The scriptures are filled with stories of the ministering efforts of the Savior. Each story shows a certain Christlike attribute that we can also strive to develop as we start our own ministering efforts. Here are four examples of Christ’s ministering and the Christlike attributes that the Savior exhibited.

Jesus Christ and Lazarus

When Jesus knew of Lazarus’ death, he went to comfort his friend’s bereaved family. In John 11, we can read of Christ’s example of “mourning with those that mourn.” Instead of telling a grief-stricken Martha to stop crying because He was sure her brother would rise up anyway, He encouraged her to have faith. And — recorded as one of the shortest yet most powerful verses in the New Testament — “Jesus wept.”

We do not fully know what the rest of Lazarus’ family felt when they saw Jesus weeping but imagine how comforting that must have been for them. Someone understood their grief, someone understood their sorrow. Christ did not mock their pain just because He knew Lazarus would rise from the dead. He wept with them. He mourned with them.

As we go on with our ministering efforts, let us learn to listen to those who need to talk, and mourn with those who are experiencing grief. Knowing the Plan of Salvation shouldn’t make us overlook the reality of grief and sorrow — just listen, ask for the Holy Ghost’s guidance, and let it guide you as you comfort those you serve.

Jesus Christ and the Five Thousand

When the Savior saw that a multitude of people was following Him, He had great compassion towards them. Throughout that day, Jesus took the time to heal the congregation from their sicknesses. As it began to get late, his disciples wondered what to do and how to feed the large crowd. Jesus — perhaps seeing how hungry the people were — proceeded to feed the five thousand. During that day, the Lord was not only aware of their need to be healed physically and spiritually– He also saw their need to eat.

Ministering is more than sharing a spiritual message to our brothers and sisters. Ministering is a program that should exhibit a “heartfelt care for one another.” Following Christ’s example, when we minister, we must look beyond the need to deliver a spiritual message and begin to identify what our friends truly need. By recognizing what they need the most, we will be able to serve them better.

Jesus Christ and Jairus

Jesus’ three-year ministry was filled with service, but despite that, He still took the time to respond quickly to anyone who needed help. When a grieving father asked Him to come see his daughter, Jesus immediately went with him and eventually healed his daughter.

Sometimes, life gets in the way of our ministering efforts. At times, we may feel that we no longer have the time to minister to the people assigned to us. However, when we give time to minister, no matter how hectic our schedules are, we can bring joy, peace, and comfort to those we are serving.

Jesus Christ and the People of Bountiful

When Jesus visited the people in America, he let everyone — one by one — see and feel the marks of the nails in His palms and feet. When He healed those who were sick and afflicted, He did so one by one. “One by one” — a powerful phrase that shows how mindful the Lord is of the needs of each and every one of us.

The people who are assigned to us are more than just names on a paper — they are individuals with stories, and with needs. As we minister, let us also truly know them — one by one. As we continue to get to know them better, our love for them will inevitably increase.

Ministering Like Christ: Not Easy but Possible

Ministering like Christ is not easy but through the help of the Lord, it is very much possible. We do not need to feel clueless as to what we need to do — we have our Savior’s example to guide us as we serve. May we always draw inspiration from Jesus Christ as we go about ministering.

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There was a pattern to how I reacted whenever she did or said something to rile me up. I never did anything back– physically, that is. My words were my weapons.

WORDS CAN BE SHARP WEAPONS

As a young person who loves to write, I’ve studied different ways to make my compositions impactful, engaging and beautiful. I’ve also been exposed to numerous writers’ philosophies. One in particular has really stuck with me, “As writers, we do not ever write only for ourselves because our words do not ever only impact us.”

On the other hand, we do not ever only speak for ourselves either, because our words do not ever only impact us. The phrase isn’t just for writers; it is for all of us. I thought about how, here in the Philippines, it is common for the “crab mentality” to prevail and how easy it is to bring each other down through our own words.

Eventually, after so many hurtful arguments, I received the overwhelming prompting from the Holy Ghost to take a step back and reassess the way I react to my sister, and the way I say things to her. It never helps resolve anything; if we speak rashly instead of speaking with love.

WORDS CAN STOP WARS

After that prompting, I promised myself that I would make the effort to speak and respond more kindly to my sister, no matter what. I became so much more aware of what comes out of my mouth, and tried to speak in a way that could stop, not start, wars.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught the immense power of words saying, “It is by words…that every being works when he works by faith.” In the scriptures, God spoke, and there was light. King Benjamin spoke, and his people were filled with the Spirit and kept God’s commandments. Abinadi spoke, and it touched the heart of Alma who then brought many to repentance.

President Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Like all gifts “which cometh from above,” words are “sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit.” Indeed they are. I learned how much a “soft answer turneth away wrath” and words filled with kindness make you a much better person.

WHEN WE SPEAK KINDER WORDS…

We become happier. The people around us become happier. My relationship with Pia has grown closer than ever, the way I’ve always wanted it to be. When we control our tempers, and speak kinder words, we emulate the kindness and love that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us.

