Years ago, President Boyd K. Packer observed that “the priesthood is greater than any of its offices. … The priesthood is not divisible. An elder holds as much priesthood as an Apostle. (See D&C 20:38.) When a man [has the priesthood conferred upon him], he receives all of it. However, there are offices within the priesthood—divisions of authority and responsibility. … Sometimes one office is spoken of as being ‘higher than’ or ‘lower than’ another office. Rather than ‘higher’ or ‘lower,’ offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood represent different areas of service.”4 Brethren, I devoutly hope that we will no longer speak in terms of being “advanced” to another office in the Melchizedek Priesthood.It's astonishing to think that the Priesthood is literally the power of God and that those who have "higher" callings in the church are merely serving in a different area. President Gordon B. Hinckley once said, "Your obligation is as serious in your sphere of responsibility as is my obligation in my sphere." The reverse is likely also true: The calling of a Prophet is just as great as the calling of a deacon, just over different areas.
What this means to me is that no one in this church ought to elevate themselves or look down on themselves based on what callings they may or may not hold. Every responsibility in this church is just as sacred as any other responsibility, no more, no less.We don't get promoted or demoted, just moved around. Even those who are called to preside over larger areas aren't really "promoted" or "higher up." They're just serving a different, larger area.
I'm beginning to think that callings aren't all that important to God, apart from the lessons they teach us and the service they encourage us to render. God doesn't see callings as status symbols, and neither should we. We probably shouldn't be comparing ourselves to each other anyway. Every person is of equal value to God, and every calling of equal importance.
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