Leadership

1. Study John 13:1–17; Luke 22:24–30; Mark 10:43–45. Write a paragraph or two about how the application of these teachings makes leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ different from what the world usually describes as leadership.
   John 13 – We need to serve one another as the Savior serves us.  Despite the fact that he was the Redeemer of the world, he took time to wash his disciples’ feet – a job that a servant would do.  If we do follow his perfect example, we will be happy.
   Luke 22 – Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are the ones who give authority for their kingdom and we need to serve everyone.
   Mark 10 – We need to teach others and to serve them, as well.
   The church leadership is different in that everyone is striving to reach one goal and everything done is centered around that goal.  We receive revelation from God through the Spirit and prophets on how to make our lives and the lives of others better and closer to Christ.  It’s a completely different mindset than those leaders of the world.  In the church leadership, there is harmony and positive communication.  There is a unanimous decision making method that allows everyone to be heard and to decide how to best help those of God’s children.  Leaders are lead by the Spirit on how to counsel people and help direct their lives in a righteous direction.  It’s a wonderful thing, and because of the leadership and revelation from God, the Church is thriving in a world that is crumbling. 
2. Write a paragraph or two about a time when one of your Church leaders or someone in the scriptures served and led in the way Jesus Christ taught.
   There was a time on my mission where I feeling very guilty for something I had done years previous to my mission.  Although I didn’t know if it was something that needed to be addressed, I knew that I needed it gone and out of my mind.  I called my mission president and in tears, told him about what I had done.  I was very surprised with his reaction and how happy he was that I had come to talk to him.  I immediately felt peace wash over me and knew that my life would be richly blessed by this experience.  Even though I had sinned, I felt the Atonement start to work in my life and knew that my Savior was pleased with what I was doing as well.  As my mission president counseled me, I knew that he was doing so by the Spirit and under the sacred calling he had been given by a prophet of God.  I knew that the words he spoke to me were coming directly from heaven and would bless and enrich my life.