Elder Hugo Montoya of the Seventy said in October 2022 general conference:
When ministering was announced, President Russell M. Nelson said, “We will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others.”2 To me, holier means more personal, deeper, more like the Savior’s way: “Have love one to another,”3 one by one.
It is not enough to avoid being a stumbling block for others; it is not enough to notice the needy on the road and pass by. Let us take advantage of every opportunity to help our neighbor, even if it is the first and only time we meet him or her in this life.
Why is love for God the first great commandment? I think it’s because of what He means to us. We are His children, He oversees our welfare, we are dependent on Him, and His love protects us. His plan includes agency; therefore, we will likely make some mistakes.
He also allows us to be tested and tempted. But whether we are making some mistakes or falling into temptation, the plan provides a Savior so we can be redeemed and return to the presence of God.
Adversity in our lives can cause doubt about the fulfillment of the promises that have been made to us. Please trust in our Father. He always keeps His promises, and we can learn what He wants to teach us.
Even when we do what is right, the circumstances in our life can change from good to bad, from happiness to sadness. God answers our prayers according to His infinite mercy and love and in His own time.
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The brook where Elijah drank water dried up.4
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Nephi’s fine steel bow was broken.5
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A young boy was discriminated against and expelled from school.
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A long-awaited-for child died within days of being born.
Circumstances change.
When circumstances change from good and positive to bad and negative, we can still be happy because happiness does not depend on the circumstances but on our attitude toward the circumstances. President Nelson said, “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”6
We can sit back and wait for circumstances to change on their own, or we can look for and bring about new circumstances.
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Elijah walked to Zarephath, where a widow gave him food and drink.7
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Nephi made a wooden bow and hunted animals to eat.8
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The young boy sat listening and taking notes by the window, and today he is an elementary school teacher.
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The couple have developed a great faith in the Savior Jesus Christ and trust in the plan of salvation. Their love for the long-awaited child who died suddenly is greater than their grief.
When I hear the questions “Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer [every] child’s prayer?,”9 I like to answer: “He has been, He is, and He will always be there for you and me. I am His son, He is my Father, and I am learning to be a good father, as He is.”
My wife and I always try to be there for our children at any time, under any condition, and by any means. Each child is unique; their worth to God is great, and no matter what challenges, sins, and weaknesses they have, God loves them, and so do we.
When I received this call as a General Authority, on the last day before our travel to Salt Lake, all my children and their families were together in our home for a family home evening, where we expressed our love and gratitude. After the lesson, I gave a priesthood blessing to each one of my children. Everyone was in tears. After the blessings, my oldest son expressed words of gratitude on behalf of everyone for the great love that we had given them from the day they were born until then.
For Elder Montoya’s complete talk, click The Eternal Principle of Love.
