The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints uses a lay ministry. This means that the leadership in the church is made up of volunteers who are not paid. Each member of the church who is living the standards are eligible to be “called” to different positions in their local or regional congregations. A Melcezidek priesthood holder could be called as a Bishop who presides over the local congregation at one point in their lives and then released and subsequently called as a teacher in the Sunday School.
Although important, these callings are not to supersede the responsibilities each member has to their own family. Each calling is given under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. The Bishopric prays over the calls that need to be made a ward (local congregation) and then are given inspiration from the Lord as to who should be called to those callings.
No one is forced to have a calling, but instead they are offered the opportunity by the bishopric and are able to accept the responsibility or decline it. My wife and I have made it a practice never to turn down a calling when it is offered by the servants of the Lord. Because of this practice, our lives have been gratley enriched and we have learned a great deal.
We have had opportunities to serve in many different callings and have been stretched and have grown a great deal because of it. We have both has some of our most sacred spiritual experiences while serving where the Lord has asked us to. It isn’t always easy, but I’ve learned that when I focus on the Lords work and building His kingdom, I open up the door for Him to bless me and work on my problems. He is able to fix all of them and is able to give me the strength I need to endure any difficulty.
I testify that this is the Lord’s true church. I don’t say that with an arrogant attitude, but rather very humble one. It humbles me to know that I have a knowledge gives me great responsibility. I love the Lord and His never-ending blessings.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
