"...clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted" (Jacob 2:19)

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You know, some days are harder than others, especially when my expectations are higher and I over-extend myself. But, after one hard day I have learned a lot. I realize that I have not always been aware of the needs of others as well as I could be. And I also realized and continue to learn that connecting with others is so much more important than "things". The following scripture has brought on a whole new meaning to me: "And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good- to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted" (Jacob 2:19).  Sometimes it is so easy to focus on giving in terms of money. Money I can see and say, I gave this much. But to really clothe the naked, feed the hungry is more than just offering clothing and food. It is also about clothing others spiritually and emotionally. It is also about feeding them food for the soul. When we "liberate the captive and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted" it is helping others by expressing love, concern, actually extending service no matter how small it may seem.

Over the past month I have felt a little overwhelmed by a couple of things, even though I knew I would get through them. There were two sisters (women from my church), and one of my actual sisters who did very small acts of service that showed me what it meant to "liberate the captive" and "administer relief". In preparing for my son's missionary "farewell" and knowing that I would prepare food for about 50 people I had also over extended myself in trying to serve another family member by caring for her two young children. I felt I was in over my head. These three women saw my stress, or my "captivity" if you will, and truly gave me "relief "by very simple acts of service. They could have given me money, but that actually would not have given me "relief". Instead, they gave me their love and time in very simple ways. One sister cut-up and delivered a watermelon; another sister brought over a beautiful tray of desserts, and the third sister brought delicious trays of veggies and fruits. I felt SO loved! I felt relief and my burden was made lighter! I saw, in a whole new light, that the covenant to be "willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in" (Mosiah 18:9) is an active and real experience. It was no longer just about receiving comfort when death may come knocking, or having an ill family member, some other tragic event occurs.

These three sisters were able to mourn with me in that I felt a loss at my ability to "do it all" and I really needed help. They extended empathy and not criticism for lack of planning and over-extending myself. Rather, they recognized that I needed to be "clothed", "fed", "liberated", and given "relief". They offered comfort by their small acts of service. As they did this, I also realized they were the hands of God, they were actually standing as witnesses of God and his love for me. We get to do the same when we do seemingly small, but what ends up being significant acts of service. Throughout that day, there were many small acts of service, relief, and comfort that made that day a beautiful and wonderful day of love and joy from many other people.

Since I have had this experience I have tried to be better at not ignoring those little promptings to make that phone call, mail that letter, write the thank you, make the meal, or just hug someone, including my own children and husband! In doing this, I have had an increase of joy and love in my own life. I have also had my eyes opened to how much God really loves us and how he shares and shows that love through the service of others. This I testify.

Some of the other wonderful people who gave me relief with their small acts of service.
(Lft to rt. Sarah, Christian, Slade, Stockton, John)

Another small but wonderful act of service- helping entertain his cousin
(Ethan and James)

"...of you it is required to forgive all men" (D&C 64:10)

I have titled this "The Parable of the Chair" - (Taken from experiences I learned injuring my shoulder-twice.)

There was a woman who had a chair that she used a lot. She really liked this chair. It had been in their family for 20 years. It looked like an old school chair, had paint marks on it from when her kids painted pictures when they were little, and had earned a place that was frequented often by the woman. This chair was in her closet. It was good to her. She would sit on it to get dressed and put her shoes on. Sometimes it would be dragged from room to room to aid her in other needs. Often the woman would pour out her soul in prayer in the closet and the chair was a great source of support.

Well, one day she needed to stand on it to hide Christmas presents. She did. It was the perfect height. She hid the presents and then proceeded to turn and step off the chair. Well, she didn’t just step off, she fell off the chair. The chair had betrayed her! As she fell off the chair she landed on her shoulder. She screamed in pain. The chair did nothing. It didn’t come to her aid. It just sat there.

At first, the woman thought her should would get better by not using her arm. She was pretty ticked at the chair for betraying her trust like that. How could it let her down? She felt justified when she called it names, even refusing to sit on it to tie her shoes. Nothing the chair did (which was very little) helped her in any way to get over this hurt, this pain, this betrayal! The woman thought maybe it would help her feel better if she put it in the basement, never to be used again or even more serious, maybe she would get rid of the chair never to be allowed into her home again. She would most definitely be justified in that! But none of this helped her shoulder to heal. It had been over a month now, and the pain was still there, getting even worse. Being angry, hurt, and resentful was not helping her shoulder heal.

After a period of months the woman realized that perhaps she needed to try something different to get better. She had found no comfort and no peace in being offended by the chair. Perhaps she should see the Great Physician, who was also the Great Judge. It has been said that He “went about healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matt 4:23). Also, “he judgeth, and his judgement is just” (Mosiah 3:18). Feeling desperate, she finally went to see the Great Physician and Judge. He told her that her injury was indeed great. It would even need surgery to repair it. The Great Physician and Judge said there would probably be even more pain and tribulation to come, but if she would  “harden not [her] heart, and stiffen not [her] neck against [Him], [she] shall be [changed] and [He] would heal [her] (see D&C 112:13). She was told she needed to “view herself in her own carnal, or merely human state” and  must “apply” treatment daily (see Mosiah 4:2).

He prescribed what sounded easy, but was often difficult to take regularly. It was "to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the [Great Physician]; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the [Great Physician], will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men" (D&C 64:9-10). He also gave her exercises to take with the prescription that would also aid in her healing and would help her become to whole again. This remedy He gave her was not easy, sometimes downright painful, but in the end totally worth it. She did exactly what the Great Physician and Judge told her to do. She practiced being obedient to His instructions. The pain subsided and eventually left. She felt so much better. She could move her arm again. She was indeed healed.

In remembering, she realizes that there is great hope for the future. If an injury occurs again, of any kind, rather than wasting time trying to place blame, she would immediately go and see the Great Physician and Judge.

"The Chair"