About six months after I was baptized in 1999, I moved to Brazil with my family as part of an expatriate assignment. About a year-and-a-half after moving to Brazil, I was called to the bishopric of our small ward in Rio de Janeiro. And one day when the bishop was out of town, a new man, most likely a gringo, walked in and sat on the stand next to me right as I was about to preside over a Sacrament meeting for the first time. That man was Neil L. Andersen, who was just named in 2009 an apostle of the Lord.
At this time, Elder Andersen was one of the Seventies responsible for Brazil. Luckily, I had read the Ensign a few weeks earlier and seen that there was such a thing as Church authorities responsible for Brazil. Other than that, I knew just about nothing.
So, I got up to start Sacrament meeting, and fumblingly and in Portuguese welcomed people to the ward. We had an opening prayer and sang a hymn, and Elder Andersen leaned over to me and said, “umm, you may want to introduce me as presiding over the meeting.”
“Yeah, I’m a bit new at this, in case you can’t tell,” I whispered urgently.
“You’re doing fine,” he said. That made me feel better.
So, after the opening hymn, I introduced Elder Andersen and then bumbled my way through the Sacrament meeting. Luckily the ward was on cruise control, and everything went fine. The Sacrament table did not get overturned, the talks were fine, nobody got hurt. But by the end of the meeting, I had armpit sweat dripping into my shoes. I turned to Elder Andersen and said, “it’s a lot harder than it looks.”
“I know. You did fine.” And then he was gone (Sacrament meeting was at the end of our service in Brazil, so there was no reason for him to stay around for other meetings).
Based on what I have read about new apostles, Elder Andersen is probably suffering a bit of the nervousness I went through that day in Brazil. One of the things that happens to you when you are thrust into a new calling in the Lord’s Church is that you get a bit overwhelmed by the sense of responsibility you feel. But, Elder Andersen, I’d like to say: I’m sure you’ll do fine.
Bravo, Geoff.
Ever since his calling into the First Presidency, President Eyring’s talks have addressed the new priesthood leader. I was called to the High Council at about that same time, so his sermons have really resonated with me.
Nicely said, Geoff.
Thanks Geoff.
You should send him a letter, telling him this story. I’d get a kick out of it if I were in his shoes, anyway.
What an inspiring story, Geoff. I agree with BrianJ, you should send him a letter.
Thank you Geoff for sharing with us. I was impressed with Elder Andersen at the news conference. He had a lovely humble spirit about him.
Sometimes the simple things really are the most memorable. Thanks for this, Geoff.
I seem to remember driving E. Andersen around some islands in west Africa on my mission once. He’d have to been in the West Europe presidency in 1995, I think, in order for that to happen. I could be wrong. I’m certain I translated for E. Uchtdorf at about that same time.
More topically, however, I’ll say this about conducting sacrament meetings: it’s deceptively hard at first, even if you’re good at public speaking. I’ve never had any issues with any other speaking assignment in the church, but I’ve made mistakes while conducting that still make me cringe 10 years later. I think I once got flustered and thought the name of a new move-in member was the person I was supposed to be sustaining to a pretty major calling, for example. It gave the ward a chuckle, and everyone stayed active, so I guess it ended okay.
Conducting in another language for the first time with a GA next to you has to be worse still. I’d say the key is to get/make a really comprehensive outline. I stopped needing it after a pretty short while, but it always made me feel better just to have it.
Thanks, Geoff. I enjoyed reading about Elder Anderson’s goodness and humility. My friend is a close relative of his, and he is a kind and caring family member. She has experienced great adversity in the past fewyears, and he has shown Christ-like compassion for her.
thanks geoff, even though you are conducting the meeting. you only preside if there is no bishop or branch president. however,if the stake president or his counselors,area seventies,full time general authorities,and first presidency or the apostles. THEY PRESIDE! the lord made it perfectly clear that His Servants with important duties preside at any meetings. All Melchizedek Priesthood holders do preside in their homes and in other capacities where leadership and examples are needed. the bottom line God and Jesus Christ preside over all of us.
Jimbob, an outline! Wow, what a great idea! If only I had thought of that seven years ago. 🙂
dmar, yeah, I have no problem with the GA presiding. Part of me hopes I never have to preside at a Sacrament meeting again…