The Sabbath Day

 Here's the talk I gave yesterday in Sacrament Meeting.

I'm honored to address you today and feel a great responsibility to say something that will be worthwhile for you to hear. My prayer is that you'll hear the voice of the Spirit in your mind and heart as I do my best to teach true doctrine and bear pure testimony.

 

Before moving here we lived in southwest Minnesota for eight years in a house built in 1896; it was a large four story Victorian mansion. I called it "The Stairmaster". While it was structurally sound, it was suffering from a century of benign neglect.

 

As I worked on that house, cleaning it, repairing it and making plans to refurbish it I felt inspired that the house was a metaphor for life. Through daily, weekly and seasonal maintenance and repairs we can keep both our physical homes and our spiritual lives orderly, in good repair, and thriving.

 

Daily prayer and scripture study can be compared to daily housekeeping. Communing with our Heavenly Father and studying His words daily keeps our spirits clean and aligned with His goal for us of immortality and eternal life. It takes just minutes to read, ponder and pray each day, but those acts serve to keep us on the covenant path, holding fast to the iron rod, pressing forward with steadfastness in Christ. When we neglect these daily devotions, our spirits get dusty with the debris of worldliness that can result in a big mess that takes time and effort to clean up. How much better to keep up our spiritual housekeeping daily.

 

We can compare seasonal deep cleaning to participating in General Conference. We set aside time from our usual routine to hear the counsel of our prophets, apostles and other leaders; then look into the deep recesses of our souls and make adjustments to our lives, repenting, repairing and maintaining our souls before problems get too big. I love General Conference for the chance it gives me to measure my obedience, how well I’m doing.

 

I’d like to talk today about the level of maintenance between daily and semi-annual. This is more than just a quick wipe down or tidy up. It is meant to clean and keep organized each room, noticing anything that may have been missed or overlooked due to lack of time in a daily clean up.

 

The Lord has blessed us with a day each week to accomplish a more thorough job on our spiritual houses. He set the pattern from the beginning of the existence of this earth.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

(Genesis 2:1-3)

 

The Law of the Sabbath is as old as Adam and Eve. It was known among those who followed the prophets of the Old Testament. The Lord spoke of it to Moses even before it was codified as part of the Ten Commandments. Instructing Moses about the gathering of manna the Lord said to gather twice as much on the sixth day for “Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake today, . . . and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.” (Exodus 16:23) This was the only time the Israelites could save manna overnight. Any other time the manna “bred worms and stank.” (Exo. 16:20)

 

Subsequently, Jehovah revealed to Moses the law for His people. Listen to the language of the Lord recorded in what is now known as The Ten Commandments:

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11)

 

Later Moses records further instruction about the Sabbath: “Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid and the stranger, may be refreshed.” (Exodus 23:12)

 

The first time we moved to Iowa in 2010 I looked for a grocery store that was closed on Sunday. I did so because of a story I'd heard about President Joseph Fielding Smith told by then Presiding Bishop H. David Burton in 1998.

 

When Sister Burton and I were first married, we lived in the southeast part of the Salt Lake Valley. On occasion, as we purchased groceries from a small neighborhood store, we observed President and Sister Joseph Fielding Smith in the same store making their purchases. After several such observations, I finally mustered the courage to inquire of President Smith why it was he traveled all the way from downtown, past a dozen grocery stores, to shop at this particular store. Looking over the tops of his glasses he emphatically said: “Son! . . . Sister Smith and I patronize establishments that keep the Sabbath day holy. (General Conference October 1998)

 

This story so affected me that after that I too sought out stores that honored the Sabbath. They aren’t easy to find. In Iowa I found Fareway; and in looking on their website was interested to find the story of their founding.

Fareway's policy of being closed on Sunday has been in place for as long as our company has been in existence. We believe our customers, employees, and business partners deserve a day at home with their families - free from the fast-paced life we all live the other six days of the week.

