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This devotional address entitled,

Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding,

was given on January 14th of 2014

by Gary E. Stevenson,

then the presiding bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints.

I couldn't be more thrilled to have this, have received this assignment, to come to Provo, to Brigham Young University,

to speak at your weekly devotional. As you've heard, I'm Bishop Stevenson.

It was just about 20 months ago in general conference that I was sustained

with Bishop Gerald Cosey and Bishop Dean Davies as the presiding Bishop Brick. Prior to that,

our family had lived in Japan for several years, where we presided over the Japan Nagoya Mission,

and as President Samuelson said,

followed by our service in the Asian North Area Presidency.

Now, since we were sustained, a question that is often asked of me is,

what does the presiding Bishop Brick do?

I, too, had that same question. Charles W. Nibbley, who was the presiding bishop of the church from 1907 to 1925, and later became a member of the first

presidency, described their duty as follows. He said,

The presiding bishop helped take care of the business and administration of the church

so that the First Presidency can focus on more important spiritual matters. I think this is a good

...