by Sister April Talley, Stake RS Second Counselor
What a wonderful and exciting General Conference we had last month. Of course, of upmost excitement is the retirement of Visiting Teaching and accepting the holier charge to Minister to our sisters and others in a manner like the Savior’s.
As women, we have an inborn talent for nurturing and caring for others. Consider Esther, who overcame her well-grounded fear to save her people. Or Ruth, who although she didn’t share the same beliefs as her mother-in-law, Naomi, stayed with her and helped her at a time of loss. Think of the women aboard a ship who pled successfully with Laman and Lemuel to spare the lives of Nephi and Sam. Or Mary, who wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair, and anointed Him with oil. All these women found ways to minister.
We may not be in such grand situations as the women in the scriptures, but each of us has someone within our circle of influence who is in need of ministering. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the October 2012 General Conference reminded us with these inspired words.
“…we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord.”
Prayerfully consider ways in which you can uplift another. Your effort may be as simple as a text message saying you were thinking of that person. It may be setting aside a dozen cookies (the ones your family loves!) to take to someone who has been on your mind lately.
Pay attention to the thoughts the Spirit may whisper to you about a neighbor or friend or family member. When we pay attention, the Lord will show us those who need a little extra care. As we minister in this way, we are showing others the Lord’s love and concern, and we are truly showing the Lord how much we love Him.
Akron Ohio Stake News 