 

The idea of resting on Sunday is something our founder, Paul S. Beckwith, firmly believed; in part because of his religious beliefs and a story told to him by his father. Paul's father was a pioneer who traveled to new territory by wagon train. Some pioneers were in a hurry, and drove on every day, leaving behind those who stopped for a day of rest and worship. As settlers continued to move westward, families who had taken Sunday off began to catch-up with those who had pushed ahead; finding broken-down wagons, lame animals, and weary people. Paul's father told him he decided that the Bible was right; neither man nor beast was made to work seven days a week.

(https://www.fareway.com/about/values)

 

While still on Mount Sinai, the Lord further instructed Moses, “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: . . . Six days may work be done but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord, whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. . . It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:13-17)

 

Fortunately, we are not put to death physically for breaking the Sabbath; but we still die a little each time we don’t keep the Sabbath holy. We become spiritually dead and disconnected from God.

 

Many years ago when Steve was a new member of the church and our five children (four boys) were young and rambunctious, we argued about how best to keep the Sabbath day. He asked me, “Why do we have to do things your way?” To which I responded, “I don’t want to do things my way, I want to do them the Lord’s way.”

 

So what is the Lord’s way of keeping the Sabbath? We can read Luke’s account of one Sabbath when the Pharisees took Jesus to task because he healed a man’s hand. Jesus responded, “I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or, to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9) That's an easy distinction! To do good and to save life! We are asked to rest from OUR labors on the Sabbath, and engage in HIS labors, to do good and to save life.

 

How many things can you think of that come under those categories?

 

We can ask ourselves of our activities: Is this doing good? Is this saving life? Especially spiritual life?

 

Mormon gives us a good way to assess our choices.

But behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man that he may know good from evil; wherefore I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. (Moroni 7:15-16)

 

Remembering what the Lord said to Moses about keeping the Sabbath as a sign of a covenant, Elder Russell M. Nelson taught us:

 

In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father.¹² With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do I want to give to God?” That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.  (General Conference April 2015)

 

Keeping the Sabbath day holy and doing good takes daily preparation, especially with children who need to practice being reverent and feeling reverence throughout the week so that church worship and Sabbath observance isn't foreign and unusual to them.

 

Those of us who have been baptized prepare for the Sabbath by studying for our classes, whether to teach or participate; by examining ourselves and repenting so we come to church ready to partake of the Sacrament to renew our covenants.

 

It is a delight to see fellow saints each Sunday, sing the hymns of Zion together, partake of the sacred emblems of the Sacrament; discuss the gospel together sharing insights and testimony gained through daily study; to feel united, “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens . . . of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19); to feel refreshed by laying aside our worldly cares and activities to “do good” and to “save lives”.

 

Elder Bednar said, "One of the greatest challenges each of us faces every day is to not allow the concerns of this world to so dominate our time and energy that we neglect the eternal things that matter most. We can be too easily diverted from remembering and focusing upon essential spiritual priorities because of our many responsibilities and busy schedules. Sometimes we try to run so fast that we may forget where we are going and why we are running."  (October 2017)

 

I know from my own experiences that when I keep the Sabbath day different from the rest of the week, keeping it holy and special, when I participate in the Lord's work, I feel the blessings of strength and refreshment from doing so. When we do things the Lord’s way he pours out His blessings, we feel His love and approval, and we accomplish what we were sent here to do.

 

I testify that Our Father in Heaven is real, He shows His love for us by giving His Only Begotten son, Jesus Christ, our elder brother, to be our Savior and Redeemer. We are led today by prophets and apostles who continually teach us and encourage us to Keep the Sabbath Day Holy, as a sign of our covenant with God, and in preparation for the Savior's glorious return.

May we be blessed to do so, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Pioneer Day

Our Pioneer Journey to the Promised Land

25 May 2025

Fairmont Branch, Minnesota

 

Since I was a young child I've loved pioneer stories. It didn't matter if they were Mormon Pioneers, or another part of the westward expansion; pilgrims from England, Lehi and his family, or Israelites following Moses. I enjoyed all their stories. I tried to put myself in their place and wondered how I would feel, what I would do, if I were journeying to an unknown land. Many years ago in Washington state we endured a prolonged power outage. When it was over and the power was restored Steve gave me a Pioneerhood Award for Valiant Endurance. In the following years we have had other occasions when my pioneering skills were tested.

