“The temple is a powerful symbol of the light of Jesus Christ that has now come to Davao,” Elder Kopischke shared during the media preview. “It is a symbol of peace and understanding.”

To help you make the most of this historic season, he extended five heartfelt invitations to every visitor who walks through these sacred gates.

1. Look Beyond the Structure

While the craftsmanship is breathtaking, Elder Kopischke invites us to look past the physical beauty of the brick and mortar. The temple is more than a landmark; it is a testament to the eternal nature of the soul and the strength of the families it serves.

2. Take Time to Ponder

The temple grounds are a refuge from the noise of the world. Use this visit as a rare opportunity to be still. We encourage you to reflect, listen to your heart, and bring your questions—we are here to answer them and seek truth alongside you.

3. Feel the Light and Peace

There is a unique spirit found within these walls and throughout the surrounding gardens. You are invited to simply feel. In this environment of love, many find a sense of calm and clarity that is difficult to find anywhere else.

4. Ask the Most Important Question

As you tour the rooms, Elder Kopischke suggests asking yourself: “What is Jesus Christ offering me?” This temple is a physical representation of His grace, His promises, and His desire to be part of our daily lives.

5. Be a Channel of Invitation

If you feel something special during your visit, don’t keep it to yourself. Use your own voice and your own channels to invite as many people as possible. Help others experience the same peace and beauty that you found here.

Plan Your Visit The Philippines Davao Temple Open House runs from March 26 to April 10, 2026. Everyone—regardless of faith or background—is warmly invited to attend. Bring a friend, bring your family, and come experience the peace for yourself.

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“God is mindful of your problems.”

“Your trials will only make you stronger.”

“Blessings will come.”

These remarks have provided comfort to many in their most trying moments. But what if these words that once brought us peace and comfort no longer seem to work?

In the Book of Mark, we read the story of Jesus and His disciples crossing the sea in a ship. A storm and fierce winds raged, so strong that His disciples feared for their lives. They woke the Savior and asked, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Jesus then arose and calmed the storm.

In this story, I can’t help but wonder if the disciples’ reaction to the storm would have been any different if Jesus had been awake with them. Would the winds have been any less strong? No. Would the storm have been any less fierce? No. But perhaps, it would have been more comforting knowing that Jesus Christ was awake with them—ever watchful and aware of their situation.

During these times when trials are raging and rocking our ships from all directions, do you sometimes feel that the Lord is with you in the ship but is sound asleep? Do you sometimes echo the disciples’ cry for help, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”

When you feel overwhelmed by problems, simply knowing that Jesus Christ is the Savior and that He lives can sometimes feel not enough. We can have the knowledge that He exists but how can we feel that He is awake with us as we travel through the raging storms of life? How can we feel that He is present and aware of the trials that we are going through?

We can follow the frequent counsel from the Lord’s prophets to build and strengthen our relationship with the Savior. It may seem an abstract concept to build a relationship with someone we can’t physically see, touch, or feel, but if we apply some practical approaches that help us build and strengthen our relationships with loved ones here on Earth, it is possible to have a personal connection and relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.

First, spend time with Him. This may seem like an odd suggestion but hear me out first. One of my most humbling experiences spending time with the Savior was when I read the accounts of His life in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I call it ‘walking a mile in His shoes’. When I read how He healed a man with palsy, caused a blind man to see, raised Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter from the dead, fed five thousand people, healed a woman with an issue of blood, forgave an adulterous woman, built a strong relationship with His apostles and disciples, and many other accounts of His mortal life, I came to a deeper understanding of His character traits.

I learned that He forgives those who are repentant, that He can make something more of what little we can offer, that little children are precious in His eyes, that He can lovingly but firmly chasten those that choose to disobey Him, that He can teach and transform sinners to declare His gospel like that woman in Samaria, that He cares deeply for His mortal parents, that His love for us is so vast and unconditional that He willingly suffered persecution, endured unspeakable agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and died on the cross so we can be forgiven of our sins and receive the comfort and help that we need during our trials.

That’s right. His sacrifice wasn’t solely about saving us from sin but also so He could experience our sadness, disappointments, loss, failure, and all forms of brokenness and trials that we may experience. He did this so He would know how to help us and make us whole.

I wasn’t there two thousand years ago when all these events happened, but reading these accounts took me on a journey with Jesus Christ and helped me understand Him more not only as a Savior and Healer but also as a brother and friend.

