The Second Great
Commandment
BY PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON
I will never forget my first visit to
West Africa in 1986. The Saints came to
our meetings in great numbers. Though
they had little in terms of material possessions, most came dressed in spotless
white clothing.
I asked the stake president how he
cared for members who had so little.
He replied that their bishops knew their
people well. If members could afford
two meals a day, no help was needed.
But if they could afford only one meal
or less—even with family help—bishops
provided food, financed from fast offerings. Then he added this remarkable
fact: their fast-offering contributions
usually exceeded their expenses. Surplus
fast offerings were then sent to people
elsewhere whose needs exceeded theirs.
Those stalwart African Saints taught
me a great lesson about the power of
the law and the spirit of the fast...
Thus, our greatest
joy comes as we help our brothers and
sisters, no matter where we live in this
wonderful world.
Giving help to others—making a
conscientious effort to care about others as much as or more than we care
about ourselves—is our joy. Especially,
I might add, when it is not convenient and when it takes us out of our
comfort zone. Living that second great
commandment is the key to becoming
a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
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