 

As I've matured I've realized that my beloved stories are a type, an analogy, a metaphor for my own mortal journey to a promised land. I left my known heavenly home, and am now traveling through the wilderness facing challenges of various kinds, with the goal of reaching the Celestial Kingdom, an eternal Promised Land.

 

What do we learn from these journeys, some of them recorded in scripture?

 

Out of the many, I've chosen four lessons to look at today.

 

Lesson #1 Organization is important.

An old African proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." We want to go far, all the way to the Celestial Kingdom, it's important to be with the group who is going there.

When Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, arrived on the scene and saw the Israelites lined up day and night to have an audience with the prophet he counseled Moses, "The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away. . . . Teach them ordinances and laws, and sh[ow] them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. . . . Provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all seasons;" (Ex. 18:17-22)

 

Brigham Young acted similarly when organizing the saints for crossing the plains to Utah.

 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized in a similar way today. Can you imagine waiting in line to be interviewed for a temple recommend with Pres. Nelson? Or to ask him for help with a financial problem? Or to request of him a priesthood blessing? It might be years before we could see him.

 

The church is well organized into Areas, Regions, Stakes, Ward or Branches, Quorums and Relief Societies, and ministering assignments. We follow the teachings and counsel of the prophet, and he leads and guides us as a whole, but the day to day journey is handled at a close to the people level.

The Lord said, "Behold, mine house is a house of order, . . . and not a house of confusion." (D&C132:8) By staying close to and within the organization of the church we receive blessings of strength and help for our journey.

 

Lesson #2 We are led by and can trust the prophet.

 

A prophet is a see-er, a watchman on the tower, a man to whom the Lord reveals His secrets. (See Amos 3:7) Sheri Dew wrote a whole book about how prophets "see around corners" and know what's coming. Since our mortal vision is best in hindsight we can look to the past for an example of the vision of prophets. In 1995 when President Gordon B. Hinckley read The Family: A Proclamation to the World, many wondered why it was needed, didn't everyone believe all those common-sense statements? Well, here we are a generation later and common sense seems to be in short supply, Satan seems to be winning, and people are very confused. We don't have to be though, we have the word of the Lord through His prophet, a strong bit of the iron rod to cling to as the mists of darkness swirl around us.

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi of the Seventy said, ". . . let us obey the leaders of the church and be like Adam, who didn't always have to know the reason why, but was just happy to be obedient." (Oct 2009)

We thank thee of God for a Prophet! Take it from an older, experienced pioneer--we can trust the prophet, he knows the way!

Lesson #3 Complaining doesn't do any good and mostly just makes the journey more miserable.

 

Up until they landed in the Promised Land, Laman and Lemuel did everything that was asked of them. They left their home in Jerusalem, they went back to get the plates, they went back to get Ishmael's family, they helped build a ship, they gathered supplies, got on the ship and set sail with the rest of the family. But they whined and complained and made trouble the entire time! They were a weighty drag on the whole expedition. I think when Nephi says, "Oh wretched man that I am, . . . because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me." he just might be thinking of the times he wanted to clobber his own brothers because they were such an impediment to peace. I know that I am often more like Laman and Lemuel than Nephi, which is why I'm so grateful for daily repentance and a patient and merciful Heavenly Father.

 

The Israelites complained and made trouble, and were punished by having to wander for FORTY years in the wilderness, until all the complainers had died, before they could enter the promised land.

The Lord commands us to "be of good cheer, for I will lead you along." (D&C 78:18)  Joseph Smith wrote the saints from Liberty Jail, ". . . let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance to see the salvation of God and for his arm to be revealed." (D&C 123:17)

We sing Come, Come Ye Saints, and Count Your Blessings. We can surely help each other with grace and humor to keep progressing forward.

 

Lesson #4 Never Give Up!

