o oOOOO OOOOo o o o o o o o o

Confused? Wondering what the heck this title is all about? Any guesses? No, it is not a freak binary code, it has nothing to do with the Mayan calendar or the end of civilization as we know it. It is really quite simple. It's the 4 8 8 4 wheel pattern of the Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive followed by the 14 wheel centipede style tender. I found a picture of this on the Internet yesterday that was beautiful. I will see if I can add it here. 

Some of you may remember Jack's Big Boy Testimony from a couple of months ago.  It was a favorite and when I wrote about that I discussed a need to tie this train thing into the gospel.  Today I had an assignment to instruct the Elders Quorum.  I was given the topic of taking the lead in our homes.  I have known of this assignment for a couple of months now and have pondered it some.  A few days ago I had the impression that I should talk a little bit about the Big Boy.  I thought a lot about it and I saw a direct tie into the gospel.  As Jack could eloquently report, the Big Boy can pull a five and a half mile train on level track.  The Big Boy is a strong leader that leads its cargo down a course or track that has been laid before it that when followed is safe and leads to the right destination.  Strong leaders in the Church are easily identified as the Prophet, his counselors and the quorum of the Twelve.  In today's lesson we discussed a more personal responsibility with leadership.  We talked of prophetic priorities and then discussed our responsibility as holders of the priesthood to be strong leaders and Patriarchs in our homes.   I really enjoyed this lesson not only because it opened my eyes to the Big Boy but because it reminded me of my duty to God and to my family. 

We didn't just talk about the big boy.  I did get up and draw the series of circles on the chalk board just like they are shown in the title.  I asked the brethren what it was.  There were a few guesses that were not even close.  I then read them the Jack's Big Boy testimony and many had a good laugh as they remembered it well.  The meat of the lesson came from Elder Bednars conference address from April 2012.  It is called The Powers of Heaven and in it Elder Bednar beautifully explains the authority and also the power of the Priesthood.  Members of the church who hold the priesthood do so with authority.  It was conferred upon them by one who has the authority and can be linked back to the restoration of both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith by John the Baptist and also by Peter, James and John.  Those who hold the Priesthood have a responsibility to act and to exercise that Priesthood in the building up of the kingdom of God and the work of salvation. 

I remember sitting in conference and while listening to this talk having the impression that it was the material I would use in my lesson.  What a powerful reminder to me of what my responsibility is to my family and to the Lord.  I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and I hope that some were strengthened in the process.  I am grateful for the restoration of the Priesthood of God and to hold that Priesthood.  I am grateful for that authority in my life and hope to live worthy so that I can strengthen my family and others through the Power of the Priesthood.