Follow the Savior by emulating His example
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Individuals follow the Savior through emulating his example, said Sister Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, during a BYU Management Utah Valley Chapter Christmas luncheon at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center building on Dec. 15. Sister Beck shared "evidences" of people representing the Savior through acts of service throughout the world.
"The Lord said come and follow Him, through His acts and His example," she said. "I have seen so much evidence in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of whom we are like."
Drawing from an experience she had while visiting the Holy Land last July, Sister Beck told of an insight she received while travelling the windy, dusty and rocky road from Jerusalem to Jericho.
"We had been studying about the Savior's life for a number of days and as we travelled that road I looked at the rocks, and I looked at the terrain, and I started to picture the Savior of the world walking and trekking from Jerusalem to Jericho," she said. "I don't know how many times he did this, in sandaled feet, carrying water, making the effort to carry out his ministry. I saw something different in His service that I hadn't seen before. Since then, that memory has followed me as I have travelled around the world and have been to a lot of places."
Looking to the scriptures and experiences of members throughout the world, Sister Beck shared examples of prophecy fulfilled, teachings of the Savior and evidences of members today as they give of themselves and serve others.
Drawing from King Benjamin's address in the Book of Mormon, Sister Beck shared the example of "glad tidings of great joy" that came to the people from the sacrifice of the Lord. Just as King Benjamin declared, prophesy was fulfilled.
"[King Benjamin] went on to say that the Lord would send holy prophets to declare to every nation, tongue and people," she said. "We know this prophecy was fulfilled. King Benjamin was preparing his people for the Lord's coming. What we learn from the Lord and the restoration is that King Benjamin's words really happened. And, the Lord said come and follow Him, through His acts and His example."
It is through that invitation to follow the Savior that individuals today are blessing and bringing great joy to the lives of others as they act as a light in their community, Sister Beck said.
Sister Beck shared video presentations and photos of people throughout the world who have responded to that invitation and are giving service to others.
One example she shared was of volunteers at a vineyard who drove hours to give of their time and work to help the poor and needy, and to those who became victims of hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis.
Sister Beck shared the story of a women living in a small town outside of Brasilia, Brazil, who filled her home with the sounds of primary music and photos of temples, the First Presidency and the Savior.
"This mother said she tried to do everything everyday to teach her children to keep the covenants that she and her husband have made and prepare them to ... sacrifice to get to the temple and be sealed," she said.
Sister Beck shared the example of a faithful woman in Accra, Ghana, who works hard on her farm for her family and walks with her five children five miles to Church each week.
Sister Beck also spoke of service members are giving through the Welfare Program of the Church and the Perpetual Education Fund.
"These are examples of folks around the world who are doing what they are supposed to do," Beck said. "What we bring by way of hope and faith is truly remarkable. It is a blessing to me to see what we do to be the Lord's hands here on Earth."
That service, Sister Beck said, brings faith and hope to others.
"Sometimes when you write out that check and give it to your bishop on Sunday you don't really realize how far it goes, the good it does, and how the Lord is using it to bless his people around the world," Sister Beck said. "In the Book of Mormon we are told to 'follow me and do the things that you see me do.' That means ordinances and keeping the commandments, but it is also being His hands in the world and helping His work go forward.
"I feel that the Lord loves and appreciates his saints who are willing and able to help in all manner of things," she said. "From helping a child with a Duty to God program, or a young woman with Personal Progress, parents that have home evenings and family prayers, those who serve missions and those who serve in the temples and those who help with humanitarian work, each little bit helps the Lord."
