The Savior Taught the Apostles about Leadership

The Savior Taught the Apostles about Leadership

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches the best way to lead, is to serve. In the book of John, Luke and even Mark we read that the, “the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” Never before I have I seen greater examples of this principle than when I was the elder’s quorum president in my ward.

While serving as the president of the elder’s quorum, I received a call from one of my councilors. He explained to me that a mother was in need and asked if I would come help him administer a priesthood blessing to her. She had been flown into Anchorage from Fairbanks, which was more than 300 miles away to be admitted to a hospital that was better equipped to take care of her newly born, premature, twins. These infants could not have weight more than two pounds each, at best. They were so tinny, so fragile, and so precious.

My councilor and I had to take a moment to gather ourselves and come up with a plan on how we were going to execute the blessing. The babies were too small for us to both lay our hands on them, and much too delicate to risk too much handling from two clumsy priesthood holders. We decided that my councilor would anoint and seal the anointing while I placed my hands on his shoulders. As we look upon those precious babies and then upon the worries faces of their mother and grandmother, we knew that the spirit was with us. The blessing was pronounced and hugs were exchanged, but as we were about to leave we felt a pull to wait a moment longer and offer a blessing to the infant’s mother.

These women were strangers to us. We later found out that neither of them was active in the Church, and the mother was married to someone not of our faith. My friend and councilor saw a family in need, and without hesitation offered to help. He was not above giving himself to a stranger. He did not think of himself at all during their struggle, and he did as the Lord would have done. He blessed the lives of those around him.

I have yet to come across a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who does not take the Lord’s charge to love one another seriously. The Lord has told us, that “the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (John 13:16) He goes on to tell us that when we understand this, we will find true happiness in this life.  

I can’t speak for other faiths, but I know that every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days saints believes that we ought to follow Christ example in all things, even his example of humble service.