THE Child

This weekend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding a general conference that is broadcast all over the world. Instead of going to our meeting house, we can watch it on TV at home.

Elder Henry B. Eyring, one of the 12 apostles of the Church, spoke this morning and he has got to be one of my favorite teachers. It wasn't always this way. Fifteen years ago I had the opportunity to meet with him along with my group of Ricks College students checking out the clerical jobs at the Church office building. It must have been a bad day for me or for him (probably me) because I came away from there not liking him too much. My feelings of him changed from dislike to admiration, though, in 1995 when he was sustained to be an apostle. It was obvious to me that he had been profoundly affected by the calling. He wept as he gave the most humble talk that day, expressing his love for and dependence on the Savior, Jesus Christ.

In the talk he gave today, he taught from a scripture passage in the Book of Mormon telling us to put off the "natural man" and become like a child, "submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit".

When I read that verse several times before, I had a hard time seeing those attributes in my children. But if I'd observe closely, I'd notice that Ant has a great big heart that loves me and needs to be filled with love from me. Bud is so patient with me when I tell him I'll give him a snack right when I'm done checking my e-mail. Cutie hardly complains when she has time out for standing on the kitchen table, pouring salt out of the shaker--again.

Elder Eyring explained that those child-like attributes are also the attributes of THE Child who is submissive to His Father's will, has a great capacity to love and forgive, is pure and patient. I never thought of it that way before. Put off the natural man and become like THE Child, Jesus Christ.