Sister Silvia H. Allred: The Essence of Discipleship
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181st Annual General Conference — Church News coverage
The essence of discipleship in the true Church of Jesus Christ, said Sister Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the general Relief Society presidency, is that "we must love one another and serve one another."
"As we celebrate 75 years of the Church Welfare Program," she said in the Sunday afternoon session, "we are reminded of the purposes of welfare, which are to help members help themselves become self-reliant, to care for the poor and needy and to give service."
She said that today, men and women participate jointly in bringing relief to those in need. "Church members all over the world have rejoiced in the past and should rejoice now at the opportunities we have to serve others. Our combined efforts bring relief to those who are poor, hungry, suffering or distressed, thereby saving souls."
Sister Allred explained that self-reliance is the ability to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family. As members increase their level of self-reliance, they increase their ability to help and serve others as the Savior did.
"We follow the Savior's example when we minister to the needy, the sick and the suffering. When love becomes the guiding principle in our care for others, our service to them becomes the gospel in action," she declared. "It is the gospel in its finest moment. It is pure religion."
In her various Church assignments, she has witnessed how Relief Society presidents and visiting teachers went about "doing good" under grim circumstances. No matter the location or size of a ward or branch, she said, every member throughout the world has the opportunity to bring "peace, relief and happiness."
"The pure love of Christ is expressed as we give selfless service. Helping one another is a sanctifying experience, which exalts the receiver and humbles the giver. It helps us become true disciples of Christ."
Sister Allred concluded by affirming that the welfare program has always been the application of eternal principles. "It truly is providing in the Lord's way. Let us each renew our desire to part of the Lord's storehouse in blessing others."