Because of this personal experience, I learned to talk to Him just like I would talk to a very close friend—no barriers, no judgments involved, no concern that He would love me less or see me differently, and no fear that He would punish me for not trying hard enough to become perfect.

Spending time with the Savior through the scriptures and daily personal prayer helped my relationship with Him to become more real and personal, just like the precious relationships that I have with my family and loved ones.

Second, recognize how He shows His love to you personally. Just as with any other relationships that we have, we must recognize our preferred ways in which we express love to and receive love from other people. Many people call it their ‘love language’.

If we take the time to ponder the ways that He answers our questions, comforts us through our trials, and increases our understanding, we will recognize that He does all these things in ways that we feel most loved.

I have learned through the years that ‘words of affirmation’ is the love language that I appreciate the most. As I recounted many experiences when I felt the Savior’s outpouring of love for me, I realized that it’s always been through words of affirmation coming from my family, spouse, friends, strangers, poets, authors, ancient and latter-day prophets, quotes on social media, stories in the scriptures that I can relate to, lyrics of songs, and distinct thoughts that come to my mind when I need answers, comfort, and guidance.

He shows me love in so many other ways but because He knows me personally, many times He shows me love in the way that I receive love best. This has proven to me time and time again that I have a personal and meaningful relationship with Him.

These two steps have helped me build and strengthen my relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. It was not easy. It required consistent, often repetitive, efforts to spend time with the Savior, getting to know Him better through the scriptures and my personal experiences, conversing with Him in prayer and meditation, and recognizing how He’s giving me love and guidance .

Because of my relationship with Him, I always feel that He is awake with me in the ship while I sail through the storms in my life. I feel that He is ever-present, knowing what fierce winds and big waves are rocking my ship from left to right. I no longer wonder if he cares not that I perish because my faith is no longer dependent on the outcome that I am hoping to receive. My faith is fully dependent on the knowledge that He can calm the wind and the sea if He wills it.

This doesn’t mean that I don’t feel overwhelmed by the many trials of life. I still feel disappointment, sadness, even restlessness when things seem to be out of control. Who doesn’t? However, knowing that the Savior is truly aware of my trials eases my worries and gives me comfort and peace.

You too can receive this personal witness by building a personal relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ.

If you would like to learn about Heavenly Father, read this article.

The post What To Do When You Feel Overwhelmed By Problems appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Is there truth to this interpretation?

Before we answer this question, we need to determine what kind of fear we are feeling. There are two kinds of fear—godly fear and worldly fear.

In the scriptures, we are taught to fear God. This godly fear as explained by Elder Bednar is “a deep feeling of reverence, respect, and awe for the Lord Jesus Christ”. It is not really “fear” then, as we tend to think of it. It is a feeling that persuades us to seek knowledge and understanding about the commandments of God so we can obey them. It is also with this veneration that we seek to intently learn the fullness of God’s glory and power. This kind of fear increases faith and deep devotion to Him.

The other kind of fear, which we are counseled to avoid, is the fear that is not of God. This kind of fear which Satan loves to exploit, makes us doubt who we are and who we can become. It is the fear that we are not enough, that our past mistakes define us, that we don’t deserve to be loved or forgiven, that we are so flawed we are beyond the reach of the power of the Atonement, that we are not capable of building and keeping a family of our own, that we will likely fail or be rejected, that we cannot progress further, that we do not matter, and all other thoughts that are NOT true.

Many of us might be thinking, “But I feel it, how come it is not true?” Yes, these feelings are real, but it does not mean that they are true. It also does not mean that we have little faith. It means that we are human and we are subject to these feelings because of our mortal state. These feelings could be one of the challenges that we have to endure in order to fully understand who we are and what our souls are worth in the eyes of God. They could be a path that we need to take so we can know how to succor and strengthen those who are walking the same path. They could prompt defining moments of our faith in which God shows us that we will not stumble if He is the rock we build our faith upon.

These feelings can mean many things, but one thing is for sure, feelings of fear DO NOT define our faith. What we do about them does.

So what do we do when we fear?

In one of the Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy he wrote that, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”. When this truth is clear to us and we face moments of fear, we can turn from it by turning to the Lord. Turning to Him comes in many forms. It could be through prayer, reading the scriptures, seeking counsel from a bishop, singing a hymn, performing acts of service, not giving in to the spirit of contention, and more.

