https://utah.churchofjesuschrist.org/November-15-2023-Utah-Area-Broadcast?lang=eng-ut
The Joy of the Saints
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
- Joy comes from a focus on the Savior.
- Joy cannot be forced, it comes naturally or not at all.
- Joy flows naturally from covenants, repentance, and reconciliation.
Enhancing the Joy of the Sunday Church Experience
Elder Kevin W. Pearson, Utah Area President
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never been stronger!
- We are growing here in Utah: in numbers, faith, and in spiritual strength!
- There has never been a better time to live on the earth, never a better time to be a member of the church of Jesus Christ!
- The church is stronger in every age cohort!
- There are overwhelming challenges and complexities, which we can overcome through covenant keeping.
- Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faith of its people. (Elder Christofferson)
- As we place the Savior and sacred covenants at the center of our lives, our homes will increasingly feel like the temple, and the temple will increasingly feel like home. (Be intentional!)
- Be more intentional about wearing the temple garment as instructed! (IDEA: read statement) (IDEA: share scripture about putting on beautiful garments)
- We must make our ward a Christlike community of faith, love, unity, and covenant belonging; a sacred place of worship.
- What can we do toward this end?
- In too many wards we have become too casual about Sunday worship at church.
- The key: Joy and Reverence
- Social and worldly influences left outside so we can feel more power inside.
Becoming Christlike Ministering Leaders
Elder Hugo E. Martinez, Utah Area First Counselor
Creating Communities of Unity and Belonging Void of Contention, Discrimination or Division
Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier, Utah Area Assistant
Invitation for individuals to examine their discipleship and adjust behavior to root out prejudice and discrimination; invitation for family to plan how to end bullying and speak out for those who are bullied.
It stops here, it stops now, it stops with me.
Creating a Culture of Ministering in Higher and Holier Ways
Elder Brian K. Taylor, Utah Area Second Counselor
- "You literally represent Jesus Christ!"
- "Martha received him (Jesus Christ) into her house..."
- "Life is meant to be a compassionate ministering journey."
- "Jesus did not have an office." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
- "Now brothers and sister, because of the blessing of living in close proximity to members and friends, and with Elder Holland's one-line lesson (above) in mind, We wholeheartedly invite every ministering companionship in Utah to regularly visit your assigned members in their homes. Pray with them. Teach them. "Lift up the hands which hang down." Laugh and cry with them. The Savior taught, "...verily I say, whomsoever you bless I will bless" (D&C 132:47)"
A relevant passage from the most recent general conference:
Some years ago, my wife, Isabelle, received an unusual ministering assignment. She was asked to visit an elderly widow in our ward, a sister with health challenges and whose loneliness had brought bitterness into her life. Her curtains were drawn; her apartment was stuffy; she did not want to be visited and made it clear that “there is nothing I can do for anyone.” Undeterred, Isabelle responded, “Yes, there is! You can do something for us by allowing us to come and visit you.” And so Isabelle went, faithfully.
Some time later, this good sister had surgery on her feet, which required her bandages to be changed every day, something she could not do for herself. For days, Isabelle went to her home, washed her feet, and changed her bandages. She never saw ugliness; she never smelled stench. She only ever saw a beautiful daughter of God in need of love and tender care. ("We Are His Children", Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier)
A relevant passage from the general handbook:
Ministering means serving others as the Savior did (see Matthew 20:26–28). He loved, taught, prayed for, comforted, and blessed those around Him (see Acts 10:38). As disciples of Jesus Christ, we seek to minister to God's children.
The Lord wants all members of His Church to receive such care. For this reason, priesthood holders are assigned as ministering brothers to each member household. Ministering sisters are assigned to each adult sister. These assignments help ensure that Church members are remembered and cared for (see Moroni 6:4).
Ministering is an important way we keep the commandments to love God and to love our neighbors (see Matthew 22:36–40). It is also a vital way to help accomplish God's work of salvation and exaltation.
“Almost every technology that has connected people who live apart has also created new barriers between people who live close together.”
Brad Smith, President of Microsoft
https://twitter.com/GregoryMcKeown/status/1730608276512063493
- To minister is to serve like the Savior would.
- We all receive specific assignments to minister.
- This is a hallmark of the true and living church of Christ.
- "We all have work, let no one shirk, put your shoulder to the wheel!"
- We've been directly instructed to regularly visit.
- There are divers possible excuses to do otherwise.
- Are your current thought patterns and beliefs preventing you?
- I want to minister with my son, even as a Bishop (who generally wouldn't have a ministering assignment).
- If I can find the time to visit and serve, so can you!
- I don't want to hear excuses, just go forth and serve!
Mosiah 4:26-27
26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you--that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God--I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.
27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.