Dear Gramps,
Out of a family of 7 boys, I am the oldest at 19 years old. However, I am not the smartest, tallest, best looking, strongest, most charismatic, most musically gifted, or most athletic out of the whole bunch..in fact, by the time they’ve reached my age, I will undoubtedly fall dead last in each of these categories. Each one of my brothers is extremely gifted in one or more of these areas, while I am “just your average Joe.” I’m not disappointed with this though, in fact, I am very happy with the person I am, and the situation and blessings my Heavenly Father has bestowed upon both me and my brothers. However, I have always wondered if the order in which me and my brother’s were born was random or if it was meant to be this way. Reading from another one of your answers, I read this statement, “In the pre-mortal spirit world we signed up to what our mortal experience would be.” In conjunction with this statement, in my interview to be ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood, my stake president told me that in the preexistence, me and my brothers all agreed and decided that I would be the oldest boy. I have sat pondering about why I was chosen to be the oldest boy when I have the least bit of amazement about me. Any one of my other brother’s would seem like a better candidate for “oldest boy.” I try to do my best to do all the things a big brother should do, but I can’t help but feel insignificant and inadequate at times. How can I expect my brother’s to look up to me when they are already greater? and why do you suppose that I was chosen to be the oldest?
Anonymous, from Woodbridge, Virginia

Dear Anon–
The talents that you say that your brothers have, and that you lack, all seem to be talents that would bring notoriety and acclaim. Such talents are associated with many dangers, such as pride and arrogance. They are designed to win the acclaim of others. Such things have a greater tendency go destroy character rather than to build it. It would seem very reasonable that your brothers would need the influence of an older brother (implying some authority) to watch over, counsel and guide the younger ones to avoid the pitfalls of notoriety and adulation. Your gift may be the greatest.
Gramps