The Power of One
David Sorensen
April 30, 2024 11:15 AM
"We are surrounded by people who need just one act of kindness, one smile, one invitation, or one warm embrace to help them feel loved and that they belong. We can be that one..."
As a 12-year-old boy scout living in a small town in northern Utah, we often were involved in service opportunities in our rural community. One Saturday morning on a cold day in January, my fellow scouts and I were on our way to assist someone with a service project when we came across a small deer that was stuck on the frozen surface of a local reservoir. This deer had slipped on the icy surface while attempting to cross the lake, leaving it unable to regain its footing. With all four legs splayed out in various directions, the deer lay exhausted and immobilized.
As young scouts, we were immediately drawn to the situation, and we began to make a plan of how to rescue the deer. We quickly tied together some logs found nearby and with rope and a ladder provided by another passerby’s truck, we formed a chain across the ice. It was quite a sight. With scout leaders, boy scouts, and a few others who stopped to help, we sent the smallest scout out across the ice towards the deer. With the rope around his waist and sliding the ladder along like a sled, he reached the frightened deer. He grabbed on to one foot of the animal and we all pulled them along by the rope around his waist. The deer was exhausted, so we left it to rest on the shoreline and returned to our pre-planned service project.
Later that day we noticed that the deer had recovered enough to get back to his feet and was gone. It was not our plan that day to spend time rescuing a deer from a frozen lake. It took effort, initiative and extra time that was unplanned, and we were late for our scheduled service project. It was just one small deer and maybe it would have figured out how to get off the ice without us. Was the effort worth it for just one small deer? It was for him, and we all left feeling a sense of joy in our rescue.
As I reflect on this experience, I think of the savior who taught:
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”
“And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (Luke 15: 4-5)
There are many of us who feel like that stranded deer or the lost sheep, alone, tired, and afraid. We all experience moments when we long for rescue or just need someone to care about us regardless of our current or past circumstances. Each of us have had moments of discouragement, loneliness, have felt abandoned or questioned our significance.
We also have had times and opportunities to be the rescuer and feel the joy that comes from helping someone who was lost and alone. Often, these times come as we listen to promptings of the spirit and reach out to someone who may need our caring and attention.
Alma taught the recent converts in the Book of Mormon that; “…as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places…” (Mosiah 18: 8-9)
Today my message is about the power of “one”. Being that someone who notices and reaches out to the “one” who may be in need. The power of one person’s influence on the life of another is truly what our Heavenly Father intended for us when he said:
“Remember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” (Doctrine & Covenants 18: 10)
As I thought about this message, I recalled an experience while attending a seminary class located next to my high school in my hometown. Many high schools in Utah allow students to take seminary during the school day as part of a release time period, as long as the students remain at the seminary building during this period.
As a young teenager in my first year of high school, I was a bit obnoxious and loved opportunities to seek attention despite my teachers’ warnings to be more attentive and cooperative in class. As a seminary student I was no different, and often was guilty of showing off or distracting other students to the frustration and disappointment of the instructor. One day towards the end of the school year my seminary teacher had had enough of my antics and kicked me out of his seminary class.
I was required to go to a study period in another classroom as a type of “detention”. This was in another seminary teacher’s classroom where they could keep an eye on those who were sent there as they worked on a scripture study assignment. I was alone in the classroom and felt a mixture of embarrassment and frustration that I was in this situation, having pushed my teacher to that point of not returning to class.
This is where I met Brother Reeder. He was the seminary teacher whose prep hour I was interrupting so he could monitor my “detention”. I don’t believe he was required to do anything other than to keep watch and monitor my assigned study. Over the next few days, Brother Reeder started to talk with me and even took a small interest in me. At the end of my 3 weeks of being in his classroom, he had gotten to know me and was showing an individual kindness that I needed at that critical time of my adolescent life. My testimony was small, and I was unsure if I wanted to continue to attend seminary the next year. Through our discussions, I began to feel a spiritual insight and an individual caring that was impactful.
I am sure I was an inconvenience to him. He had other things that may have been pressing for him to accomplish during his prep hour, but he took interest in one person at that moment. It was impactful to me, and I requested his seminary class the next year. He was not everyone’s favorite seminary teacher, but he was mine. He took notice of one lost sheep and brought me back into the fold before I could stray further away from the gospel. Years later as I was preparing to leave on a mission, his face smiled up at me from the audience when I delivered my farewell talk at church.
