'What love is' — Emulate Savior's example
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Humble service can build strong bridges, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency said during a dinner in conjunction with the spring meeting for Collegium Aesculapium — a non-profit organization of LDS physicians and health professionals. During the dinner program at a hotel in Salt Lake City on March 31, President Uchtdorf was awarded for his contributions in humanitarian aid.
"This is a noble and commendable work and, when you go about improving the lives of your fellowmen with an eye single to the glory of God, it is pleasing to your Father in Heaven," he said. "In addition to your heavy workload, you consecrate your time, talents and resources going beyond the call of duty in helping others."
President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, spoke to the Collegium Aesculapium members of the Welfare program of the Church and the good that Church members are doing throughout the world.
"We live in challenging times," he said. "Many are struggling economically, emotionally and spiritually. That is not new to the world. Heavenly Father is aware of this troubled world and He always offers help."
Speaking of the world 75 years ago when economic troubles hit with the Great Depression, President Uchtdorf told of President Heber J. Grant's announcement of the Church Welfare Program in April 1936. Since that time farms, canneries, family services and employment offices, storehouses and Deseret Industries have been established, blessing the lives of many, he said.
"As you know, this work of caring for the poor extends far beyond the members of our Church," President Uchtdorf said. "In fact, we are anxiously engaged in relieving suffering among all people in every corner of the world. ... I know that many of you have played an integral role in the Church's humanitarian works. For that I offer you my sincerest gratitude and thanks. Surely the love of God and charity towards His children is at the center of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ."
In the last 25 years, the Church has sent more than one billion dollars of assistance to 178 nations, clean water has been provided to seven and a half million people, wheelchairs have been distributed to more than 400,000 recipients, almost 200,000 medical professionals have been trained to save the lives of newborns, more than 700 million children have received immunizations and response efforts have blessed victims of almost 2,000 disasters worldwide.
"While the Church has provided the logistics and structure for this remarkable effort, the real success of our humanitarian efforts is due to the tens of thousands of members of the Church who have given of their time, resources and skills to make it happen," he said.
It is through serving others that members of Collegium Aesculapium are able to better the lives of others as they follow the example of the Savior, he said.
"The Savior Himself spent much of His time ministering to the diseased, the discouraged, and the distressed ... and taught His children to succor the weak and lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees," he said. "In addition to your heavy workload, you consecrate your time, talents and resources going beyond the call of duty in helping others. … You are an important part of these efforts."
The more individuals are filled with the love of God, the more they are inclined to extend themselves to others by relieving suffering and helping others become self-reliant, he said.
"You are engaged in the blessed art of healing," he said. "By this, you follow the divine pattern given to us by the great Healer, even Jesus Christ. Many of the things I have talked about today, you have done in a Christlike way. You have taught doctors how to save the life of a child. You have operated on the eyes of the blind and have caused them to see. You have served humanitarian missions; you have reached out to bless the lives of the poorest of the poor. Some of you have traveled half way around the world; others have assisted the needy in your own communities. The Church loves you for your willingness to reach out to others."
