“Sisters take care of each other, watch out for each other, comfort each other, and are there for each other through thick and thin. The Lord has said, “I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” ~ Bonnie L. Oscarson

Last week I presented musical Relief Society program for a ward’s 17th of March Party. I promised a notes from that night, and here is some of what was presented, interspersed with some of my music. My assigned topic was: Minstering to one another in our ward – not just through visiting teaching, but as the Savior would do.

I started off talking about two scriptural accounts that happened during the last week of His mortal ministry:

Woman #1: Widow’s mite – Mark 12:44

While at the temple that week, the Savior saw a poor widow throw two of these tiny coins (a lepton, probably made of copper or brass and worth less than all others), into the temple treasury. He gathered His disciples and said that this woman’s offering, though of the smallest amount, was greater than anyone else’s, for “she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living”.

What mattered to Him was her willingness to give, not the size of her offering. He showed yet again that “the Lord seeth not as man seeth; … the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7) and that “my ways [are] higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:9).

Woman #2: Mary – Mark 14:3-6, 8

3 ¶ And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

8 She hath done what she could:

Elder James E. Talmage stated: “To anoint the head of a guest with ordinary oil was to do him honor; to anoint his feet also was to show unusual and signal regard; but the anointing of head and feet with spikenard, and in such abundance, was an act of reverential homage rarely rendered even to kings. Mary’s act was an expression of adoration; it was the fragrant outwelling of a heart overflowing with worship and affection” (Jesus the Christ, 512).

In the scriptures we taught many things that sometimes are difficult to understand and reconcile. For example:

Judge not BUT ALSO… judge righteously…

Hold up our lights BUT ALSO… be thou humble…

Children of God BUT ALSO… dust of the earth…

Defend the gospel BUT ALSO… avoid contention…

Serve, lift up others, mourn with those that mourn, (bake casseroles! haha) BUT ALSO… not run faster than we have strength (how is THIS possible?!)…

It’s tricky to understand how the gospel is to be applied, but I love how the Savior cut through traditions, culture, cynicism, and criticism to teach a higher law. Christ is the WAY, the truth and the life. The WAY in which we do things, see things, say things and through His grace, we are made whole. When we apply His spirit (according to His will and His law) to all that we do, things always work out. We need to trust in His plan.

So, I started out the evening with these two stories and these thoughts to add balance to the rest of what I would say. I didn’t want anyone going away that night feeling overwhelmed at what is required of us as covenant women, but to go home with ideas on how they could make their hearts more like the Savior’s and with increased faith to do so. As I spoke, I asked them to remember the examples of these two woman – for we are also like them from time to time.

I wanted them to remember that the Lord is mindful of our offerings, and through the spirit, we will know whether how to reconcile what the Lord is requiring from us individually. Whether our efforts are perceived by others as too much, or too little, is of no consequence to the Lord. It matters more what He thinks – and we can get our pats on the back from Him. Also, each woman within our wards and stakes is loving much and doing what they can. We are not called to judge – we are called to love.

She Loves Much
By Sara Lyn Baril

Her list is long, so much to be done;
Too often time slips away.
And even the noblest of intentions
Are sometimes lost in a busy day.
But the Lord knows her heart, so He makes up the rest.
And because she serves with her all, she is blessed.

Chorus
For she loves much and does what she can.
And in this way she meets each demand.
With her faith in the Lord, she finds strength in His word.
After all she can do, she loves much.

To her it seems she gave just a mite,
But it was all she could give.
Yet never a service goes unnoticed.
The Lord accepts every offered gift.
For she’s pure in her heart, so He makes up the rest.
And because He sacrificed for all, she is blessed.

Repeat Chorus

After all she can do, she loves much.

Copyright © 2009 Sara Lyn Baril

Many of my thoughts that evening were taken from a book called “A Heart Like His” by Virginia Pearce. This book was life-changing for me. It taught me how ministering can work. It’s all about being aware of the condition of our hearts. It’s about making ourselves available for service and weaving ministering into our day to day interactions, through the spirit, as these opportunities present themselves. It requires being in-tune, which ultimately blesses our own lives because we must be listening and living right to qualify for those spiritual nudges. In short, having a heart like His, blesses others and us! This book is a must-read!

