Ministering by the Spirit

Scriptures and quotes

As He served His mortal ministry, the Father sent angels to minister to and strengthen the Son during times of trial and great physical and spiritual stress, as well as during times of joy. Here are four examples:

•As He began His ministry after fasting for forty days, and after being tempted of, and rebuking the devil.

Matthew 4:10–11

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

•On the mount of transfiguration when Moses and Elias appeared to Him as translated beings, and the Father’s voice testified to Peter, James and John of His love for the Son Matthew 17:3–5

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

•As He prayed and suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane

Luke 22:41–44

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

•As He appeared to the Nephites in great joy after His resurrection

3 Nephi 17:15–25

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

-The Divine Pattern of Loving and Serving Others

By Elder Joseph W. Sitati

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me”

Matthew 25:35–36

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”

Matthew 25:40

“May we follow the living Christ ever more willingly, ever more effectively, as we strive to become His true disciples through ministering as He would.”

Elder Patrick Kearon

“Higher and holier ministering comes when we pray for “the pure love of Christ” and follow the Spirit.”

Elder Gerrit W Gong

“Jesus Christ ministers. Angels minister. Followers of Jesus Christ “minister one to another,” “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep,” “watch over [and] … nourish [the people] with things pertaining to righteousness,” “remember … the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted,” let His name be known through our ministry. As we minister as He would, we witness His miracles, His blessings. We obtain “a more excellent ministry.”

Elder Gerrit W Gong

“Ministering by the Spirit invites the Savior’s healing into our lives and the lives of those we minister to. I often find peace, clarity, healing, and purpose when I minister. I find the Savior when I minister. This is by divine design.”

Sister Kristin M. Yee

“I know the Lord is aware of you and your struggles as you strive to keep your covenants and minister to others. He has promised blessings and divine help for you and your family as you exercise your faith to serve Him.”

Sister Kristin M. Yee

*A note from Amy: As you ponder on these scriptures and conference quotes from church leaders, I pray that your heart and mind will be open to inspiration through the Holy Ghost. And that you will receive personal inspiration on how best to proceed in your ministering. May this guided visualization bring you new insight on your own call to minister.

Welcome to the guided visualization, “ Seek Him with all your heart”, through prayer. Have a paper and pen nearby or your notes app for later.

This is a 5 minute visualization with three additional minutes of just music, while you pray. You can use this visualization any time you want to deepen the connection between you and your Heavenly Father through prayer.

Scriptures:

Psalms 14:2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

mortal body to be raised in immortality, Alma 5:15 (11:45).

spirit and body to be reunited in perfect form, Alma 11:43–45.

Quotes:

“While you were praying, I thought how much God must appreciate when we take time from our busy schedules to acknowledge Him.” -President Nelson

“When praying, what if we were to spend less time talking and more time just being with God; and when we were to speak, to give more heartfelt and specific expressions of gratitude and love?”

-Elder L. Todd Budge

“Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.

“Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.” -President Nelson

“As you think celestial, your heart will gradually change. You will want to pray more often and more sincerely. Please don’t let your prayers sound like a shopping list. The Lord’s perspective transcends your mortal wisdom. His response to your prayers may surprise you and will help you to think celestial.”

-President Nelson

“Our prayers can be—and should be—living discussions with our Heavenly Father.” -President Nelson

Scriptures:

•Luke 8:43-48 the woman with an issue of blood, who was healed

•Helaman 8:15

And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.

•D&C 6:36

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

Alma 34:20-27

20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually

Quotes:

“I wonder, if Jesus were to choose a place where you and He could meet, a private place where you would be able to have a singular focus on Him, might He choose your unique place of personal suffering, the place of your deepest need, where no one else can go? Somewhere you feel so lonely that you must truly be all alone but you aren’t quite, a place to which perhaps only He has traveled but actually has already prepared to meet you there when you arrive? If you are waiting for Him to come, might He already be there and within reach?”

-Elder Karl D. Hirst, “God’s Favourite”

“As Jesus walked in a street near Capernaum with a great crowd of people around Him, a woman afflicted with a serious condition for 12 years reached out and touched the hem of His garment. Immediately she was healed.

