Men and women are wondrous creations, made in God's image and endowed with divine attributes. Still, the Lord's children must contend in mortality with sickness, aging, hardships and heartaches.
"For all these reasons and more, we need Heavenly Father's help," said Bishop Keith B. McMullin, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric in his conference address Sunday morning. "An important source of this help comes through man's service to his fellow man."
The Lord commanded His children to love and serve one another by sacrificing to help those in need. The poor labor for what they receive and seek the betterment of others.
"The Church welfare plan embodies this divine pattern, and faithful Church members follow it. Their offerings provide succor to the widow, care to the orphan and refuge to the suffering."
Bishop McMullin declared that the Church's welfare plan is inspired by God.
"Its tenets are fundamental to the salvation of man," he said. "It is an ensign for service, a witness to the world that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored. It is heaven's help in practical ways."
Another essential way to receive God's help is through prayers, he added. "We are commanded to pray to God, our Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. The admonition is: 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened' (Matthew 7:7-8). Heavenly Father answers all sincere prayers."
During His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ healed the sick and lifted desperate souls. With the restoration of the gospel came priesthood power and authority to continue that aspect of God's work to help others, said Bishop McMullin.
The ultimate help from Heavenly Father comes to us through His Son, 'for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"' (John 3:16-17).
