Be His Hands

One of my million goals this summer is to read a General Conference talk each day until I finish my May Ensign. I find that, even though I've already heard each talk, by reading them I get a chance to stop and think about what is said, and read the words at my own pace. Today I read President Uchtdorf's talk called "You Are My Hands." If you haven't read it or listened to it yet, please do. Click here for a link to it.

The talk is about using Christ as an example in giving service to and loving others. President Uchtdorf talks about how, "as we emulate His perfect example, our hands become His hands; our eyes, His eyes; our heart, His heart." What better way to look at others than through the eyes and heart of the Savior?

I will be the first to admit that I struggle sometimes with judging others. I'm not a mean person, but sometimes I make quick snap judgments about others, often even after I get to know them. However, after reading this talk, I'm going to learn how to stop doing that. "I hope that we welcome and love all of God’s children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently. It is not good to make others feel as though they are deficient. Let us lift those around us. Let us extend a welcoming hand. Let us bestow upon our brothers and sisters in the Church a special measure of humanity, compassion, and charity so that they feel, at long last, they have finally found home." Everyone deserves to be and feel loved. As President Uchtdorf said, "Every person we meet is a VIP to our Heavenly Father." When we understand that, it will be easier to love them.

He shares a story of a woman who describes herself as a $20 bill. Even though throughout her life she has been worn out and beaten down, she is still always going to be worth $20. I love that!

My favorite quote from his whole talk comes at the end. He says, "As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit." Isn't that wonderful? It makes me think of Doctrine and Covenants 81:5, where we are taught to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." In doing so, our own weaknesses will be succored, our hands will lift up, and our knees will be strengthened.