Ministering

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the April 2013 General Conference.

Is ministering hard? I've had a hard time with it because I miss the structure of having a message to deliver each month. That gave me a reason/excuse to contact the sisters I never saw at church. For me it was a good time to discuss the gospel and bear testimony with my visiting teachers (when they came) because that is not part of my married experience. 

Many thought of ministering as something new and different, but in reality it is what we've been doing all along, just under different names and with various emphases, ranging from collecting goods for the poor to sharing a gospel message from our leaders.

David L. Beck, Young Men General President, spoke to the young men about their "Sacred Duty to Minister" and I thought much of it is applicable to all of us today.

 To minister means to love and care for others. It means to attend to their physical and spiritual needs.

That sure sounds like what we are supposed to be doing today!  Sister Jean Bingham, General Relief Society President at the time of the announcement of the change to "Ministering" said, "It looks like going for a walk, getting together for a game night, offering service, or even serving together. It looks like visiting in person, or talking on the phone or chatting online, or texting. It looks like delivering a birthday card and cheering at a soccer game. It looks like sharing a scripture or quote from a conference talk that would be meaningful to that individual. It looks like discussing a gospel question and sharing testimony to bring clarity and peace. It looks like becoming part of someone's life and caring about him or her." 

As I said, I miss the gospel messages, because I get so few chances at home to discuss the gospel. Brother Beck said, "You edify as you teach gospel truths, share spiritual experiences, and bear testimony." Most recently I've enjoyed visits from, and going out with, the local sister missionaries. They bring such a strong spirit with them and I enjoy our discussions.

I know I need to do better at serving others. Brother Beck said, "Ministering is not just something we do--it defines who we are. Minister every day. Opportunities are all around you. Look for them. Ask the Lord to help you recognize them. You will find that most consist of small, sincere acts that help others become followers of Jesus Christ."

On our journey to the promised land, we help each other through our challenges, encourage each other when weary or discouraged, and learn to be strong together by being yoked to the Savior. That's ministering to me.