Auxiliary Training with Elder Oaks

At the last minute, the Relief Society counselors were invited to an auxiliary training with Elder Oaks in Council Bluffs. Originally only the presidents of each organization were invited. I had secretly hoped our president wouldn't be able to make it so I could fill in. But she booked a plane ticket around the meeting. My disappointment turned into pure excitement at the late invitation.

Not having attended BYU or serving a mission, it isn't often that I get the opportunity to see a prophet in person. So these rare occasions are very special to me.

Elder Oaks was so fun. His talks are usually very serious in nature and he has a very serious demeanor when delivering them in General Conference. I love his talks because he tells it exactly as it is even if it may offend someone. He explains that he is only trying to please God, not man and it's a message we all need to hear.

Although still serious in nature, I saw a different side of Elder Oaks. He was extremely funny and lighthearted at times. He was quoting scriptures but had no idea where the reference was found. Elder Clayton, who accompanied him would whisper the references to him. He told us that he was the only one of the 12 apostles that doesn't have those all memorized. I loved that because I am not a person that remembers references. Mario is so much better than I am and now I see that that is ok. Another thing that I loved about Elder Oaks is that he laughs at his own jokes. He obviously cracks himself up. Another similarity I feel I have in common with him. My kids get so annoyed that I laugh at myself all the time.

Elder Oaks talked about feeling the spirit and receiving revelation. He said he receives many letters from people stating that their prayers are going unanswered. He said that he doubts that is true, people just aren't recognizing the answers. But he also reminded us that God answers in His own time and His own way. We should never try to tell the Lord when to answer our prayers. He reminded us to remember the teachings of Christ. Christ expressed love and concern, not judgment when he lived on the Earth. He left time for people to repent. He gave us the Savior's formula-firmness in truth and love.

After he spoke, he opened the meeting up to questions and answers. It was so much fun to see his personality and to see he really truly is just a man like us but has a call to be an Apostle. He has dedicated his life to helping us return to our Heavenly Father. I didn't ask a question, but the general feeling I got from the questions being asked was concern for the youth. They seem very lonely. Leaders wanted advice on how to help them. I think that we haven't done a good job of teaching our youth that life can be lonely as we strive to do what is right, but we always have the Lord. We are never truly alone if we keep that in mind.

Elder Oaks has always been one of my favorites, but I love him even more now.