Kyle becomes a Teacher

Today Kyle was encircled by the adult Priesthood Holders of our family and ordained to the office of Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.
Grandpa James Cady, Dad, Uncle Jeremy Hodgkins, Uncle Jeffrey Lake and Uncle Michael Richter

Duties of a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood

The teacher is a standing minister appointed to “watch over the Church” in the ward “and be with and strengthen them” (D&C 20:53; 84:111). He does this by performing certain duties under proper priesthood direction. A teacher has all of the duties of a deacon and some additional duties. The duties of a teacher include the following responsibilities:

• a. Follow the counsel and instruction of priesthood leaders.

• b. Prepare the sacrament.

• c. “Warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ” (D&C 20:59) and “see that the church meet together often, and … that all the members do their duty” (D&C 20:55) by doing such things as—

  • 1) Performing home teaching.

  • 2) Notifying members of meetings.

  • 3) Speaking in Church meetings.

• d. “See that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking” (D&C 20:54) by doing such things as—

  • 1) Being an example of moral integrity and uprightness.

  • 2) Being a peacemaker and a calming influence.

• e. Edify and be edified by fellow priesthood holders by participating in priesthood instruction (see D&C 50:22).

• f. Assist the bishop in “administering … temporal things” (D&C 107:68) by doing such things as—

  • 1) Helping the poor and needy.

  • 2) Caring for the meetinghouse and grounds.

• g. Perform priesthood work, such as assisting in fellowshipping and reactivating young men of priesthood age, and serving on priesthood committees.

• h. Usher reverently in stake conferences and ward meetings.

• i. Assist the bishopric in other ways consistent with the teacher’s authority.
  

We are proud of Kyle's enthusiasm for his Priesthood responsibilities. Growing up in a home where we did not have Priesthood present in our home for many years, we have became keenly aware of the great blessing and desire to have the Priesthood in our home.

We have been blessed with 4 beautiful boys, who are good and faithful young men. They have testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel, a relationship with their Heavenly Father, and they show us daily of their understanding of right and wrong. When presented with the "world's standards" it doesn't seem to even be a temptation for them to participate in unchaste behavior or breaking the Word of Wisdom. Kyle is the first one to tell me "Mom, that is immoral".

We are proud of these boys and their desire to serve faithfully in their Priesthood.
We enjoy watching them grow from our little boys to young men.
We are grateful that our Heavenly Father has entrusted men with this sacred responsibility.
We truly believe it makes the difference between a boy and a man.