Magnify

What was meant to be a lesson on the Priesthood ended up being more a lesson on magnifying our callings.

Magnify:  to amplify or enlarge;  to raise high in description or praise;  to raise in estimation;  to possess the power of giving anything an illusive degree of magnitude.

What does it mean to magnify our callings?  We say this all the time and our pat answer is usually from the above definition, "to amplify or enlarge."  But the latter definitions, to me, add more meaning.  "To raise high in description or praise;  to posses the power to give anything illusive magnitude."  Wow!

We are to hold our callings in high estimation, to esteem our responsibility as great and full of worth.  It's funny, today I changed our chore system.  I had asked the kids earlier what chores they liked the best and which the least.  From those lists I created a new job description for each child and presented them as their stewardships for the next little while (if not forever).  I have not seen such joy and hard work from my children in a long time!  I think they honestly felt not only the responsibility but the need for their jobs to be completed.  It was beautiful (we'll see if it lasts!).

We can take ahold of our callings the same way.

What happens when we don't magnify our callings?

Jacob 1:19 -  And we did ^amagnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the ^bresponsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not ^cteach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their ^dblood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.

D&C 84:54 - And your ^aminds in times past have been ^bdarkened because of ^cunbelief, and because you have treated ^dlightly the things you have received— 

 

D&C 107:99-100 - Wherefore, now let every man learn his ^aduty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all ^bdiligence.

 100 He that is ^aslothful shall not be counted ^bworthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen.

Pretty powerful statements.  I guess magnifying is pretty important.  

I learned during the lesson, too, that by using a magnifying glass you're bringing light to others (as you would when trying to burn a leaf or something).  Also, when you're looking through the magnifying glass your whole focus is on that one object of study. 

Look at this  beautiful promise for when we do receive our covenants and fulfill our callings: 

D&C 84:33 - For whoso is ^afaithful unto the obtaining these two ^bpriesthoods of which I have spoken, and the ^cmagnifying their calling, are ^dsanctified by the Spirit unto the ^erenewing of their bodies.

The renewing of the bodies.  In D&C 136:37 we read that we must be pure in order to abide His presence.  President Eyring explains also that as we magnify our work our natures will be changed through the atonement of Christ and our bodies will be able to be filled with charity. 

We may use "magnify your callings" as a generic, over-used phrase in the Church, but through these scriptures we can see how significant that statement truly is.  By doing our duty, lifting where we stand, we are sanctified, renewed, able to abide in his presence!!  Doesn't that just make you want to go out and serve!?!  

D&C 84:38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s ^akingdom; therefore ^ball that my Father hath shall be given unto him.