31 December 2023

Utah Area Leadership Broadcast (Recap)

Building up Zion--Creating Christlike Communities of Faith, Unity, Love and Covenant Belonging

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

Enhancing the Joy of the Sunday Church Experience

Elder Kevin W. Pearson, Utah Area President

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

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.

Chapter 21, Ministering


“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

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.