Conference talks can take on radically different meanings depending on our life circumstances.  A couple of months ago when I first watched the October 2016 conference, President Eyring’s Priesthood Session talk didn’t make much of an impression. Since then, however, I have been called to teach 12-13 year olds in Sunday School and so his message took on new meaning for me.

In my class, there has been one young man in particular that is a trouble maker and loves to be a disruption. President Eyring’s talk was a great reminder that I need to show forth a greater degree of charity and love towards him. It was a great talk to read to avoid being discouraged.

“Many things may help strengthen our younger brothers to rise up in the priesthood, but nothing will be more powerful than our helping them develop the faith and confidence that they can draw on the power of God in their priesthood service.

That faith and confidence won’t stay with them from a single experience of being lifted by even the most gifted Melchizedek Priesthood holder. The ability to draw on those powers must be cultivated by many expressions of confidence from those who are more experienced in the priesthood.”

I love teaching through expressions of confidence and love.  That is something that perhaps I have been missing in my approach.

“You priesthood leaders and fathers of Aaronic Priesthood holders can work miracles. You can help the Lord fill the ranks of faithful elders with young men who accept the call to preach the gospel and do it with confidence. You will see many you have lifted and encouraged stay faithful, marry worthily in the temple, and in turn, lift and prepare others.”

I am grateful for President Eyring’s apostolic witness and for his expression of confidence.