 

A few years ago, I was asked to write a song for a Stake Relief Society conference in Nova Scotia based on this book. I poured over the pages to try to capture what their vision for their stake was. I loved doing the project and the song was performed by a choir of women out there. What I didn’t expect, however, is how the assignment would bless me by reading and studying this book. It helped me to feel the love of the Lord more often and stronger than ever before and has been a reminder to me, when faced with opportunities to serve, that I must do just that. There will always be a thousand excuses why ministering doesn’t fit into my life, but the Lord is asking us to make it fit. He needs us – and we need these opportunities.

A Heart Like His
By Sara Lyn Baril

The things I plan seem pressing
Yet when I kneel in prayer
And dedicate my day to Him
My will disappears
For there’s also someone praying
That help will come
May I be their answer?
May I be the one?

Chorus
As my hands become the Lord’s
I feel his gentle touch.
As my mind thinks on His words
I know I’m given much.
As I act upon each whispering
With purest charity,
My heart becomes like His and I feel peace.
When I’m pulled by worldly things
I will take no heed;
For somebody’s heart is aching
Only I can fill their need.
As I give each day unto the Lord
And humbly serve for Him,
My heart is changed to a heart like His
And love abides within.

I often pray for blessings;
To feel his love inspire.
Yet answers lie within me
That fill my soul’s desire.
As I let my heart be softened
Through Jesus Christ,
My prayer becomes answered
In sweet sacrifice.

Repeat Chorus

Copyright © 2008 Sara Lyn Baril

 

Dallin H. Oaks: “In contrast to the institutions of the world which teach us to KNOW something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to BECOME something. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan by which we can become what children of God are supposed to become. Charity is something one BECOMES.”

So how can we “become” what the Savior needs us to be? How to we become His hands on earth to minister to our sisters and to the needs that we see?

In Alma 32:28 “The word is good for it beginneth to enlarge my soul.”

Is it possible that through learning and applying the Lord’s words that we can do this?In 3^rd Nephi 19:33 it reads: “And their hearts were open and they did understand.”

How can we open our hearts? And how can we apply our understanding of the gospel to reach those within our influence?

Joseph Smith said: “As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your hearts expand, let them be enlarged towards others.”

I think it helps me to remember that when I am serving, I am really serving the Lord.

 

Then Alma says in Alma 29:9: “….I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.”

And in Alma 24:8 “ I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his spirit to soften our hearts”

Thank goodness for the Holy Ghost to guide us, mould us and shape us to have soft, squishy hearts that want to serve and help us to know how.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said “ Be not faithless but believing” Believe in yourselves. Believe in your capacity to do some good in this world. God sent us here for a purpose and that was to improve the world in which we live. The wonderful thing is we can do it!”

The ever optimistic prophet. So much we can learn from him.

Then, I shared with the Relief Society Sisters about the “As If Principle“. I believe this powerful concept will help us to create hearts that can minister. Some people are blessed with ministering hearts as spiritual gifts. The rest of us can develop these spiritual gifts as we act “as if” we already possess them.

 

You’ve probably heard the phrase: “Where much is given, much is required.” I like what Bonnie Oscarson said: “Where much is required MUCH MORE will be given.” Faith in this principle is what gives fuel to DO what is required — to act as if we already have all the skills, knowledge and abilities to do so. We can aspire. We can try. The Lord will help us. We are promised eternal potential. We are promised all that He has. We will be guided as we seek His help.

I believe that as we move forward with faith, the Lord will provide what we lack. He will give us the light we need to share, as we seek His light. We need not worry so much. As we move steady on ‘as if’ we have it all together, we will grow into the responsibilities placed on our shoulders, be prompted to know how He would use us best. We can light the world in simple ways.

Mary Lou Kownacki said “ There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story.”

Isn’t it true in visiting teaching or in callings, or in any relationship – that once we take the time to really get to know someone, we love them more and understand them more? I think we can miss some valuable friendships in life if we judge before we get to know someone.

