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This has been a great weekend. I had the opportunity to attend a stake priesthood leadership meeting on Saturday for 109 stakes in the Salt Lake Valley at the Conference Center near Temple Square. To be honest, I didn’t want to go. Not because I didn’t want to take in the words of a living prophet and other church leaders, but because I missed my boy’s soccer games last week for work, and will miss them again next week because of work. I didn’t want to do that three weeks in a row. I struggled with what decision would be the correct one all day on Friday. I need to do all in my power to be there for my sons and Amber and I think I do a good job at that. But, I also need to fulfill my responsibilities as a member of our stake’s high council. I felt a prompting that I needed to be at the Conference Center. It ended up working out in the end. I missed Neal’s game, but I made it back for Riley’s.

To me, the meeting was special in many ways. I needed to be there. I needed to be able to see the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, walk in the room and feel of his spirit. He said something that was really poignant to me. In talking about a verse of scripture (1 Peter 2:9) He said: “Brethren, be loyal to the royal within you.” I appreciate the constant reminders from the leaders in our church about how we as priesthood holders need to step it up and be the best we can be. We need to be on top of our game every day.

The messages shared in the meeting on Saturday, then in the general session today was just what I needed to hear. I feel so blessed to be able to hear from church leaders twice within one month. What a blessing. I also feel very blessed to have four temples in the Salt Lake Valley. We need to be better about attending. I think we take for granted all that we have, so close to home. It’s time to step it up. I have three great examples that help remind me daily that I need to step it up. Thanks Amber, Neal and Riley.

On another note: we sustained a new member of our stake high council today. A friend of ours in the neighborhood, Donny, was put in. I am so excited for him. I’ve always looked up to him and his example. He is a great guy (with an even better wife!). I know what he’s going through right now. He’s probably feeling very inadequate and nervous. A multitude of thoughts and emotions are flooding his mind. I felt the same feelings 13 months ago when I was called to be on the high council and I still feel from time to time today. I’ve learned a lot over the last year and I wouldn’t trade this experience. I feel like my testimony has grown. I’m looking forward to working with Donny in this capacity. Good luck!

Here’s a sweet message from President Monson. Enjoy.