Concern for the One

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
Saturday Morning Session - April 2008
Sunday Aug. 24th Lesson

True disciples of Jesus Christ have always been concerned for the one.
We need to follow the example of Christ and be concerned for the “one lost sheep”
Jesus Christ Said:
Luke 15:4 - What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Elder Wirthlin said:“We are commanded to seek out those who are lost. We are to be our brother’s keeper. We cannot neglect this commission given by our Savior. We must be concerned for the one.”

Elder Wirthlin gives us three types of people to look for that are lost:
1. Those who feel they are different.
2. Those who are weary
3. Those who have strayed

Some are lost because they feel they are different.
Some people feel like they don’t belong because they may look, act, think or speak differently. This gives some people the feeling that they don’t fit in and therefore are not needed.
Think about a time when you were at work, or school or a social gathering and you felt like you really didn’t fit in or that your services weren’t needed. Did it make you uncomfortable? What do you think would have helped you to feel more comfortable and that you were needed there?

Quote #1 – “The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole.”

The Lord values all his children.
2 Nephi 26:33 - For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to ccome unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
Elder Wirthlin tells a story of when he was a boy:
Quote #2 – “I remember when I was young, there was an older boy who was physically and mentally disabled. He had a speech impediment and walked with difficulty. The boys used to make fun of him. They teased and taunted him until sometimes he would cry.
I can still hear his voice: “You’re not kind to me,” he said. And still they would ridicule him, push him, and make jokes about him.
One day I could bear it no longer. Although I was only seven years old, the Lord gave me the courage to stand up to my friends.
“Don’t touch him,” I said to them. “Stop teasing him. Be kind. He is a child of God!”
My friends stepped back and turned away.
I wondered at the time if my boldness would jeopardize my relationship with them. But the opposite happened. From that day onward, my friends and I became closer. They showed increased compassion for the boy. They became better human beings. To my knowledge, they never taunted him again.”

Let’s try to remember to have more compassion for those that are different from us.

Some are lost because they are weary.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed, stressed out and too tired to keep going? Who hasn’t felt that way right? Look at the Apostles and Prophets of the church, they are not young men and I’m sure have less strength than many of us, yet they are great examples of persistence, especially Elder Wirthlin as we see him barely being able to stand and give his talks.
Elder Wirthlin said:
Quote #3 - “I do not wish to underestimate the weight that members of the Church bear upon their shoulders, nor do I minimize the emotional and spiritual trials they face. These can be heavy and often difficult to bear.
I do, however, have a testimony of the renewing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed that the Lord “giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” – Isaiah 40:29

When Elder Wirthlin feels tired he remembers the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
D&C 128:22 - Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.

Quote #4 – “For you members of the Church who hold back because of feelings of inadequacy, I plead with you to step forward, put your shoulder to the wheel, and push. Even when you feel that your strength can add little, the Church needs you. The Lord needs you. Remember that the Lord often chooses “the weak things of the world” to accomplish His purposes.” – D&C 1:19

The Lord has given us a promise in Mathew 11:28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

The Lord has asked us to show concern for the weary:
D&C 81:5 - Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.
Quote #5 – “Remember, sometimes those who start out the slowest end up going the farthest.”

Some are lost because they have strayed.
All of us make mistakes – Elder Wirthlin said in his talk – “The question is not whether we will trip and fall but, rather, how will we respond.”

Quote #6 – “Do you not know that the Church is a place for imperfect people to gather together—even with all their mortal frailties—and become better? Every Sunday in every meetinghouse throughout the world, we find mortal, imperfect men, women, and children who meet together in brotherhood and charity, striving to become better people, to learn of the Spirit, and to lend encouragement and support to others. I am not aware of any sign on the door of our meetinghouses that reads “Restricted Entrance—Perfect People Only.”

We need the Lord’s Church to be taught his redeeming gospel and doctrines and were we can partake of His saving ordinances.
Elder Wirthlin also talks about how the Church is a place were we can lose ourselves in the service of others. How does this help us?

Quote #7 – “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

We are all needed in His Church, even if we have been offended we need to set our hurt aside, we need to use our abilities to better ourselves. It not only makes us better people but we bless others with our examples.

Elder Wirthlin warns that if we have strayed because of Doctrinal concern we need to realize that the Lord is not foolish.

1 Corinthians 2:14 - But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Quote #8 – “I know that each of you bears a concern for a loved one. Give encouragement, service, and support to them. Love them. Be kind to them. In some cases, they will return. In others, they will not. But in all cases, let us ever be worthy of the name we take upon ourselves, even that of Jesus Christ.”

I’d like to end with Elder Wirthlin’s Testimony
“To all who inhabit this beautiful earth, I raise my voice and bear solemn witness that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and King! He restored His truth and His gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. He speaks to His prophets and apostles. President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s anointed and guides His Church today. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-6,00.html