As we turn to the Lord, we will be better able to recognize that we are always enough, that we can become the best version of ourselves and reach our full potential, and that we matter to Him. We can come to know the truths of His gospel and the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ that can mend broken things and smooth every flaw. We will be able to see things as they really are, and see through the lens of a loving Father that we can grow and bloom amidst our afflictions, that we can forgive and be forgiven, that death is not the end but the beginning of another journey, and that God will always love us and walk with us every step of the way as we progress in this life.

We are taught that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the antidote to fear. It sounds simple but faith requires work, dedication, and life-long nurturing. For us to dispel fear, we must build our faith first by hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ and then seeking confirmation by the power of the Holy Spirit that it is true. Other crucial elements of building our faith are repentance, making and keeping covenants, and losing ourselves in the service of God.

Life will not be free of fear. Some of our fears will come from bitter experiences, others will tax our courage and test our resilience, but let’s not let these feelings define our faith. Let our experiences make our faith more deeply rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we do not let fear overcome our faith, it should be enough reason to not question if we have little faith.

The Lord loves us. Even if our faith is the size of a mustard seed, what He sees is what it can become—a strong and towering tree. What matters to Him is that we nurture the seed so that it can become what it is destined to become.

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Why is Jesus’ name important?

The announcement of Jesus’ birth was anything but ordinary (Matthew 1:18). An angel named Gabriel appeared to Mary to inform her that she would bear the Only Begotten Son of the Father. Despite being a virgin, she conceived a child through the Holy Spirit. This unborn child would play a significant role for all humankind, the angel promised. But, the prophecy did not stop there. The angel told Mary to name the child as Jesus (Matthew 1:21).

Have you ever wondered why, of all the things he could have told Mary, the angel focused on the child’s name? The angel could have told her seemingly more important details, such as what food the child should eat, what clothes to wear, what education and training the child should receive to prepare him for his future role.  However, he chose to dwell on the name of the child – as if knowing the name was enough, as if everything depended on it.

Angel Gabriel did not insist on naming the child Jesus out of personal preference. It was a directive from Heavenly Father (Doctrine and Covenants 18:23). This name would eventually become a significant part of the Savior’s being and would be known as the only name whereby salvation can come (Mosiah 3:17). There is no doubt that the name chosen by Heavenly Father and used by the Savior, Jesus, contains power in the most real sense.

What is the meaning of Jesus’ name?

Did you know, though, that the name Jesus is not unique to the Savior’s time? A number of people have had the same name. Said to be the Greek form of Joshua or Jeshu, the name means “Savior” or “God is help.” It was a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning, a name most fitting for the prophesied Savior of the world.

The Savior is not only known by His birth name, Jesus. He has various titles of which the most popular is Christ, meaning “the anointed” or “Messiah.” The title Christ is almost always put after the name Jesus, making the Savior known to many as Jesus Christ. This is a perfect combination of a name and a title describing accurately the role of the Savior.

When is it appropriate to use Jesus’ name?

The respect and reverence we have for our brother, Jesus Christ, should extend to His name. We should use the Savior’s name in appropriate places and situations only. We must refrain from using it in vain (Exodus 20:7). Here are some examples where we can use the name of Jesus Christ correctly:

• Saying a Prayer

End your prayers in the name of Jesus Christ. He is our mediator with the Father. If we use His name, He will deliver our messages to the Father.

• Performing Sacred Ordinances

In order for all sacred ordinances to be valid, Jesus’ name should be used by one holding the proper authority. These sacred ordinances include, but are not limited to, baptism, marriage, and blessing of the sacrament.

• Sharing the Gospel

Full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are set apart and given the authority to preach the gospel in Jesus’ name for a certain period of time. However, the power to use Jesus’ name in sharing the gospel is not only limited to missionaries. You can also share the gospel in Jesus’ name through your inspiring words and testimonies.

The use of Jesus Christ’s name is not prohibited. You can use it as often as you need to. But, you should exercise correct judgment when doing so. The use of Jesus Christ’s name should bring you closer to Him. It should give you access to His power. Do not use it out of habit so that it loses its sacredness. You should also encourage others to give respect to Jesus’ name. Where and when appropriate, you can also counsel the people around you about the misuse of the Savior’s name.

How to Access the Power of Jesus through His Name?

Just as knowing that a smartphone exists will not be of any help to you if you don’t know how to use it, you will also not be able to access the power of Jesus Christ just by knowing His name. Knowing Jesus’ name and saying it here and there is different from having access to the power of His name. There are certain requirements that you need in order for Jesus’ name to have an effect on your life. Here are some of them:

• You need to call upon His name sincerely

Your desire and intention matter when speaking the name of the Savior. You will also receive your desired answer depending on your faith.

