From the beginning of time, the Lord has taught that to become His people we need to be of one heart and one mind. The Savior also explained that the two great commandments in the law are "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" and "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Lastly, soon after the Church was restored, the Lord commanded the Saints to "visit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief."
What is the common theme in all these commandments? It is that we must love one another and serve one another. This is, in fact, the essence of discipleship in the true Church of Jesus Christ.
This reminds me of the scripture that is found in Mosiah 2:17:
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.
James E. Faust had this to say:
The word for disciple and the word for discipline both come from the same Latin root—discipulus, which means pupil. It emphasizes practice or exercise. Self-discipline and self-control are consistent and permanent characteristics of the followers of Jesus, as exemplified by Peter, James, and John, who indeed “forsook all, and followed him.”
What is discipleship? It is primarily obedience to the Savior. Discipleship includes many things. It is chastity. It is tithing. It is family home evening. It is keeping all the commandments. It is forsaking anything that is not good for us. Everything in life has a price. Considering the Savior’s great promise for peace in this life and eternal life in the life to come, discipleship is a price worth paying. It is a price we cannot afford not to pay. By measure, the requirements of discipleship are much, much less than the promised blessings.
Let us consider some of the things Jesus did that we can all emulate.
1. Jesus “went about doing good.” 6 We can all do something good every day—for a family member, a friend, or even a stranger—if we will look for those opportunities.
2. Jesus was the Good Shepherd who watched over His sheep and had concern for those that were lost. 7 We can seek out the lonely or those who are less active and befriend them.
3. Jesus had compassion on many, including a poor leper. 8 We too can have compassion. We are reminded in the Book of Mormon that we are “to mourn with those that mourn.” 9
4. Jesus bore witness of His divine mission and of His Father’s great work. For our part, we can all “stand as witnesses of God at all times.” 10
5. Jesus invited “the little children to come unto [Him].” 11 Our children need our attention and love as well as our care.
In caring for others, the church began a welfare program. Sister Allred:
As we celebrate 75 years of the Church welfare program, we are reminded of the purposes of welfare, which are to help members help themselves become self-reliant, to care for the poor and needy, and to give service. The Church has organized its resources to assist members to provide for the physical, spiritual, social, and emotional well-being of themselves, their families, and others.
What are some things the welfare program does?
•Fast offerings from members used to provide help for others
•Family services, counseling, adoption services
•Bishop storehouses
•The DI - helps employ and train, and provides help to locals as well as humanitarian efforts
•Job help, employment centers
•Emergency preparedness for families and internationally
Sister Allred:
The office of bishop carries with it a special mandate to care for the poor and needy and to administer such resources for the members in his ward. He is assisted in his efforts by priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and in particular, home and visiting teachers.
The bishop is charged with the responsibility of finding out who in the ward is in need and to chart a course for them to become self-reliant again. This is where the Relief Society, as well as the Elders Quorum and other members, can help through discipleship.
When home/visiting teachers end their visits (as they usually do) by asking, "Is there anything we can do?" be sure to tell them if there is. We need to be prepared to accept help and to offer it in our callings. This is partially how the bishop finds out who needs his help.
Relief Society is the way for us as women to help and serve.
Sister Allred:
Relief Society has always been at the heart of welfare. When the Prophet Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society in 1842, he said to the women, "This is the beginning of better days to the poor and needy." He told the sisters that the purpose of the society was "relief of the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan, and for the exercise of all benevolent purposes.. They will pour in oil and wine to the wounded heart of the distressed; they will dry up the tears of the orphan and make the widow's heart to rejoice."
The men are able to provide priesthood authority in service, but still need the help of the women of the church to assist them.
Sister Allred:
He also stated that the society "might provoke the brethren to good works in looking to the wants of the poor - searching after objects of charity, and in administering to their wants - to assist by correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the community."
Men and women of the Church participate jointly today in bringing relief to those in need. Priesthood holders provide essential support for those needing spiritual guidance and help. Inspired home teachers bless lives and provide the blessings of the gospel to every family unit. In addition, they lend their strength and talents in other ways, such as helping a family in need of home repairs, in helping a family move, or in helping a brother find needed employment.
Service doesn't always have to have the "welfare feel" to it, meaning food. Welfare can also refer to the well being of spirit and emotion. We can help one another by doing simple things like lending a hand in babysitting or petsitting, giving our talents to bless one another, or lending an ear.
Sister Allred:
Relief Society presidents visit homes to assess the needs for a bishop. Inspired visiting teachers watch over and care for sisters and families. They are often the first response in times of immediate need. Relief Society sisters provide meals, render compassionate service, and give constant support during times of trial.
This paragraph made me think about how sisters may be important because we might be quicker to open up to one another about the needs of our families and ourselves.
What are some ways we can be self-reliant?
•Food storage
•Eliminate debt
•Stash some money
•Water supply
•Education
•Emergency plans
•Build up testimonies
•Learn some "old school skills" (canning, gardening)
Sister Allred:
As we increase our own level of self-reliance, we increase our ability to help and serve others the way the Savior did. We follow the Savior's example when we minister to the sick, and the suffering. When loves becomes the guiding principle in our care for others, our service to them becomes the gospel in action. It is the gospel in its finest moment. It is pure religion.
We should remember others in our prayers and pray for guidance to find those that we need to be aware of. Also remember that our prayers can be answered through other people that Heavenly Fathers sends to help us. Being self-reliant as well as giving service to others will give us peace in a tumultuous world, joy in emulating Jesus Christ, and companionship in our fellow Church members.
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