Concern for the one

Ariana and I were asked to speak in Sacrament meeting today. I seem to always misplace my talks I've prepared, so I thought, what a great place to put it: our blog. This might inspire some of you too. . .


Concern for the One

Special Olympics

A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash.
At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.
All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back.
Then they all turned around and went back.
Every one of them.
One girl bent down and kissed him and said:
"This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story.
Why?
Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

In Luke 15:4 Jesus says, “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?

Christ has always been and will always be, “concerned for the one.”

[feelings about Joseph B. Wirthlin’s talk]

Talk about the importance of missions. . .

D&C 18:15, “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my father.”

Remember, Jesus would leave the ninety and nine to find that one sheep, even if that one sheep you found was yourself.

Wirthlin breaks up his talk “Concerned for the One” into 3 different categories: those who are different, those who are weary, and those who have strayed.

Sometimes there are those who may look, act, think, and speak differently. They might assume they don’t fit in and conclude that they are not needed. As my wife stated, the beauty of the church and this world is that people are different, and in the great orchestra of life, we need each and every instrument.

I’m very fortunate to have a job where I get to see this put into effect every day. Being a choir teacher is EXTREMELY rewarding. There are times, and I’ve seen it even in this first week of teaching where students feel inadequate, and are afraid to be part of something special because they may feel that they are not good enough. I tell them all that they are the best people in the world. My motto that I’ve picked up through the years is, “The Best People In The World Walk Through These Doors.” I put the sign up over the choir door on both sides so the students walking in can look up and remember that they are unique and special. Dr. Lunt taught this to me, and he helped us all to believe it. I’m teaching this to my student’s now, and I really want them to believe it, because it’s true, and our choir would not be the same without them.

You never know when you may be influencing “the one.” Once again, in my profession, and many teachers have the opportunity to do this, we can really effect “the one” in class who may feel inadequate because they’re different, or burdened and feeling weary, or may have lost their way and have strayed. I pray all the time that I will be able to help that one person who needs it and say or do what they need me to. I’ve been directing choirs for about 6 years now. I was able to do in on my mission, then after in church, and now as my profession. Before I pick out choir music I pray about it and am always led to certain pieces. I’m not sure why, but I know that someone will need that certain piece in their life and it will lift them up and be a help to them.

Last year I was a first year teacher. . .[story about the little girl singing the Jasmine solo]

Let’s talk about Abinadi for a second. This is one of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon. He went into that great and final meeting with wicked King Noah and his counsel of men and preached the gospel and repentance. Had it not been for “the one” (Alma) who was there and HEARD with his heart and mind the message Abinadi was sharing, a whole nation of people would not have had the gospel. It was through Alma that they were able to be taught at the Waters of Mormon and be baptized, all because he was converted through Abinadi. He was “the one” for Abinadi, and each of us will never know in our life when we are in the presence of, “the one” where we might have that kind of effect on their life.


Some are lost because they are weary.

Lyrics to song: Close Enough to Touch

I’ve suffered much and given all for many healers care
But nothing better, only worse, an overwhelming load to bear
Until I’m ready to lay down and die
But from the window I hear this hope filled cry
A man named Jesus, He’s come to heal us
And suddenly my faith comes alive
If I get close enough to touch
Close enough to heal
Somehow I know I’ll be whole
If I’m Close Enough
Close enough to feel,
His love for me so real
I will believe there are miracles for me
When I’m close enough to touch. . .

[Thoughts about the women with the blood disorder.] Christ felt her touch the hem of his robe. Even in the throng of the multitude he was surrounded by. He felt her faith and was aware of “the one.”

In Wirthlin’s talk he reminds us, “Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, even Jesus Christ knew what it meant to be tired. . .” I think about that from time to time and laugh when I think I’ve known what it really means to be tired. I’m sure I haven’t even come close.

But we don’t need to.

What a beautiful thing it is to have the gospel and understand that Christ suffered for us, so we might not be weary and carry our burdens alone.

Sometimes we might hold back because of feelings of inadequacy. We need to be reminded to “Put our shoulders to the wheel and push along.” Never should we feel inadequate for a task the Lord has asked us to do. Wirthlin reminds us, “the Lord often chooses ‘the weak things of the world’ to accomplish His purposes.”


Lost because they have strayed.

Sometimes people stray from the church, or the fold, because they have made mistakes.

We are all imperfect and will make mistakes. It’s not “whether we will trip and fall, but rather, how will we respond when this happens.”

We all come together to worship the Lord every Sunday as imperfect people. Christ was the only one who was perfect. Wirthlin tells us, “I am not aware of any sign on the door of our meetinghouses that read “restricted Entrance—Perfect People Only.”

When that person who has messed up, or made a mistake works through it and repents, “there is joy in the presence of the angel of God.”

Each of us know someone in our life who has strayed. We have concern for these individuals, and can only love them, and encourage them to come back. There will be times when they will come back, and times when they won’t, but we must continue to pray for them.

Mission story:

Sunset on the promenade talking to model/actress on Pday, who was doubting.


TESTIMONY