Check out the link I added to my sidebar for this special edition of Meridian Magazine! Note that they post the latest story on top so you should scroll down and read the last story "Meridian Joins an Army of LDS Volunteers Heading to Haiti" first so you can appreciate and follow the journey of these selfless volunteers now in Haiti!
I have been following this amazing story and I know all of you will want to read and help! As I have followed the story of how the spirit of the Lord has touched each of these people, called only by the sweet quiet whisperings of the spirit, to do so much good ON THEIR OWN, it has been a powerful witness of the Lord’s hand in all of our lives as well as my own! I testify that He WILL help us through these last days, and that He is in charge, and that now is the time to redouble all of our efforts to follow the prophet and get our lives in order! God lives — Jesus is the Christ, President Monson is his living prophet and He is guiding his Church and all of our lives! D&C 58: 27-28 teaches us this principle: "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; for the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward." These wonderful volunteers are perfect examples of this, and faith like theirs, is the reason MIRACLES still happen!
Makes me want to do more good in the world today!
Hello 2024
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I'm writing this post to let you know I'm back. After a very tricky year
in 2023, I hope I will keep up much better with the events of our chapter
here...
2 months ago
During the Orlando Florida Temple Open House & Dedication in 1994, I was given responsibility for all special needs visitors to the temple. From the many stakes involved, it was easy to accrue the dozens of volunteers needed to push dozens of wheelchairs through the temple tour each day… (this was Florida afterall….) A new slew of recruits would line a narrow hall every four hours to be trained in the fine art of pushing a wheelchair. Anticipation shone in their eyes. They had come - many from stakes hours away – wanting to serve, willing to learn; just bursting with excitement at being a part of this historic event. My job, it seemed to me, was not only to see that the elderly, disabled, blind and deaf were served, but to facilitate the experience these volunteers had come for. I told them they reminded me of the ancient American saints who had traveled to their temple in Bountiful, eager for a spiritual experience. On that occasion, I asked, who were the first people Jesus called to Him after addressing the whole? The volunteers gave the same answer every time: the children, they said. Of course that is everyone’s favorite part of the story, so it’s no wonder we immediately think of it. In actuality, however, Jesus called for the children only after He had called for and ministered to the “sick among you…the lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner” (3 Nephi 17:7). He meant to tend to those who were hurting as immediately as possible; to relieve their suffering, and the distress of their loved ones without delay. The multitude responded instantly and in unison: “…and when he had thus spoken, all the multitude with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted…” (3 Nephi 17:9). Note the spontaneity of the multitude: “with one accord”. There was no line leader, no assignment by committee. And note that Jesus did not add: “Everyone in alphabetical order, please.” Anxious to help their friends and family, but even more eager to please Jesus, everyone was as concerned and thoughtful of each other as they were for their own. They waited, they took turns; I imagine they assisted one another in transporting the hurt among them. In this miraculous movement of the masses, no one directed but the Spirit, and everyone’s needs were met. This is a great type for us as a Relief Society. Bishop Pickett or Sister Swapp cannot know or fulfill every need in the ward, but as a SOCIETY, we can become more aware of each other, and then, when we see a need, jump in without delay or assignment to help out when possible and appropriate. We should follow the Savior’s example in alleviating one another’s hurts and lightening one another's burdens. And that, like the Nephite multitude, do it spontaneously of our “own free will” (D&C 58:26-27). I testify that if we can do that, we will see miracle after miracle -- just like they did that day in Bountiful (3 Nephi 17-19).
ReplyDeleteBonnie, the above was an essay our RS Presidency asked me to write for our ward newsletter....I thought it seconded the testimony in your poignant post and so have quoted it verbatim. LOVE YOU!
ReplyDeleteOh Mona that was just beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Every time I have read this account in the Book of Mormon, my heart has yearned to be there. Thank you for painting this picture. I'm certain it was just as you said, and just as it is in Haiti now, and just as it will always be where Saints who love the Lord gather spontaneously to give help and strength to one another in need!
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