Jeff and I were asked to speak in our new ward last Sunday. We were given specific scriptures to discuss, and not just a general topic. My scripture was Matthew 25:31-46. I like to share personal experiences in my talks and my first thought when I thought of a story about "the least of these" was a man that I met on my mission. I wrote what I could remember, but wanted to make sure that I remembered the details correctly so I went back and read in my mission letters home and in my journal. It was interesting to see how I wrote about mostly positive things in my letters home and all of my concerns and problems in my journal. I remember feeling that I needed both of those to express my experiences. I've always been a pretty good journal keeper, but now I pretty much just blog. I don't like to write a lot about negative things on my blog for several reasons. I don't want to hurt anyone for one thing, and well, it's just not fun to read!
In reading my mission journal I was disappointed that I didn't record more of my teaching experiences, but I also understand how that would feel repetitive after writing it home. I'm glad that I have both so that I can someday take the best parts and possibly create a better whole record. I wish I had time to do that now!
Anyway, after thinking about that specific time, it has we wondering if I am doing a good job of recording my current life. Any thoughts? Who wants to hear more of my trials? :) Does my blog make my life look too easy if I leave the difficulties out? Believe me, there are difficulties! Still - life is good and I try to record the best moments here.
For anyone bored enough to read my whole talk so that you can read about the man from my mission here it is:
On my mission in Germany I was walking the street looking for people to talk to. An older man walked past us, pushing a bicycle. He was ragged looking, with a long gray beard, matted hair and he wore two pairs of eyeglasses that were taped together. The idea of speaking to him made me uncomfortable and I searched for someone else to approach. My companion, a new and excited sister with terrible German, but no fear went straight up to him and started to speak to him. I had to translate her broken German so that he could understand what we wanted to talk about. He agreed to meet with us, but he didn’t have a phone. We communicated by post card to set up an appointment and we went to his tiny apartment, the tiniest I’ve ever seen. There was only one room - and I didn’t see a bathroom. We sat down at a small table. He owned only two glasses, so he offered us something to drink, bringing the glasses out of a box, unwrapping them and wiping them for our use. As we began our discussion it became clear that his knowledge of the Bible was incredible. I could mention in passing a phrase from the scriptures and he would tell me exactly where to find it. He was not at all hesitant to accept the new principles that we were teaching him. He thought it made sense that the gospel would be restored and that there would be a modern prophet and twelve apostles... it was just as he would expect it to be after his fervent study of the scriptures. Before our first meeting he had already read quite a bit of the Book of Mormon and had prayed to know if it were true. He asked to say the closing prayer after our discussion and said in his prayer that he was thankful for the Spirit that we had felt. He prayed for help in understanding the things that were new to him. My time with this man was incredibly humbling and I learned so much from him. I will forever be grateful that my companion was willing to speak with him when I was not.
I made judgements about someone I had never met. My judgements were very wrong.
In Matthew chapter 25 the Savior teaches us about how He will judge his people at the second coming in parable of the sheep and the goats:
Beginning in verse 31...
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
So the goal is obviously to be a sheep! What does that mean? The number one virtue in becoming a sheep is Charity.
When asked “which is the great commandment in the law?” the Savior replied, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Charity is simply love. Loving our fellow man. Keeping in remembrance our relationship to one another as brothers and sisters... all here with a unified purpose to return to our Heavenly Father (whether we are currently on that path or not!). I’m always telling my boys when they quarrel that we are all on the same team! We are working together toward the same goal and we will get there so much easier if we work together.
Who then shall we love and serve? I can easily identify the man from my mission as “one of the least of these” by his appearance and worldly status, but it is not every day that I run across such a dramatic example of loving my fellow man. I believe we all fit into the category of “the least of these...” as we are all in need of love, service, and forgiveness.
We can love and serve each other right here in our ward. We can love and serve within our own homes. We can be a friend to someone we’ve just met. We can give fast offerings. We can let the lady at the grocery store with crying children go in front of us.
We should use our own strengths, interests and talents to help those around us. I am a graphic designer and I’m often asked to help to make presentations look nicer. Perhaps your gift is a listening ear or yummy treats! Maybe you are organized enough to be the PTA president. We can follow the Spirit as we determine exactly what we can do to serve those around us.
Charity begins with our relationship with the Savior.
As our love for the Savior increases, a love for others is an inherent part of the way our whole being grows. As we become more like the Savior our eyes are opened to opportunities to serve and care for others. And as we become more like the Savior it will simply be a part of who we are to love our brothers and sisters.
VT Message Dec ‘88: Developing Christlike love requires time and endurance. It may seem easier to love mankind in general than to love the person from whom we feel alienated. We may cry at hearing a touching story and later treat our husband, child, roommate, or neighbor rudely. We may not take the time to say, “I’m sorry,” or to include those who need love and acceptance. Service is not usually convenient or easy to perform.
The Savior shows us an amazing example of love during an inconvenient time in Matthew 14: . He had just learned of the beheading John the Baptist.
13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
He wanted to be alone to mourn the loss of a dear friend, but saw that the people needed Him and couldn’t leave them wanting.
I pray that we can follow the example of our Savior and draw near unto Him as we love and serve one another with Charity in our hearts.