 

Can you picture yourself part of a handcart company, walking day after day, sunshine or rain, cold or heat? It's tiresome but we're moving forward toward Zion. Then an accident or an illness occurs and a loved one dies; we bury that person beside the trail, and then what? What are the options? We can keep going, on to Zion, or we can sit down and give up. A brief pause is all we get on the journey before the company leaves us behind. Remember we want to go far so we need to go together.

 

No analogy is perfect, but I can testify that whatever challenge we face we must keep pressing forward. We cannot sit down and wait until we aren't facing any challenges. Life doesn't work that way. We have to keep going to reach our Promised Land. We must endure faithfully and obediently to the end.

Two years ago, I had just conducted the first Stake Choir rehearsal the day before we found out James had taken his life. At the time I was asked if I wanted to cancel the choir. For me this was a Rocky Ridge moment. The terrain was steep, and I was weary, but I felt I had to keep going no matter what.

One of the hymns we sang was God So Loved the World. I considered that an offering of my testimony of the tender mercy of Our Father in Heaven to send His Beloved Son to rescue us from despair and death. It was a sacred, spiritual experience to lead that choir during that challenging time.

 

Brothers and Sisters, we are organized so we can keep track of and help each other on our journey. We are led by and can trust our prophet. We must be cheerful and not complain, doing all in our power to keep moving forward. And we must never give up!  

 

I know God lives, because I have come to know Him in my extremities. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior because I have felt Him lift me up when I most needed saving. I know Russell M. Nelson is the chief apostle and prophet of God today because I have studied his talks and felt the witness of the Spirit that he is the Lord's anointed servant. May we be faithful pioneers and help each other along our life's journey until we are all reunited in the Promised Land of the Celestial Kingdom.

 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Talk on Ministering

Brothers and sisters, I have a confession to make. Nothing malignant or testimony shaking. Simply that for the past couple of years I've been a lazy and neglectful ministering sister. I apologize to my sisters whom I've neglected and ask your forgiveness. I am repenting and will do better in the coming days. This talk is a pep talk to myself, an encouragement for me to do better. If you get something out of it too, then we'll both have benefitted.

At the branch picnic Nicole asked me about the salad I brought. She wanted the recipe. I didn't follow one. I just made it up with what I had on hand. She said, "Oh, you're a cook like my mother-in-law. She puts in a little of this and a little of that and it turns out great." Well, after 45 years of reading recipes, trying new things, and practicing cooking, I enjoy making up my own recipes once in a while.

After many decades of having a recipe for ministering, formerly called Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching, we now (for the past five years) have to pretty much make up our own recipes. There are no measured requirements to complete, no standardized message each month, no one size fits all method of ministering to each other.

That can be intimidating at times. But we are not left without guidance or master cooks to follow.

When this "higher, holier" way of ministering was announced in 2018 an impression came to my mind that this was going to lead us to Zion.

What is Zion? And why is that important? Zion is several things, but what I thought about was not a place, but a people. A Zion people is of one heart and one mind. It took me a long time to figure out that the heart and mind we're supposed to be one with is Jesus's heart and mind. He said, "If ye are not one, ye are not mine." When He returns He needs a people to come to, with whom He can dwell, where there is unity, love, and righteousness.

So how does ministering accomplish that? Let's look at some examples from the past.

Think of the Israelites leaving Egypt to go to the Promised Land. They began with urgency, leaving slavery behind, and desiring to live a life of liberty in a Promised Land. But they murmured every step of the way. They complained about the lack of food, lack of water, the labor of travel, etc. They wanted to go back to Egypt where things weren't so bad after all. They were disobedient and contentious. Because of their stubbornness the Lord cursed them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years so that all the faithless complainers would die off before ever getting to the promised land.

Now think of the early saints in this dispensation traveling to their Promised Land. Faith and obedience brought about miracles. They too faced hunger, thirst, fatigue, boredom, bad weather, balky animals, accidents, sickness, death, and every other kind of trial known to humans, yet they reached the Salt Lake valley in a timely manner and built up their Promised Land.

