Throughout our lives all of us depend on others for help. When we were infants our parents fed, clothed, and cared for us. Without this care we would have died. When we grew up other people taught us skills and attitudes. Many of us have needed nursing care during illness or money in a financial crisis. Some of us ask God to bless suffering people and then do nothing for them. We must remember that God works through us to help others.
The Lord Can Guide Us to Help Strangers
Desiane Massache tells her story of guidance. “I was crossing over a highway on a walkway bridge in an area named Posto Dudu, in the city of Parnamirim in Brazil. I was heading to a bus stop on the opposite side. As I crossed, I passed a lady who was clinging to a safety railing. Her head was down and her body was shaking. People seemed afraid of her when they passed her. I thought she might have mental problems. After I passed her, I heard a voice as clear as any human voice that said, ‘Go back!’ I didn’t see anyone near me and thought I was hearing things. I walked a little farther when I heard the voice again: ‘Go back!’ I thought about returning but kept walking, wondering if the lady might hurt me if I went back to her. When I reached the other side of the walkway, I heard the voice for the third time: ‘Go back!’ I stopped, remembering that I had recently received the gift of the Holy Ghost and the blessing to receive guidance from the Spirit. I hurried back to the lady. “Excuse me, but can I help you?” I asked. ‘Yes,’ she said with tears in her eyes. ‘I need to get to the other side to catch my bus, but I can’t make it because I’m afraid of heights. I have been standing here for a long time without knowing what to do.’ ‘I will help you,’ I told her. ‘Hold my arm, close your eyes, and together we will reach the other side.’ She tightly held on to my arm, closed her eyes, and slowly walked with me to the other side. She said she had been praying for a long time that God would help her cross. Then she thanked me and asked God to bless me. After she caught her bus, I thought for several minutes about what had just happened.” “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me,” the Savior said. (John 10:27 in the Bible)
“That day I learned that one of the best ways to follow Him and feel His love is to heed the voice of the Spirit when it calls us to help others.”
(“Can I Help You You” By Desiane Nelo Massache, of Brazil, Liahona Magazine February 2022)
The Eyes and Hands of the Savior
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 the helping of 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).
The Blessings of Service
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).