Ensign, Nov. 2007 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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10 happens to a few happens to all” (Robert Kirby, “Well-Being of Others Is Our Business,” Salt Lake Tribune, July 30, 2005, p. C1). The compassion and service rendered by caring ward members as a result of this tragic accident are not unique to this particular incident. The Book of Mormon prophet Alma explained to prospective followers of Christ: “As ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and 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,” then, as Alma explained, they were prepared for baptism (see Mosiah 18:8–9). This scripture lays the foundation for ministering and caring in a most compassionate way. The ward is organized to minister to the needs of those who face even the most difficult and heartbreaking trials. The bishop, often considered the “father” of the ward, is there to provide counsel and resources. But also close at hand are Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood leaders, the Relief Society presidency, home teachers, visiting teachers, and the ward members—always the ward members. All are there to administer comfort and show compassion in times of need. In my own immediate neighborhood we have had our share of heartwrenching tragedies. In October 1998, 19-year-old Zac Newton, who lived only three houses east of us, was killed in a tragic automobile accident. Less than two years later, in July, 19-year-old Andrea Richards, who lived directly across from the Newtons, was killed in an automobile accident. One Saturday afternoon in July 2006, Travis Bastian, a 28-year-old returned missionary, and his 15-yearold sister, Desiree, who lived across the street and two houses north of us, were killed in a terrible automobile accident. One month later, in August 2006, 32-year-old Eric Gold, who grew up in the house next door to us, suffered a premature death. And others in this neighborhood have also suffered heart-wrenching experiences privately endured and known only to themselves and God. With the loss of five young people, one might assume that this is an unusual number of trials for one small neighborhood. I choose to think the number only seems large because of a close, caring ward, whose members know when there is a pressing need. It is a ward with members who are following the admonition of Alma and the Savior—members who care and love and bear one another’s burdens, members who are willing to mourn with those that mourn, members who are willing to comfort those in need of comfort, members who endure together. In each of these instances we saw an outpouring of love, service, and compassion that was inspirational to all. Bishops arrived, home and visiting teachers went into action, and Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Relief Societies organized to take care of both spiritual and temporal needs. Refrigerators were stocked, houses cleaned, lawns mowed, shrubs trimmed, fences painted, blessings given, and soft shoulders were available for crying on. Members were everywhere. In every one of these instances, the families who lost a loved one expressed increased faith, increased love for the Savior, increased gratitude for the Atonement, and heartfelt thankfulness for an organization that responds to the deepest emotional and spiritual needs of its members. These families now speak about how they got to know the Lord through their adversity. They relate many sweet
experiences that grew out of their pain. They testify that blessings can emerge from heartbreak. They give praise to the Lord and would echo the words of Job, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). From bearing one another’s burdens as ward members, we have learned several lessons: 1. The Lord’s organization is fully adequate to know and care for those with even the most dire emotional and spiritual needs. 2. Adversity can bring us closer to God, with a renewed and enlightened appreciation for prayer and the Atonement, which covers pain and suffering in all their manifestations. 3. Members who suffer tragedy firsthand often experience an increased capacity for love, compassion, and understanding. They become the first, last, and often the most effective responders in giving comfort and showing compassion to others. 4. A ward, as well as a family, draws closer together as it endures together—what happens to one happens to all. 5. And perhaps most important, we can each be more compassionate and caring because we have each had our own personal trials and experiences to draw from. We can endure together. I rejoice in belonging to such a loving and caring organization. No one knows better how to bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. I choose to call it “enduring together.” What happens to one happens to all. We endure together. May we be an instrument in lightening the burden of others, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ Strengthen Home and Family MARY N. COOK Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency The Lord is depending on you to assist in the exaltation of your eternal family. Each Sunday, from Mongolia to Manchester to Mississippi, the young women of the Church repeat these inspired words: “We will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation” (“Young Women Theme,” Young Women Personal Progress [booklet, 2001], 5). While this is the Young Women theme, it applies to all youth in the Church. I hope I can help you, my young brothers and sisters, understand how powerful your individual actions can be in strengthening your home and family, no matter what your circumstances. I understand, for example, that many of you may be the only member of the Church in your family. For the Strength of Youth reminds us that “being part of a family is a great blessing. . . . Not all