Ministering by the Spirit

Scriptures and quotes

As He served His mortal ministry, the Father sent angels to minister to and strengthen the Son during times of trial and great physical and spiritual stress, as well as during times of joy. Here are four examples:

•As He began His ministry after fasting for forty days, and after being tempted of, and rebuking the devil.

Matthew 4:10–11

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

•On the mount of transfiguration when Moses and Elias appeared to Him as translated beings, and the Father’s voice testified to Peter, James and John of His love for the Son Matthew 17:3–5

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

•As He prayed and suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane

Luke 22:41–44

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

•As He appeared to the Nephites in great joy after His resurrection

3 Nephi 17:15–25

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

-The Divine Pattern of Loving and Serving Others

By Elder Joseph W. Sitati

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me”

Matthew 25:35–36

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”

Matthew 25:40

“May we follow the living Christ ever more willingly, ever more effectively, as we strive to become His true disciples through ministering as He would.”

Elder Patrick Kearon

“Higher and holier ministering comes when we pray for “the pure love of Christ” and follow the Spirit.”

Elder Gerrit W Gong

“Jesus Christ ministers. Angels minister. Followers of Jesus Christ “minister one to another,” “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep,” “watch over [and] … nourish [the people] with things pertaining to righteousness,” “remember … the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted,” let His name be known through our ministry. As we minister as He would, we witness His miracles, His blessings. We obtain “a more excellent ministry.”

Elder Gerrit W Gong

“Ministering by the Spirit invites the Savior’s healing into our lives and the lives of those we minister to. I often find peace, clarity, healing, and purpose when I minister. I find the Savior when I minister. This is by divine design.”

Sister Kristin M. Yee

“I know the Lord is aware of you and your struggles as you strive to keep your covenants and minister to others. He has promised blessings and divine help for you and your family as you exercise your faith to serve Him.”

Sister Kristin M. Yee

*A note from Amy: As you ponder on these scriptures and conference quotes from church leaders, I pray that your heart and mind will be open to inspiration through the Holy Ghost. And that you will receive personal inspiration on how best to proceed in your ministering. May this guided visualization bring you new insight on your own call to minister.