Ministering with tenderness

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

By Jim Greer

LW contributor

Sister Sharon Eubank, president of Latter-day Saint Charities, sees the world in a way that others can only imagine. In a recent blog post titled “Humanitarian = Ministering = Love,” she states, “As the world reacts to the coronavirus, this is a time to refine our generosity and tenderness toward one another.” Sister Eubank relates how so many people contact her regarding careers in humanitarian work. She states that “almost without fail, these individuals feel passionately about helping the poor and have been drawn to humanitarian service from a young age.”

To those who hope to work in the humanitarian field, she asks, “Tell me about the person you minister to.” As members of Christ’s church, each of us has a responsibility to care for, or minister to, one another. And, in her more than 20 years of compassionate service, Sister Eubank has witnessed countless acts of generosity, love and service for God’s suffering children.

Perhaps the best humanitarian mission statement came from Jesus Christ. He said, “As I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 15:12). And as Sister Eubank puts it, “if you want to be a good humanitarian, be a good minister; it is exactly the same work.”

Personal ministering is the most significant humanitarian work we can perform. Developing the desire and ability to perceive the needs of people we encounter every day is central to establishing a life of serving others. Eubank continued, “At its core, ministering is a tenderness, an ability to see someone for who they are at their best and a willingness to help them with anything they want or need in order to be better.”

The tenderness with which our Heavenly Father and the Savior view us is the same viewpoint each of us should have as we consider one another in our frailties. Ultimately, ministering blesses not only those being served, but also, those who minister. Those to whom we minister have a variety of physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. Therefore, Sister Eubank challenges us that as we meet these needs we should also:

• Lead with compassion.

• Refrain from passing judgment.

• Keep confidences.

• Show love to others, even if their lives are different from ours.

With all that is going on around us, it’s easy to believe that one person really can’t make a difference, or that others are better suited to serve. These assumptions are incorrect. What makes a difference in a person’s life is the humble effort of the minister.

Those who visit the Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake City view a short film explaining the Church’s humanitarian efforts. With narration provided by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, the following significant statement is made: “The Lord answers our prayers, most of the time, I think, by sending other people. Well, I pray he’ll send us. I pray we’ll be the answer to other people’s prayers.”

Sister Eubank concluded her blog with this statement, “As we deal with viruses and disasters and personal heartaches—ministering is the way the Lord sends us to each other. It is how we can each become the answer to other people’s prayers. It is revelatory. It will encourage others. It will refine our generosity and tenderness. I invite you to join me in the greatest humanitarian cause on earth.”

To receive or become a ministering brother or sister, contact the Elder’s Quorum President Matt Dean at (714) 654-6241 or Relief Society President Laurie Pollard at (801) 602-7328.