The power of one person’s influence can have remarkable long-term effects on the lives of others around us. We are surrounded by people who need just one act of kindness, one smile, one invitation, or one warm embrace to help them feel loved and that they belong. We can be that one who makes a difference that may last well past that moment.
When we look around at all of the challenges and struggles that dominate our world it may seem that these small efforts are insignificant. With so much suffering and heartache around us, it can feel like our small efforts do not matter. However, it does matter to that one person who receives our attention, and it matters to our Heavenly Father.
In Rome at the Basilica of St. Paul there is a display that stood out to me as we walked around the grounds that had a caption that said: “I was in prison, and you visited me” in reference to the scripture in Matthew chapter 25:
“…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).
God needs us. Our neighbors and friends need us. Our coworkers and fellow students need us. And we need them.
Our efforts, no matter how small, are essential to the wellbeing of all God’s children.
Elder M. Russell Ballard said:
“Great things are wrought through simple and small things. Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another.” [1]
Reaching out to others can, at times be difficult, inconvenient, and sometimes frustrating. It may require that we humble ourselves and set aside any prejudice and preconceived ideas about people who may be different from us in some way.
We are all children of our Heavenly Father, equal in every way in his eyes, with the same potential and spiritual heritage. Despite differences in appearance, status, background, knowledge, and characteristics we “all are alike unto God”. (2 Nephi 26: 33).
Many of us remember those times during childhood and adolescence when being popular sometimes may have included shunning or ignoring those who were viewed as odd, different, or outcasts. Though we are past those high school days, I fear that those attitudes still exist to some extent and being viewed as “popular” never seems to diminish entirely in our social groups no matter our age or station in life.
How tragic this can be for those who may be on the outside of certain social circles or have limiting circumstances. Surely this is not what our Heavenly Father intends for us. We have great opportunities all around us to be the one who is inclusive, accepting, and kind to all those we meet. Even if it is viewed as unpopular.
At the beginning of Jesus’ formal ministry, He took the more direct route from Judea to Galilee that lay through Samaria. Many Jews at the time would take a longer route around Samaria as the Jews had ill feelings towards the Samaritans and vice versa. James E. Talmage said; “His choice was guided by purpose, for we read that “He must needs go” that way”. [2]
Jesus came upon Joseph’s well where many travelers would welcome a drink of fresh water along their journey. A Samaritan woman was there, and Jesus spoke to her, contrary to custom, he, being a Jew and her a Samaritan, saying: “Give me to drink”. (John, chapter 4, vs. 7)
“Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans .
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water .
And further on he says:
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst ; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life .” (John 4: 9-10; 13-14).
Jesus was unconcerned with how he would be perceived, talking to a Samaritan woman. He was only concerned with what he had to offer her… the “living water” that she and all of us so desperately need.
Christ is the true example of how to reach out to others regardless of perceived differences. He loved everyone even those who despitefully used him and betrayed him in the end.
He understood Gods purpose for all of us: “To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. (Moses 1:39)
We are eternal beings, who existed prior to our time on earth. We have eternal value as heavenly beings with celestial potential. This eternal value can be difficult to see in a world filled with so many challenges and people living contrary to their spiritual heritage.
Likewise, it can be difficult to extend ourselves and reach out to others when we ourselves are struggling, shy, self-conscious, or feel that we have nothing to offer. The fear of feeling rejected or of creating an awkward situation can prevent us from being the one that someone needs.
Some years ago, as a member of a newly organized ward bishopric, we came up with a message for our members as we were a newly formed ward.
“There are those who are hand shakers and those who wait for their hand to be shaken”, “Be a handshaker”. The message being that if you make the effort to reach out and meet someone they will reach back. If you wait to be reached out too you may miss an opportunity to meet a new friend and make a connection.
This is true in so many of our interactions with others. If we wait for someone to talk to us, invite us, or share with us, we may be waiting for a while and feel disappointed or even offended. But if we take the initiative and be the “reacher” and “hand shaker”, most often we will find some level of kindness exchanged and caring reciprocated. Showing love and kindness to others usually comes back to us. Sometimes it takes more than one effort. But don’t give up.
Some may never reach back to us or reciprocate our efforts over time. But there are always opportunities to be kind and inviting to others every day as we keep watch and listen for the promptings of the spirit.
President Gordon B. Hinkley once taught:
“There is no end to the good we can do, or to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and in all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us.” [3]
It is a new semester here at Ensign College. There may be new faces among you who are anticipating new experiences as Ensign students. Take a moment to notice them and be the one who makes them feel welcome. If you are new to Ensign College, be the one who reaches out your hand in greeting. It will be reciprocated. We have no idea how impactful our efforts can be and what a little kindness and attention towards others can mean.
