Damon Bahr, a faculty member of the McKay School of Education, spoke to students Tuesday about their divine role of being on the earth at this time.
He referred to the hardships of the early Saints, who crossed the country under the direction of the prophet. He doubted they would have known the impact of their legacy on people today.
Then he asked students, “What might your generation be known for?”
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We are supposed to be examples to guide others around us who might be lost.
“We must stand ready to catch them, accepting His invitation to ‘Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers (and catchers) of men,’ ” Bahr said.
Bahr told the story of Steve Osguthorpe, the brother of Russell Osguthorpe, General Sunday School president. As a teenager, Steve left to live a lifestyle that was not the same as the standards of the Church. He married a nonmember and lived separate from the Church for 50 years. He got a new home teacher after 28 years, but he wouldn’t let him in.
His faithful home teacher sent him a postcard every month for 22 years. When his wife died, Steve turned to his home teacher for comfort. His home teacher did not tire of keeping his arms open and ready to catch him.
Bahr referenced 1 Nephi 12:14-16 to illustrate four different ways and degrees we can shine our light.
There are candles that are never lit; those that intentionally hide their candles and others who put their lights in places that aren’t visible. Bahr said the Lord expects us to be the fourth kind of candle-bearers, those who put their lights in places to maximize their illuminating opportunities.
Students are supposed to be the lights that guide their friends and families to make a difference in the world.
“You are the generation with the capacity to stand up and be counted in ways that will change the course of history,” Bahr said.
