I Pray He’ll Use Us
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the divine mandate of the Church regarding the poor?
- How does the Church respond to this mandate?
- What role do the prophets play in humanitarian efforts?
- What examples of humanitarian efforts does Sister Eubank share?
- How can individual members contribute to these efforts?
Topics
Understanding the Divine Responsibility to Care for the Poor
Sister Eubank emphasizes that the Church has a divine mandate to care for the poor. This mandate is integral to the work of salvation and exaltation. The Church responds to this charge in various ways, including ministering, fasting and fast offerings, welfare farms and canneries, welcome centers for immigrants, outreach for those in prison, humanitarian efforts, and the JustServe app.
The Church of Jesus Christ is under divine mandate to care for the poor. It is one of the pillars of the work of salvation and exaltation.
These are all ways, organized through the priesthood, where small efforts collectively make a big impact, magnifying the many individual things we do as disciples of Jesus Christ.
- What does it mean that the Church has a divine mandate to care for the poor?
- How does the Church fulfill this mandate?
- How do individual efforts contribute to this work?
- How can you contribute to the Church's efforts to care for the poor?
- How have you seen the impact of these efforts in your own life or community?
- What steps can you take to increase your personal involvement in these efforts?
Recognizing the Prophets" Stewardship for the Whole Earth
Sister Eubank discusses the role of the prophets in leading the Church's humanitarian efforts. She emphasizes that the prophets have stewardship for the whole earth, not just Church members. She shares her personal experience of how the First Presidency takes this charge seriously and is involved in both the largest trends and smallest details of these efforts.
Prophets have charge for the whole earth, not just for members of the Church.
As needs grow, the First Presidency has charged us to increase our humanitarian outreach in a significant way.
- What does it mean that the prophets have stewardship for the whole earth?
- How does this stewardship influence the Church's humanitarian efforts?
- How does knowing about the prophets" involvement in humanitarian efforts influence your view of these efforts?
- How can you follow the prophets" example in your own service efforts?
Examining Examples of Humanitarian Efforts
Sister Eubank shares several examples of the Church's humanitarian efforts around the world, including COVID relief in South Africa, Afghan relief at Ramstein, Haitian earthquake relief, and German flood relief. These stories highlight the impact of the Church's efforts and the contributions of individual members.
At President Nelson’s direction, I am reporting back to you about how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is responding to hurricanes, earthquakes, refugee displacement—and even a pandemic—thanks to the kindness of the Latter-day Saints and many friends.
But statistics don’t tell the whole story. Let me share four brief examples to illustrate the smallest taste of what is being done.
- What are some examples of the Church's humanitarian efforts?
- How do these efforts demonstrate the Church's commitment to caring for the poor and needy?
- How do these examples inspire you to serve?
- What can you learn from these examples about the impact of individual contributions?
Becoming an Instrument in God's Hands
Sister Eubank emphasizes that through our ministry, donations, time, and love, we can be the answer to many prayers. She invites us to be part of God's magnificent ministry by being willing to serve and to be used by God to answer the prayers of others.
Speaking of the Church’s humanitarian efforts, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once remarked: "Prayers are answered most of the time by God using other people. Well, I pray that He’ll use us. I pray that we’ll be the answer to people’s prayers."
Our individual efforts don’t necessarily require money or faraway locations; they do require the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a willing heart to say to the Lord, "Here am I; send me."
- What does it mean to be an instrument in God's hands?
- How can we be the answer to other people's prayers?
- How have you seen God use you to answer someone's prayers?
- What steps can you take to be more open to being used by God in this way?
Participating in the Acceptable Year of the Lord
Sister Eubank concludes her talk by referring to the scriptures that Jesus Christ quoted at the beginning of His mortal ministry. She testifies that these scriptures are being fulfilled in our own time and invites us to participate in this work by answering the question "Do you love me?" and feeding His sheep.
I testify that the scripture is being fulfilled in our own time as well. I testify Jesus Christ is come to heal the brokenhearted. His gospel is to recover sight to the blind. His Church is to preach deliverance to the captive, and His disciples across the world are striving to set at liberty them that are bruised.
With great reverence and love for Jesus Christ, our Master, I invite each of us to be a part of His magnificent ministry, and I pray He’ll use us.
- What is "the acceptable year of the Lord"?
- How is this scripture being fulfilled in our time?
- How can you participate in "the acceptable year of the Lord"?
- How does your love for Jesus Christ influence your desire to feed His sheep?