Don’t let the fear of insecurity or the unknown outcome hinder our efforts. Avoid being judgmental, critical, or biased in our approach. And, most importantly, listen for the promptings of the spirit and you will be guided.
While serving as a missionary in Lethbridge Canada, my companion and I were walking home one spring evening and were hurrying along as it was getting dark. As we walked past a small corner market we could see the glow of a cigarette from a man standing just inside of an old building. My first instinct was to cross the street and walk faster. My companion, on the other hand, felt prompted that we should approach this person who seemed to be hiding in the shadows.
We agreed, as we should never dismiss promptings, and made our approach. We introduced ourselves as missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and asked if we could we share a brief message with him. He said, “I know who you are, I am a member of the church but have not been active for many years. I was hoping you would stop.” He explained that he had been having some extreme, difficult challenges over the last few years following a divorce and was not sure where to turn”. He had been quietly praying for help but was unsure what his next steps should be.
He then asked if we would give him a Priesthood blessing. So, there in the dark of an old storage building, behind the corner market, and by the light of a streetlamp, we gave him a blessing. It was filled with the spirit of our Heavenly Father who knew this man and what he needed. After the blessing, he gave us his contact information, in another city, so that we could connect him to his bishop, which we promptly did the next day.
With tears in our eyes, we embraced, and he agreed to make contact with the bishop to start his path back to the Savior and to long absent church fellowship. I don’t know the final outcome of this man but was so grateful for the followed prompting to reach out to one who was lost.
We are His shepherds. We have great opportunity to be the one who can make a difference for someone else who is lost, alone, or discouraged. It may not be a fantastic miracle, or even a life changing event, but may be just the small miracle someone is praying for at that moment.
Sister Bonnie H. Cordon taught,
“Whether our sheep are strong or weak, rejoicing or in anguish, we can make certain that no one walks alone. We can love them wherever they are spiritually and offer support and encouragement for the next step forward.” [4]
I promise that if we take time to look for those who may be alone or lost and be the one to reach out, it will come back to us in the form of spiritual blessings, friendship, kindness reciprocated, and purpose. I am one who was reached out to by so many at different times of my life, and it has made all the difference.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
[1] M. Russell Ballard, Finding Joy Through Loving Service, April 2011 General Conference
[2] Talmage, James E., Jesus the Christ, P. 173
[3] Gordon B. Hinckley, The Need for Greater Kindness, April 2006 General Conference.
[4] Bonnie H. Cordon, Becoming a Shepherd, October 1010 General Conference
As young scouts, we were immediately drawn to the situation, and we began to make a plan of how to rescue the deer. We quickly tied together some logs found nearby and with rope and a ladder provided by another passerby’s truck, we formed a chain across the ice. It was quite a sight. With scout leaders, boy scouts, and a few others who stopped to help, we sent the smallest scout out across the ice towards the deer. With the rope around his waist and sliding the ladder along like a sled, he reached the frightened deer. He grabbed on to one foot of the animal and we all pulled them along by the rope around his waist. The deer was exhausted, so we left it to rest on the shoreline and returned to our pre-planned service project.
Later that day we noticed that the deer had recovered enough to get back to his feet and was gone. It was not our plan that day to spend time rescuing a deer from a frozen lake. It took effort, initiative and extra time that was unplanned, and we were late for our scheduled service project. It was just one small deer and maybe it would have figured out how to get off the ice without us. Was the effort worth it for just one small deer? It was for him, and we all left feeling a sense of joy in our rescue.
As I reflect on this experience, I think of the savior who taught:
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”
“And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (Luke 15: 4-5)
There are many of us who feel like that stranded deer or the lost sheep, alone, tired, and afraid. We all experience moments when we long for rescue or just need someone to care about us regardless of our current or past circumstances. Each of us have had moments of discouragement, loneliness, have felt abandoned or questioned our significance.
We also have had times and opportunities to be the rescuer and feel the joy that comes from helping someone who was lost and alone. Often, these times come as we listen to promptings of the spirit and reach out to someone who may need our caring and attention.
Alma taught the recent converts in the Book of Mormon that; “…as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places…” (Mosiah 18: 8-9)
Today my message is about the power of “one”. Being that someone who notices and reaches out to the “one” who may be in need. The power of one person’s influence on the life of another is truly what our Heavenly Father intended for us when he said:
“Remember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” (Doctrine & Covenants 18: 10)
As I thought about this message, I recalled an experience while attending a seminary class located next to my high school in my hometown. Many high schools in Utah allow students to take seminary during the school day as part of a release time period, as long as the students remain at the seminary building during this period.
