I love the focus Elder Andersen places on being sensitive to everyone's situation when teaching them the gospel. Too often we think of and compare ourselves to the perfect standard while forgetting that none of us is really quite there. It is easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged. The miracle of the gospel is that Christ can take us from where we are, to where He wants us. The even greater miracle is that he will do it in a way that we are able to feel like we can actually make those steps. He empowers us. Emboldens us. Feeds our confidence. Too often as humans we tend to destroy each other's confidence by showing them how they are failing - rather than focusing on the good and then giving encouragement to be even better. Elder Andersen focuses on our ability to encourage and lift:
While a child’s earthly situation may not be ideal, a child’s spiritual DNA is perfect because one’s true identity is as a son or daughter of God.
President Thomas S. Monson has said: “Help God’s children understand what is genuine and important in this life. Help them develop the strength to choose paths that will keep them safely on the way to eternal life.” Let’s open our arms and our hearts a little wider. These youth need our time and our testimonies.
Brandon, who joined the Church in Colorado in high school, spoke to me of those who reached out to him both before and after his baptism. He said: “I was in the homes of families that lived the gospel. It showed me a standard that I felt I could have in my own family.”
Veronique, born in the Netherlands, attended school with our daughter Kristen when we lived in Germany. Veronique noted: “Students who were Church members had a light about them. I came to realize that that light came from their faith in Jesus Christ and living His teachings.”
My friend Max was baptized when he was eight years old. His father was not a member of any church, and Max could go to church or not go.
As a teenager, after not attending for several months, Max had the feeling that he needed to go back to church and determined one Sunday morning that he would return. But his resolve weakened as he approached the front door of the church; his stomach tightened.
There, standing at the door, was the new bishop. Max didn’t know him, and he felt sure the bishop didn’t know Max. As Max approached, the bishop’s face lit up, and he put his hand out and said, “Max, it’s so good to see you!”
“As he spoke those words,” Max said, “a warm feeling came over me and I knew I had done the right thing.”
Knowing someone’s name can make a difference.
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