Obedience ? — 1999
Although I wasn’t personally involved in the following experience, the occurrence was so unbelievable that I must relate it. The events that transpired were related to me and several others by the a counselor in our stake presidency, who was in attendance as the scene unfolded.
The event was a multi-regional Priesthood leadership meeting for priesthood leaders from northern Provo and Lehi, held in May of 1999. President Boyd K. Packer, acting President of the Quorum of 12, and Elder Dennis Neuenschwander of the Seventy were presiding and conducting. The meeting was held in the Marriott Center. As Latter-day Saints are wont to do, these priesthood leaders had scattered themselves throughout the expansive Marriott Center rather than sitting toward the front and in the middle. During the first 30 minutes of the meeting, these brethren (Stake Presidents and counselors, Bishoprics, Quorum leaders, etc.) were asked ELEVEN separate times to move closer to the podium and closer to the middle, including two invitations by Elder Packer. Very few men moved. Elder Packer was so disappointed (disgusted) with this lack of simple obedience, that he eventually closed the meeting early and sent everyone home, telling them that they were not spiritually prepared to hear his message. He said that he felt more sorry for them than he did for the impoverished members of the Church in underdeveloped countries, because though lacking in material goods, these poor people were humble and obedient.
Interestingly, the next day at the general session of this multi-region conference, Elder Packer addressed his remarks to the children, inviting the parents to listen if they so desired. “Obedience is better than sacrifice, to hearken than the fat of rams.”
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