If we should ever be swayed by anger and have the urge to speak rashly, remember the message of a melodious hymn, “Let us oft speak kind words to each other; kind words are sweet tones of the heart.”

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Patience

Taking care of a child has its ups and downs. They can bring you immeasurable joy and indescribable headaches. Bringing up children teaches us patience. Patience to ignore the mess in the house so you can make sure the child feels loved. Patience to endure the longing for company. Patience to understand their unspoken demands. The patience needed to understand. My little Eli also helps me learn patience in a different way. At a young age, my boy shows me his way of being patient through his actions. There is wisdom in Christ’s invitation to be like little children.
 

Love

Myra tells how her children help her develop love. “These kids are so pure. Even in the simplest ways, my kids show me that they love me. From cooking me simple meals to making me cards, they never fail to make me realize that it is in the little things that we can find love.” It’s amazing how a child slowly awakens special feelings of love in one’s heart. Having Eli in our lives has also helped my husband and I understand the attribute of love in our lives.

Faith

One mother shared how her child has helped her develop a deeper faith and trust in the Lord. She said, “I remember the first time Jacob fell sick. We were very worried that time and we did not know what to do at all. During that time, my husband and I pleaded a little more to the Lord about what to do. We put our trust in him that everything would be well for our baby. Having Jacob and having new sets of trials as parents truly strengthened our faith and testimony that the Lord is mindful of His children.” Parenthood doesn’t come with a manual. When difficult times come, you learn to turn to the Lord and put your trust in Him.
 

Charity

“It seems like it’s second nature. When you have your child, you immediately give up some of the things that you love. You give all of your time, attention and effort to your child. It’s a new kind of love,” says Toni, a mother of a 5 month-old baby. Accepting a child in your life entails sacrifice. Gradually, you become more selfless. The feelings of your children, their happiness, come first. My father is one of the most selfless people I know. Growing up, he never worried about what he needed. He just made sure our needs were met first. He is my example of sacrifice.

I remember a few weeks after giving birth, I looked disheveled because of catering to Eli’s every need. My friend, Jade, said something that stuck with me until now. “Children are indeed a way for you to earn your PhD in Christ-like attributes.” And she’s right. The words of Jean A. Stevens still echo in my mind. She said

“If we have a heart to learn and a willingness to follow the example of children, their divine attributes can hold a key to unlocking our own spiritual growth.” (Become As A Little Child, April 2011 General Conference)
 

Develop Christlike Attributes With Children

Let us be grateful for the little ones we hold in our arms. They are the Lord’s instruments to help remind us everyday what qualities we should aspire to: qualities that we see in our little children. May we always be reminded of our eternal goals through the help of our little ones.

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“I have to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer. Have courage and be kind,” were a mother’s last words to her daughter Cinderella before she died. In the movie, kindness and courage really did see her through all the trials in her life. Kindness and courage brought magic in the fairytale. Luckily, this magic does not only happen in movies but also in real life if one understands how powerful these virtues are.
 

Kindness: A magic we can bring into our lives

In the movie, Cinderella was kind to everyone, even her unkind stepmother and stepsisters. Her kindness was genuine, as she did not expect others to reciprocate her kindness. She was kind because that’s who she was. She did not deviate from what she knew was right despite all the trials that she encountered. In turn, she was blessed with a fairy godmother who helped her meet her prince. Some might say that the fairy godmother brought magic into her life but if examined closely, her kindness did.

We too, can bring magic into our lives and the lives of people around us if we see that there is power in kindness. There are several ways that we can make this happen:

• Treat others with kindness. Every one of us, in one way or another, is finding a way back home to our Heavenly Father. We all have different experiences and circumstances, have taken different paths, developed different talents, and acquired different skills. We react, perceive, and handle things differently. This is the reality and we cannot control it. What we can control is our attitude towards these differences. A little act of kindness can gladden the heart of an already wearied soul. Elder Wirthlin said, “Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another. Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you. We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

• Speak kindly. The words we say can become a balm of Gilead that can heal a wounded soul or a two-edge sword that can inflict pain to others. May we always choose the former and strive not to offend or speak ill of others or ourselves. May our words be filled with consideration and compassion that we may be able to speak with a new tongue, even the tongue of angels.

A Call for Courage

If there had been a Cinderella in Old Testament times, it would have been Queen Esther of Persia. She risked her life and saved a nation by entering the King’s court without being summoned, an act punishable by law. She pled for her life and the life of her people. She could have held her peace that she was a Jew and remained in the comfort of her court but she chose to do what she knew was right, even if saving her people would cost her life.

The call for courage for us in these latter days may not be as dramatic as in the time of Queen Esther or other heroes and heroines in the Bible, but we are called to have courage every day of our lives—every time a choice is placed before us. Scottish poet and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson said, “Everyday courage has few witnesses. But yours is no less noble because no drum beats for you and no crowds shout your name.”

President Thomas S. Monson said, “Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval.” As we choose to be courageous in choosing what’s right, we will find strength in the Savior and our Heavenly Father. As we do so, the words of Cinderella’s mother will be truer than true, that kindness and courage can see us through all the trials in our lives.

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