You can watch Elder Gong’s talk at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/14gong?lang=eng

Elder Gong commenced his address by sharing a number of stories exemplifying ministering.

Everywhere I go, I gratefully learn from those who minister and care as our Savior would.

Which of Elder Gong’s stories resonated with you? Why?

Higher and holier ministering comes when we pray for “the pure love of Christ” and follow the Spirit. It also comes as elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies, under the bishop’s direction, oversee ministering efforts, including assigning ministering companionships. Please give our young men and young women needed opportunity to accompany and be mentored by experienced ministering brothers and sisters. And please let our young rising generation inspire ministering brother and sister companions.

“We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. … We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.” (Thomas S Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 86.)

How is ministering higher and holier than the home teaching and visiting teaching programmes that preceded it?

In some places in the Church, we have a ministering gap. More say they are ministering than say they are being ministered to. We do not want checklist concern. But often we need more than a sincere hello in the hall or a casual “Can I help you?” in the parking lot. In many places, we can reach out, understand others where they are, and build relationships when we regularly visit members in their homes. Inspired invitations change lives. When invitations help us make and keep sacred covenants, we draw closer to the Lord and each other.

What does Elder Gong mean by a ‘ministering gap’?

It is said that those who understand the true spirit of ministering do more than before, while those who do not understand do less. Let’s do more, as our Savior would. As our hymn says, it is “a blessing of duty and love.”

The Savior is our example in everything—not only in what we should do but why we should do it. His life on earth was [an] invitation to us—to raise our sights a little higher, to forget our own problems and [to] reach out to others. (Julie B Bingham, General Conference, April 2018).

What does ministering motivated by Christ-like love look like?

Our Savior is our perfect example. Because He is good, He can go about doing good. He blesses the one and the 99. He is ministering personified. We become more like Jesus Christ when we do “unto … the least of these” as we would unto Him, when we love our neighbor as ourselves, when we “love one another; as I have loved you,” and when “whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.”

President Nelson said: “Jesus is our exemplar. We need to be ministers – how? Just the way Jesus would , that’s all. Look to the lonely, afraid, feeling unwanted, unloved. Maybe they have had a bad day or bad news. Ministering in a holier way a step higher – really loving someone, being a spiritual physician think about where is the pain coming from? No matter what it is the gospel will lift. We thought about names for visiting and home teaching and the thought about shepherds but no, just ministers…… It is not complicated, convoluted or complex. You love God, you love your neighbour.. by caring, loving, making life better for people.’

We may tire physically. But in His service we do “not weary in well-doing.” We diligently do our best, do not run faster than we have strength, but trust, as the Apostle Paul teaches, that “God loveth a cheerful giver.” For God who “ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown.” In other words, God enriches “every thing to all bountifulness.” They “which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

Have you been inspired by Elder Gong’s talk to change anything about the way you minister?

NB: Passages in italics are direct quotes from Elder Gong’s talk.