Trust Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidencies

By Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita

President, Pacific Area Presidency

Even during this time of the COVID-19 outbreak, growth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues. Because of God’s love for us, He is guiding us through our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.

The doctrines and principles of the gospel don’t change but I have seen many other changes that can bring us great blessings in the Church and at home. One of latest changes is that elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies should engage more in the work of salvation.

In a notice to stake and ward leaders dated 6 October 2018, the responsibilities of member missionary work and temple and family history work in the ward were delegated to the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies. These presidencies should also oversee and coordinate ministering efforts and care for those in need.¹

What a wonderful change! I am so grateful for it.

What does this wonderful change mean? To me, it means that elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies can help relieve the load of the bishops more by moving forward missionary work, temple and family history work, and welfare matters.

While the bishop still oversees financial assistance and the use of fast offerings in the ward, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies should work with families to teach principles of self-reliance, and to counsel with the adults on issues of employment, budgeting, or challenges with family relationships.

Bishops are to concentrate on strengthening the youth—the rising leaders of the next generation—to stay on the covenant path.

All members need to understand this great change. But what can we members do?

Work with elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies.

Let us follow the great principles of love, share and invite to help to come unto Christ. Let us work with the missionaries. Let us hold a current temple recommend and find our ancestor’s names and take them to the temple. Let us ask our temple and family history consultants for assistance.

Trust elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies.

When we face challenges with employment, finances, family relationships, children or marriage issues, we should go to our elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies and ask for their help. They can give us inspiration, guidance and advice as they seek inspiration from the scriptures, the General Handbook and through daily prayer.

Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, counselled: “Rather than starting with the bishop, members need to learn to start with the Relief Society and elders quorum presidency.”²

Do ministering diligently.

According to the General Handbook, ministering means serving others as the Savior did (see Matthew 20:26–28). He loved, taught, prayed for, comforted, and blessed those around Him (see Acts 10:38). As disciples of Jesus Christ, we seek to minister to God’s children.

The Lord wants all members of His Church to receive such care. For this reason, priesthood holders are assigned as ministering brothers to each member household. Ministering sisters are assigned to each adult sister. These assignments help ensure that Church members are remembered and cared for (see Moroni 6:4).

Ministering is an important way we keep the commandments to love God and to love our neighbors (see Matthew 22:36–40). It is also a vital way to help accomplish the work of salvation and exaltation.

Elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies help ministering brothers and sisters learn how to minister to others. They also give inspiration, guidance, and support. They can do this in ministering interviews,³ in Sunday meetings, and in personal conversations.⁴

Brothers and sisters, let us do ministering diligently, just as the Savior did.

Trust ministering brothers and sisters.

Elder Paul B. Pieper, General Authority Seventy counselled: “We need to trust that our ministering brothers and sisters have been called and assigned by God to help us. … We have to believe that’s the Lord’s first line reaching out to us. We need to use them. …

“They can both be magnified in the same ways as bishops can to help meet the needs of the members. … You don’t need to go to the bishop to access that priesthood power.”⁵

As we serve each other as ministering brothers and sisters, we can establish the kingdom of God in our area.

Continue home-centered, Church-supported effort.

As individuals and family, we should continue to do home-centered gospel learning. Through having scripture study at home, our faith in Jesus Christ and our testimonies will be strengthened.

I testify that our Heavenly Father and His beloved son Jesus Christ love us and know us. They guide us through our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson today. I am so grateful for his remarkable leadership and discipleship. Let us trust and sustain our elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies and work with them. As we do so, our bishop and bishopric will be more available to help strengthen our youth in the gospel of Jesus Christ.