I have found there are some very excellent ways to enhance my commitment. After I put these ideas into practice, Church was not just a three-hour block of time on Sunday, but became an everyday part of my life. The ideas that helped me are the following:
Attend stake conference sessions and listen to general conference sessions.- Participate in family home evening programs with my family.
Pray together as a family.
Hold regular scripture studies, both personally and as a family.
Go teach with the ward/branch missionaries.
Accept callings. For example, be a home teacher or visiting teacher.
Join the ward/branch choir.
Share the gospel with non-members.
Get involved in extra Church activities.
If you will do these things, you will not only strengthen your testimony but also increase your commitment. These ideas have helped me in a way that enables me to be more committed to the Church and to the gospel. I am sure that following these suggestions will indeed bless you and increase your testimony of the restored gospel. - Michael W. Stevenson, Kellogg, Idaho
How we did it:
Live gospel
Live the gospel seven days a week and always remember that commitments go beyond the walls of the meetinghouse. As a reminder, mark projects, meetings, visits or research you may be planning on the calendar, and begin early to lay the groundwork. Set a special time each day or as needed to pursue a task.
Constant prayers in recognition of His assistance are a lifeline. Nothing can be done without the Lord's help. Do your home teaching and visiting teaching early in the month. You will then have a free conscience to get on with the other projects you may be involved in. - Lois Dahlberg, Tacoma, Wash.
Busily engaged
Several years ago, I decided to make the restored gospel a part of my daily living experience where my actions are guided by three factors: first, that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world; second, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and restored the Lord's Church; and third, as a member of the Lord's Church it is my responsibility to be busily engaged in building the kingdom.
My desires advanced to reading the scriptures and praying daily, sharing the gospel weekly or teaching with the missionaries. When we accept our responsibilities as members, then we can dedicate all our actions toward that end. This includes being good parents, spouses, neighbors, employees or employers and fulfilling our Church callings.
The scheduled three-hour service on Sunday should be seen as a small part of the whole plan of serving our Lord Jesus Christ with all our heart, might, mind and strength till the end of our days. - Sam Bainson, Brown Deer, Wis.
Make time to serve
There are many opportunities to serve in our wards. Join the choir, visit the homebound and rest-home members, do temple work, be an adoptive grandparent or just be a good friend. Everyone can make time to serve if they really want to, but often we let the world's distractions get in our way. When we see a need, we should act immediately when moved by the Spirit. Sometimes just offering words of encouragement or a listening ear is the service someone may need. Most of all we need to serve with a prayer in our hearts that we may be aware of our family and our extended ward family needs and then act upon them with humility and Christlike love. - Linda Rimestad, Everett, Wash.
Daily basis
There was a time when I was a disfellowshipped member of the Church. During this difficult period, I was not allowed to take part in any meeting or hold any calling. I was very anxious to be of service in any capacity possible. I decided that it was important to take time each day to prayerfully ponder what I could do to be engaged in the work of the Lord on a daily basis. As I quietly thought, I was always inspired as to who I could call or what I could do to be of help to my family and neighbors. It really helped the time to go by quickly, and as I returned to full fellowship, I have felt the need to continue this practice, taking the opportunity to reach out as the Savior did each day - not just on Sunday. - Name withheld, Utah
Sharing skills
One of the greatest blessings I have is sharing with other members what I have learned. For example, when I help them with their English, sometimes I share with them talks by LDS leaders. This way the learners can improve their English as well as learning gospel principles. Other times I combine leadership or communication or thinking skills with the scriptures.
Teaching these courses helps me be in constant contact with the members outside the three-hour Church meeting schedule. - Caroline Kwok, Hong Kong
Ways unlimited
Ways that we can serve are unlimited. They do not have to be an official calling to be important. Honor your home teaching/visiting teaching commitments. Feed the missionaries. Donate used clothes, books, extra fruit and vegetables from your gardens to anyone who can use them. Teach someone to read. Babysit for someone who can't afford a sitter. Write encouraging notes to the elderly, sick, widowed or someone who is divorced. Go teaching with the missionaries or open your home for the missionaries to teach investigators.
Give someone a gift for no special reason. Donate time to substitute for sick Primary leaders. Help at a soup kitchen or read to your child's class at school.
Any service done in righteousness that illuminates the gospel is Church service. - Becky Robinette Wright, Richmond, Va.
Came up with solution
Just recently I was released from being an assistant to the bishop in the priests quorum. The time came that I found myself with nothing to do. Or so I thought. I had no calling, so what could I do to serve my God? After intense prayer, I came up with a solution that would not only expand my commitment but also allow the entire ward to take part. I arranged for our ward to "adopt a road." Quarterly, our entire ward will go out and clean up a 2.5-mile stretch. By this act of service, I not only give everybody a chance to commit regularly, but I also give the entire ward a chance to serve the community. - Toby Mendenhall, Columbia City, Ore.
How to checklist:
1 Live gospel daily; pray, study scriptures, attend temple.
2 Attend stake conferences, other special meetings.
3 Be involved; join the choir, give service, share gospel.
4 Be a friend; reach out to members, others in need.
WRITE TO US:
April 29 "How to help those who are less-active."
May 6 "How to draw closer to those to whom you are assigned as a home or visiting teacher."
May 13 "How to cope with and find peace after the death of a child."
May 20 "How to find joy in work."
May 27 "How to turn trials into blessings."
June 3 "How to protect your home against evil influences."
Had any good experiences or practical success in any of the above subjects? Share them with our readers in about 100-150 words. Write the "How-to" editor, Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, or send fax to (801) 237-2121. Please include a name and phone number. Contributions may be edited or excerpted and will not be returned. Due to limited space, some contributions may not be used; those used should not be regarded as official Church doctrine or policy. Material must be received at least 12 days before publication date.
