“It simply provides a renewed and refined opportunity for us to practice the Savior’s commandment to “love one another,” a refined way to implement and practice the purpose of the Church.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf (referring to ministering)

The gospel of Jesus Christ has nothing to do with the clothes you wear, the car you drive, or the house you live in. It has nothing to do with throwing the most picture perfect Christmas program, or having the best decorated Halloween party. The gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t about who doesn’t drink, who doesn’t use drugs, or who doesn’t smoke. It’s not about judgement or criticism. It’s not about being better than others! The gospel of Jesus Christ is about love, forgiveness, and healing. The gospel of Jesus Christ is about others.

Mathew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

I was talking to a stereotypical biker dude one day–he had long hair, tattoos, and was a little gruff looking. He told me that he had been going to the same church for two years. (*it was not The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…but it very easily could have been, it could have been any Christian church) He felt completely invisible. One day he decided to try an experiment. He went early to church and laid his bike on the ground as if he had wrecked it, then he laid next to the bike. The early service came and not one person stopped to help him. The second service came and not one person stopped to help him. He left that day, angry with God, angry at “church”. He said he was flying down the highway at speeds that would kill him instantly, crying so hard he couldn’t see, cussing up a storm, and angry as all get out. He felt worthless and without purpose. Then out of nowhere he felt an abundance of love. He felt the love of his Savior. His anger was instantly replaced with determination to create an atmosphere that welcomes everyone. He wanted a place where any walk of life could come and learn of Christ, and follow Him.

“Jesus was … radical [in] his time because he … equalized the world. … He [spoke to] prostitute[s], [he ate] with … tax collector[s] … , befriended powerless women and children … , [and] gave us the story of the Good Samaritan. … It follows that … true Christians would be striving to be the MOST loving people in the world.” -Sharon Eubank

I’ve thought about this a lot over the years. I use it to check myself. Everyone should feel welcome at church, especially the broken. Who did Christ reach out to during His mortal life? He didn’t hang with the high and mighty or the well dressed. He walked and talked with the poor and down trodden. He taught those whose lives were difficult, he healed the blind, cured leprosy, and raised the dead. Those were the ones who were walking though life alone, different than others, and cast out from among the high and mighty. He warmed hearts, calmed nerves, and embraced weaknesses. 

“The Savior is our Good Samaritan, sent “to heal the brokenhearted.” He comes to us when others pass us by. With compassion, He places His healing balm on our wounds and binds them up. He carries us. He cares for us. He bids us, “Come unto me … and I shall heal [you].” (3 Nephi 18:32)” -Neil L. Andersen

I believe that our churches will be flooded with the broken once we are ready to receive them. The Lord loves them. Why would he subject them to shame by allowing them to walk in the doors of our churches knowing they will feel alone and unwelcome? Once our hearts and minds are ready, then the Lord can help them feel like their answers to their desperate pleas lie within those brick walls with white steeples. The words “visitors welcome” will appear illuminated to those who need it. The chapel will be their refuge from the storms of life.

This is what living in a small branch has taught me–it has taught me the true meaning of The Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It not unusual to sit by a friend who smells of smoke, but they come come back week after week because they are truly welcome! That’s the miracle of the gospel, the transformation that takes place in ones life, little by little, step by step. It takes time to grasp all the details of the gospel and then to apply them in ones life however it happens. Broken becomes whole one step at a time, through the genuine love and support of others who are also walking towards Christ.

Next time you’re at church, look around, would a stranger be welcome? What about one who looks like they have been homeless for a year? Could Christ lead them to your church and would they find refuge from the storm? If we are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints then we had better have Christ in our church! We need not worry about the demands that will be placed on the shoulders of His disciples (us) as we open hearts to those who are in need. The Lord will help in the assisting and healing of the broken. 

“It matters not how completely ruined our lives may seem. It matters not how scarlet our sins, how deep our bitterness, how lonely, abandoned, or broken our hearts may be. Even those who are without hope, who live in despair, who have betrayed trust, surrendered their integrity, or turned away from God can be rebuilt. Save those rare sons of perdition, there is no life so shattered that it cannot be restored.

The joyous news of the gospel is this: because of the eternal plan of happiness provided by our loving Heavenly Father and through the infinite sacrifice of Jesus the Christ, we can not only be redeemed from our fallen state and restored to purity, but we can also transcend mortal imagination and become heirs of eternal life and partakers of God’s indescribable glory.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Feeling welcome is more than just having people say “hi” to you and shake your hand as they hurry off to their responsibilities. It’s stopping, and actually noticing them, inviting them to sit with you in class, or helping them get to an appropriate class and then introducing them to someone they can sit with. Invite them to sit with your family during sacrament. Introduce the missionaries to them. Get a phone number and follow up. Call them by name the next time you see them. I often think of the grocery stores–if I ask one of the workers where an item is, they always drop what they are doing and walk me to the item. Even if I stop them in the middle of stocking the top shelf, they will climb down the ladder and personally walk me through the store until I find what I need. That’s the key, the Lord needs people to help him walk others to him–to personally help them find Christ. 

St Louis was a big ward where this kind of love was. They were ready and anxious to help lead everyone to Christ. A lady came walking in one Sunday, wearing barely any clothes. She was instantly embraced by one of the ladies. She invited her to sit with her family, right up front. She returned week after week, always with this sister and they sat together during sacrament and relief society. I sat behind with all my children and watched the transformation take place little by little, until one day, she was ready to be her own leader of others to Christ. She still sits with her friend, because with her she found the genuine love that this friend expressed which brought her to Christ. That’s what the Good Samaritan looks like. It’s being a real friend to those in need. 

“The Lord has established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help you in this commitment to serve God and fellowmen. Its purpose is to encourage, teach, lift, and inspire. This wonderful Church provides opportunities for you to exercise compassion, reach out to others, and renew and keep sacred covenants. It is designed to bless your life and improve your home, community, and nation.

Come, join with us and trust the Lord. Lend your talents to His wonderful work. Reach out, encourage, heal, and support all who desire to feel and heed the yearning for our supernal home. Let us join together in this glorious pilgrimage to heavenly climes.

The gospel is a transcendent message of hope, happiness, and joy. It is the pathway that leads us home.

As we embrace the gospel in faith and deed, each day and every hour, we will draw a little closer to our God. Our lives will be better, and the Lord will use us in remarkable ways to bless those around us and bring about His eternal purposes.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

-Sherri Jorgensen