Small & Simple Thoughts

Is anyone else concerned that Governor John Huntsman is in league with a foreign nation? As a citizen of the U.S. and as a citizen of Utah, I call on Governor Huntsman to rectify this situation immediately, or sooner if possible.

I have been asked to speak on a talk of my choosing from General Conference. I have chosen Bishop H. David Burton’s talk Tender Hearts and Helping Hands .

A life of service is a life of compassion.

A life of service is a life of compassion. The Savior said, while visiting the Nephites,

And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy. (3 Ne. 17:6)

Bishop Burton begins his talk with a story from Joseph Smith’s life:

A group of men were talking with the Prophet Joseph Smith one day when news arrived that the house of a poor brother who lived some distance from town was burned down. Everyone expressed sorrow for what had happened. The Prophet listened for a moment, then “put his hand in his pocket, took out five dollars and said, ‘I feel sorry for this brother to the amount of five dollars; how much do you all feel sorry?’ ” The immediacy of the Prophet’s response is significant.

Joseph Smith’s response to this poor brother’s situation reveals the depth of compassion that he felt for mankind. Joseph Smith could have well been describing himself when he said, “A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” (History of the Church, 4:227.)

Bishop Burton then states that, “Compassion for others has always been a fundamental characteristic of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” He reminds us that when we are baptized we testify that we, “are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” (Mosiah 18:8-9).

I watched part of a documentary of the life of President Hinckley this week. One part related the following story from President Hinckley’s life. While serving as an apostle he traveled to the small Tahitian island of Maupiti to dedicate a newly constructed chapel. After the meeting a boat carrying many members home capsized. Fourteen members of the small branch lost there lives, including 4 children. Other children were left without mothers or fathers. Elder Hinckley immediately made arrangements to return to the island, even chartering an old PT boat to make part of the trip. Upon arrival, he threw his arms around the mourning members and wept with them. President Hinckley surely lives the ‘pure religion’ which is, “to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27).

A Life of Service is a life of Sacrifice

A life of service is a life of sacrifice. I am amazed at Bishop Burton’s recounting of Sister Bertha Suranto’s experiences in Sumatra as she drove delivery trucks packed with needed supplies to the victims of the terrible tsunami a year and a half ago. “’Every time we came into a village,’ Bertha said, ‘the people surrounded us and offered food to distribute—even when they only had a little rice and some fish they had caught in the ocean.’” These ‘victims’ are heroes to me. They have merited the same approval the Savior bestowed upon the widow and her two mites. “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:43-44). It is likewise required of us to commit all that we have to the building up of the kingdom of God on the earth.

Jesus Christ set the perfect example of serving. He was sent to preach His gospel, but everywhere Christ went, he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, unstopped the ears of the deaf, fed the hungry, blessed children, cured the lame, rebuked devils. So many miracles and all of them intended to relieve the physical sufferings of mortal men. So many miracles that would have taken so much of his precious time. Christ was certainly sent to heal us spiritually, but he gave and gives full and appropriate attention to healing us physically. Our temporal salvation is as important to Him as our spiritual salvation. That is why ‘pure religion’ is to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).
We are the instruments of Christ’s work on the earth. It is our opportunity and responsibility to care for the physical needs of those around us, both in and out of the church. President Hinckley has stated,

“We must reach out to all mankind…They are all sons and daughters of God our Eternal Father, and He will hold us accountable for what we do concerning them. . . . May we bless humanity with an outreach to all, lifting those who are downtrodden and oppressed, feeding and clothing the hungry and the needy, extending love and neighborliness to those about us who may not be part of this Church.”

We do not know who we may bless through our efforts. It may even be ourselves. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38). I love that. In the economy of the Lord there is perfect balance. No kind deed will go unrewarded, no sacrifice will be made without earning the cheerful giver a crown in heaven.

A Life of Service is a Life of Charity

A life of service is a life of charity. When we joined this ward, we were shown a great out-pouring of charity. The very day we moved in, many people appeared on our doorstep and started unloading furniture and boxes. They spent hours helping us unload our truck. Others brought food or stopped by to introduce themselves. You certainly fulfilled the scripture to “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

“For, brethren, [we] have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13).

We are “Called to Serve”. Our call is clear. We must reach out our hand in love, as the Savior has reached out to us. Let us not be ungrateful servants, but cheerful givers. May our hearts be filled with the love of God and, as Joseph Smith said, not be “content with blessing [our families] alone, but [range] through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race”.

My life has been greatly blessed by the small contributions I have made to my family, my church and my community. I desire to carry on, to be of greater use. President Hinckley’s words inspire me:

“Now, my brethren and sisters, the time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, the breadth, and the importance of our mission. It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all of our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike” (“This Is the Work of the Master,” Ensign, May 1995, 71)

I testify the Lord will bless us as we pattern our lives after His, and make ours each a life of service.