The Savior paid attention to those around Him. Christ noticed people. He spoke with the Samaritan woman despite cultural taboos. He took time to bless the children. He ate with publicans and sinners and ministered to lepers and outcasts. He gave His attention to each. As followers of Christ seeking to learn His ways, we can begin to look upon people with the eyes of Christ. We can take the time to say hello, to smile, to ask about their day. We may never know the healing balm that our efforts may be to those around us who are lonely, depressed, sick, weak, or suffering. Even simple gestures of love can have a powerful influence. As we do the works of Christ and participate in helping others, great blessings will flow. As Christ stated, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25: 40 in the Bible).
WE ALL NEED THE LORD’S BLESSINGS
“When my husband, Matthias, came home that evening, he said, “I have something to tell you.” I knew instantly that he had to go away, but I hadn’t expected his military deployment to last for a whole year. We had two weeks to prepare for his departure. I shed a lot of tears during that time.
It was a tough year. Not having my husband with me or my family in England nearby frightened and worried me, but it was also a great experience for me as a new mother with a baby and for us to learn how we could continue to grow spiritually as a family. We had already established daily habits of family prayer and scripture study. So when Matthias and I had opportunities to talk to each other, normally through Skype, we would pray and read scriptures together. As I read the scriptures on my own and with my husband, a verse kept coming to my mind: ‘Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you’ (Doctrine and Covenants 68: 6). I then realized that I had always been able to rely on Heavenly Father.
My calling as church choir director kept my mind focused on the words of the hymns and the scriptures and the promises they offer. Singing and listening to the hymns gave me peace.
When our baby, Noah, got pneumonia, priesthood holders gave him a blessing of health and me a blessing of strength and comfort. I had great church sisters who helped me too. I also got together with other wives whose husbands were deployed. They helped me more than I helped them. Our neighbor even helped by mowing our lawn. I’m thankful for the small and simple things that blessed our family. Heavenly Father always seemed to bless us through someone reaching out to us when we needed help the most.”
BE AVAILABLE TO BE THE LORD’S HANDS TO HELP OTHERS
When we help one another we serve God. An ancient prophet taught, “…When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God…” (Mosiah 2: 17 in the Book of Mormon). When we serve others we gain important blessings. Through service we increase our ability to love. We become less selfish. As we think of the problems of others, our own problems seem less serious. We must serve others to gain eternal life. God has said that those who live with Him must love and serve His children (Matthew 25:34-40 in the Bible).
Remember the great commandment to Love the Lord with all your heart and other sons and daughters of God as yourself. (Luke 10: 27 in the Bible) The Savior also said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another,” (John 13: 34 in the Bible)
WE EACH HAVE A SPARK OF DIVINITY
Each of us have a spark of divinity in us as sons and daughters of God! What a marvelous truth!
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” (Romans 8: 16-17 in the Bible)
If we are sons and daughters of God, then God has an important plan for each of us. Our existence on the earth with a mortal body housing our divine eternal spirits is an important step in our progress to become heirs of a loving Heavenly Father and beloved Savior Jesus Christ. Unfortunately many of the children of God do not understand their divine heritage and waste their lives following many wrong selfish paths trying to find happiness without God in their lives.
Dallas Jones is the local leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.This quoted from an article by Elodie McCormick in the August 2020 edition of Ensign. For further discussion call (231) 383-8359 or send an email to dallasjones8349@yahoo.com. If interested in reading previous articles written by Dallas Jones visit djonesarticles.com.