Jan. 1, 2012

A Memorable High Council Assignment

Not long before I was released from the High Council of the Mapleton Utah Stake in June of 2003 we had the opportunity for our Stake Conference visiting General Authority to be Pres Packer. We were all excited for the opportunity and even wondered if Pres Harper would be released as Stake President during this visit. As it turned out though Pres Packer told us that it was his responsibility to assign the General Authorities to Stake Conferences throughout the church and had decided he wanted one close to home this time so decided to assign himself to our Stake.  We started making preparations for his visit and received our assignments. I was assigned along with most of the other brethren to be on security during the two days of the conference. I well remember the first day when he arrived and his two security guards were with him as they came from the cars to the building and ushered Pres Packer quickly into the Stake Presidents office where he then met with the Stake Presidency.

Meanwhile we were then taken into the chapel with the two security guards where we were to receive our instructions for the following two days. It was interesting to me because we started with a word of prayer and I had not thought about the fact that it is always helpful and necessary to include the Lord in our instructions especially concerning the safety of one of his senior servants in the gospel. We completed the prayer and introductions were made and then the senior security guard said to us. “I noticed that during the prayer you all closed your eyes. That is good except that during the remainder of the conference you will keep them open and watch the audience.” Generally people intending to do harm will not close their eyes but feel safer in taking action because no one else is looking and none of us had ever even considered that we would need to watch the audience.  I remember being a counselor to a Bishop once who would watch the audience for people who were not closing their eyes during prayers and he commented to me that it was interesting because most of the time when they would make eye contact with him they would quickly close their eyes but every now and then there would be some who would simply stare back in defiance. Anyway we were quickly taught the importance of keeping our eyes open and not just open but searching the audience for any movement or things that might suggest danger to Pres. Packer. We were given the names of several individuals in the Stake for whom we were specifically assigned to watch and also given assignments to patrol the halls and exterior of the building at times as well.

I remember the following two days and the Apostolic blessing that Pres. Packer left with us that day but I mostly remember watching one individual particularly because I had once been assigned as his parents home teacher when he was going through a struggle to get the apostles to listen to what he felt the Lord was doing wrong with the church. He was on the list because of his persistence in going to the church office buildings and seeking audience in various ways with the Prophet and other general authorities.  Well he was there and he didn’t stay in one seat during the conference so it became somewhat of a challenge to know where he was. He was however on his best behavior that day and there were no instances that needed correction or action. I close my eyes again now during prayers but will not forget what is required of those who are assigned to the safety of the Lord’s anointed.