A common conversation yesterday in Priesthood meeting: What are the roles of the Elders’ Quorum? And a common conclusion: the Elders function as the right hand of the Bishop, watching over the physical and temporal needs of the members of the ward. We, the Elders’ Quorum, need to be more vigilant in caring for the ward, do a better job of helping people when they have work that needs doing, and show more willingness to generally assist in increasing the welfare of the members.

These are noble thoughts, and ubiquitous. Also, they are wrong.

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I have a very difficult time asking for a priesthood blessing when I need one. It isn’t helped by the fact that I’m single and live alone, so there is not the convenience of a priesthood holder right here, nor do I have home teachers (or if I do, I’ve never seen any evidence of their existence). But I do have LDS friends from work, and in the past I’ve turned to them, and they’ve graciously agreed to my requests.

I know the priesthood, combined with faith, creates miracles; I’ve experienced miracles in my life and seen it happen to others. I do not doubt the reality of priesthood power.

I currently feel like I need a blessing (eardrum ruptured this weekend, very unpleasant, really don’t recommend it), so in an attempt to psych myself up to ask someone, I’ve been doing some reading.

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The beginning and ending of the Book of Mormon has an interesting symmetry and balance. 1 Nephi 1:1 starts out as a very quick overview of Nephi’s birth and growth, a good place to start a story and a good introduction the writer, before jumping into the important events.

I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

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Millennial Star is pleased to announce the addition of another sparkling addition to our troupe. ECS lives in Boston, where she labors as an attorney for the Massachussetts Department of Labor. Word on the street is that she has just received a rather intimidating new calling, but we’ll let her break the news if and how she deems fit. For a more detailed account of Elisabeth’s background, watch the bio page, which will be updated, maybe, soon.

We’re excited to have Elisabeth blogging here, and expect great things from her. You can find a few of her past bloggernacle musings here (yes, T&S, your finder’s fee check is in the mail).

My dad filled my youth with little bits of counsel that somehow stuck with me long after I’d expect them to have faded. Once, in my early teens, I became entranced by a world of astonishing musical genius (yes, in 1990 I truly was the first person to discover Paul, John, George and Ringo– or at least the first to recognize the limitless depth of their heavenly gift), and began to spend a great deal of time hidden behind headphones or deafened by a car stereo.

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