What Would This Be Like?

[Guest]

What if you had a very special calling in life that would affect many?

• Joseph Smith was told in the First Vision, that he would eventually become the Prophet of this Dispensation.  
• A long time ago I had heard of a President of the Church who had learned as a child (the story didn't go into details on how) that he would become President of the Church one day. 
• A companion of mine was told in his patriarchal blessing that he would see visions in the temple.
• And we all have some special things in our patriarchal blessings that have special meaning to us and our personal callings in life.

What if you found that you had a special calling in life that was on the level of a Martin Harris?  Not the Prophet.  But a special calling to go down in history?  What about a Mosiah Hancock?  His autobiography has become very well known in Church History.

Would that be a burden?  What if you failed?  I'm guessing that if you failed, the Lord would have a contingency plan (as he indicated to Joseph Smith about his calling).  He basically told him,"I placed you into this world.  I'll take you out."  But to be that person that failed in a major role?  Whoa!

Or, worse, what if your calling was something that meant dread to many? e.g. Moses brought about the plagues of Egypt.  To succeed in such a calling?

How would you feel about such a thing?  What would you possibly do to prepare for the realization of such a calling?

[Overwatch]

First of all don't let it get to your head. Second do the best you can to accomplish your mission. It is a blessing and a privilege to participate in ANY calling the Lord calls you to. There is an order to things and callings have been extended. We are ALL on the frontlines. I have seen my life calling in visions and even in my patriarchal blessing. I am proud to be serving where I am. God is not a respecter of persons. Father will replace you in the blink of an eye if needs be. Many are called but few are chosen [a small change] because those who volunteered first are fulfilling their duties.

Be ready at anytime. The Lord may need you to step in to a high pressure "important" role but in the meantime pray for those who are currently fighting the good fight so they are victorious. As faithful children of God We ALL are on the Lord's side and serve faithfully where called.

[anatess2]

10 hours ago, Carborendum said:

What if you had a very special calling in life that would affect many?

• Joseph Smith was told in the First Vision, that he would eventually become the Prophet of this Dispensation.  
• A long time ago I had heard of a President of the Church who had learned as a child (the story didn't go into details on how) that he would become President of the Church one day. 
• A companion of mine was told in his patriarchal blessing that he would see visions in the temple.
• And we all have some special things in our patriarchal blessings that have special meaning to us and our personal callings in life.

What if you found that you had a special calling in life that was on the level of a Martin Harris?  Not the Prophet.  But a special calling to go down in history?  What about a Mosiah Hancock?  His autobiography has become very well known in Church History.

Would that be a burden?  What if you failed?  I'm guessing that if you failed, the Lord would have a contingency plan (as he indicated to Joseph Smith about his calling).  He basically told him,"I placed you into this world.  I'll take you out."  But to be that person that failed in a major role?  Whoa!

Or, worse, what if your calling was something that meant dread to many? e.g. Moses brought about the plagues of Egypt.  To succeed in such a calling?

How would you feel about such a thing?  What would you possibly do to prepare for the realization of such a calling?

Do you know that the reason I never applied for American Citizenship is because when I was a kid I thought I had a calling to become the President of the Philippines?  Which didn't make sense because I also have the prompting to go to the USA... the USA one made completely sense and looking back into my life I realized the importance of each of the small decisions that ended up in my migration to the US to my membership in the LDS Church and the organization of my eternal family.  I still have this niggling though that I need to fulfill a calling for political action in my homeland... more so than I am currently involved.  Just don't know what to do about it.

I guess it's different when you have God clearly laying out the consequences if you don't take up the calling... like what Moses and Joseph Smith had to go through.  It's different when you're not quite sure what God is asking of you.

[mirkwood]

God loves ALL his children equally.

[Jersey Boy]

10 hours ago, Carborendum said:

What if you had a very special calling in life that would affect many?

• Joseph Smith was told in the First Vision, that he would eventually become the Prophet of this Dispensation.  
• A long time ago I had heard of a President of the Church who had learned as a child (the story didn't go into details on how) that he would become President of the Church one day. 
• A companion of mine was told in his patriarchal blessing that he would see visions in the temple.
• And we all have some special things in our patriarchal blessings that have special meaning to us and our personal callings in life.

What if you found that you had a special calling in life that was on the level of a Martin Harris?  Not the Prophet.  But a special calling to go down in history?  What about a Mosiah Hancock?  His autobiography has become very well known in Church History.

Would that be a burden?  What if you failed?  I'm guessing that if you failed, the Lord would have a contingency plan (as he indicated to Joseph Smith about his calling).  He basically told him,"I placed you into this world.  I'll take you out."  But to be that person that failed in a major role?  Whoa!

Or, worse, what if your calling was something that meant dread to many? e.g. Moses brought about the plagues of Egypt.  To succeed in such a calling?

How would you feel about such a thing?  What would you possibly do to prepare for the realization of such a calling?

I would take lessons to learn how to do Irish tap dancing, just like the Lord of the Dance, so that I could ‘strut my stuff’ and exhibit my superiority for all the world to see.

Edited September 4, 2018 by Jersey Boy

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Jersey Boy said:

I would take lessons to learn how to do Irish tap dancing, just like the Lord of the Dance, so that I could ‘strut my stuff’ and exhibit my superiority for all the world to see.

I already have.  (Joking)

[Anddenex]

15 hours ago, Carborendum said:

What if you had a very special calling in life that would affect many?

• Joseph Smith was told in the First Vision, that he would eventually become the Prophet of this Dispensation.  
• A long time ago I had heard of a President of the Church who had learned as a child (the story didn't go into details on how) that he would become President of the Church one day. 
• A companion of mine was told in his patriarchal blessing that he would see visions in the temple.
• And we all have some special things in our patriarchal blessings that have special meaning to us and our personal callings in life.

What if you found that you had a special calling in life that was on the level of a Martin Harris?  Not the Prophet.  But a special calling to go down in history?  What about a Mosiah Hancock?  His autobiography has become very well known in Church History.

Would that be a burden?  What if you failed?  I'm guessing that if you failed, the Lord would have a contingency plan (as he indicated to Joseph Smith about his calling).  He basically told him,"I placed you into this world.  I'll take you out."  But to be that person that failed in a major role?  Whoa!

Or, worse, what if your calling was something that meant dread to many? e.g. Moses brought about the plagues of Egypt.  To succeed in such a calling?

How would you feel about such a thing?  What would you possibly do to prepare for the realization of such a calling?

My first thoughts spring boards from the cliche "hindsight is 20/20."  Joseph Smith did not know of his calling until the first vision occurred. He was only seeking an answer to a prayer he felt was very important. I would think Martin Harris feel within "hindsight is 20/20" also.

My PB speaks of specific outcomes in my life, I would consider them special callings, but not sure "many" people would be affected by these special callings.

I already feel like a failure at most of what I have tried to accomplish (this of course in light of the "vision" I have of what it means to be successful).

I would say the notion of "many are called but few are chosen" would give evidence to the Lord's contingency plans, and the truth that nothing we do will affect the will of God.

As pertaining to "dread to many" in these scenarios I would have to know I was for sure doing the will of the Lord. If I had a vision like Moses, I would be fine with whatever the Lord commanded me to do, as I know the command comes from him.