My first talk for Church

   So today was my very first talk at the Church. The nervousness did not start until I had to sit next to the Bishop and the Counselors to present my speech. At the end I was told by a lot of the members of the 16th Ward that I did a really great job which eased my worries about not reaching anyone with the my words. I am so grateful for this opportunity and I hope there will be many more. I have enclosed a copy of that talk for the ones who read my blogs and are curious of what I said or are just looking for some spiritual food. I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday and that you felt the spirit in whatever activities that you chose to partake in today. 

Christ-Like Service

November 13, 2011

Brothers and Sisters, I was going to start this talk by just jumping right in on my thoughts of Christ-Like service. However, Heavenly Father had other plans and so I will add this anecdote that happened to me that made me think about Christ-like service. At about 2:30 yesterday afternoon those really heavy winds were bustling through our neighborhood. I was so busy typing this talk and studying my scriptures that I completely forgot that my trash cans and recycling bins were still outside! As I was typing this, I heard a knock on my door. There stood two teenagers with gloves and eye protectors on like one would have for wood working. They handed me my recycling bin and informed me my trash cans and bins were making their way down the street. They ran after everything and brought it back to me so I could put the items safely in my home. I was so grateful especially for the recycling bins, since I bought them through the actual waste removal company and they were fairly expensive. After they were done they got into their car and drove away. This is a perfect example of Christ-like service. They did not know me well, and they still ran down the streets in dangerous conditions.  Even though they had to be somewhere, they still took the time to round up my trash bins and knock on my door to let me know. This shows me that we do not only get closer to Heavenly Father just by serving others, but we can become closer when we are served as well.  

Serving others is a wonderful blessing that not only makes us closer to Heavenly Father; it makes us closer to each other. When we serve our friends and our neighbors we get to add to the good in their lives and see them as actual people and not just humans. In this way we are doing Heavenly Father’s work. We are helping people in need in areas’ Heavenly Father knows we can help them in. We are all given talents and blessing that can help the weary. Some of us are financially sound; some of us can cook, bake, or make blankets. Some of us have the ability to talk to people of all different races, creeds, and religions.  Heavenly Father brings opportunities to us that He knows we can succeed in. It is up to us to make the decision to get over our own fears and uncertainties and serve the needy.

In Mosiah 2:17 (148), it says, “And behold I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” We see a similar message in Matthew 25:40 (1233) which states, “And the King shall answer and say unto them. Verily I say unto you Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” When we notice a fellow son or daughter of Heavenly Father begging on a street corner for money or food, what is our first instinct? Do we think the worst of them or do we see their struggle and want to lighten their burden or load? Yes they could be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Yes they could be spending the money you gave them in inappropriate ways…but what if they truly had no other option or way to feed their family? Would you not do the same for yours?  I believe the key to distinguishing the difference between those in need and those who are not is to listen to the Holy Ghost. What is He telling you? What do you fell is the right decision?

In the May 2011 Ensign, President Henry B. Eyring talks to us in an article appropriately entitled, “Opportunities to Do Good.” In this article President Eyring explains, “The Lord regularly sends wake-up calls to all of us. Sometimes it may be a sudden feeling of sympathy for someone in need. A father may have felt it when he saw a child fall and scrape a knee. A mother may have felt it when she hears the frightened cry of her child in the night. A son or a daughter may have felt sympathy for someone who seemed sad or afraid at school.”

 Brothers and Sisters, I whole heartedly believe that the sympathy we feel for others in need is the Holy Ghost telling us we need to help our fellow brethren. If you are not sure if they are truly in need and there is no obvious reason that you cannot help, then serve them anyways. Heavenly Father knows the true intentions of our hearts.  Even if the person we helped had an under-lying motive, He knows we did what we knew was right. Do not let the darkness of this world dishearten you. Even if the people we serve are deceitful or not truly grateful, we can still make a difference in their lives. We can still show them that because we do not give up on them, neither does Heavenly Father. I leave you with one last scripture reading from Doctrine and Covenants 81:5 (150) which states, “Wherefore be faithful stand in the office which I have appointed onto you. Succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees.” I leave you with these words in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.