The Weight of Assignment: Agency, Obedience, and the Shepherd's Voice

We often speak of the Restoration as a period of renewed clarity, a return to the pure doctrines and ordinances taught by the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, clarity doesn’t eliminate struggle. It illuminates the path, but the walking remains ours. The narratives shared by the prophets—those glimpses into their lives and interactions—are not designed to provide effortless comfort. They are meant to sharpen our eyes and steel our resolve, to remind us of the principles upon which our faith is built.

President Monson’s recounting of a conversation with President Kimball, as shared in the video, demonstrates this beautifully. The frustration of the father, wanting to dictate his son’s missionary assignment, is a feeling relatable to many. We desire the best for our children, envisioning paths that will maximize their growth and minimize potential hardship. But the Lord’s ways are not our ways, and often, our vision is clouded by earthly concerns. The father’s insistence on an “Old England mission,” rather than the assigned New England mission, is a stark symbol of this desire to exert control, to circumvent the divinely ordained process.

President Kimball's response—allowing the father to choose, only to then present a cascade of specific mission locations within Great Britain—is a masterclass in pastoral guidance. It wasn’t a rebuke, but a redirection, a gentle nudge toward understanding. The father, oblivious to the subtle correction, ultimately conceded, choosing Bristol. The subsequent comment from President Kimball, “Aren’t some parents unusual?” isn't intended as judgment, but as a recognition of the universal human tendency to desire control, even when it contradicts divine wisdom. It’s a reminder that the priesthood operates not by force, but by invitation and persuasion. Think of the Lord’s counsel in D&C 121:43: “Verily I say unto you, all things must be done through patience and long suffering.”

This encounter highlights a crucial principle: the weight of assignment. We are all assigned tasks, both large and small, within the framework of the Church. These assignments, whether as missionaries, leaders, or simply faithful members, come with a responsibility to act with diligence and obedience. To resist assignment, even with seemingly benevolent intentions, is to invite confusion and potential spiritual stagnation. The father’s desire, however well-meaning, ultimately risked undermining the very purpose of the missionary calling – to serve the Lord and His children.

The account also speaks to the importance of recognizing the voice of the prophets. It is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it is a quiet redirection, a subtle correction, delivered with patience and love. To discern that voice requires humility, a willingness to submit to counsel, and a constant seeking of the Spirit. As Isaiah prophesied, “Hearken unto me, ye house of Israel, for I am he: righteousness is my reward, and strength is my garment” (Isaiah 41:2).

This isn’t merely a story about missionary assignments; it’s a microcosm of the larger covenant journey. We are all striving to align our will with the will of our Father in Heaven. And sometimes, that requires surrendering our preferences, accepting the assignments He has for us, and trusting in His divine wisdom. The iron rod, as described in Lehi’s dream (1 Nephi 11:21-23), guides us safely through the darkness, but we must choose to grasp it firmly and follow where it leads.

Consider the implications for your own life. Where do you find yourself resisting assignment? What preconceived notions or desires are hindering your ability to follow the counsel of the Brethren?