• You need to have Christ-like qualities

First, you need to be humble enough to recognize and accept Jesus Christ in your life. Then you need to use His name “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned, by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-42).” You don’t have to be perfect but you must be trying to follow Jesus Christ through your words and actions.

• You should be willing to take upon you the name of Jesus Christ

Having full access to Jesus Christ’s power means being willing to take His name. This means that you must make Jesus Christ a significant part – or better, the focus of your life. You should honor His name and keep its good reputation by acting according to the commandments of God. Taking the name of Jesus Christ means living as the Savior did.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not making a fuss out of a small thing by emphasizing the appropriate use of Jesus Christ’ name in its organization. The Church is going back to the basics, to its core and foundation – Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ’s name, the church loses its meaning. Therefore, it is necessary to make changes, such as updating the name of the website, applications, and social media accounts to show that its focus is on Jesus Christ.

You can gain so much from doing the same thing in your life. Make the necessary changes even if it means getting rid of an established habit, perhaps distancing yourself from family members or friends who do not share the same beliefs and drag you down spiritually, and being born again in the name of Jesus Christ through baptism. As you focus on Jesus Christ and willingly and sincerely take upon you His name, you will feel the influence of His infinite power in your life.

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In Our Communities

During the Christmas holiday, there are a lot of people everywhere we go. There are long lines at the grocery stores, department stores, and just about any other store out there. Our community is buzzing with excitement and is getting busy – too often for the wrong reasons. We focus too much on fun parties, expensive gifts, and delicious food. But, Christmas has never been about those things. It is about commemorating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Everything else is just extra. There’s no room for our Savior if we rush, hurry, and worry all the time. We need to focus less on material things and focus more on spiritual things during the Christmas season in our community. This way, we can free up a lot of space for Jesus.

In Our Families

Christmas holiday brings out opportunities for family members to spend more time together. Make the most out of your time by doing activities that will draw you closer to each other and to Jesus Christ. Teach your children about the importance of sharing blessings with others. Show greater love and appreciation for your spouse. Do something special for your parents and siblings. An ideal family Christmas is not about having matching sweaters, gifts under the Christmas tree, or a feast on the dining table. Rather, it is about having a Spirit of love in the home.

Don’t have a house full of loved ones? Don’t worry. Christmas is the perfect time for you to feel that you have a family with God. You are Heavenly Father’s child and Jesus Christ is your “Big Brother.” No one is ever alone with Them at your side. As you come to understand and apply the true essence of Christmas within your families, you will feel the magic – found in the Savior – which this season brings.

In Our Hearts

The Bible says “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).” It means that what is in your heart is a reflection of who you are. Think about your deepest yearnings and desires. Is Jesus a part of them? If not, it is time to make major changes in your life. Making room for Jesus starts within you. As you center your life on Him, it will have a domino effect on other aspects of your life, such as in your family and your community. You can start trying to keep Him in your thoughts and heart this Christmas and carry it throughout the year.

A Real Christmas

Let’s pattern our Christmas after that first Christmas in Bethlehem. It was simple yet heartwarming. It was a night to remember in the history of the world because it focused on the Savior. Have a real Christmas this year by making room for Jesus.

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Let’s look at a few instances from before, during and after the Savior’s advent. From these events, we can just imagine how Mary handled every daunting situation that would have unnerved any ordinary woman.

The Announcement from the Angel Gabriel

Being engaged to marry Joseph, Mary could have been excited, even a bit jittery, that her wedding was drawing near. I can just imagine her being occupied with what to wear, what to prepare, the guest list, etc. All of these must have been overwhelming for a young woman about to be wed.

Then came the heavenly announcement.

“And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women…

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”

I imagine how this must have shattered all of her plans of what she thought her life would be like.

The scandal of conceiving a child before marriage!

Not just that! It was to be no ordinary offspring.

“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Any woman, would be surprised and even frightened at such a pronouncement, maybe even faint. But no, not Mary! Despite her apprehensions, she gracefully accepted.

“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”

What great faith! Her trust in God made her will subject to the divine plan of Heavenly Father. At a young age, she already trusted in the grandeur of the Plan of Salvation. She knew what she had to do and faithfully obeyed her Father.

Travels During Her Pregnancy

I would like to think that Mary was like any other pregnant woman. I think she also experienced morning sickness and the whole nine yards. But when she traveled to see her cousin, Elizabeth, in her 1st trimester, she willingly traveled the 90-mile stretch of mountainous terrain.

“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;

And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth…

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.”

