Sunday Report

Sunday's lesson was given by Peggy Campbell from the conference talk by President Uchtdorf  "You Are My Hands."  She shared with us the story of a beautiful statue of Christ that was severely damaged by  bombing during World War II.  It was a beloved symbol of the faith of the city's people and they were determined to have it restored.  Most of the statue was repaired but the hands had been so badly damaged that it was impossible to restore them.  It was decided that the statue would remain symbolically without hands and a sign was added at the base of the restored statue that read: "You are my hands."  President Uchtdorf explained that we are indeed to be the hands of Christ  Just as He ministered to the humble and meek during His earthly life, bringing them hope and salvation, so should we, as members of His restored Church, be doing today.  Our hands can embrace, as His did, in sacrifice and compassion to those who are in need.  Within the Church we must support and serve one another as well as extending our love to the world outside the Church.  We are all, at one time or another, in need of succor and compassion and hope, for we are all mortal and therefore imperfect and subject to the adversities of mortality.  We must guard against unrighteous judgment, but remember that in the sight of of God all souls are of great worth for they are His children.  Everyone is walking his or her own difficult path and we have covenanted to "mourn with those who mourn" and "comfort those who stand in need of comfort."  We can serve one another in love, seeking their happiness, doing unto others as we would hope they would do unto us.  This service both grows out to love and helps that love to grow.  As we love the Lord and seek to do His will by serving those He loves, we grow in love for them also.  We must take Him as our example of how to serve and love,uplifting others, helping them become stronger, better people.  That is how He served.  To underscore the beautiful message of President Uchtdorf's talk, Amber Peterson, accompanied by Hannah Kropelnicki, shared a beautiful musical number about the hands of the Lord.  We were encouraged to become His hands to ensure that others feel His loving embrace which comforts and heals and brings hope.

Next Week:  Fifth Sunday under the direction of the Bishop

Have a great week. 

The Relief Society Presidency