Strengthening Others, Treasure Hunt, Tired of Traveling, 320 Million Years Old, Loving Dogs More Than People ?

Providing Strength to Others

This last week we led the discussion on "Providing Strength to Others" from the Self Reliance manual.  The foundational principle for this module is "Become One, Serve Together."  By rallying around those in need we feel unity while providing a significant lift to those who have suffered from disappointments, ill-health, accidents or whatever earthly malady that has hit them.  We loved the leading scripture in this section from the Book of Mormon. 

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God".  (Mosiah 2:17) 

In Luke 9:24 we read, "For whosoever will save his life must be willing to lose it for my sake; and whosoever will be willing to lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."

If we feel lost or tossed about by the storms of life, we can find an anchor in and unity with the Savior by serving others and begin to feel the love that He has for us by doing what He would do for others.  Elder Uchtdorf said:

"By becoming the answer to someone else's prayer, we often find the answer to our own prayers."

One of the most important principles in serving others in need is to listen to them and validate their feelings.  Sister Reyna Aburto, once a member of the General Relief Society Presidency taught, 

"Even if we do not know how to relate to what others are going through, validating that their pain is real can be an important first step in finding understanding and healing." 

To validate people's feelings means to first accept their feelings and then to understand them by listening intently to their plight.  Only then can our service to them begin to touch the pure love of Christ.  Here is a process that will lead us to Christ-centered service for those in need:   

1. Listen
2. Try to Understand
3. Accept the Person's Feelings
4. Express Compassion
5. Show Love

We also love this quote by President Monson, former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints:

Treasure Hunt in Stanhope

We had a delightful morning in Stanhope with Peter and Pauline Kennedy, from the Newcastle Upon Tyne ward.  They took us on a treasure hunt through the village and we solved a mystery.  

During the adventurous and mind tickling time we discovered some cool things.  The sandstone cast of a very old tree (lived 320 million years ago - so they say) and the reason why so many people in England love their dogs !  Our adventure ended at St. Thomas, The Apostle Church in the town center (Church of England), built in the 12th century.  We were impressed with the words on a 1770 gravestone by the door to the church which reads:

"Tired with traveling through this world of sin, at length am come to nature's common inn.  In this dark place here for to rest a night; In hopes to rise that Christ may give me light." 

Last South Shields District Council before Transfers

Left to right: Elder Andrew Keck DL from Utah; Elder Jacopo Trotta from Verese, Italy; Elder Karter Pentz from Morgan, Utah; Elder Stanton Bedwell, from Acworth, Georgia;  Sister Mary Ashton from Puyallup, Washington; Annemarie Hilton from Provo, Utah;  Sister and Elder Betteridge from who knows where. 

Institute class in Ashington

We are delighted to be serving Jesus Christ by serving these wonderful young adults in the Sunderland stake, in England.