Oliver Cowdery was one of the most important men of the early Church. He was the Prophet's primary scribe of the Book of Mormon. He saw and handled the plates, acting as one of the prophesied Three Witnesses. He saw great visions alongside the prophet Joseph. But none of us is immune to the effects of the natural man. Oliver had a prideful side. And it was that side that pushed him away from the Church when his high standing was exchanged for a "lesser" calling of Mission President. He apostatized.
Decades later he arrived at Salt Lake, and was given permission by Brigham Young to address the body of the Priesthood. He said the following:
"In the history of the Church I stood in her councils. Not because I was better than other men was I called but to fill the purposes of God. He called me to a high and holy calling. I wrote with my own pen the entire Book of Mormon as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and he translated it by the power and gift of God. I beheld with Joseph when an Holy Angel from Heaven came down and conferred upon us the Aaronic Priesthood, and said to us, at the same time, that it should remain on earth while the earth stands. I was also present with Joseph when the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred by the Holy Angels from on high. Brethren, for a number of years, I have been separated from you. I now desire to come back. I wish to come humble and be one in your midst. I know the door."
President Gordon B. Hinckley shared this quote in a General Conference address, then made his own comments: "His is one of the most touching, pathetic stories in the history of this great work. So long as he magnified his calling, he was magnified. When he diminished that calling, he shrank to oblivion and poverty."
With Oliver's story and President Hinckley's powerful commentary, we learn about the importance of magnifying our calling. His is obviously an extreme example of the principle, but it is no less instructive. When we magnify our callings, we not only bring about God's work in that area of the Church, but we are given indispensable gifts and experiences that bring us closer to becoming more holy and more Christlike.
It is certainly easy to wonder if our calling is that important. How could a nursery leader calling be important at all? I'm just babysitting. How could a YSA Family Home Evening group leader calling be important at all? Or how could a Relief Society Visiting Teaching or Elders' Quorum Home Teaching District Leader calling be important?
It's important, because every calling we have in the Church will bring us closer to that Christ-like disciple if we treat them as important.
President Hinckley said: "To each of us the Lord has said, 'Magnify your calling.' It is not always easy. But it is always rewarding. It blesses him who holds this divine authority. On the other hand, looking through the wrong lens shrinks and shrivels our power and diminishes our contribution. In working from the opposite perspective, the true and the natural and the godly perspective, we enlarge and lift, we grow in strength and gladness, we bless the lives of others now and forever."
Your calling is important. It is important that we always remember that it is the Lord who is giving us the calling. And "whom the Lord calls, he qualifies." (See a previous post on this specific aspect of callings here.) Once we decide we would like to take that step to magnify our calling, there are specific things that must be done. President Marion G. Romney noted that first step, a desire, and added two more:
"Another is that we search and ponder the words of eternal life. And a third is that we pray."
There are important personal ramifications for magnifying our callings. And the formula to do so is straight-forward. If we can nurture the desire to serve our fellow brothers and sisters in whatever capacity we may be called to, seek for inspiration through diligent study of the scriptures and the words of the modern prophets, and seek guidance from the Lord through fervent prayer, not only will we see miracles among the people we are serving, we will see miracles in ourselves. As we seek to serve as Christ would serve, we little by little become like Him.
"We magnify...and enlarge our calling when we serve with diligence and enthusiasm in those responsibilities to which we are called by proper authority. I emphasize the words, 'diligence' and 'enthusiasm.' This work has not reached its present stature through indifference on the part of those who have labored in its behalf."
-Gordon B. Hinckley
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