As a young teenager in my first year of high school, I was a bit obnoxious and loved opportunities to seek attention despite my teachers’ warnings to be more attentive and cooperative in class. As a seminary student I was no different, and often was guilty of showing off or distracting other students to the frustration and disappointment of the instructor. One day towards the end of the school year my seminary teacher had had enough of my antics and kicked me out of his seminary class.
I was required to go to a study period in another classroom as a type of “detention”. This was in another seminary teacher’s classroom where they could keep an eye on those who were sent there as they worked on a scripture study assignment. I was alone in the classroom and felt a mixture of embarrassment and frustration that I was in this situation, having pushed my teacher to that point of not returning to class.
This is where I met Brother Reeder. He was the seminary teacher whose prep hour I was interrupting so he could monitor my “detention”. I don’t believe he was required to do anything other than to keep watch and monitor my assigned study. Over the next few days, Brother Reeder started to talk with me and even took a small interest in me. At the end of my 3 weeks of being in his classroom, he had gotten to know me and was showing an individual kindness that I needed at that critical time of my adolescent life. My testimony was small, and I was unsure if I wanted to continue to attend seminary the next year. Through our discussions, I began to feel a spiritual insight and an individual caring that was impactful.
I am sure I was an inconvenience to him. He had other things that may have been pressing for him to accomplish during his prep hour, but he took interest in one person at that moment. It was impactful to me, and I requested his seminary class the next year. He was not everyone’s favorite seminary teacher, but he was mine. He took notice of one lost sheep and brought me back into the fold before I could stray further away from the gospel. Years later as I was preparing to leave on a mission, his face smiled up at me from the audience when I delivered my farewell talk at church.
The power of one person’s influence can have remarkable long-term effects on the lives of others around us. We are surrounded by people who need just one act of kindness, one smile, one invitation, or one warm embrace to help them feel loved and that they belong. We can be that one who makes a difference that may last well past that moment.
When we look around at all of the challenges and struggles that dominate our world it may seem that these small efforts are insignificant. With so much suffering and heartache around us, it can feel like our small efforts do not matter. However, it does matter to that one person who receives our attention, and it matters to our Heavenly Father.
In Rome at the Basilica of St. Paul there is a display that stood out to me as we walked around the grounds that had a caption that said: “I was in prison, and you visited me” in reference to the scripture in Matthew chapter 25:
“…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).
God needs us. Our neighbors and friends need us. Our coworkers and fellow students need us. And we need them.
Our efforts, no matter how small, are essential to the wellbeing of all God’s children.
Elder M. Russell Ballard said:
“Great things are wrought through simple and small things. Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another.” [1]
Reaching out to others can, at times be difficult, inconvenient, and sometimes frustrating. It may require that we humble ourselves and set aside any prejudice and preconceived ideas about people who may be different from us in some way.
We are all children of our Heavenly Father, equal in every way in his eyes, with the same potential and spiritual heritage. Despite differences in appearance, status, background, knowledge, and characteristics we “all are alike unto God”. (2 Nephi 26: 33).
Many of us remember those times during childhood and adolescence when being popular sometimes may have included shunning or ignoring those who were viewed as odd, different, or outcasts. Though we are past those high school days, I fear that those attitudes still exist to some extent and being viewed as “popular” never seems to diminish entirely in our social groups no matter our age or station in life.
How tragic this can be for those who may be on the outside of certain social circles or have limiting circumstances. Surely this is not what our Heavenly Father intends for us. We have great opportunities all around us to be the one who is inclusive, accepting, and kind to all those we meet. Even if it is viewed as unpopular.
At the beginning of Jesus’ formal ministry, He took the more direct route from Judea to Galilee that lay through Samaria. Many Jews at the time would take a longer route around Samaria as the Jews had ill feelings towards the Samaritans and vice versa. James E. Talmage said; “His choice was guided by purpose, for we read that “He must needs go” that way”. [2]
Jesus came upon Joseph’s well where many travelers would welcome a drink of fresh water along their journey. A Samaritan woman was there, and Jesus spoke to her, contrary to custom, he, being a Jew and her a Samaritan, saying: “Give me to drink”. (John, chapter 4, vs. 7)
“Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans .
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water .
And further on he says:
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst ; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life .” (John 4: 9-10; 13-14).
Jesus was unconcerned with how he would be perceived, talking to a Samaritan woman. He was only concerned with what he had to offer her… the “living water” that she and all of us so desperately need.
