From https://www.lds.org/languages/eng/content/manual/come-follow-me-for-elders-quorum-and-relief-society-april-2018/second-and-third-sunday-meetings?lang=eng

President Eyring tells of two sacrament meeting talks about ministering that impressed him. Perhaps you could ask half of the quorum or Relief Society members to review the words of the 14-year-old boy and the other half to review the story about the home teacher. As they read, members could think of advice they might give a young man or young woman who is newly assigned to minister to someone. How can we “become even more inspired and charitable in our … ministering service”?

Some key points from talk by 14 year old boy

What can we learn from this 14 year old boy’s talk about becoming even more inspired and charitable in our ministering service? Here are a few points that I picked out:

• “The Lord is telling us it’s our responsibility to not only care for the Church but to also care for the people within the Church the way that Christ would because this is His Church. If we are trying to keep the commandments, be kind to each other, be honest, be good friends, and enjoy being together, then we will be able to have the Spirit with us and know what Heavenly Father wants us to do. If we don’t, then we can’t fulfill our calling.”
• “Being a good teacher doesn’t only mean being responsible when we are at church or at Church activities. The Apostle Paul taught, ‘Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity’ (1 Timothy 4:12).”
• “No matter where we are or what we are doing, we can be a good example of righteousness at all times and in all places.
• Helping people feel welcome and included at church helps all the members of the ward feel loved and prepared to take the sacrament.
•  “Some service like passing the sacrament is something people see and they thank us for doing it, but other service like preparing the sacrament is usually done without anyone noticing. It isn’t important if people see us serving; what’s important is that the Lord knows we have served Him.
• “As teachers, we should always try to strengthen the Church, our friends, and our family by fulfilling our priesthood responsibilities. It’s not always easy, but the Lord gives no commandments to us ‘save he shall prepare a way for [us to] accomplish the thing which he commandeth’ (1 Nephi 3:7).”
•  “I know we will become better if we choose to follow [Jesus Christ].”

Some key points from the story of the home teacher.

Who exhibited inspired and charitable ministering in this story?

• He and a home teaching companion were assigned to serve seven families. Almost all of them did not want visits. When the home teachers went to their apartments, they refused to answer the door. When they telephoned, they did not get an answer. When they left a message, the call was not returned. This senior companion finally resorted to a letter-writing ministry. He even began to use bright yellow envelopes in the hope of getting a response.
• After many attempts to contact her, he received a text message. She abruptly informed him that she was too busy to meet with home teachers. She had two jobs and was in the military as well. Her primary job was that of a police officer, and her career goal was to become a detective and then return to her native country and continue her work there.
• The home teacher never was able to visit with her in her home. He periodically texted her. Every month he sent a handwritten letter, supplemented with holiday cards for each child.
• The home teacher texted back that he would do his best. He then contacted his priesthood leaders. The bishop, who was the presiding high priest, gave him approval to approach members of the ward council, including the Relief Society president.
• The Relief Society president quickly found four good LDS families, with children about Eric’s age, who would take him into their homes for a week at a time. Over the next month, these families fed Eric, found room for him in their already crowded apartments or small homes, took him on their previously planned summer family activities, brought him to church, included him in their family home evenings, and on and on.
• The families with boys Eric’s age included him in their deacons quorum meetings and activities.
• After his mother came home from her training, Eric continued to attend church, usually with one of these four volunteer LDS families or others who had befriended him, including his mother’s visiting teachers. In time, he was ordained a deacon and began passing the sacrament regularly.

Inspired ministering

‘Municipal wards, companies, and strengthened quorums have all required at least two things to be successful in the Lord’s intent to have His Saints care for each other in the way He cares for them. They succeed when the Saints feel the love of Christ for each other above their self-interest. The scriptures call it “charity … the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). And they succeed when the Holy Ghost guides the caregiver to know what the Lord knows is best for the person whom He is trying to help.’

What two things does President Eyring say are necessary to successfully care for the Lord’s Saints? (The Saints need to feel the love of Christ for each other, the Holy Ghost guides the caregiver)

What implications should this have for how we minister?

Moroni 7:47 – Pure Love of Christ

‘Serving Him requires all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. ^{See  Doctrine and Covenants 4:2} Consequently, selflessly serving others counteracts the self-centered and selfish tendencies of the natural man. We grow to love those whom we serve. And because serving others is serving God, we grow to love Him and our brothers and sisters more deeply. Such love is a manifestation of the spiritual gift of charity, even the pure love of Christ.’ (David A Bednar, General Conference, October 2016)

‘Only when we see through Heavenly Father’s eyes can we be filled with “the pure love of Christ.” Every day we should plead with God for this love.’ (Dale G Renlund, General Conference, October 2015)

‘I am confident there are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill, and those who feel discouraged. Ours is the opportunity to help them and to lift their spirits. The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. He healed the sick; He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. Throughout His ministry He reached out in charity to any in need. As we emulate His example, we will bless lives, including our own.’ (Thomas S Monson, General Conference, October 2015)