Sisters Sharon Eubank and Reyna Aburto of the LDS General Relief Society Presidency discussed different ways to minister during the Thursday afternoon general session of BYU Women's Conference. Sister Jean B. Bingham was not in attendance, having been assigned to represent the Church at the White House National Day of Prayer services.
Watch the session on demand here.
Lucy Mack Smith, mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith, said, “We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another, and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together.”
The sisters shared ways to minister like Lucy Mack Smith suggested.
They shared a quote from President Russell M. Nelson’s training to general authorities that occurred days before April’s General Conference:
“As we embrace this newer, higher, and holier way to minister, doors will open, and people will be blessed, Hearts will be healed, and burdens lifted. The doctrine of Christ will be taught and testimonies of Him will be strengthened. Lives will be saved, and joy will be felt in all homes of the Latter-day Saints,” said President Nelson.
Sisters Eubank and Aburto affirmed that the point of ministering is to bring others to Jesus Christ.
1. Cherish one another
Sister Aburto shared her experience of having a visiting teaching companion who was much younger than her, was newly married, had no children, from a different place, and had seemingly nothing in common. As they both visited their sisters, Sister Aburto and her companion found things in common (like a love of Mexican food) and have since become “besties.”
“It truly doesn’t matter who has 10 kids and who has one, who is a scientist and who has a third-grade education, or who wears pants and who wears a skirt,” said Sister Aburto. “What unites us is our divine heritage.”
2. Watch over one another
Sister Eubank shared a few responses to Sister Bingham’s Facebook post, which asked for ways people have been ministered to.
These examples included going to museums together with kids, hanging out for an evening, listening, texting throughout the week.
“I testify that the Lord will reveal to you how to minister,” said Sister Eubank. “In small ways, you will feel promptings showing you where to go and what to do.”
3. Comfort one another
Sister Aburto shared a ministering example. A couple’s daughter recently passed away and they posted on Facebook about the lonliness they felt while grieving. That night, a young couple brought a potted tulip as a gift. The couple stayed and listened to the parents share their feelings.
“Ministering isn’t so much what you do—but what you feel, and how that person feels,” said Sister Aburto.
She said that ministering does not have to be a big gesture, but that simple acts expressions of kindness or encouragement got a long way.
4. Gain instruction
Sister Eubank said that gaining instruction from the Spirit is “going to be critical to our future.”
She has tried to learn from the Spirit by doing one thing each day that the Lord wanted her to do.
Ministering companions can also teach one another, and those they visit, through the Spirit’s guidance.
“Gaining instruction from one another as well as from the Spirit allows us to fulfill our divine nature and access the power of heaven,” said Sister Eubank.
In conclusion, the sisters testified that God accepts all efforts to minister to others. They encouraged the audience to accept their long to-do list will never be finished, and to enjoy being with others and do what is realistic.
“Doing better doesn’t always mean doing more,” said Sister Eubank.
