'Am I brother's keeper?' is question of the ages
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Taking his theme from the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis, President Thomas S. Monson Saturday evening referred to the two questions in Gen. 1:27-28: "And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he
said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?"
"These two significant questions are asked, then answered, in themes taught throughout the scriptures," observed President Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency.He recounted the story of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers and who eventually became a ruler in Egypt and helped his family in a time of famine.
"Joseph in very deed was his brothers' keeper," President Monson commented.
He also cited Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, saying it answers the question, "Am I my brother's keeper?"
"An entire vista of opportunity is unfolded to our view when we contemplate the magnitude of King Benjamin's admonition, recorded in the Book of Mormon: `When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.' "
He told of three young men of 18 who carried nearly every member of an ill-fated pioneer handcart company across an icy stream. The exposure was so great they died from the experience.
"Our service to others may not be so dramatic, but we can bolster human spirits, clothe cold bodies, feed hungry people, comfort grieving hearts and lift to new heights precious souls," President Monson said.
To illustrate, he told of President George Albert Smith who one cold day gave his coat to a street worker who had only a light sweater to wear.
"His selfless act of generosity revealed his tender heart. Surely he was his brother's keeper," President Monson commented.
