Opportunities to Do Good - Henry B. Eyring

  I notice here the interchangeable use of the words "sympathy" and "compassion" and perhaps we can add "charity" to this mix. He points out again our covenant renewed each Sunday with the sacrament. Those prayers offer us the company of the Spirit as we keep the commandments each week. The emphasis on sympathy as a feeling we get when seeing or hearing about the troubles of other people reminds us of our need to respond with action to those feelings as the opportunity presents itself.
  In Brasil, there are many daily opportunities presented, some of which we are able to respond with some gesture of help, usually a gift of money to street people here. Of course fast offerings are available here to the members, but poverty is much more prevalent here than in the US and we feel somewhat helpless in the face of many situations. It is sometimes a wake up call however to see the favelas (slums) here that on closer observation show cable TV dishes and electric cords prevalent there! Progress is slowly coming.
  I remember the many trips to the welfare farms around Phoenix in my youth, usually to weed the rows in conjunction with many wards or stakes. It was hard work and usually very dirty, but was accented by the breakfast usually served and the feeling of brotherhood with the other men and boys.
  Challenges he left in this talk include:

• Parents need to see in the needs of others, ways they can help their children serve which brings the long term memories of those special feelings of charity.
• Parents also should make the children aware of the fast offering system and perhaps allow them to contribute once in a while.
• Teach the principle of "...the way to have a surplus is to spend less than I earn."
• Point out the great power and blessing of unity when we as a family or group join to help others in need.
• Draw your family together to they learn to care for each other as they care for others.
• Seek out the poor to find opportunities to act in this commandment in helping relive the stress and needs of others.
• Teach and recognize the great spiritual blessing that happens when acts of compassion enter the hearts of those blessed and of those blessing another.
• When able, "...plan to draw on the power of the bonds of families, of quorums, of auxiliary organizations, and of people you know in your communities. The feelings of unity will multiply the good effects of the service you give."

  I am so grateful to have opportunities here on an almost daily basis to be part of this great plan taught to us by the Prophets.