Return and Report
If a tree falls in the forest, and nobody tweets about it, did it really happen? This is one of the thoughts that meandered through my mind as I sat in Stake Council meeting. The topic that dominated most of the meeting was the changes to ministering announced during General Conference. We sat together as stake leaders and talked about what it meant for us and how we would proceed as a stake. We talked about the direction we wanted to go, and how to help individuals move forward, adapt, and thrive with this new program.
As a member of the High Council, I have had the opportunity to attend several meetings over the last few weeks, ranging from High Council meeting to Stake High Priests Quorum to Ward Elders Quorum. In each of those meetings, the same concern was raised. People want to know: now that we're not doing monthly Home or Visiting Teaching, how are our efforts reported? Nobody is going to call us each month to ask if we visited our assigned families. There is no box to check each month. So, how do maintain accountability?
In order to determine that, we first need to understand that for which we are to be held accountable. Under the previous program, all that was asked was "Were you able to see all of your families?" and then the corresponding box was checked on the monthly report. A simple yes-or-no question designed to make sure we remembered to perform a task, but not really designed to find out if we were following the spirit of the law. This routine of making a monthly visit to trigger a box to be checked created the false assumption that we are accountable to the Elders Quorum president, or the Relief Society President, who will ask us each month if we can check all our boxes.
That couldn't be further from the truth. The Lord tells the Saints in Doctrine and Covenants section 88:
So, how do we report our efforts to love and care for those around us? I see two ways that this will happen. The first is that the Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidents will conduct quarterly interviews with ministering brothers and sisters. These interviews will be far more meaningful than "Can we check off your boxes?". They will be focused on ministering efforts with a discussion of needs and help that can be provided. It will be more than a simple Q&A.
The second, and perhaps more important, way will come through our everyday interactions with those around us. Let me give you a brief example.
My wife had a hard day the other day. Without going into detail, she was feeling pretty down. She was struggling to find the motivation to do anything, but she had already planned that night to go to a neighbor's house with whom she serves in the Young Women's Presidency to help prepare some flower arrangements for a wedding. So, she went, and came back five hours later a changed person. Her mood had improved and she felt much better about herself. Her circumstances hadn't really changed, but she had received some much-needed support and advice from a trusted friend and Sister.
Now, that could have been the end of the story, but today, I got the impression that I should send this Sister a text and thank her for being there in a time of need. It was a really simple act on her part, and I doubt she even realized she was ministering, but I felt like she needed to know her efforts had not gone unnoticed.
Now, we don't serve for the glory and recognition (certainly not for the pay), but when you receive service, when someone ministers to you, tell them. Let them know that they made a difference in your life. Find some way to document the occasion, whether it be a text to that person, and entry in a journal, a post on social media, maybe even a blog.
The scriptures not only contain numerous examples, but they themselves are examples of the importance of writing things down. Nephi went to pretty extreme lengths to secure the brass plates, knowing that the writings they contained were critical to his people. Moroni went to pretty extreme lengths to protect the writings of all those who came before him and preserve them for a future day.
You won't have to go to such extreme lengths, but the burning desire they both had to both create and preserve their records should not be any less in us. People need to know about the good that is done in the world. They will be uplifted and strengthened by hearing you tell about those who helped you. It will inspire them to do the same.
If a tree falls in the forest and you're the only one around? Pick it up, then return and report. We'll all be glad you did.
As a member of the High Council, I have had the opportunity to attend several meetings over the last few weeks, ranging from High Council meeting to Stake High Priests Quorum to Ward Elders Quorum. In each of those meetings, the same concern was raised. People want to know: now that we're not doing monthly Home or Visiting Teaching, how are our efforts reported? Nobody is going to call us each month to ask if we visited our assigned families. There is no box to check each month. So, how do maintain accountability?
In order to determine that, we first need to understand that for which we are to be held accountable. Under the previous program, all that was asked was "Were you able to see all of your families?" and then the corresponding box was checked on the monthly report. A simple yes-or-no question designed to make sure we remembered to perform a task, but not really designed to find out if we were following the spirit of the law. This routine of making a monthly visit to trigger a box to be checked created the false assumption that we are accountable to the Elders Quorum president, or the Relief Society President, who will ask us each month if we can check all our boxes.
That couldn't be further from the truth. The Lord tells the Saints in Doctrine and Covenants section 88:
Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.So, if we have vital information, it becomes us to share that information with those around us. Jacob, son of Lehi, goes even further to say:
So, to what, or more appropriately, to who are we accountable? Ministering is more than checking a box. It involves a love of God and a love of our neighbor. We have a responsibility to let our neighbors (no matter how we define the term) know that we love them and are there for them.
And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence
So, how do we report our efforts to love and care for those around us? I see two ways that this will happen. The first is that the Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidents will conduct quarterly interviews with ministering brothers and sisters. These interviews will be far more meaningful than "Can we check off your boxes?". They will be focused on ministering efforts with a discussion of needs and help that can be provided. It will be more than a simple Q&A.
The second, and perhaps more important, way will come through our everyday interactions with those around us. Let me give you a brief example.
My wife had a hard day the other day. Without going into detail, she was feeling pretty down. She was struggling to find the motivation to do anything, but she had already planned that night to go to a neighbor's house with whom she serves in the Young Women's Presidency to help prepare some flower arrangements for a wedding. So, she went, and came back five hours later a changed person. Her mood had improved and she felt much better about herself. Her circumstances hadn't really changed, but she had received some much-needed support and advice from a trusted friend and Sister.
Now, that could have been the end of the story, but today, I got the impression that I should send this Sister a text and thank her for being there in a time of need. It was a really simple act on her part, and I doubt she even realized she was ministering, but I felt like she needed to know her efforts had not gone unnoticed.
Now, we don't serve for the glory and recognition (certainly not for the pay), but when you receive service, when someone ministers to you, tell them. Let them know that they made a difference in your life. Find some way to document the occasion, whether it be a text to that person, and entry in a journal, a post on social media, maybe even a blog.
The scriptures not only contain numerous examples, but they themselves are examples of the importance of writing things down. Nephi went to pretty extreme lengths to secure the brass plates, knowing that the writings they contained were critical to his people. Moroni went to pretty extreme lengths to protect the writings of all those who came before him and preserve them for a future day.
You won't have to go to such extreme lengths, but the burning desire they both had to both create and preserve their records should not be any less in us. People need to know about the good that is done in the world. They will be uplifted and strengthened by hearing you tell about those who helped you. It will inspire them to do the same.
If a tree falls in the forest and you're the only one around? Pick it up, then return and report. We'll all be glad you did.
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