure footings upon the shoulders of others if we would but ponder our stations in life. I truly feel the steady shoulders Sister Dalton and I are now standing upon, more and more each day here in the bush of Africa.
Abomosu has had 4 previous missionary couples, the Johnsons from Canada, the Calls from Idaho, the Hales from Idaho, and the Terry’s from Nevada. The Hales were here only 6 months and then they were called to work in the area office. We are the fourth couple to serve in this wonderful district of Abomosu. We feel these hallowed shoulders we are standing on. The saints have introduced Sister Dalton and me, many times, as Elder and Sister Call or Elder and Sister Terry. I can’t tell you the number of times I have been asked to give my greeting to the wife, Sister Terry or Sister Call. Over the months you would think they would get it straight, but no, as they answer our telephone call “Hello Elder Terry”. One could be offended, I guess, yet I feel it an honor to be called by one of the previous missionaries’ name. I answer to all of their names and most times the member or community folks blush with some embarrassment when they try to get it right. I know of their love and respect for all of these previous missionaries. Are the hearts of the saints tied to only one missionary couple or the service of those who graciously raised them in their spiritual and temporal growth? I believe these dear people have a bit of both missionary work and spiritual growth etched upon their hearts. I too have a bit of each of these faithful couples etched upon my heart and soul.
I look at the shoulders that still are used as the foundation for the Church in this bush area; the Abu’s, the Amoh’s, the Oppong’s the Asiedu’s, the Osie Owusu’s, the Amaning’s, and the list can go on. Yet, added to the shoulder of strength foundation, are the humble past servants who have with all of their might, mind and strength, put their shoulder to the wheel and moved the work along. We too, want to add our shoulders to the sure foundation of these strong shoulders that surround us. I beckon all to put your shoulder to the wheel and help the good work move along, for one day the question will be asked “whose shoulders do you stand on”; for all of us stand upon hallowed shoulders of royal heritage.
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