September 2023 RS Newsletter

I recently heard a story of a pastor that had discussed with his congregation how they might decide how many children a family should have.  His advice was to not have more children than you could take care of financially and emotionally.  One day in prayer, the pastor told God, “You have too many kids.  I see people in need emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  It’s obvious You must have too many since You can’t take care of them all.”  God said, “you know my plan” and the pastor questioned, “what plan is that?”  


God said, “the way it works is the ones who are able take care of the ones that are not, and the older ones take care of the younger ones.  And the well ones, they take care of the sick ones.  That’s the way it works and everyone is cared for.”


This is what it should look like in our ward, in our neighborhoods, in our homes…


We are each called to be Jesus’ hands.  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love… He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation.  That is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands; our eyes, His eyes; our heart, His heart.” (“You are My Hands”, April 2010 Conference)


We don’t care for eachother out of duty or good manners.  We do it from discipleship.  And as we emulate the Savior, we develop love for all those around us.  Then our service is truly inspired from our love for that specific person.  Imagine how you would minister to each of your sisters if you could love each one as Jesus does.  You would know how to perfectly care for her.  You would know her needs and strive to meet them.  You would be Jesus’ hands in her life.  She would feel your love and His.  How can you make that more of a possibility?


Elder Uchtdorf added, “True love requires action…  Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love..  but also showed us how to ‘succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.’”

The ministering program is different from the old monthly reporting days.  Actually, it’s more personal.  More perfect.  More Jesus’ way.  It’s each one of us doing our part to make sure everyone is cared for.  That is God’s perfect plan for His family. 


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