A lot of times at work gatherings I will be told of how much the agents and staff appreciate Gabriel's example and his counsel. There have been several times where staff members will tell me they were thankful for the insight and advice they were given by Gabriel. Gabriel is very different from other Detachment Commanders and it is because he holds the priesthood, even if those who work for him don't know exactly what it is that sets him apart.
"I believe my father was wrong to judge the validity of our Church's claim to divine authority by the shortcomings of the men with whom is associated in our ward. But embedded in his question to me was a correct assumption that men who bear God's holy priesthood should be different from other men. Men who hold the priesthood are not inherently better than other men, but they should act differently."
Chris had an experience in his Teachers Quorum recently. He was the quorum president until about a month ago and while serving in this assignment, one Sunday as he was teaching he felt inspired to challenge the members of his quorum to hand out books of mormon to their friends at school. One teacher, Foster, was having a hard time finding someone he felt would benefit, so at the last minute he put a couple in his back pack and while in the locker room after gym class asked the guys if anyone wanted a Book of Mormon. Not the best approach, but there were a couple who took the 2 he had. There was another boy who wanted one, but Foster was all out and promised to bring one the next day. He did and this boy took it home.
After a month or so, Chris and Foster hear about this young man in Seminary one morning where it was announced that this boy was going to be baptized and that everyone was invited to attend. There are about 6 wards that are zoned for the same high school, and this young man was taught in another ward so we hadn't heard what had come of the book of mormon invitation. Chris and Foster were so excited. Gabriel and I took Chris, Foster went with his mom, to the baptism of this young man and his mother!! The spirit was so strong. This mother, as she entered the water was so overcome with joy that there wasn't a dry eye in the whole room! You could feel her love for the gospel and her Savior. Afterward, Chris and Foster went up to present this young man with a scripture quad with his name on it. Foster was the first to give him a missionary book of mormon and wanted to be the first to give him his real set. They had gotten one for his mother as well. (Very cool!) When this mother found out who Chris and Foster were, and that they were the catalyst in their conversion, she was so overcome with gratitude! Through tears she expressed her thanks for the boys' courage to share the gospel, as daunting as it can be for teenage boys.
It was an experience I think neither Chris or Foster, or us as parents will ever forget. As I read this talk by Elder Ochoa again, I was struck by the following:
"If only [every Aaronic Priesthood holder]could understand that they have the sacred duty to help their friends find the pathway that leads to the Savior. If only they knew that Heavenly Father will given them the power to explain the truths of the restored gospel with such clarity and sincerity that others will fell the undeniable truthfulness of the words of Christ."\
"You are called to 'arise and sine forth' not to hide your light in darkness. Only those who are brave will be counted among the chosen."
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