families are the same, but each is important in Heavenly Father’s plan” ([pamphlet, 2001], 10). All families need strengthening, from the ideal to the most troubled. That strengthening can come from you. In fact, in some families you may be the only source of spiritual strength. The Lord is depending on you to bring the blessings of the gospel to your family. It is important to establish patterns of righteousness in your own life, which will enable you to set a good example for your family, whatever form your family may take. The example of your righteous life will strengthen your family. President Hinckley gave the young women “a simple four-point program” in the general Young Women meeting last spring that will not only “assure your happiness” but will bless your family as well. He counseled each of us to “(1) pray, (2) study, (3) pay your tithing, and (4) attend your meetings” (“Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2007, 115). NOVEMBER 2007 11
Page 1 and 2: T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H
Page 3 and 4: The 177th Semiannual General Confer
Page 5 and 6: INDEXES STORIES Letter written by M
Page 7 and 8: Prior to a conference session (left
Page 9 and 10: the “weak things of the world.”
Page 11: Church or out. No service could be
Page 15 and 16: spoke on a topic a couple of months
Page 17 and 18: Through this power, I was able to o
Page 19 and 20: covenants will receive God’s glor
Page 21 and 22: My father returned to us unharmed,
Page 23 and 24: and responsibilities. It means stre
Page 25 and 26: we enter the grand stage of life to
Page 27 and 28: SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION October
Page 29 and 30: the way to live in order to enjoy a
Page 31 and 32: and the end of the pathway of disci
Page 33 and 34: Love is the greatest of all the com
Page 35 and 36: Preach My Gospel—the Unifying Too
Page 37 and 38: Preach My Gospel for family home ev
Page 39 and 40: and was baptized. He served a fullt
Page 41 and 42: investing more of your time in the
Page 43 and 44: oft-noted “mystery of the trinity
Page 45 and 46: Scriptural Witnesses ELDER RUSSELL
Page 47 and 48: All 16 French-speaking missionaries
Page 49 and 50: After experimenting with the Fosbur
Page 51 and 52: interacting with people. As an incr
Page 53 and 54: ecame clear. A large yellow sign re
Page 55 and 56: us for the eventual realization of
Page 57 and 58: taught the meaning of cutting off o
Page 59 and 60: Remember the times I have set a tab
Page 61 and 62: A Royal Priesthood PRESIDENT THOMAS
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authority, resulting in a loss of p
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It is the cycle which is repeated a
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THE FIRST QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY THE
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didn’t have to do what he was doi
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a desire to serve Him and to keep H
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very active members and have 6 chil
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thrilled to hear the children recit
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I saw you walk out the door, I woul
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is homemaking. Homemaking includes
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ook, begins to read it, and continu
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of the heart and will to God, and a
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and spotless before God is a source
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prophetically (see Hebrews 12:1). F
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of personal revelation in our own l
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eceived. When President David O. Mc
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In Denmark, part of the fellowshipp
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Nourished by the Good Word of God D
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Several months ago I attended a tra
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on how I was feeling. Then we talke
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Another thing that must be our perm
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young man who was not of our faith,
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others through seemingly simple act
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est. Even though a particular choic
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in our Church responsibilities,”
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GENERAL RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING Sept
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In São Paulo, Brazil, members lear
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Feed My Sheep SILVIA H. ALLRED Firs
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In Moroni 6:4 we are admonished to
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No better advice can be found than
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children to embrace and hold dear.
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small note of thanks, a brief telep
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The power of the gospel can indeed
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President Henry B. Eyring Second Co
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of Jesus Christ was a defining even
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The Presidency of the Seventy Seate
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Ensign, Nov. 2007 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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