Boyd K. Packer teaches us that we should trust everyone – unless they give us a reason not to – not the other way around:

“A few years ago I indulged on one occasion in some introspection and found there were reasons why I didn’t like myself very well. Foremost among them was the fact that I was suspicious of everyone. When I met someone, 1 had in mind this thought: “What’s his motive? What’s he going to try to do?” This came about because I had been badly manipulated, abused by someone I trusted. Cynicism and bitterness were growing within. I determined to change and made a decision that I would trust everyone. I have tried to follow that role since. If someone is not worthy of trust, it is his responsibility to show it—not mine to find it out.”

Give A Little More
by Sara Lyn Baril

There are people all around us
Opportunities in view
And if your spirits need a lift
There’s something you can do.
Just look to find someone in need
No doubt, they’ve offered prayer
For God will always work through us
To let them know He’s there.

Chorus

You don’t have to know someone
To give of your heart
You don’t have to change something
Just be who you are.
And if you find you’re moved upon
To open up your door,
You don’t have to know someone
To give a little more.

Maybe things for your aren’t perfect
They might be downright bad
But like I said if you need joy
Find someone else who’s sad.
You really don’t need to look far
Close by is far enough
And as you share in simple ways,
You will find God’s love.

Repeat Chorus

You don’t have to know someone
To give a little more.

© Copyright 2014 by Sara Lyn Baril

We are all children of God. We are called to serve and minister to our sisters. Our SISTERS. Literal spirit sisters, and daughters of God. What a sacred call the Lord has entrusted us with.

C.S. Lewis once said:

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which,

if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.”

My belief is that when we begin to see ourselves as daughters of God, it is far easier to see others also as children of God. When we are filled with the love of God, it spills out into all of our interactions. We are in the frame of mind, when we allow God’s love to touch us and allow the Atonement to work in our lives to better “take care of each other, watch out for each other, comfort each other, and are there for each other through thick and thin”.

Mother Theresa once said, “Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.”

This is difficult to do when we feel shriveled up inside. We must, for our sake – and for those who need us – allow God’s love to sink deep into our souls. We do this by drinking of His living water, feasting upon His word, and allowing our hearts to become soft, enlarged, and filled with His love to then love others.

He does all of this through mere, imperfect, yet full of potential, mere mortals – such as us.

Lloyd D. Newell said: “When we risk sharing our real feelings, we develop relationships of understanding and trust. For we cannot really care or be card for, love or be loved, understand or be understood, unless we are willing to open our treasures of time, substance, and self.”

Visiting teaching is one way that can unify us and create those opportunities, but that is just the surface – an exercise that will help condition our hearts for something even greater. We are being called to minister to one another as the Savior would, which asks more of us than a scheduled once a month visit.

Some of you may be confused by the new visiting teaching protocol and what is expected. What are we supposed to do? Sister Sharon Eubank said, “Do what she needs.” The new call to minister will encourage women in the church to stop worrying about “what counts” for visiting teaching and each month we will be given ideas to help visiting teachers focus on strengthening each woman they visit. We are being taught how to walk as the Savior would walk. Instead of being provided the loaves and fishes, we are being taught how to catch fish and bake the bread. He needs us. I feel like the Lord molding and shaping us into a Zion people by letting go of our hands just a little and asking us to extend our faith.

Sister Bingham, our General RS president said, “We want to help sisters understand how to really care for and strengthen each sister.”

I believe the integrity of the Saints is being tested. We are being asked to minister more like Jesus Christ, and to take more initiative through the spirit. The world is such that we need more intuitiveness, and this will require stretch on our part, but yield great growth. As we serve as the Savior, we do it more as a one-on-one approach. The gospel has never been about collectiveness. It’s always been about the individual. We are being asked to get to know our sisters, to strengthen their faith, and provide service and personalize our messages to them.

More than ever before, there is a great hastening of the work happening to prepare for our Savior’s coming, and we need each other.

As Lucy Mack Smith said, we need to cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together”.

In D & C 108:7 we read, “Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and all your doings.”

The Lord is asking a little more of us. We can do this as we put away pride and lengthen our stride; as we remember who we are and who our sisters are, as we seek to love much and do what we can – and remembering that as we serve others, we are serving the Lord. He will help us. As we make our hearts like the Savior’s and hold up His light, we can bring unity into our families, our wards, our communities and into the world that all can be safely gathered in. This is our responsibility as covenant women.

“As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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Learn more about the ministering program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.