This was not an easy feat! Although it is not written what Mary felt at the time, the rigors of the journey to and from the house of Zechariah had to have been demanding for a pregnant woman.

Then came the last trimester when she was about to deliver her baby.

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”

Geographically speaking, Galilee to Bethlehem is 70 miles, more or less. But that distance is true if you pass through Samaria. Historically, this posed an impossibility since there was enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans. It is safe to assume then, that they took the long road to Judaea circumnavigating the whole area. See the picture?

Now insert Mary being heavy with child on a donkey. It makes the whole situation unbearable for a nesting mother. I have been through the 3rd trimester five times and, I think I have the authority to say this, it is not a stroll in the park. I know one pregnant woman differs from another, but still. Elephant feet, cramps, the constant peeing… and it does not end there. The baby’s kicks become painful, the back almost giving in to the extra weight, not to mention contractions and shortness of breath.

The physical demands of the journey could have worn down the spirit of the young mother, but she persisted. Her strength, based on the things she went through as she traveled during her pregnancy, was simply extraordinary.

The Night She Delivered Her Baby

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;”

No nurses, no doctors. Just Joseph and some farm animals. When Mary delivered the baby Jesus, I am sure she also felt the pains of giving birth. I can only imagine how she could have borne the stress of the ordeal. She might have worried how she would be able to go through the whole process without proper care. I think she probably also wanted her mother to be with her, giving her tips on how to properly breathe when contractions occurred. But there was no one but her husband, novice to the whole birthing process, to help her. There would have been dirt, animals, bugs in the hay… overall not a sanitary environment and not nearly enough supplies for giving birth to a baby.

What was going through her mind when she held her baby for the first time? I can try to imagine… But I am pretty sure the little boy was worth all the pain. Mary was no ordinary woman. She is a paragon of strength and obedience – a blueprint for true motherhood. Her faith was stalwart and it saw her through the doubts and the difficulties that led to that first Christmas. In her mind, she understood the Plan. In her heart she knew that someday, this baby would deliver her in return. Being the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ delivers us all.

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Christmas for Latter-day Saints is centered on the Savior’s birth, life, and Atonement. They commemorate the birth of the Son of the Living God as one of the most important events in the history of man. They remember the love that God the Father has for all mankind when He sent His Only Begotten Son to Earth.  They also remember Mary and Joseph’s obedience in becoming the earthly parents of the Savior.

The Christmas season is also a celebration of the life of Jesus. Latter-day Saints celebrate His life by embracing the spirit of giving and love. During Jesus’ mortal ministry, He gave much of His time caring for the sick, widows, fatherless, and all those who needed physical and spiritual healing. He gave His all, even His life, to save the world from sin. Latter-day Saints celebrate Christ’s life by following His perfect example of giving to those in need in their homes, neighborhoods, communities, and around the world. They give of their time, love, and resources to share the love and light of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Latter-day Saints also remember the Atonement of Jesus Christ and rejoice because of the gifts that were made possible because of His Atoning sacrifice. The gifts of repentance, forgiveness, and eternal life are just some of the gifts available only because of His Atonement. They remember His sufferings and death, and they rejoice that He is risen.

In one of his Christmas Devotional addresses, the late prophet, Thomas S. Monson, shared the most valuable gifts we have because Jesus came to Earth. He said, “Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow…Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence. Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be. Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came. Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.”

In past years, the efforts of Latter-day Saints during Christmas have revolved around the theme “Light the World”. Lighting the world means gladdening hearts, comforting those who are in need of comfort, giving selfless service, rescuing those who need spiritual healing, loving those who are oppressed, and inviting others to do the same. Lighting the world means sharing the Savior’s light with everyone they meet. And sharing the Savior’s light to help others come unto Him is what Christmas is for.

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What is the atonement? It is the Lord’s sacrifice that changes everything for us. It started in the Garden of Gethsemane where the Savior bled from every pore, not only because of the weight of our sins, but also our burdens, sorrows, and all our infirmities. It ended upon the cross at Calvary where He died the most painful and cruel death at the hands of His own people. There has been no greater suffering than His. He paid the price for our souls so that, if we will, we can repent, be cleansed, and return to the Lord’s presence.

Jesus Christ was the only one who could perform such a sacrifice. Because He was sinless, He was not subject to spiritual death and because He is the Only Begotten Son of an immortal God, He had power over physical death. With His unique birthright, Jesus Christ’s Atonement brought to pass two gifts—the gift of immortality, which will be received by all, and the gift of eternal life, which can be accessed only through the condition of repentance.