The scriptures record that Jesus, perceiving “that [power had] gone out of [Him],” “turned him about in the press” and “looked … to see her that had done this thing.” “When the woman saw that she was not hid,” she “fell down before him, and told him all the truth.”

Jesus said unto her, “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

Jesus Christ saved the woman. She was healed physically, but when Jesus turned to see her, she declared her faith in Him and He healed her heart. He spoke to her with love, assured her of His approval, and blessed her with His peace.”

-Elder Kim B. Clark, “Look Unto Jesus Christ”

“There is nothing easy or automatic about becoming such powerful disciples. Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee.” -President Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives”

Scriptures:

•Psalms 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy;

•D&C 25:12

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

•Psalm 100, A Psalm of praise:

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

•Alma 33:23

And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.

Quotes:

“Even as the storms of life in an often-troubled world pound upon us, we can cultivate a growing and abiding sense of joy and inner peace because of our hope in Christ and our understanding of our own place in the beautiful plan of happiness.” -Elder Patrick Kearon

“Joy comes from and because of Him. … For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!” -President Nelson

"In the stillness, we can ponder the many ways we have seen the Lord relentlessly pursue us with His wonderful love that week!" - Elder Patrick Kearon

“We can plan and expect to have a joyful experience at church." -Elder Patrick Kearon

Scriptures & Quotes

“The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ.”

- President Nelson

As Jesus Christ ascended into heaven at the completion of His mortal ministry, two angels declared to His Apostles, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Since that time, believers have looked forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

When the Savior comes again, He will come in power and glory to claim the earth as His kingdom. His Second Coming will mark the beginning of the Millennium.

*Excerpt from “The Second Coming of Jesus Christ”, gospel topics.

The Lord declared:

“They that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.

“And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.

“For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver”

-Doctrine and Covenants 45:57–59

The Lord has not revealed exactly when He will come again: “The hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes”

-Doctrine and Covenants 49:7

The Savior’s words to His Apostles apply to all who prepare for His coming and who look forward to it with joy: “Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled”

-Doctrine and Covenants 45:35

•"When He comes again, unlike coming to the signifying meekness of the manger, He will come in overwhelming majesty and power. In at least one appearance, He will come in red apparel to remind us that He shed His blood for us. Among the astounding, accompanying events, stars will fall from the heavens. ... What will we and those who witness these marvelous events speak of, then and later?" -Neal A Maxwell

•"My dear brothers and sisters, in a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!" -President Nelson

Journal & Ponder:

•How will it feel to look upon the face of the Savior when He comes in power & great glory?

•What does He want me to know about this most sacred event?

•How can I prepare my heart for Christ’s Second Coming?

Welcome to the 5 year future self guided meditation. You're welcome to exchange 5 years for another time frame that is more personal to you. Please remember, this guided visualization is a starting point and a suggestion. As you are guided by the Spirit, you will find your own pace and rhythm. Enjoy the process.

-Amy

Quotes & Scriptures:

•The future will be glorious for those who are prepared and who continue to prepare to be instruments in the Lord’s hands...I urge you to take steps to be temporally prepared. But I am even more concerned about your spiritual and emotional preparation."

-President Nelson, Embrace the Future with Faith 2020

As we look toward the future, we may experience feelings of fear as we hear what things are prophesied. Why not also experience feelings of hope and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His power to redeem? The Lord has reminded us "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." One way to prepare for the future in faith is to prepare our minds. We learn from Moroni:

Alma 48:7

"Moroni ... had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God."

Alma teaches an extraordinary yet simple truth as he relays his own experience in experiencing his own pain and anguish.

"As my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me.” As he appealed for the divine power of the Savior, something miraculous happened: “When I thought this,” he said, “I could remember my pains no more.” Suddenly he felt peace and light. “Nothing [was] so exquisite and sweet as was my joy,” he declared."

• My Mind Caught Hold upon This Thought of Jesus Christ, Neil L. Andersen

Elder Anderson leaves his apostolic promise and I echo it here:

"As you continue to attentively catch hold of the thought of Jesus Christ, I promise you not only heavenly guidance but heavenly power."