Christ is the true example of how to reach out to others regardless of perceived differences. He loved everyone even those who despitefully used him and betrayed him in the end.
He understood Gods purpose for all of us: “To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. (Moses 1:39)
We are eternal beings, who existed prior to our time on earth. We have eternal value as heavenly beings with celestial potential. This eternal value can be difficult to see in a world filled with so many challenges and people living contrary to their spiritual heritage.
Likewise, it can be difficult to extend ourselves and reach out to others when we ourselves are struggling, shy, self-conscious, or feel that we have nothing to offer. The fear of feeling rejected or of creating an awkward situation can prevent us from being the one that someone needs.
Some years ago, as a member of a newly organized ward bishopric, we came up with a message for our members as we were a newly formed ward.
“There are those who are hand shakers and those who wait for their hand to be shaken”, “Be a handshaker”. The message being that if you make the effort to reach out and meet someone they will reach back. If you wait to be reached out too you may miss an opportunity to meet a new friend and make a connection.
This is true in so many of our interactions with others. If we wait for someone to talk to us, invite us, or share with us, we may be waiting for a while and feel disappointed or even offended. But if we take the initiative and be the “reacher” and “hand shaker”, most often we will find some level of kindness exchanged and caring reciprocated. Showing love and kindness to others usually comes back to us. Sometimes it takes more than one effort. But don’t give up.
Some may never reach back to us or reciprocate our efforts over time. But there are always opportunities to be kind and inviting to others every day as we keep watch and listen for the promptings of the spirit.
President Gordon B. Hinkley once taught:
“There is no end to the good we can do, or to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and in all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us.” [3]
It is a new semester here at Ensign College. There may be new faces among you who are anticipating new experiences as Ensign students. Take a moment to notice them and be the one who makes them feel welcome. If you are new to Ensign College, be the one who reaches out your hand in greeting. It will be reciprocated. We have no idea how impactful our efforts can be and what a little kindness and attention towards others can mean.
Don’t let the fear of insecurity or the unknown outcome hinder our efforts. Avoid being judgmental, critical, or biased in our approach. And, most importantly, listen for the promptings of the spirit and you will be guided.
While serving as a missionary in Lethbridge Canada, my companion and I were walking home one spring evening and were hurrying along as it was getting dark. As we walked past a small corner market we could see the glow of a cigarette from a man standing just inside of an old building. My first instinct was to cross the street and walk faster. My companion, on the other hand, felt prompted that we should approach this person who seemed to be hiding in the shadows.
We agreed, as we should never dismiss promptings, and made our approach. We introduced ourselves as missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and asked if we could we share a brief message with him. He said, “I know who you are, I am a member of the church but have not been active for many years. I was hoping you would stop.” He explained that he had been having some extreme, difficult challenges over the last few years following a divorce and was not sure where to turn”. He had been quietly praying for help but was unsure what his next steps should be.
He then asked if we would give him a Priesthood blessing. So, there in the dark of an old storage building, behind the corner market, and by the light of a streetlamp, we gave him a blessing. It was filled with the spirit of our Heavenly Father who knew this man and what he needed. After the blessing, he gave us his contact information, in another city, so that we could connect him to his bishop, which we promptly did the next day.
With tears in our eyes, we embraced, and he agreed to make contact with the bishop to start his path back to the Savior and to long absent church fellowship. I don’t know the final outcome of this man but was so grateful for the followed prompting to reach out to one who was lost.
We are His shepherds. We have great opportunity to be the one who can make a difference for someone else who is lost, alone, or discouraged. It may not be a fantastic miracle, or even a life changing event, but may be just the small miracle someone is praying for at that moment.
Sister Bonnie H. Cordon taught,
“Whether our sheep are strong or weak, rejoicing or in anguish, we can make certain that no one walks alone. We can love them wherever they are spiritually and offer support and encouragement for the next step forward.” [4]
I promise that if we take time to look for those who may be alone or lost and be the one to reach out, it will come back to us in the form of spiritual blessings, friendship, kindness reciprocated, and purpose. I am one who was reached out to by so many at different times of my life, and it has made all the difference.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
[1] M. Russell Ballard, Finding Joy Through Loving Service, April 2011 General Conference
[2] Talmage, James E., Jesus the Christ, P. 173
[3] Gordon B. Hinckley, The Need for Greater Kindness, April 2006 General Conference.
[4] Bonnie H. Cordon, Becoming a Shepherd, October 1010 General Conference