Grant Goes on a Mission: PIGS WITH THE MOON MAN

with ELDER BRIONES

This week was super fun!

We had transfers and my companion Elder Prosser had to go to a different area for a short time! So now I am in a Trio with my two very good friends Elder Moon (from Utah) and Elder Saenz (from Mexico).

Being in a trio is super weird. We bike everywhere, we always need an extra chair, and we never know whose turn it is to talk, but it is super fun and I´m glad for the opportunity.

This week we loaded a pig on a tractor to move to an old man´s house, and man, I wish I had photos of it. Putting a pig on a tractor is wild. Out here in the field, I am learning a lot about what it means to be a country kid..

We had some super spiritual experiences this week. We left the apartment and just decided to pass by to go to a Recent Convert´s house, and he was in the park by his house. He has been struggling with smoking and luckily we found him. We talked to him for a minute and he tore up his cigarrettes, and came with us to teach a lesson. He has a strong testimony and it was so wonderful to see the spirit in action.

I also went to Consejo de Lideres this week, which is where all the zone leaders and Sister Training leaders meet up to talk about stuff. It was probably the last time I´ll see Elder Briones :( I love the mission and leaving people is something that isn't as sad as it was when I started my mission. Those I love very much, I know I´ll see again ♥

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I am grateful for leaders in the church and world. Leaders are people who stand up, against something. President Hinkley gave a speech about the loneliness of leadership, and it is something inspiring. I know the Lord stood alone. We must as well.

I have come here today without a written talk. I had one, but I discarded it. I awoke at five this morning thinking of something else. When I get through, I suppose you will say, “He should have slept.”

I am not here to preach. I do not wish to preach to you. It is easy to preach, and we do a great deal of it to young people. I would simply like to talk with you. I believe you are worth spending time with. I believe you are worth reasoning with.

I suppose many of you watched President Nixon last night as I did, when he spoke to the nation and was listened to by the world. I watched him with great interest. I observed him as he wiped the perspiration from his face, realizing, I am sure, the importance of what he was saying. As I looked at him, I thought of the terrible loneliness of leadership.

True, he has advisors. He has at his beck and call any number of men with whom he can consult; but when all the chips are down, he has to face the world alone, as it were. His advisors do not face the cannon fire of public opinion. That comes to the leader.

As I sensed the loneliness of leadership while watching him, there came to my mind some great words from William Shakespeare: “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” (King Henry IV, Part II, act 3, scene 1, line 31).

There is no lonelier picture in history than of the Savior upon the cross, alone, the Redeemer of mankind, the Savior of the world, bringing to pass the Atonement, the Son of God suffering for the sins of mankind. As I think of that, I reflect on a statement made by Channing Pollock: