This meeting was much more than just a formal get-together. It’s important because it shows new ways that big churches are working hand-in-hand. It also highlights how much The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints genuinely cares about what the local Roman Catholic leaders are trying to achieve for our communities. Simply put, they have a strong, positive relationship that’s already making a real difference in people’s lives.

Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A Growing Friendship Built on Shared Values

Cardinal David recently returned from Vatican City, where he was one of the cardinals who helped choose Pope Leo XIV. So, he has some very special insights! Elder Kearon, meanwhile, is in the Philippines on a 10-day trip. His goal isn’t just formal meetings, but to truly connect with people and other faith leaders across the country.

“It was wonderful to see Cardinal David again,” Elder Kearon shared. “He always cares for those who might be forgotten. I remembered what Jesus taught in Matthew 25:40 — ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'” This quote beautifully shows that both leaders believe deeply in serving others and helping those in need. This shared value is at the heart of their mission and underlines how much The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints respects and supports the goals of the local Catholic leadership.

They’d actually met before, in August 2024. Then, just a few months later, in December 2024, Archbishop David was named a Cardinal by Pope Francis. During their latest visit, Cardinal David even shared personal stories about the process of choosing the new Pope. He also spoke warmly about how Pope Francis supported him during tough times. It’s clear there are deep, personal connections, even among global faith leaders.

New Partnerships: Directly Supporting Bishop Ambo’s Efforts

This meeting wasn’t just about good feelings; it was about putting faith into action. Elder Kearon deeply admired Cardinal David’s tireless work with the poor and marginalized. And here’s where it gets exciting: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actively stepping up to support these key Catholic projects.

They talked a lot about Cardinal David’s regular visits to “Persons Deprived of Liberty” (PDLs), or people in jail. He gives them spiritual guidance and emotional support. They also discussed ways to help people struggling with drug addiction. Cardinal David wisely sees this as a public health problem, not just a crime. This kind and thoughtful approach is fully supported by the Church.

After their main discussion, Elder Kearon actually joined Cardinal David at a gathering of 250 people who were either on parole or had recently been released from jail. These individuals are part of the Kaagapay Ministry Project. This program, run by the Diocese of Caloocan, helps people recover from drug addiction by offering emotional and psychological support, with the help of dedicated church volunteers. For decades, Cardinal David has been a strong champion for helping people rebuild their lives and find spiritual healing.

To help the Kaagapay Ministry, Elder Kearon gave Cardinal David 30 sets of the Church’s “Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience” books. These guides teach people how to improve their emotional well-being using Christian teachings and practical life skills. What’s more, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also donated 250 food kits and 250 hygiene kits for the parolees and former detainees. This kind of hands-on help makes a big difference and directly supports the goals of the local Catholic outreach.

A History of Trust: Years of Working Together

Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This strong relationship isn’t new; it’s been built over many years. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines have had a strong and lasting friendship. They’ve worked together on many humanitarian projects and built trust through open conversations between their faiths. Cardinal David fondly remembered working with the Church on various projects even when he was just starting his ministry in Pampanga.

Their strong bond was clearly seen in January 2020, when Cardinal David attended a lunch with other faith leaders hosted by Elder Quentin Cook, another top leader from the Church. There, he shared a powerful message about love and service. More recently, in November 2023, when a fire in Navotas City affected 160 families, the Church, working directly with Cardinal David and the Catholic Diocese of Caloocan, quickly provided essential supplies. But they didn’t stop there. Their teamwork led to even more projects, like planting 600 bamboo trees and building two greenhouses to help people get more food and support local jobs.

This latest meeting between Elder Kearon and Cardinal David is more than just a formal visit. It shows a deeper promise to work together and do good for everyone. It clearly shows how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not only building a strong relationship with the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines but is also dedicated to actively helping and improving the vital humanitarian and community work of the local Catholic leaders.

Source: https://news-ph.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-kearon-and-cardinal-david-reconnect-minister-to-parolees-in-caloocan

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We are even counseled in the scriptures to lose ourselves in the service of our fellowmen. This counsel is of course open to a lot of interpretation, but it certainly doesn’t mean throwing ourselves into service until we’ve got nothing else left to give.

Here are some signs that you might be giving too much.

Your help fosters dependence and isn’t helping the person grow. When your help becomes an expectation of continued support, you should take a step back and reassess the situation. Did the person actually make an effort to improve his/her situation? If you had an agreement that they would work on things and progress, did he/she get from Point A to Point B? Or was there no improvement because that person knew you would be there willing to help?

When your help becomes the safety net and an excuse for people not to acquire needed life or professional skills to improve themselves, your help is actually producing unhealthy unintended consequences, both for you and them.

The solution is not to stop helping altogether but to set boundaries and expectations if you are going to provide additional support. Even the Lord sets boundaries in the form of commandments to bless us. And even if He has everything to give us, He doesn’t just pour out every blessing for us, because if He did we wouldn’t have to work for it and grow.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. This metaphor perfectly sums up a lesson some learn the hard way. One tangible example is going into debt to help others financially. It might be tempting to dip into your emergency fund or use money you’ve set aside for your mortgage to help out, but if they weren’t able to uphold their end of the bargain and you ended up in debt, the results wouldn’t help you or them.

A woman once questioned a flight attendant’s instruction to place the mask over your mouth and nose first before assisting others. What could possibly be wrong with helping others first, right?

The fact is, when oxygen masks drop inside an airplane, it means that the oxygen level has dropped so dangerously low that one can lose consciousness quickly. If you don’t make putting on your mask a priority, you’ll very likely not able to help anyone.

There’s a reason why Latter-day Saints are taught that people are better able to serve and care for others when they are self-reliant temporally and spiritually. It’s because people can’t really pour from an empty cup. You can’t really give what you do not have.

You don’t feel at peace when you give. When giving leaves you up all night worrying and feeling exhausted or emotionally depleted, you should pause and start taking care of yourself. Take your feelings seriously as these feelings can be a precursor to depression, which is harder to recover from.

It may feel wrong to give priority to your peace of mind over the needs of others but doing so is critical. If you don’t, you can spiral into an unhealthy mental, emotional, and even physical state. This does not mean that you’re selfish or uncaring in any way. It means recalibrating, refortifying, and restoring yourself so you can get back to a state where you can help again.

Giving or helping others, whatever that may mean in your situation, is noble but you also owe it to yourself to set personal parameters to protect yourself from “generosity burnout”. God sent us here to Earth to thrive and reach our full potential and we can’t do that if we spread ourselves too thin. The good news is that when that happens, we can count on the Savior’s promise, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. He is aware of our burdens and the compassion we feel towards others. He will strengthen us so we are better able to lift others in such a way that won’t require us to “run more than [we have] strength.”

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Listen

Depression can make people feel empty, confused, and easily overwhelmed. Most people with this illness do not need tons of advice – a listening ear is enough. Joe – a returned missionary living far from family – said “Giving your time and attention to someone who is struggling can help a lot.” Elaine, a 25 year old accounting staff, said “Just making us feel that what we’re feeling and saying truly matter is enough for us.”

When reaching out to a depressed loved one or friend, always be willing to listen. Be patient, especially when they’re pouring their hearts out to you. Finding what to say can be difficult but as you listen with real intent to the person you’re helping, and if you listen to the promptings of the Spirit, it will help “tell you all things what ye should do.”

Never Judge

Judgment – it easily clouds our desire to help, and even our love to those we are helping. An important element in offering help to people with depression is to serve without judgment. Let’s leave the judgment to Heavenly Father and come to the doorsteps of the people we serve without any desire to judge. Jelly, a young mother who approached her best friend who was reluctant to admit he has depression, shares “When my friend opened up to me the main cause of his depression, I was taken aback. I did not expect his admission. In that moment, I had two choices – reprimand him for his actions, or just let him talk and share his feelings. I did the latter, and I felt it was the right choice.” Reach out with love without any hint of judgment – it will bring miracles as you serve.

Helping people with depression can simply mean being their friend, showing a willingness to listen without judging.

Be Present, Be a Friend

Reynald, a young man who has friends suffering from depression, says “one of the best things we can do is to let them know someone cares for them, someone has their back.” Being there doesn’t mean talking, giving advice, and trying to be bubbly in the hopes that your friend will feel the same. Being present means truly being there, to listen even if you don’t understand; to stay quiet even if you’re tempted to say things; and to recognize that most times, their life isn’t happy or hopeful. Simply be there. Let them know they will have a friend – one who may not understand them 100% – who will be with them when the going gets tough.

Understand Their Need to be Alone

Anjie, a young lady who has depression, says “What people don’t understand is when a person is depressed, all they want is to be alone. Sometimes, random visits – no matter how well-meaning – can cause me extreme stress.” When asked what she wants her future visitors to know, she said “Sending a message never fails. Informing us ahead of time of your plans to visit can help us prepare emotionally. Most of the time, we’re too tired to entertain people. However, if you’ve informed us ahead of time, it gives us the chance to prepare.” When visiting to a friend, send a text or a message on Facebook. Respect their decision to be alone and suggest another date if the need arises.

Recognize their Struggles

One young woman named Tri says “By simply recognizing that depression is real is enough help already. The first thing you can and should do is educate yourself about depression and have an open mind about it. Understand that the brain is just like any other organ in our body and that means that it too is very much prone to illnesses. People often disregard it as “nag-aarte” and belittle those who have it (or claim to have it). The last thing that people suffering from depression is someone telling them that they’re overreacting, that some people have it worse, or to have people compare it to what they went through.”

It’s easy to question the struggles of people with depression – especially when one doesn’t have a full grasp of its effects. Extend help to a depressed loved one or friend by making them know you honor their feelings and that their feelings are real. By letting them know that someone can see their struggles, and someone is willing to help them through the struggles is a big help.

Encourage Them to Seek All Available Help

One way to serve a person who’s going through depression is to encourage them to seek all the help they can find – spiritual, psychological and medical. Encourage them to talk to proper priesthood leaders, and refer support groups and doctors that can help with their illness. Healing is a long, and painful process. However, when adequate help is given, healing is very much possible.

Follow Christ’s example

Extending help to people with depression can also be overwhelming. When you’re unsure on what to do, turn to the One who knows the feelings of the people we’re serving. Jesus Christ suffered for your friend, for your loved one. He knows what are their needs and yearnings. When things are hard to understand, pray to the Father to help you know what Christ would do. In the toughest moments, asking help from the Father, and never ignoring promptings can help save a life. Let all you do be done with love, ask the Father for help, and always listen to promptings on what to do. It will be hard, but you will be guided.

Not of us will understand the bitter cup which is depression. However, all of us can help each other get through the challenging times by ministering, by serving. Make the hard, tough times more bearable – extend help to your loved one or friend suffering from depression even though you don’t always understand everything. .

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“Mom, don’t you have any dreams at all?”

Her simple answer left me pondering about life’s real purpose. She said, referring to my siblings and me:

“I gave up on my dream in exchange for fulfilling three people’s dreams.”

I will never forget that. As a strong and independent woman (or so I thought), I was ready to tell my mother how much she missed out in life by failing to have a career. However, I realized that I was wrong all along. I had a narrow perspective. My mother never lost anything, but she gained a lot by enriching other people’s lives through her sacrifice and service. This conversation led me to a famous scriptural paradox about finding through losing.

The Paradox of Finding through Losing

Jesus said, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39).  I remember reading this verse and being confused, “What was that suppose to even mean? How can I lose myself then find it? The two are contradicting concepts. Fortunately, the late President Thomas S. Monson gave a clear explanation regarding this matter:

“I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.” 1

Now that I think about it, the model life I want to follow – that of Jesus Christ – is a life full of service. For thirty odd years, [He] went about doing good” (Acts10:38).  Jesus Christ suffered, bled, and died for others’ sake – for ours. In doing so, He gained eternal life and was able to extend the same opportunity for us all. I would not call Jesus Christ’s life as a life in vain! He lived the most purposeful life on Earth because He offered His whole life to others. Just like my mother. This is the blessing of service.

So, if you ever want to find your life or to have a purpose, lose yourselves in the service to others. You don’t know how? Well, here are a few suggestions:

Ways to Lose Yourselves in Service to Others

Listen

I think to listen as a service is not very well thought of. Based on my own experience, sometimes, what people just want is for someone to truly listen to them. And when I say listen, it means being all ears for that person. It means not thinking about what to say next while someone is talking, not interrupting them in the middle of a sentence, or misinterpreting their words. To listen is to truly understand another.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Perhaps even more important than speaking is listening. … If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit.”

Spend Quality Time

One of my favorite quotes from General Conference addresses is from Elder Uchtdorf. He said that “love is really spelled time.” 3 I want to modify this quote a bit and add quality before time:

Love is really spelled quality time.

It is possible for us to spend time with our family, friends, and fellow men without really giving them our time at all. I have seen a lot of family dinner out with young teens glued to their mobile phone the whole night or a catch-up with friends where none of them is talking because they are busy updating their social media statuses. When we say spend time with another, we should really give them our full attention. I think it beats the purpose of spending time together when you are distracted the whole time.

Send Messages and Give a Call

There are times when we cannot render our services to others “in person” because of geographical boundaries and other constraints. With modern technology though, we can still serve others even from miles away. Now, serving can be done with just a few mouse clicks. When feel prompted by the Spirit, send someone a personal message on Facebook or call someone to ask about their day. Such simple gestures can go a long way.

With the recent instructions from the prophet regarding ministering, there are more ways you can do to serve others. Kneel and ask God to help you find opportunities to serve then get on your feet and go to work.

The post How We Truly Find Ourselves When We Lose It in Service appeared first on morefaith.ph.

To ministering brothers and sisters, this active member still needs you.

Like you, I always thought that I no longer needed to visit those members who were always there on Sundays, and who were involved in their Church callings and responsibilities. It is safe to say that I often assumed that with their strong testimony of the gospel, they no longer needed what I had to say.

But ministering friends, this active member still needs you.

We all have daily struggles not often seen during Sunday services. It is always refreshing when someone visits to remind us what matters most in life — the gospel. Don’t hesitate to share your testimony, no matter how simple you think it is. It is a blessing when we see your great love and commitment to the Lord. We may not say it, but your example of service and love for the gospel strengthens us too — especially during times of unspoken struggles.

Yes, in times of struggles, this active member still needs you.

Our smiling faces and positive outlook in life may make you skip our names on the list, but please remember that visiting us can be a balm in Gilead. Some of you may be worried that the help you’re offering — financially and spiritually — may not be enough, but please know that even faithful members of the Church can still find comfort in a big tight hug, a simple home-cooked meal, or a sweet, sincere question like “How are you doing?”

Your simple acts of kindness can go a long way. Your efforts to reach out to us help us feel loved and cared for. Sometimes, what a weary soul really needs is just someone who reaches out in love.

This active member looks up to you.

You may think that because some members are so strong in the faith, no simple visit, no ordinary lesson will be enough. But sometimes, more than the lesson, there’s another thing that counts: your effort to serve. As we see you serving with all your might despite financial limitations or physical challenges, you show us Christlike love. When you come to us, even without knowing what we truly, deeply feel, you help us realize the truth that indeed, the Lord sends angels to rally for us when we feel downtrodden.

So to the ministering members, if ever you feel too inadequate to visit an active member of the Church, please be strengthened by this beautiful quote by Sister Virginia Jensen: “[Members] in all life circumstances have opportunities to nurture and build others within their sphere of influence.”

We too need your care, your testimony, and your example. We believe in you. We believe in the blessings that will come as you extend your ministering efforts to us. Come knock on an active member’s door soon.

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Many people find joy in giving. Some may even see more meaning in life when doing so. However, when circumstances turn in life and we are the ones who need help, we may sometimes feel hesitant to seek help from others because we do not want to bother other people by our situation. Some feel uncomfortable receiving help from others. Some want to resolve problems on their own. While some think less of themselves if they seek help from others. We have our own personal reasons why we do not want to receive help from others but the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us that it is okay to be vulnerable and receive help from others when we need it.

In the Book of Mosiah, the Lord commanded us “to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; … mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort…” This commandment is not one-sided. If we are the ones always giving help and service, it does not mean that others cannot offer us help and service. It is okay to feel that we can solve problems on our own but it is also okay to share our burdens with others. Family, friends and acquaintances can pray and fast for us, rally with us in our battles and understand us better if they know what we are currently going through. It is also important to know that seeking help is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is a sign of humility to recognize that there are certain things we cannot do on our own.

We might think that we would rather ask for Heavenly Father’s help than ask for our neighbor’s help. But our families, friends and neighbors are God’s hands here on earth, and in many cases, He sends the help we need through them. Recognizing this helps us to be more comfortable receiving help.

Seeking help can also empower others, especially those who feel weak, to extend the help they are able give. This can give us a better perspective on our own problems as we help someone else bear their burden as well as having others around us. It unites people by increasing love and concern for others. Moreover, it dispels the myth that you are the only one who might feel weak, or that church members with perfect lives are the ones who give more service. Our Heavenly Father will guide and give us the strength to help and serve his children in big or small ways.

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Do you half-heartedly say “yes” then along the way, you become like the steam from a bowl of hot rice, slowly vanishing into thin air?

Are you like a bubble that suddenly disappears? Do you shy away or avoid some tasks that may be inconvenient or unpleasant to you?

Or do you willingly give all your time, talent and effort to fulfill the calling the Lord has entrusted to you?

Jesus told a parable of two sons.

“A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard.”

“He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.”

“And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.”

“Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first…” (Matthew 21:28)

MAGNIFY

As I put binoculars to my eyes and focus on a certain object from afar, I begin to see things that are way too distant and too small to view normally, in a closer and larger image. When you magnify your vision, you get a better picture on what lies ahead.

As President Gordon B. Hinckley interpreted it, to magnify is “to enlarge, to make more clear, to bring closer, and to strengthen.”

Accepting the call to serve in the church, whether as a ward missionary, Sunday school teacher or auxiliary leader, means that we commit to fulfill the duties and responsibilities that go along with it without any reservation.

HOW TO MAGNIFY YOUR CALLING

 1. Know your calling.

In Doctrine and Covenants 107: 99, it says, “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.

Once your bishop has extended you a calling, he then explains or gives you an overview of what your main calling is about.

You may refer to the Church Handbook of Instructions as guide and other online resources to help you know fully your duties and responsibilities.

Moreover, you may seek help from leaders or the person who previously held that calling for some advice on how you can better magnify your calling.

2. Do it.

President Thomas S. Monson asks, “How does one magnify a calling?” He said, “Simply by performing the service that pertains to it.”

It won’t be easy at first. It’s normal to feel that you’re inadequate but never be overshadowed by your inadequacy. Pray for strength to overcome your shortcomings and just do it.

Remember this work is not yours and mine alone. It’s His. President Monson promised, “When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.”

3. Give your 100% effort.

There will be times when you don’t know what to do or how to do it. And that’s okay! Don’t expect perfection in all things you do. The Lord will send people in your midst to help guide you.

Part of your calling will involve attending your weekly meetings. Strive to be present always in those meetings so you can better prepare, plan and determine ways and means to help others.

You only need to “serve Him with all your heart, might, mind and strength.” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:2) Just give your 100% effort and the Lord will add his power to your efforts multiplied by many times.

4. Stay worthy.

Most importantly, stay worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. God has promised that He will send the Holy Ghost as our constant guide.

Elder Henry B. Eyring adds, “The Lord will guide you by revelation just as He called you. You must ask in faith for revelation to know what you are to do.”

BLESSINGS FROM MAGNIFYING YOUR CALL

Since I accepted the call to teach in the Elders Quorum, I have felt blessed. Each time I prepare my lesson, I can always feel the Holy Ghost confirm to me the words I’ve read are true. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ is strengthened even more as I apply the principles in my life.

It’s also a blessing to me to see how others have changed their lives and how the Holy Ghost has moved them as I magnify my calling.

Yes it does require a lot of patience, diligence and commitment, but as Latter-Day Saints, our willingness to serve the Lord reflects the love we have for Him. We serve Him by serving others because we love Him.

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