Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Are We Not All Beggars?

As we move through the holiday season I know that many of us will be busy with parties and presents. But we, meaning me, would do well to remember that every person on this earth is a child of God. This year I will strive to keep service and love in my heart. I will strive to recognize those in need and to do what I can to fulfill that need and ease their burdens.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Are We Not All Beggars?

Read or watch the full talk here

I don't know about the rest of you, but sometimes I look at all the problems that exists in our world and I become overwhelmed. There just seems to be too much to do and too many people to help. The task seems impossible. 

Elder Holland's words in this talk were a wonderful reminder that I don't have to do everything, I just have to continue to do what I can. 

While speaking of Mother Theresa, Elder Holland said this: "A journalist once questioned Mother Teresa of Calcutta about her hopeless task of rescuing the destitute in that city. He said that, statistically speaking, she was accomplishing absolutely nothing. This remarkable little woman shot back that her work was about love, not statistics. Notwithstanding the staggering number beyond her reach, she said she could keep the commandment to love God and her neighbor by serving those within her reach with whatever resources she had. 'What we do is nothing but a drop in the ocean,' she would say on another occasion. 'But if we didn’t do it, the ocean would be one drop less [than it is].' Soberly, the journalist concluded that Christianity is obviously not a statistical endeavor. He reasoned that if there would be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety and nine who need no repentance, then apparently God is not overly preoccupied with percentages."

Brothers and Sisters, I know that our church likes to keep records, but I also know that the gospel is not about statistics. It is about each of us doing what we can to make a differenece in other people's lives.

As I move forward with this challenge, and with my life, I will strive to be more forgiving of others and of myself. I know that everyone makes mistakes, that is part of the learning process. Eveyone needs to be forgiven and I can do my part by being willing to forgive others.