Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages by Church leaders.
This week Sister Liz Darger, BYU senior associate athletic director and a member of the Young Women General Advisory Council, shared a powerful message on ministering at a BYU campus devotional. She asked listeners how they could create a home-court advantage not just for athletic teams, but for each member of the BYU campus. Sister Darger noted that the principles of ministering she was teaching are relevant to all members of the Church.
“Organizational efforts are important, but they are not enough. Look for the good. Show up early and often. And cheer hard. As we become personal ministers, we can create a ‘home-court advantage’ for every member of our BYU campus community,” Sister Darger said, according to Church News.
Sister Darger also shared this humorous Twitter post and invited viewers to consider how they are cheering others on:
As I think of creating a home court advantage for one another at BYU, this epic video of @BYUCougars’ own @isaacegbertwood comes to mind. What does cheering on others in our campus community look like to you?#BYUDevo pic.twitter.com/JpevmiNKq9 — Liz Darger (@lizdarger) May 18, 2021
Also this week, the Young Men General Presidency published an article with Church News offering counsel to busy bishops trying to balance ministering priorities. What the presidency taught is applicable to all Church members. Brother Brad Wilcox shared these powerful words Elder Neal A. Maxwell once had hanging on his office wall:
“My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds.”
Brother Wilcox continued, “Adults, please understand that if a bishop refers you to someone else, it is not because he does not love you. . . . Often, when people request time with General Authorities or send letters outlining problems and asking for blessings, they are kindly directed to local leaders. It does not mean General Authorities do not care. They simply must prioritize.”
Church members in other callings can also benefit from learning to prioritize their efforts. The call to serve is always ongoing, and this week Church leaders shared counsel that will encourage you to keep helping those around you.
See more messages to help you love those around you, including a BYU–Idaho devotional from Elder Ulisses and Sister Rosana Soares on finding peace, below.
By Sydney Walker, Church News
Thanks to invested students and a loyal nationwide fanbase, Brigham Young University knows all about the strength that comes from a home-court advantage.
Emphasizing the importance of each and every fan, Sister Liz Darger posed a question during the Tuesday, May 18, campus devotional: “How can we create a ‘home-court advantage,’ not just for our athletic teams, but for each member of our BYU campus community?”
Sister Darger, BYU senior associate athletic director and a member of the Young Women General Advisory Council, used three words from the Young Women theme—receive, covenant, and minister—to encourage listeners to do their part in helping create a sense of belonging for all.
“While my remarks today were prayerfully prepared with the BYU campus community in mind, I believe the principles I will discuss are universal to all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” she said.
Read a summary of her remarks at Church News.
By the Young Men General Presidency for Church News
In 2019 there was an inspired announcement that “Young Men presidencies at the ward level will be discontinued” to better align with the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 107:15 that reads, “The bishopric is the presidency of this [Aaronic] priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the same.”
President Russell M. Nelson made it clear that “the bishop and his counselors direct the work of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums and the Young Women classes in the ward.” Since then, some bishops have struggled to juggle their responsibilities.
The Young Men general presidency members offer answers to questions they frequently hear.
Read the questions and answers at Church News.
By Sydney Walker, Church News
Against the backdrop of a painting of the Savior teaching His disciples, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified to a young adult audience that Jesus Christ is the source of peace and joy in a challenging world.
“Coming unto Him does not tie us down or limit our freedom,” he told Brigham Young University–Idaho students. “Rather, it gives us reason for firm hope and provides a solid anchor to our souls, giving us a lasting inner peace that we need to live in these days and find rest in Him. …
“I testify to you that as we rely upon the rock of salvation, the Savior of our souls, and act in faith on His invitation to come and find rest in Him, we will be strengthened to deal with our struggles, our weaknesses, and our temptations, and He will increase our capacity to feel a consistent peace in every circumstance of our lives.”
Read a summary of his remarks, and counsel from Sister Rosana Soares, at Church News.