“I Pray He’ll Use Us,” For the Strength of Youth, Nov. 2021.
Saturday Evening Session
I Pray He’ll Use Us
Excerpts
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. …
The Church responds to this charge in a wide variety of ways, including:
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the ministering we do through Relief Society, priesthood quorums, and classes;
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fasting and the use of fast offerings;
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welfare farms and canneries;
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welcome centers for immigrants;
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outreach for those in prison;
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Church humanitarian efforts;
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and the JustServe app, where it’s available, that matches volunteers with service opportunities.
… While the more than 1,500 COVID-19 projects were certainly the largest focus of the Church’s relief over the last 18 months, the Church also responded to 933 natural disasters and refugee crises in 108 countries. …
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” [“Neonatal Resuscitation with Elder Holland” (video), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nov. 10, 2011, youtube.com]. …
Brothers and sisters, through your ministry, donations, time, and love, you have been the answer to so many prayers. And yet there is so much more to do. As baptized members of the Church, we are under covenant to care for those in need. 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” [Isaiah 6:8].