Ensign, Nov. 2007 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ensign, Nov. 2007 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ensign, Nov. 2007 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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In Moroni 6:4 we are admonished<br />
to remember and nourish those baptized<br />
into the <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christ</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> monthly gospel message we<br />
share in those visits builds faith and<br />
testimony. <strong>The</strong> giver and the receiver<br />
are both edified as they share insights<br />
and personal experiences while discussing<br />
gospel principles, scriptures,<br />
and teachings <strong>of</strong> our prophets.<br />
One additional blessing is the close<br />
friendship and edification that take<br />
place between the two sisters who are<br />
companions in this errand. We learn<br />
from each other, and we love each<br />
other as we serve together.<br />
We can and should be able to provide<br />
meaningful relief. We have the<br />
gospel perspective in our lives. We<br />
have divine promptings encouraging<br />
us to do good. Let us commit to effective<br />
visiting teaching. We can provide<br />
temporal and spiritual nourishment.<br />
We can and should <strong>of</strong>fer understanding<br />
and be able to teach doctrine. We<br />
can relieve spiritual hunger and feed<br />
the sheep. Feeding the sheep might<br />
mean strengthening and nourishing<br />
the new members, the less active, or<br />
even the fully active members.<br />
Our service should be selfless,<br />
quiet, and be done willingly, with our<br />
hearts full <strong>of</strong> the love <strong>of</strong> God and His<br />
children. <strong>The</strong>re must be genuine concern<br />
to shepherd the flock, to invite<br />
them unto <strong>Christ</strong>.<br />
It is my prayer that we will pledge<br />
an increased commitment to extend<br />
our arms <strong>of</strong> love and compassion to<br />
bless, help, and strengthen each other<br />
as we go about doing our visiting<br />
teaching with a willing and joyful heart.<br />
In the name <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jesus</strong> <strong>Christ</strong>, amen. ■<br />
NOTES<br />
1. See History <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong>, 5:25.<br />
2. “Relief Society,” section 3 <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Church</strong><br />
Handbook <strong>of</strong> Instructions, Book 2:<br />
Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (1998),<br />
202.<br />
3. <strong>Church</strong> Handbook <strong>of</strong> Instructions, Book 2,<br />
203.<br />
4. “<strong>The</strong> Circle <strong>of</strong> Sisters,” <strong>Ensign</strong>, <strong>Nov</strong>. 1980,<br />
110, 111.<br />
5. Personal correspondence.<br />
I Will Strengthen<br />
<strong>The</strong>e; I Will<br />
Help <strong>The</strong>e<br />
BARBARA THOMPSON<br />
Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency<br />
<strong>The</strong> greatest help we will have in strengthening families<br />
is to know and follow the doctrines <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christ</strong>.<br />
Several months ago Sister Beck<br />
asked if I would consider speaking<br />
about families and tell a<br />
little about my experiences with families.<br />
I am a single woman and do not<br />
have any children <strong>of</strong> my own. I think<br />
Sister Beck thought that I was qualified<br />
to talk about families because I<br />
have never made a mistake with any<br />
<strong>of</strong> my own children. Many women<br />
can’t claim that.<br />
I am a social worker by pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
and have worked with many families<br />
over the years—mostly with families<br />
who are experiencing troubles or<br />
great challenges. I have seen some<br />
heartbreaking situations where children<br />
have been badly hurt—both<br />
physically and emotionally. I have seen<br />
children who have been abandoned<br />
and forgotten due to the substance<br />
abuse or addictions <strong>of</strong> their parents. I<br />
have seen 18-year-olds who have been<br />
in foster care and are now out on their<br />
own without any support and backing<br />
<strong>of</strong> a loving family to help them.<br />
Thankfully, most <strong>of</strong> us don’t have<br />
abuse or neglect in our families, but<br />
every family will experience some<br />
type <strong>of</strong> challenge—illness, death,<br />
disobedience, financial problems,<br />
and so forth.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se problems raise some serious<br />
questions. What is happening to families?<br />
What is the difference between a<br />
stable family and one that is dysfunctional?<br />
What are some simple things<br />
that will help families? And who can<br />
provide relief to families?<br />
To<strong>day</strong> I want to touch briefly on<br />
these questions and give you several<br />
observations I have made over the<br />
years in hopes that they may help.<br />
What Is Happening to Families?<br />
Satan is working overtime to attack<br />
the family. He tells us that marriage is<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2007</strong> 115