Because He died, all of us will live again. Our bodies and spirits, which now can be separated by death, will one day be reunited again, to “die no more,” and we will become immortal beings. All who have ever lived on Earth will one day be resurrected—“both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous.” Every person you have ever loved and lost to death—grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, children, friends—all will be able to be resurrected, and you will see them again. The Savior’s atonement takes away the sting of death, because it is no longer permanent.

The Savior’s Atonement also enables all those who believe in Him to be saved from sin and receive eternal life. It is important to note that Jesus Christ’s death does not automatically free us from our sins. In order for us to receive the gift of eternal life, we need to believe in Him and the healing power of the Atonement, repent of our sins, be baptized in His name, receive the Holy Ghost, follow His commandments, perform essential ordinances, and make covenants with the Lord.

With the Atonement centered on saving us from sin, one might think that it is only about healing us from sin. But the power of the Atonement has no bounds. It can heal us from all the pains that we will ever experience, comfort us in our sorrows, succor us in every suffering, and give us hope and peace during troubled times. It also gives us the strength to forgive those who have wronged us and show compassion to those in need. Because the virtue behind the Atonement is charity, which is the pure love of Christ, the power of the Atonement also increases our capacity to love like Christ.

Because of the Atonement, we can be assured that we never have to walk this life alone, that the Savior knows the depths of our sorrows and will send help to lift burdens off our shoulders, and that He knows whatever we are going through—good and bad.

The power of the Atonement is available to all those who reach out for the hand of the Savior with faith. When we do so, we will find that His hands are already stretched, reaching out to us with love.

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You see, there is a difference between knowing about Christ and truly knowing Christ. Sure, it’s nice to know new facts about the Savior, but it’s another thing to truly know Him. Being a mother caught up in daily tasks and multiple roles, I sometimes miss some important steps that would help me know the Savior better. “Scripture study is never the same,” I often said to myself. I felt as though I had already lost touch with the feeling of really knowing Christ. So, I prayed, and asked the Lord to help me better know Christ. I expected my answer to include reading the scriptures more, always listening to General Conference talks, and singing hymns. But instead I got an unexpectedly short but powerful impression: “SERVE.”

Don’t get me wrong, I know that service is an essential part of being like the Savior, but I also wanted to know Christ better. How could service help me do that? Still unsure, I trusted the answer, put it to the test, and gained so much insight and wisdom through numerous service opportunities. Indeed, service helped me know more about the Savior. Here are some examples.

He is a Loving Listener

Edlyn was once a member of my young women class. I had not heard from her in years, and when I finally got an update about her, I learned that she already had two children. Unfortunately, Edlyn often shared her heartbreak over her failed relationship, and hardships in raising her children. When I reached out to her, I asked her how she was keeping it all together. Her answer touched me. “You see, every time I pour my heart out in prayer, I just know Someone listens to me. I don’t know why but I feel so much comfort after.”

He Sees Our Potential

Maybe some wives are always the epitome of kindness, but I’m not always that wife. There are times when, because of my desire to see him improve, I can get stingy with my husband. I asked the Lord to help me be kinder, especially when encouraging my husband during tough times. My mind then reflected on the Savior’s Atonement, and how He bore our infirmities. He also bore the tough times my husband and I are facing and I’m sure He saw my husband’s capacity to rise in the face of hardships. That knowledge helped me to be a little kinder to my eternal companion.

He Understands What Others Can’t

I love Sister Linda K. Burton’s invitation to “first observe, then serve.” Indeed, when we observe someone, we begin to understand what they’re going through, making it easier for us to identify ways to serve. However, there are moments when you simply don’t know what to say because you do not understand. I felt that way when we visited a mother who had just lost her youngest daughter. While talking with her, there came a realization that although I could not understand what she was going through, the Lord could. This can also be seen in the many moments when we simply get the impression to serve someone, despite them not saying a word. He understands our needs and He sends the very help that we need.

He Loves Me

One of the biggest things I have learned through service is that He loves me. In those moments when I saw prayers answered, hearts comforted, and hurts healed, I was reminded of the infinite love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. A love that extends not only to those whom I serve but to me as well.

Service: A Great Way To Know Christ Better

My experience has taught me that the invitation to serve is an invitation to know Christ better. I have always loved the promise given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “As we extend our hands and hearts towards others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger.” In my case, I was able to learn more about the Redeemer. May we learn more about Jesus Christ in every service opportunity we have this year.

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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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