Church leaders took to social media this week to share lessons they had learned from the experiences and testimonies of members of the Church.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a video on his Facebook page on March 28. The video was of an experience he once shared about “how the Christlike love of a friend helped one man overcome overwhelming grief in the wake of the death of his son,” the post read.
“In your own circumstances, may you be God’s emissaries to His children, and love and care and pray for the people you are assigned. May you be vigilant in tending the flock of God in ways consistent with your circumstances.”
A few months ago, Sister Michelle D. Craig, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, visited with a mother who expressed confusion, anguish and sorrow for the choices and lifestyle her child had made.
In a March 29 Facebook post, Sister Craig wrote, “I wish I had the words to convey the feelings that swell in my heart as I visit with someone who is hurting, or even as I write this post. To this struggling sister and to so many others who feel marginalized in some way — as a result of another’s choices, a physical or mental illness, financial stress, marital status, or a myriad of other issues that come with mortality — you are loved, you are seen, you are needed. Healing and peace will come as we hold tight to our faith in Jesus Christ.”
Every person on earth is mortal, and all mortals fall short time and time again, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in a March 25 Instagram post.
“Mistakes are events on the timeline of your life. But they don’t define your life,” the post read.
“We are striving to align our lives with the teachings of Christ. We are in the process of refining our spirits and improving our daily lives.”
Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general president, shared the experience of a woman who had followed President Russell M. Nelson’s challenge to read the Book of Mormon by the end of 2018.
In the March 22 Facebook post, Sister Cordon quoted this woman: “I have learned that the Lord has not held back blessings based on my finishing a righteous goal but He continually pours them on me because He loves me and I am His daughter.”
“I add my testimony to this sweet sister’s that God lives,” Sister Cordon added. “We are His precious daughters. He sent His Son to atone for each one of us.”
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was recently in a testimony meeting where a devoted sister said, “I have great joy because of the Father’s plan of salvation.”
In a March 25 post, Elder Bednar described the light that shone from her eyes and her peaceful countenance. “Everything about her affirmed the truthfulness of what she was saying,” he said.
“Because of Heavenly Father’s plan and the Savior’s Atonement, challenges and afflictions invite us to lift up our eyes to Jesus Christ, the true source of joy. Joy endures in times and through experiences that are both good and bad because of our knowledge of the Father’s plan and of the Savior’s Atonement.”
While speaking to missionaries in the Provo Missionary Training Center on March 26, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited them to share the temple walk-through video he and Elder Bednar filmed with the missionaries’ friends and families. In posts on Facebook and Instagram on March 27, he shared the video of the virtual tour of the Rome Italy Temple.
“What a wonderful opportunity we have to share with others why the temple and the covenants we make there are such an important part of God’s plan for families,” the post read.
Sister Reyna I. Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, recently visited members in South Korea and Japan. In a March 23 Facebook post, she shared how impressed she was with the culture there and the example of the Church members.
“I absolutely love the way people greet each other in that part of the world. When they meet someone, they bow as a sign of respect,” she wrote. This shows how much they appreciate and revere the other person.
“This has made me reflect on the way I approach people when I meet them, either for the first time or the nth time. Do I make them feel respected, appreciated, and acknowledged?”
In a March 27 Facebook post, Sister Lisa L. Harkness, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, shared an experience she had as she visited a 6-year-old Primary class at the beginning of January. As the teacher was retelling a story from the scriptures, one boy began to share what he knew about the story.
“What happened next was amazing. The first boy began to tell the scripture story from his perspective and understanding, (another) boy who wasn’t as well-versed was fully engaged, and all the children were ministering and teaching each other,” Sister Harkness wrote. “It was really beautiful.”
