The edge of our £2 coin bears the inscription, standing on the shoulders of giants. It derives from Isaac Newtons message to his fellow-scientist Robert Hooke. When asked how he accomplished so many remarkable achievements, he acknowledged the debt he owed to other scientists, stating, if I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. Its origin goes back even further, to the 12th century. It means that if we see more and farther than our predecessors, it is not because we have keener vision or greater height, but because we are lifted up and borne aloft on the gigantic stature of our predecessors. In our day, Elder Nelson stated “In the work of the Lord, we all learn one great lesson: Each of us stands tall on the shoulders of giants who preceded us.” In our stake, if we are able to accomplish anything, it is because we stand on the shoulders of great men and women who preceded us. Those who brought the gospel to this country, such as Apostle Heber C Kimball, who trudged along the dusty roads and dedicated the area, including where our temple now stands. Hebers grandson, President Spencer W Kimball stated, “I should like to think that the whole of this great land is blessed and still carrying a blessing from our Heavenly Father from great and holy men who have walked upon its shores.” When the Preston Stake was created in 1976, he added that this is “a great and important area of the Lord’s work. ...To me, this is the land of promise. From this people and this country could come a great people and great power to send the gospel throughout the world.” Other prophets and apostles have served in this area, including Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, Lorenzo Snow, and the late Gordon B Hinckley. When dedicating a plaque at the boyhood home of John Taylor in 1992, Elder Jeffrey R Holland stated in his prayer, “We believe with all our hearts.... that the greater Preston area has not only played a great role in the history of the Church in the past, but that it will yet play a great role; that its ultimate contribution to the people of Great Britain has only begun. People will yet join the Church, leaders will yet spring from these lands, the great priesthood leadership, and families and women and children in our dispensation will call these sites sacred because of not only the work of the early brethren here, but the work of our day, the work of our generation, the work of our families and our priesthood leaders and our missionaries. These are exciting times to live and serve in this stake. As 2015 begins, I look forward, anticipating that the best is yet to come. We stand on the shoulders of giants, thus borne aloft we are blessed with a greater view of the path that lies ahead. Many thanks for all that each of you have done in the service of the Lord, helping to hasten the work of salvation. I love you all. Happy New Year 2015!
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 14:15:10 +0000
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