A Higher and Holier Ministering Effort 

Gifting at Christmas can be difficult, especially when the celebration really is for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. It should be less difficult, though, if we remember Him, who has literally given us everything. As Elder Renlund reminded us in his Christmas Devotional address, we don’t need to bring gold, frankincense and myrrh; we only need to give the gift of ourself.

The divine gift of ministering is the perfect gift to give our Savior. In the amazing economy of the Lord, our giving results in a multiplicity of gifts back, as He pours out His love and blesses us and our families (Mosiah 2:17). Ministering to others increases our love of God while softening our hearts and causing us to repent. This is the blessing of the covenant we make at baptism and renew each Sunday when we partake of the sacrament. As we stand as witnesses of Christ and His love for each of us by bearing one another’s burdens, mourning with those that mourn, and comforting those that stand in need of comfort (Mosiah 18:8-10), we become more like Him. I invite you to give the Savior the gift of a higher and holier ministering effort over the coming year.

Since the Church retired home/visiting teaching, I have felt that the constraints of trying to assign everyone a companion and 2-3 families or individuals to visit often get in the way of inspired ministering rather than facilitating it. Further, those formalities sometimes limit the effectiveness of ministering interviews, which Elder Holland has said “are absolutely crucial” to making the program effective.

The past few months I have spent a lot of time studying, pondering, and praying about the ministering program; I have pleaded for inspiration to help make it more powerful for the members of our stake. I am particularly concerned for our youth, who need these experiences to develop the testimonies that will prepare them for missions, for temple covenants, and to withstand the “fiery darts of the adversary” in their lives (Ephesians 6:10-18).

After much counseling together, we as a presidency have determined to try a pilot ministering emphasis in our stake, founded in the doctrines of ministering in Chapter 21 of the general handbook and talks given in the April 2018 General Conference (priesthood and Sunday afternoon sessions). We feel if we are grounded in these principles, there can be greater flexibility in the “application” of ministering assignments.

We recently held a training discussion with the stake council, bishops, elders’ quorum, Relief Society, and Young Women presidents. We requested that they focus on ministering interviews that explore what ministering is and how each individual feels they personally fulfill this covenant assignment. We asked them to assume greater freedom to try different ways of making assignments, customized to individual inspiration and talents, while also seeing that all are watched over and cared for. This will likely lead to different ways of organizing ministering in each ward and among members within a ward.

We acknowledge that we don’t have a perfect plan or template. We expect to continue learning and adapting, but we have great faith that the ministering program will blossom in our stake as you feel greater freedom and responsibility to receive revelation for yourself, your family, and those you feel inspired to help. We hope you will join us in this grand experiment as we elevate and consecrate our ministering efforts.

Merry Christmas! Hobble Creek West Stake Presidency