In Doctrine & Covenants section 46, the Lord details a list of spiritual gifts (see also 1 Corinthians 12, Moroni 10). Many of the gifts listed are familiar to believers, such as the gift of faith, the gift of healing, and the gift of tongues. In verse 15 it reads, “And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord” (emphasis added). In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are many callings and responsibilities. Leading and administering the congregations and stakes of the Restored Church requires all spiritual gifts, including those of administration.
Rick Steinmentz (Stake Clerk | See General Handbook, 33.3.2) and Jayson Burtoft (Stake Executive Secretary, 6.4.1) perform many administrative functions to support the work of salvation and exaltation in the St. Cloud Florida Stake; most of those tasks go unseen. When asked about his role, Brother Burtoft referenced Exodus 17:8-12 to describe his purpose. As the primary spiritual leader of the Israelites, Moses needed additional support to “[stay] up his hands, the one [Aaron] on the one side, and the other [Hur] on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (v. 12). “My purpose,” Brother Burtoft commented, “is to take any and all administrative tasks possible from the stake president so he can then focus on ministering to the members of the stake.” Reflecting on his role as Stake Clerk, Brother Steinmetz said: “[My] main purpose is to ensure that the stake presidency has the information they need at their fingertips to be able to make decisions that follow the policies as spelled out in the [General] Handbook.” Both brothers quietly and diligently fulfill their important functions day after day, week after week, and month after month.
Every calling in the Restored Church is an opportunity to grow spiritually, become more like the Savior, and feel the joy of serving God by serving His children (see General Handbook, 30.0). Brother Steinmetz pointed out the tremendous value in every Latter-day Saint faithfully fulfilling their calling. He stated, “When everyone in an organization fulfills their calling then the work becomes easier, the Lord blesses those involved and provides revelation, and the spirit is more present as we progress.” Brother Burtoft reflected, “Serving faithfully [in a calling] means more than just checking things off a list, but trying to know my Savior better through my calling.” He testified that serving in his calling, even in a largely administrative one, helps him feel the love of Jesus Christ and helps him see himself as the Savior and Heavenly Father do.
Regardless of our calling or assignment in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we can contribute meaningfully to the work of salvation and exaltation (General Handbook, 1.0). Paul compared the Saints and their affiliation with one another as being members of the same body: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Whether our function is mostly administrative or not, the Lord’s Spirit can work through all of us, strengthening and enabling us with needed spiritual gifts. Rick Steinmetz and Jayson Burtoft continue on in the path of their duty, “[staying] up” the hands that need it.
This blog post is one of a series inspired by Elder David A. Bednar’s general conference talk In the Path of Their Duty. You can review previous posts below:
St. Cloud Florida Stake Blog 