November 2013 Liahona

We all willingly serve. Sometimeswe feel underwhelmed with ourcalling and wish we were asked todo more. Other times we are gratefulwhen it is time for our release.We do not determine the callings wereceive. 24 I learned this lesson early inmy marriage. As a young couple, mywife, Kathy, and I lived in Florida. OneSunday a counselor in the stake presidencyexplained to me that they feltimpressed to call Kathy as an earlymorningseminary teacher.“How will we do it?” I asked. “Wehave small children, seminary beginsat 5:00 a.m., and I am the ward YoungMen president.”The counselor smiled and said, “Itwill be OK, Brother Andersen. We willcall her, and we will release you.”And that is what happened.The Contribution of WomenSincerely asking for and listening tothe thoughts and concerns voiced bywomen is vital in life, in marriage, andin building the kingdom of God.Twenty years ago in generalconference, Elder M. Russell Ballardrelated a conversation he had with thegeneral president of the Relief Society.There was a question raised aboutstrengthening the worthiness of youthpreparing to serve missions. Sister94Elaine Jack said with a smile, “Youknow, Elder Ballard, the [women] ofthe Church may have some good suggestions. . . if they [are] asked. Afterall, . . . we are their mothers!” 25President Thomas S. Monson hasa lifelong history of asking for andresponding to the concerns of women.The woman who has influenced himthe most is Sister Frances Monson. Wemiss her very much. Also, just this pastThursday, President Monson remindedthe General Authorities how much helearned as a bishop from the 84 widowsof his ward. They greatly influencedhis service and his entire life.Not surprisingly, before PresidentMonson’s prayerful decision aboutthe age change for missionary service,there were many discussions with thegeneral Relief Society, Young Women,and Primary presidencies.Bishops, as you follow the exampleof President Monson, you will feelVany Parrellaeven more abundantly the guidinghand of the Lord blessing your sacredwork.We lived several years in Brazil.Soon after arriving, I met AdelsonParrella, who was serving as a Seventy,and his brother Adilson, who wasserving in our stake presidency. LaterI met their brother Adalton, serving asa stake president in Florianopolis, andanother brother Adelmo, serving as abishop. I was impressed by the faithof these brothers, and I asked abouttheir parents.The family was baptized in Santos,Brazil, 42 years ago. Adilson Parrellasaid, “At first, Father seemed veryexcited about joining the Church.However, he [soon] became less activeand asked our mother not to attendchurch.”Adilson told me that his mothersewed clothing for the neighborsto pay for her children’s bus fare tochurch. The four little boys walkedtogether over a mile to another town,boarded the bus for 45 minutes, andthen walked another 20 minutes tothe chapel.Although unable to go to churchwith her children, Sister Parrella readthe scriptures with her sons anddaughters, taught them the gospel,and prayed with them. Their humble