I watched as they wore their best white shirts and showed respect and reverence as they passed the bread and water to the congregation. I thought about how they looked like tiny waiters. I am not saying that with any disrespect. I have been on cruise ships before and watched as the young men would attend to the needs of the passengers. Those waiters would wear crisp white and attend to our every need. 
The young men who passed the sacrament, waited patiently as each member who desired partook of the sacred bread and water. In coming to where we are to serve us, I was filled with gratitude. It reminds me of the love from the Savior, he comes to where we are. We take of the sacrament to remember his body and blood which was shed for us. 
I thought about other priesthood responsibilities, they are all acts of service. From blessing the sick to performing blessings and baptisms, no man blesses himself. Performing priesthood blessings and ordinances is always an outward act of service and love. 
The priesthood is an act never to be used to esteem one's self. It is not a selfish act. Every ward (congregation) in the church is ran by a Bishop or a Branch President. To me those men are like deck captains on the ship. They attend to our local needs or they send the stewards they direct over to bless our lives. They don't steer the ship, Christ does. 
Some people are offended that women are not called to be in the priesthood. I understand that they see things differently than I do about it. I served a mission but I was not given the authority to baptize or confirm anyone, I just taught. I don't see this as a bad thing. I enjoyed so much seeing the gospel change lives. I loved being a servant of Christ but I didn't feel the need to direct the boat. Changing lives matters most and not the titles given. 
I know that no one can take my place in the church or the family.
The scripture says, "Neither the man without the woman or the woman without the man." I am proud of the work I do on the "Old ship Zion." I serve, I teach, I minister to the poor and sick and needy as I enjoy the blessings of this cruise. It would be foolish to jump off of a cruise ship because you weren't asked to be a waiter. I am content in receiving every blessing and comfort the gospel brings to my life, I don't covet the roles of others. I have (as a missionary and in Relief Society, over the last 20 years) sat in many ward councils as the Bishop and a select few discussed how to serve those in their charge. I have felt like my ideas and opinions were carefully listened to and often implemented. I have felt like a waiter on the ship. My husband and I teach teens in our ward. We love them! That is the part of the ship our captain has asked us to teach. We teach from the scriptures and from church doctrine but we often share our opinions and experiences. We could easily teach the wrong things and lead our group astray. We pray and study and we follow the spirit to ask the Captain what his children need to know to withstand the storms. 
I take this calling seriously and we try to do our best to love and guide these fine young people. We are their servants. I would like to express my gratitude for a church who does not focus on selfishness but we focus on service to others.
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