The Church Is about Helping All of God’s Children

From the mountainous islands of Vanuatu to the rolling hills of Belgium, the 17 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be found in more than 31,000 wards and branches across the globe.

Supporting a worldwide church is a colossal effort that includes managing tithing and fast offerings, building and maintaining meetinghouses and temples, and producing and distributing gospel resources such as scriptures and hymnbooks.

These are a few of the many responsibilities of the Presiding Bishopric, who work under the direction of the First Presidency to manage the temporal affairs, or physical aspects, of the Church.

I didn’t know much about the Presiding Bishopric before writing a series for the Church News about the Church’s temporal affairs. Not only did I learn about the Presiding Bishopric’s role and purpose in the Church, but I discovered how their work can help us in our own lives and callings (see page 12).

One principle I learned is that the Church is about people—from Vanuatu to Belgium and everywhere in between. It’s about helping all of God’s children choose to return home to Him and receive the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement. As Elder D. Todd Christofferson teaches in this issue, “Enduring joy comes by enduring in the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping others do the same” (page 4).

I hope this truth can be a reality for each of us.

Sincerely,

Sydney Walker

Church News

people getting fruit from tree — “They did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.”