This week on social media, the hearts of Church leaders went out to the thousands of people affected by recent wildfire activity in Los Angeles, California. The Young Men general presidency also taught young priesthood holders about the importance of their ‘sphere of influence and service,’ and how that sphere will continue to grow as they progress in their age and responsibilities.
“My heart aches for the thousands of people who are suffering unimaginable challenges caused by the devastating wildfires in Southern California,” expressed Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in a social media post Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Elder Bednar assured readers that the Church is actively providing resources and working with multiple local organizations to assist in relief for all affected.
“The Lord Jesus Christ perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, succor, heal and strengthen us to do that which we could never do relying on our own limited capacity,” wrote Elder Bednar.
He then offered his personal prayer for peace, courage, strength, hope and healing for families and communities affected.
Standing in front of the Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Illinois — where the Relief Society was organized in 1842 — the Relief Society general presidency invited sisters around the world to join them Sunday, March 16, for the worldwide Relief Society devotional in a social media post Thursday, Jan. 16.
President Camille N. Johnson and her counselors, Sister J. Anette Dennis and Sister Kristin M. Yee, shared their excitement for the devotional:
“You’ll hear us teach and testify about the blessings of forming a covenant relationship with God,” explained President Johnson in the posted video. “You will have an opportunity to testify about the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will also be present and speak at the devotional.
Young Men General President Steven J. Lund — joined by his counselors Brother Bradley R. Wilcox and Brother Michael T. Nelson in a social media reel Wednesday, Jan. 15 — promised young men that when they are in the service of the Lord and using His priesthood, “He will always bless your life, and He will always be there in support of you.”
Together with the Young Men Worldwide and Strive To Be social media pages, the presidency taught about the importance of advancing in priesthood offices.
Brother Wilcox explained that a young man’s circle of influence “grows when you become a teacher, and then your circle of influence and your circle of service grows when you become a priest. This is an ever-increasing circle of influence and service.”
President Lund, sharing his optimism and enthusiasm for new priesthood holders, said: “Now, it may not feel this way to a brand-new deacon that is about to be set apart, or teacher or priest. But our promise to you is that there is no greater joy in this world than serving Heavenly Father.”
Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, shared a message highlighting the Savior Jesus Christ and His individual and powerful love for everyone in a social media post on the Young Women Worldwide page Thursday, Jan. 16.
She started by recounting the scriptural story of Christ falling asleep in a boat with His apostles amid a violent storm. “Carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38) the apostles said to Jesus.
“Maybe you’ve thought, ‘Carest thou not?’: That my life isn’t turning out as You promised it would? That my loved ones are struggling? That I feel so alone?” wrote Sister Runia.
“I believe He was saying to them and to us, ‘I’ve got you. I’ve got this.’ Doubt not. Fear not,” she concluded, referencing Doctrine and Covenants 6:36. “When your Redeemer says, ‘Let us pass over unto the other side,’ He will be with you. He will see you safely there. He cares.”
