Eyring - Opportunities to Do Good - April 2011

President Eyring speaks of doing good to those that are in need.  He shares multiple examples of people over his lifetime that have been in need and how the members of the church have helped God's children in their time of crisis.  He speaks of the love that we have to have to do these kinds deeds in Christ's name.

• My purpose today is to describe some of the opportunities He has provided for us to help others in need. I cannot speak of them all in our brief time together. My hope is to renew and strengthen your commitment to act.
  

He speaks of people that see someone in need, and then turn that sympathy into action.  When we do this, we will be blessed.

• They turned their feelings of sympathy into a decision to act on their covenants. I have seen the blessings that come to the person in need who receives help and to the person who seizes the opportunity to give it.
  

In light of the 75th anniversary of the church welfare program, he gives us four principles that will help us make the most of our service to others and have a great effect on ourselves at the same time.

• We celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Church welfare program this year. It was started to meet the needs of those who lost employment, farms, and even homes in the wake of what became known as the Great Depression. Great temporal needs of the children of Heavenly Father have come again in our time as they have and as they will in all times. The principles at the foundation of the Church welfare program are not for only one time or one place. They are for all times and all places. Those principles are spiritual and eternal. For that reason, understanding them and putting them down into our hearts will make it possible for us to see and take opportunities to help whenever and wherever the Lord invites us.
  
• First, all people are happier and feel more self-respect when they can provide for themselves and their family and then reach out to take care of others.
  • When I am generous to Heavenly Father’s children in need, He is generous to me.
    
• A second gospel principle that has been a guide to me in welfare work is the power and blessing of unity.
  • When we join hands to serve people in need, the Lord unites our hearts.
    
• Draw your family into the work with you so that they can learn to care for each other as they care for others.
  • Your sons and daughters who work with you to serve others in need will be more likely to help each other when they are in need.
    
• It is the duty of the bishop to find and provide help to those who still need assistance after all they and their families can do.
  • I found that the Lord sends the Holy Ghost to make it possible to “seek, and ye shall find” in caring for the poor as He does in finding truth. But I also learned to involve the Relief Society president in the search. She may get the revelation before you do.
    

He speaks of the churches call to have a day of service.  This program continues today in the church.  He gives us three suggestions as we plan for this event.

• I will make three suggestions as you plan your service project.
  • First, prepare yourself and those you lead spiritually. Only if hearts are softened by the Savior’s Atonement can you see clearly the goal of the project as blessing both spiritually and temporally the lives of the children of Heavenly Father.
  • My second suggestion is to choose as recipients of your service people within the kingdom or in the community whose needs will touch the hearts of those who will give the service.
  • My last suggestion is to plan to draw on the power of the bonds of families, of quorums, of auxiliary organizations, and of people you know in your communities. The feelings of unity will multiply the good effects of the service you give. And those feelings of unity in families, in the Church, and in communities will grow and become a lasting legacy long after the project ends.

My family and countless numbers of other families have been blessed to participate in the church welfare program.  I have seen the program being light and hope to people that are struggling with the basic necessities in life.  I have seen it provide comfort to those that have nothing.  How grateful I am to be part of a church that sees the obligation to care for those in need with compassion.  Truly the principles that are at work within the Church Welfare Program and inspired by a loving Father in Heaven who calls upon us to help His children along the journey of life.  I believe the Church Welfare Program is a means to help people with their physical needs so the Lord can then work with them on their spiritual needs.  It is difficult to focus on your spiritual needs when you physical, emotional and mental needs are all in crisis.  I am grateful to be part of a church that sees the need for help, and acts in the way the Savior would act.