What does this have to do with ministering? Like the pioneers crossing the American plains we are on a mortal journey to the Promised Land of Heaven. Sometimes we're out in front, leading the way, sometimes we're in the middle of the pack, in the thick of things, sometimes we're the stragglers at the back of the group. No one, absolutely no one, goes through mortal life without trials, or joys. To get there we must have faith, lend a hand to each other, encourage each other, bear each other's burdens, comfort each other, rejoice with each other, and journey side by side until we pass over to the other side.

I hope this help us understand the why of ministering.

Let's learn about the how. 

During the summer of 2018, after the announcement in General Conference about Ministering, Steve and I were in Boulder, Colorado over a Sunday and attended church at a local ward. Apparently, the week before had been their stake conference because all of the talks were about the challenge the stake president had given to read the Book of Mormon and mark all the passages that had anything to do with ministering. I thought to myself, I can do that. I found surprising things throughout. 

Almost 100 places where impressions of the Spirit said this is about ministering. I organized them into 13 different categories. First is Do it, Exercise Faith, like Nephi saying he would "go and do the things which the Lord commanded," knowing "that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." And when Nephi returned to Jerusalem to retrieve the Brass Plates, "not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do." 

There are examples of Praying for them, and Praying about them; the largest category on my list is Speak, Teach, and Testify. Sometimes an encouraging word, or a testimony is what is needed to help someone along. We are to Be an Example, Be Forgiving, Serve them, Study, Attend the temple, Care about them, Listen for Promptings, Meet them where they are, and maybe most important at all times, Be Persistent.

I highly recommend studying the scriptures as a way to get personal revelation for our efforts in ministering.

In the church magazine for Adults, The Liahona, formerly The Ensign, every month since June 2018 there has been a section called Ministering Principles. These principles are scripture based and the articles give suggestions for putting them into practice. July's topic is Ministering with Charity, and August's topic is Ministering through Service. Past topics include things like Facing Our Goliaths, Ministering with Mental Health in Mind, Ministering through General Conference, Ministering through Church Activities, How the Spirit Can and Will Help you Minister, and Getting Help to Help Others.

Lest we get discouraged and feel like we're always at the back of the wagon train, think of the Parable of the Laborers. Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a householder, who goes out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. They agree on a wage, and he sends them off to work. He goes out again three hours later and sees others standing idle in the marketplace, and says to them "Why are you standing here idle?" They answer, "Because no one has hired us". So, he says, "Go to the vineyard and whatever is right, I'll pay you." And the householder goes out again every three hours and does the same thing. And then at the last hour of the day he goes out and finds others standing around idle and negotiates the same deal with them.

When the day is finished he has the steward call all the laborers to give them their wages. Everyone received the same wage no matter when they started! Wouldn't you like to work for that employer?

I have good news, we do!

It doesn't matter if you are a 7th generation saint, or the newest convert, our employer, The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, offers us all the same reward for helping in His work.

So, begin where we are! It is possible to repent and change. We can obey the commandments, keep our covenants, spiritually put one foot in front of the other and keep progressing. This journey is not a race where only the fastest and first is rewarded; we ALL will be rewarded for faithfully finishing the journey. Ministering is helping each other toward the finish line.

But, we might think, I just don't have the knowledge or skill or talent that Sister so and so has, or Brother what's his name has. They just seem to be a natural at serving others.

Jesus addressed this fear or excuse too, in the Parable of the Talents. He said that the Kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, and before he leaves calling his servants together and giving them his goods. To one he gave five, to another two, and to another, one talent, each according to their ability. Then the man left. While he was gone the servant who had received five talents traded and made five more talents; the one who was given two, did the same and doubled his. 

But the servant who had received one was afraid of losing it and buried it for safekeeping.

When the master returned he called for an accounting of what he had given the servants. 

The ones who had been given five and two showed their increased talents and were rewarded when the master said to them, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

Then came the third servant. He explained himself saying, "Lord, I know that you are a strict man, reaping where you haven't sown, and gathering where you haven't spread. And I was afraid and hid your talent in the earth, here it is." The master answered him saying, "You wicked and slothful servant, you knew what I'm capable of, reaping where I haven't sown, etc., you should have at least put my money with the investors and I could have had my money along with the interest earned." Then the master commanded that the talent be taken from this servant and given to the one who began with five, saying, "For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath."

