The Greatest Among Us

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Weekly Message: The Greatest Among Us

Just after our presidency was sustained in June 2019, our stake leadership team was invited to attend a special regional leadership meeting presided over by Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve. I was excited to have the chance to learn from such a distinguished teacher, but I was very nervous about attending as a new stake president. Just six days in the position, I was still wrestling with my personal inadequacy and the weight of responsibility.

I arrived early Saturday morning to the meeting, hoping that might help me feel more “settled”.

Elder Michael Bourne, our Area Seventy at the time, helped me make a name tag, smiled, and shared some reassuring comments. He asked me if Sister Gardner and I were planning to attend the dinner with Elder Gong after the meetings. I hadn’t realized there was a dinner but I hurriedly called Shirleen, and let Elder Bourne know they should plan on us.

The meetings throughout the day were wonderful! I took so many notes. Elder Gong and the other authorities even took time to shake hands and personally greet every single person in attendance.

As the meetings concluded in the afternoon, I noticed that Shirleen had arrived and we found our way to the Relief Society room where dinner would be served.

We sat with some of the other stake presidents and their wives at one table and briefly introduced ourselves. Soon Elder and Sister Gong came in and sat at another table with some of the other leaders. Elder Gong gave some brief words of instruction then went to each table and asked us to introduce ourselves and our spouses. Then dinner was served.

As the meal continued, there was a light conversation among those at our table. At one point, I realized someone was reaching over my shoulder to refill my water glass. I turned slightly and realized… it was Elder Gong! I was surprised as he repeated this simple, yet kind gesture with each person at our table and then at all the other tables in the room.

I had a strange feeling as I watched this event unfold. Part of me felt like I should have offered to do this…not the presiding authority in the room…an apostle of Jesus Christ! But the other part of me was remembering John’s account of the Savior washing the feet of his apostles at the last supper (John 3:1-17) and Jesus’ teaching found in Matthew, ”...he who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt 23:11).

I suppose if I looked back through my notes, I could recall and list the things Elder Gong taught in his remarks during those meetings, but I am forever grateful for the indelibly embedded lesson on humility and servanthood he taught through his actions at that dinner.

This year as we celebrate Thanksgiving and initiate the Christmas season, I hope each of us remembers to express thanks to our Father in Heaven for His gift of the “greatest among us”...

…who is our example of service to all

…our Savior Jesus Christ.

Please know how grateful I am for each of you.

I love you all!

President Gardner