Most of what is found in the lesson is based on a Conference talk given by Pres. Benson following his 90th birthday. He expressed his personal connection to this topic by saying, "I hold special feelings for the elderly - for this marvelous group of men and women. I feel that in some measure I understand them, for I am one of them." Sis. Rozeski's challenge to us as we learn from this lesson is to ask ourselves the question, How can any of the prophet's counsel apply to me now, and as I prepare for the future?
Pres. Benson said, "The Lord knows and loves the elderly among His people. It has always been so, upon them he has bestowed many of His greatest responsibilities." There are many examples of when the Lord has blessed the elderly: Sarah, in her old age, bore Abraham; King Benjamin's greatest sermon was given when he was very elderly and nigh unto death; last conference, Elder Bednar related that in the 11 years he has been an apostle, the average age of the men he has served with is 77.
Why does the Lord often ask the elder to shoulder such great responsibilities? Pres. Benson teaches, "He has needed the wisdom and experience of age, the inspired direction from those with long years of proven faithfulness to His gospel." French philosopher John Paul Sarte said, "The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of life, the clearer we should see through it."
Pres. Benson suggests 8 areas in which we can make the most of our senior years (and this applies to all of us, no matter what our age).
1) Work in the temple and attend often - there are now more temples on the earth, we need more people to work in them.
2) Collect and write family histories - often you are the only one that holds the history and memories of loved ones.
3) Become involved in missionary service - senior missionaries are often able to perform missionary service in ways that our younger missionaries cannot.
4) Provide leadership by building family togetherness - gather your families around you.
5) Accept and fulfill Church callings - Pres Benson said, "We need the counsel and influence of you who have walked the pathway of life. We need to hear of your successes and how you have risen above heartache, pain, or disappointment, having become stronger for experiencing them."
6) Plan for your financial future - avoid unnecessary debt, don't consign on financial notes, and always plan for the future.
7) Render Christlike service - The prophet Joseph Smith told us that we should "wear out our lives" in bringing to pass the Lord's purposes (D&C 123:13)
8) Stay physically fit, healthy, and active - Through keeping active both the mind and the body function better.
We are reminded that, "Sometimes there is for some of you feelings of uselessness and aloneness which can be almost overwhelming." Learning something new, an activity or skill, can help tremendously. Gabriel Garcia Marques, a Columbian novelist has said, "It's not true that people stop pursuing their dreams beacause they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing their dreams."
Service is such a wonderful way to overcoming lonliness. We learn from Pres. Benson: "The key to overcoming aloneness and a feeling of uselessness, for one who is physically able, is to step outside yourself by helping others who are truly needy. We promise those who will render this kind of service that, in some measure, you will be healed of the loss of loved ones or the dread of being alone. The way to feel better about your own situtation is to improve someone else's circumstances."
In the lesson Pres. Benson extended his love and concern to those who are ill and suffere pain. "Remember what Father Lehi said in blessing his son, Jacob, who had suffered at the hands of his older brothers Laman and Lemuel. 'Thou knows the greatness of God and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.' (2 Nephi 2:2)" Living in thanksgiving daily and generating good thoughts will help take away that which is harmful and destructive. Always offer your prayers daily, and even hourly if needed.
Families of the elderly need to give the love, care and attention that their family member deserves. We learn about 5 ways to do this: 1) Treat them with love, appreciation and concern for their happiness. 2) Try to understand their point of view. 3) Be forgiving of mistakes they have made. 4) Allow them freedom of choice and independence. 5) Include them in family activities - show your children how to honor.
The beginning of the poem by Robert Browning is recognizable, but most don't know it all. "Grow old with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in His hand who saith, 'A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid."
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