Ministering With L.O.V.E. To be Remembered, Named & Nourished ~Moroni 6:4

“True ministering is accomplished one by one with LOVE as the motivation” ~ Jean B. Bingham TO MINISTER IS TO FOLLOW THE SAVIOR’S EXAMPLE Moroni 6:4-5

And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. What is “Ministering”?

The Savior showed by example what it means to minister as He served out of love for His Father and for each person (see John 15:9–10). He loved, taught, prayed for, comforted, and blessed those around Him, inviting all to follow Him (see Mark 8:34). As Church members minister, they prayerfully seek to serve as He would—to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort,” “watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them,” “visit the house of each member,” and help each become a true disciple of Jesus Christ (Mosiah 18:9; D&C 20:53, 51; see also John 13:35).

As members minister, they determine through communication and inspiration the frequency and type of contact they have with those to whom they give care. They counsel with and render an account to their leaders at least once a quarter regarding their service and the needs and strengths of those for whom they have been invited to care. Leaders report these ministering interviews each quarter; they no longer report the number of visits or contacts made to individuals and families. In addition, through a priesthood link to each member, ministering brothers and sisters form a communication network leaders may use in a time of danger or emergency.

Reference: https://www.lds.org/mycalling/ministering-faq?lang=eng Ministering “We will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and administering to others.” President Russell M. Nelson

Dear brothers and sisters, we constantly seek direction from the Lord on how we can help our members keep the commandments of God, especially those two great commandments to love God and our neighbors.

For months we have been seeking a better way to minister to the spiritual and temporal needs of our people in the Savior’s way.

We have made the decision to retire home teaching and visiting teaching as we have known them. Instead, we will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others. We will refer to these efforts simply as “ministering.”

Effective ministering efforts are enabled by the innate gifts of the sisters and by the incomparable power of the priesthood. We all need such protection from the cunning wiles of the adversary.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Jean B. Bingham, General President of the Relief Society, will explain how assigned brethren of the priesthood and assigned sisters of the Relief Society and Young Women will now function in serving and watching over members of the Church throughout the world.

The First Presidency and the Twelve are united in endorsing their messages. Gratefully and prayerfully we open this new chapter in the history of the Church. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

April 2018 General Conference The separate programs of home teaching and visiting teaching are now a coordinated effort referred to as “ministering,” overseen by the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies under the direction of the bishop. Ministering is Christlike caring for others and helping meet their spiritual and temporal needs.

Ministering may include Laurels and Mia Maids as companions to Relief Society sisters, and priests and teachers continue as companions to Melchizedek Priesthood holders.

Reference: First Presidency Letter, April 2, 2018:https://www.lds.org/mycalling/ministering/first-presidency- letter?lang=eng) How is ministering similar to and different from home teaching and visiting teaching?

Ministering is similar to home teaching and visiting teaching in that each household will have priesthood brethren—ministering brothers—to minister to and care for the family or individuals who live there (see D&C 20:47, 59). Each adult sister will have members of the Relief Society—ministering sisters—to minister to and care for her, further reinforcing the emphasis on ministering shared by the Relief Society General Presidency beginning in January 2018

In addition, some requirements of home teaching and visiting teaching have been adjusted to help members minister with greater focus on meeting needs. No longer must contacts always be formal visits. They can take place at home, at church, or in any setting that is safe, convenient, and reachable. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “[What] matters most is how you have blessed and cared for those within your stewardship, which has virtually nothing to do with a specific calendar or a particular location. What matters is that you love your people and are fulfilling the commandment ‘to watch over the church always.’”

In short, ministering is led by the Spirit, it is flexible, and it is customized to the needs of each member.

Reference: https://www.lds.org/mycalling/ministering?lang=eng What does “ministering” look like? Jean B. Bingham Relief Society General President

“Ministering looks like elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies prayerfully counseling about assignments. Rather than leaders just handing out slips of paper, it looks like counseling about the individuals and families in person as assignments are given to ministering brothers and sisters. It looks like going for a walk, getting together for a game night, offering service, or even serving together. It looks like visiting in person or talking on the phone or chatting online or texting. It looks like delivering a birthday card and cheering at a soccer game. It looks like sharing a scripture or quote from a conference talk that would be meaningful to that individual. It looks like discussing a gospel question and sharing testimony to bring clarity and peace. It looks like becoming part of someone’s life and caring about him or her. It also looks like a ministering interview in which needs and strengths are discussed sensitively and appropriately. It looks like the ward council organizing to respond to a larger need.” “Ministering as the Savior Does” April 2018 How is ministering led by the spirit?

As members minister, they seek inspiration to know how best to reach out to others and meet their needs. Would a scheduled visit and regular phone calls to an older sister who lives alone provide the connection she needs? Would an invitation to a less-active young adult to participate in a community project be the most helpful contact? Would supporting a youth’s soccer game help both the youth and her parents? Would texting someone a hope-filled scripture help lighten his burdens? Would a note or card or email show helpful concern? What would the Savior have His servants do? Finding inspired answers to such questions and using all available methods for making contact with those they are assigned is central to inspired ministering. To provide Christlike service, ministering brothers and sisters cannot rely on routine visits or predetermined messages; they seek inspiration and counsel with family members to best care for those to whom they are assigned—using the time and resources they have.

