How important are the scriptures that say we should strengthen the feeble knees and lift up the weak hands of those who are too frail to do it themselves?

This morning at the assisted living where my mother had passed away, I had a chance to learn the great value of doing that.  One of the tender residents is an attractive elderly sister that rarely attends the services.  She used to attend services regularly each Sunday, but recently her hands, arms, and head have begun to shake uncontrollably and she hasn’t shown up.  She will use her calmer hand and try to calm the shaking hand, but soon both hands are shaking as well as her head and shoulders. 

I sat next to her in church today and as she started to shake, I sensed her embarrassment. Instinctively I wanted to hold her shaking hand, but stopped short of doing that not wanting to embarrass her more.  One of the other volunteers who knew her came over and sat next to her.  He took her shaking right hand and held it tight until it stopped shaking.  I quickly picked up his cue and held her opposite hand and the shaking stopped throughout her body.  I noticed her face and the big smile that radiated from it and commented that she was lucky to be sitting between two good-looking men and have them holding her hands.  She turned tuned her head to me and with a big sly smile, she said agreed.  If I hadn’t been so happy, I might have cried.  My eyes moistened a little, however, because now she will more than likely not miss any of her uplifting church services in the future and I will certainly hold her hand.  Blessings, Gar "Oh, how great the plan of our God!" —Neal A Maxwell 

Biblical reference

Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

Doctrine in COVENANTS REFERENCE

Doctrine in Covenants 81:1- 4,5 - 6, 7

This is a revelation, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, March 1832.  HC 1:257–258.  Frederick G. Williams is called to be a high priest and a counselor in the Presidency of the High Priesthood. 

1  VERILY, verily, I say unto you my servant Frederick G. Williams: Listen to the voice of him who speaketh, to the word of the Lord your God, and hearken to the calling wherewith you are called, even to be a high priest in my church, and a counselor unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.;

2 Unto whom I have given the keys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood:

3  Therefore, verily I acknowledge him and will bless him, and also thee, inasmuch as thou art faithful in counsel, in the office which I have appointed unto you, in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private, also in thy ministry in proclaiming the gospel in the ^bland of the living, and among thy brethren.

4 And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord.

5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office, which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands, which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

6 And if thou art faithful unto the end, thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions, which I have prepared in the house of my Father.

7 Behold, and lo, these are the words of Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.  Amen.

We don't need a special Church calling in order to serve others, but when we can serve them and help the weak who cannot do for themselves what they need then we are doing this for the Savior.  Our work becomes His work as well.

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, 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.

Tags: Love Service RuntoTomorrow Kindness Elderly

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