{"id":9563,"date":"2018-04-26T12:20:17","date_gmt":"2018-04-26T18:20:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ldswomenofgod.com\/?p=9563"},"modified":"2018-04-26T15:52:44","modified_gmt":"2018-04-26T21:52:44","slug":"ministering-youve-been-doing-this-all-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reliefsocietywomen.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/26\/ministering-youve-been-doing-this-all-your-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Ministering: You’ve Been Doing This All Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sisters!<\/span><\/p>\n

How does ministering work? Well, you\u2019ll be happy to know that you\u2019ve probably been doing this all your life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Catch the Vision:<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s simple. \u201cWherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees\u201d (D&C 81:5). \u201c\u2026mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort\u201d (Mosiah 18:9). Not only are we to care for those who are hurting, we need to help each family and individual prepare to meet their Savior.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe are made alive in Christ because of our <\/em>faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, \u2026 that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins\u201d (2 Ne. 25:26).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As we minister, we show our love for God. Just think: Jesus Christ bled from every pour as He suffered\"\"<\/a> excruciating pain for every single one of us. Then He hung on a cross where new pain and agony was added upon what He had already suffered. Almost immediately after He resurrected, He visited His friends on the road to Emmaus and His apostles. Then He arrived in the Americas. The record states that He invited them to come one by one (all 2500 of them!) to feel the prints in His hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

I think I can make time to visit and keep careful watch over 2-3 sisters and their families.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Doctrine:<\/span><\/h2>\n

Our leaders have directed us to Mosiah 23:18.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTherefore, they did watch over their people, and did nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Needs have to be met temporally in order for spiritual needs to be satisfied. So, while we all need to be on the lookout for opportunities to help a family overcome temporal hardships, the true ministry lies in their spiritual wellbeing. This is the difference between Ministering and Visiting Teaching. We want to help our families become temporally whole (as needed) so we can help them become spiritually whole.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFor behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness\u201d (Moroni 7:30).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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How Do We Do This According to Church Directive?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It may be helpful to know what leaders have been taught about the regular interviews.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interviews are to be short, flexible\u00a0and customized to each situation, yet these interviews are key to making sure ministering is being administered with love and support. Preferably, interviews are to be held with companionships, but a quick text, FaceTime, or catch in the hallway may be used for a quick update. Elder Christofferson emphasized, \u201cOne a quarter is a floor, not a ceiling,\u201d so interviews can happen anywhere, anytime and they can be initiated by the ministering sister as well as her leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are to be no forms to fill out, no check marks, and no guilt trips. The leader is to offer guidance when necessary, appropriate training, and most of all, words of encouragement. The interview has a specific focus: to find out how each family is doing and what can be done to help them build their families in the kingdom of God. The ministering sisters have the power to use inspiration to offer appropriate solutions. Tip: The leader is advised to keep private notes in order to follow-up on certain action items.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Not all families have problems all the time. However, they still need a friend and spiritual support, so be sure to create a relationship, so that when there is any kind of problem, they know they can call on you for needed support.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0We are encouraged to be creative, sincere, consistent, and keep things simple. But all our ministering should have a more refined purpose. Elder Christofferson said to \u201cact with the end in mind.\u201d It might be interesting to discuss as a Relief Society what that simple phrase might mean.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Long-term Purposes and Results<\/span><\/h2>\n

Inspiration is a key ingredient in knowing how best to fulfill the needs of our sisters. Don\u2019t shy away from prayer, either for your sisters or with your sisters. Encourage scripture discussions together offering strength and hope. Follow promptings so both you and your sister are strengthened and bonded together.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brigham Young said, \u201cThe building up of the kingdom of God is to be done by little acts.\u201d How can our simple acts of service build the kingdom of this sister\u2019s family?<\/span><\/p>\n

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4th<\/sup> Sunday Discussions<\/span><\/h2>\n

We have the opportunity to share what we’re learning about ministering for the next six months. Keep in mind: ministering is more spiritual in nature than visiting teaching, so make sure your group discussions are more spiritual in nature. And remember, we have to get out of the \u201cgiving a lesson\u201d mentality, so facilitators might come prepared with one or two questions for each discussion period. Here are some sample ideas and questions:<\/span><\/p>\n