The last few weeks have been, admittedly, a lot to take in. From the death of President Russell M. Nelson to recent political and interpersonal unrest, I’ve felt a lingering heaviness about the state of the world. Maybe you’ve felt the same.
But during general conference, one repeated message stood out as a clear call to action that can help remedy the contention and heartbreak in our world. Touched on multiple times throughout conference and expounded upon by at least five speakers, this counsel genuinely filled me with hope. What was it?
We need to take care of each other.
Here are five ways our leaders told us how.
1. Interact Mindfully
Elder Gary E. Stevenson laid out three clear steps for becoming a peacemaker:
“1. A contention-free home zone: When contention starts, pause and reboot with kind words and deeds.
2. Digital bridge building: Before posting, replying, or commenting online, ask, Will this build a bridge? If not, stop. Do not send. Instead, share goodness. Publish peace in the place of hate.
3. Repair and reunite: Each family member could seek out a strained relationship in order to apologize, minister, repair, and reunite.”
This counsel points to a fundamental truth: maintaining healthy relationships and repairing broken ones requires conscious effort. Though hard at first, peacemaking can become easier when we ask Heavenly Father for help.
2. Leave Judgment to God
Sister J. Anette Dennis spoke about going through a deep depression in her 20s that caused her to doubt the existence of God. She kept going to church, but it was partly out of fear that if she didn’t, she would be judged or labeled an “inactive” member.
This painful experience made her realize that she’d previously made unfair assumptions about other people who’d stopped going to church.
Time and time again, I’ve been surprised as I learn about the private struggles of those around me. Since our knowledge of another person’s life will always be limited, our job is not to judge but to love.
3. Serve Our Brothers and Sisters
During a rainy week as a busy college student, Elder Steven C. Barlow had fallen behind on his lawn mowing job. After classes one day, he went home to find his equipment gone and his scheduled lawns trimmed. In his talk, he recalled, “At the last yard on the schedule, I saw my younger brother walking behind the mower. He saw me, smiled, and waved.”
This story reminded me of times when someone has made me dinner, finished one of my chores, or listened to me when I’ve had a hard day. They may seem like small things, but in the moment, they feel huge, and they fill me with love.
4. Be A Shepherd
Elder William K. Jackson explained that Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, showed us how to shepherd each other:
“He patterned shepherding and taught us by word and deed the qualities of a good shepherd, including knowing your sheep by name, loving them, finding those that are lost, feeding, and, ultimately, leading them back home again. ... How can we be better shepherds? We can learn to count and account.”
Shepherding at church is about more than just holding activities and teaching lessons. It’s about making sure no sheep is left behind.
5. Spend Quality Time with Our Families
President Dallin H. Oaks closed the final session of conference by reminding us that families should spend meaningful time together:
“Family gardens build family relationships. Happy family experiences strengthen family ties. Camping, sports activities, and other recreation are especially valuable to bond families. Families should organize family reunions to remember ancestors, which lead to the temple. … Families flourish when they learn as a group, and counsel together on all matters of concern to the family and its members.”
The better we become at nurturing our family relationships, the more natural that process will be with others outside our families.
Feeling Hope
Many people these days are lonely and angry. However, our leaders helped me believe that we really can change that. Things don’t need to remain the same. We can serve each other, we can halt a conflict, and we can account for lost sheep and lovingly bring them back into the fold.
That, after all, is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
More articles for you:
▶ 10 interesting facts about President Oaks’s life
▶ The profound phrase I keep noticing in general conference talks this year
▶ The general conference journal: your new favorite way to study
Carry on the conference spirit
Journals will begin shipping in November.
