Strengthening Others

The principle of the gospel that really stood out to me this week in my Come, Follow Me study was D&C 108:7 which says "strengthen your brethren in all your conversations, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings." They key word for me in that verse is "all" (which is repeated four times).  Everything we do should have a strengthening affect on those around us. How can we do that in each of these four areas?

In all your conversations:

Conversations can take place in many different forms...verbal and non-verbal, in-person or on-line, in public or in private. Are we speaking kindly and positively about others in all these different settings? Are our comments and testimonies strengthening those around me? What about our body language? We want people leaving our presence felling better about themselves than they did before their encounter with us. 

In all your prayers:

Have you ever noticed how quiet and attentive your kids get during family prayer when you begin to pray for them (or their siblings) by name? It always feels like the Spirit in the room intensifies as we pray together as a family on behalf of one another by name and by specific situations that family members are going through. Do you pray for people by name? Including your spouse and children? Out loud so they can hear the thoughts of your heart? You should try it!

In all your exhortations:

To me, this is probably the most difficult one to master because if you know the definition of exhortation (emphatically urging someone to do something) to me it's just a fancy way of saying that "now I have to yell at you" - which never strengthens anyone. So how do we exhort and strengthen at the same time? If we want the exhortation to be strengthening, then it seems like it needs to be grounded in love (see 1 Nephi 15:25, 1 Nephi 16:4, Moroni 10:18-19, D&C 121:43) where our desire is to see that person grow and progress in order to become someone better.

In all your doings:

Just like our words, our deeds should be filled with faith, hope and charity (For the Strength of Youth booklet, pg. 20). Can you think of someone who does this? Who leaves everyone and every situation better than they found it? I think Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of someone who left every person and situation better than He found it. He did this through His conversations, His prayers, His exhortations and His doings.

No one strengthens others more than Jesus Christ does. Him strengthening us is what will help us to strengthen others (Philippines 4:13). As we put off the natural man and try to become more like Christ, this principle of strengthening others in all we do will come more naturally to us.