The moral of the story is that when we do our part, the Lord will multiply our efforts, he will give us more capability. If we don't, what little we do have will be taken from us. Ministering enlarges our abilities to strengthen our eternal church family and build Zion. 

Sister Jean B. Bingham, then Relief Society General President, said, "Sometimes we think we have to do something grand and heroic to 'count' as serving our neighbors. . . . But what did the Savior do? . . . " Besides completing the Atonement, surely the most profound act of service ever performed, ". . . He also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave."

If you're like me you get overwhelmed thinking about what the Savior, with His superior Godly powers, did and does. I just can't compete in that league. 

Sister Bingham shares some more ideas about what us mere mortals can do:

[Ministering] 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 a testimony to bring clarity and peace. It looks like becoming part of someone's life and caring about him or her.

As we study the scriptures and with the Spirit's help we can make up our ministering recipes as we go. There is no one thing that is right for everyone either to give or to receive. We can ask the person what he or she needs, as well as be led by the Spirit.

One of my all-time favorite authors is Jan Karon who wrote a series of books about an Episcopal priest named Timothy Kavanaugh. He is such an encouraging example of how to minister. He is so human and flawed. He has weaknesses and human foibles just like the rest of us. Some things are particularly distasteful or hard for him. But he trusts in God and prays for strength and help to know what to do and how to do it. During the months that I studied ministering in The Book of Mormon, I also reread the first of these books and made a list of all the ways Timothy served and ministered to those around him. Here are just some of them:

He slowed down (to notice things more)

He prayed

He studied the scriptures

He invited people into his home and fed them

He visited the sick in the hospital (I remember my grandma doing that a lot!)

He prayed, right then, with the person in need

He fed people spiritually with encouraging words

He arranged for a worker, which benefited an elderly woman and a young man

He took an 11 year old boy on an outing to a farm

He took food to a homeless man

He prayed for people by name

He gave cash to someone in need

He gave thoughtful little gifts

He prayed with his friend about a serious matter

He invited his neighbors to church

He called to check on his friend recovering from pneumonia

He visited a man in prison

He rescued a neighbor's cat off the roof

When it comes to ministering, there are few limits and enough variety for everyone to find something to do.

 

During their last evening together, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, in an act of humble service and demonstration of love. Then He said, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. . . . If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." He went on to speak to them about love:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have love you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. . . .If ye love me, keep my commandments. . . . He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. . . . If a man love me, he will keep my words and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our abode with him. . . . But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. . . . As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you, continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. . . . This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. . . . These things I command you, that ye love one another.

A few final thoughts. Every giver of service needs a receiver of that service. Being a gracious receiver blesses the giver. Not all service rendered will be to our liking. If we are asked, we can express our preferences, if we aren't asked we can be gracious and grateful for the efforts of another. I apologize if anyone was hurt because we didn't want any meals brought in when we lost James. I really needed the daily routine of making food and cleaning up so I wouldn't dissolve into a puddle of grief and self-pity. I'm so grateful for all the prayers that sustained us, and the kind, loving expressions of comfort through our sorrow. Those and hugs were the most helpful. I'm grateful for Stephanie being willing to come over and help me weed part of my garden as therapy for my grieving heart. 

Steve and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary in June, and in all those years we have rarely lived near family, relying on church members to be our family--to celebrate with, to mourn with, to work with, to play with. We call each other brother and sister. Perhaps it would help us to do better at ministering if we actually thought of each other as true family. Wouldn't we make time to visit family? Serve them? Rejoice with them, and recreate with them? I truly believe this is preparing us for life after the Savior returns when we live in peace and love. 

Let us all gird up our loins, fresh courage take to press forward in preparation for the Savior's Second Coming.

I testify that God the Father lives and loves us; He sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Example. I testify that They both appeared to Joseph Smith to begin the restoration of all things as promised in the scriptures. The Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's authorized church on earth. We continue to be led by a living prophet, Russell M. Nelson, who has invited us to minister and love each in a higher, holier way. I pray that we all can do so.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.