Watchmen on the Tower

The Puglia Stake Conference was held in Bari.  Elder Axel H. Leimer, Area Authority from Germany, was the visiting authority.  At the end of his talk he encouraged everyone to listen to the upcoming General Conference and likened those who would be speaking to the watchmen on the tower.  He said we should listen carefully to their messages because those giving the messages have a higher view and can see further than we can.  They can warn us of potential danger.  We need to listen carefully to the words of the prophet and those who will speak to us this conference.  Listening to the conference talks can bless the lives of our families.

It is important to listen to the counsel given to us, but even more important is acting on the things we are instructed to do--even if we don't understand why.

In the Doctrine and Covenants it talks about this very same thing and how the people were instructed to prepare and put watchmen in the tower to watch for impending danger.  The people resisted and didn't do as they were instructed and the result was that the Lord's vineyards were destroyed.  Hopefully we will be wise and not allow evil to destroy our families.  Sometimes we start out with good intentions and when nothing happens immediately, we let down our guard.  We must be diligent in protecting our homes and families.

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D&C 101:44-54

A certain nobleman had a spot of land, very choice; and he said unto his 
servants:  Go ye unto my vineyard,even upon this very choice piece of land, 
and plant twelve olive trees;

And set watchmen round about them, and build a tower, that one may
 overlook the land round about, to be a watchman upon the tower, that mine 
olive trees may not be broken down when the enemy shall come to 
spoil and take upon themselves the fruit of my vineyard.

Now, the servants of the nobleman went and did as their lord commanded them, 
and planted the olive trees, and built a hedge round about, and set watchmen, 
and began to build a tower. 

And while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they began to say among 
themselves:  And what need hath my lord of this tower.

And consulted for a long time, saying among themselves:  What need hath my 
lord of this tower, seeing this is a time of peace?

Might not this money be given to the exchangers:  For there is no need of these things. 

And while they were at variance one with another they became very slothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord.

And the enemy came by night, and broke down the hedge; and the servants 
of the nobleman arose and were affrighted, and fled; and the enemy 
destroyed their works, and broke down the olive trees.

Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the vineyard, called upon his servants, 
and said unto them, Why! what is the cause of this great evil?

Ought ye not to have done even as I commanded you, and--after ye had planted
 the vineyard, and built the hedge round about, and set watchmen upon 
the tower, and watched for my vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest 
the enemy should come upon you? 

And behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy while 
he was yet afar off; and then ye could have made ready and kept the enemy 
from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my vineyard from 
the hands of the destroyer.