Reference: https://www.lds.org/mycalling/ministering-faq?lang=eng How is ministering customized to the needs of each member?

Ministering brothers and sisters seek to do what best meets individual needs. Every form of communication is available to respond to the promptings of the Spirit and meet the needs of those they serve. Meeting those needs starts with prayerful consideration and with having an informative conversation with the families and individuals they are assigned. In that conversation and in subsequent contacts, they listen to those to whom they minister in order to understand how best to serve, the frequency and type of contact they desire, and the need for and content of messages they share. Those who minister ensure that all communication with any family member is appropriate. Ministering brothers and sisters seek to help individuals and families prepare for their next ordinance, keep the covenants they have made, and become self-reliant. This help may include sharing spiritual messages tailored to an individual or family, though ministering is not principally a message-sharing assignment. The Liahona and Ensign will no longer include specific messages to be used in ministering contacts. Reference: https://www.lds.org/mycalling/ministering-faq?lang=eng How do Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society leaders unify their work?

Working together and under the direction of the bishop, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies have opportunities to be inspired, organized, and coordinated in seeking to watch over and care for each individual and family. Coordination includes working together in the following ways:

Elders quorum presidencies recommend ministering assignments for the individuals and families of the ward. Relief Society presidencies recommend ministering assignments for Relief Society sisters. Where special needs exist, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies may discuss specific assignments before they are finalized.

• Elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies recommend ministering assignments to the bishop for his approval.

• As needed, ministering brothers and sisters may discuss special circumstances of individuals and, when necessary, contact their quorum or Relief Society leaders for additional help and resources.

• Elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies meet quarterly to discuss needs of individuals and families learned through ministering interviews.

• Following that meeting, elders quorum and Relief Society presidents together meet quarterly with the bishop to address the needs of individuals and families.

• As needed, elders quorum and Relief Society leaders counsel with the ward council regarding strengths and needs identified in ministering interviews and make and enact plans to serve and bless ward members.

Reference: https://www.lds.org/mycalling/ministering-faq?lang=eng Ministering With Love Changes Lives “After all is said and done, true ministering is accomplished one by one with love as the motivation. The value and merit and wonder of sincere ministering is that it truly changes lives! When our hearts are open and willing to love and include, encourage and comfort, the power of our ministering will be irresistible. With love as the motivation, miracles will happen, and we will find ways to bring our “missing” sisters and brothers into the all-inclusive embrace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Jean B. Bingham Ministering With L.O.V.E.

L ~ Love her as the Savior loves her Light up her life with kind acts of service Lighten her load as needed Listen to her needs and be a good listener

O~ Openly invite her and include her Offer thine ear to the spirit and include her in your prayers Observe first, then serve Obediently and faithfully watch over her

V~ Valiantly give of your time and talents to help her Value your friendship Volunteer to help her as needed Validate her needs

E~ Earnestly help her to understand her divine worth Ease her mind in times of trouble Edify her with uplifting Christ-centered messages Empower her to seek the Lord’s help By: Hailee Moore Inspirational Quotes on Ministering

“The major work of the world is not done by geniuses. It is done by ordinary people, with balance in their lives, who have learned to work in an extraordinary manner.” ~Gordon B. Hinckley

“…thou shalt lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better.”~ Joseph Smith

“Balance your life with spiritual experiences that remind and prepare you for continued, daily ministering to others.”~ M. Russell Ballard

“The ‘Day of Miracles’ – of visions, healings, and ministering of angels has not ceased.” ~ Craig C. Christensen

“Let us have compassion upon each other, and let the strong tenderly nurse the weak into strength, and let those who can see guide the blind until they can see the way for themselves.” ~ Brigham Young

“Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to ‘succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.’” ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf Additional Resources on Ministering

“Ministering That Matters” Ensign https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/03/ministering-that-matters?lang=eng

“Ministering” by Russell M. Nelson https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/ministering?lang=eng

“The Ministry of Angels” by Jeffrey R. Holland https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the- ministry-of-angels?lang=eng

“What Have I Done for Someone Today?” by Thomas S. Monson https://www.lds.org/general- conference/2009/10/what-have-i-done-for-someone-today?lang=eng

“You Are My Hands” by Dieter F. Uchtdorf https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/you-are-my- hands?lang=eng

“Ministering as the Savior Does” by Jean B. Bingham https://www.lds.org/general- conference/2018/04/ministering-as-the-savior-does?lang=eng

“Be With and Strengthen Them” by Jeffrey R. Holland https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/be- with-and-strengthen-them?lang=eng

“Certain Women” by Linda K. Burton https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/certain- women?lang=eng