Christlike Love Is Key To Ministering

I used to think about the priesthood mostly in terms of doing: performing ordinances, fulfilling assignments, and making sure the ward ran smoothly. And I still believe this strongly—ordinances and priesthood blessings are sacred, essential, and established by the Lord. But over time, I’ve realized there’s a real risk for me: I can start treating priesthood service like administration without discipleship—getting the work done, but missing the point of the work. The Savior keeps inviting me to something deeper: not just the authority to act in His name, but the power to lift His children as I minister with Christlike love.

The Lord’s pattern: priesthood influence isn’t “by virtue of the priesthood.”

Doctrine and Covenants 121 really makes me pause and think:
“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41)

That isn’t a description of how to run meetings. It’s a description of how Jesus Christ treats people.
>So I’ve had to ask myself: when people interact with me as a priesthood holder, do they feel managed or loved?

Mosiah 18: the covenant to carry each other

At the waters of Mormon, Alma described a covenant people who 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…” (Mosiah 18:8–9)

To me, that’s ministering. It’s not just being friendly—it’s living our covenant by helping carry someone else’s burdens.

And Alma ties covenant-keeping to the Spirit:
“…that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?” (Mosiah 18:10)

Sometimes we wonder why we don’t feel the Spirit as much as we’d like. Part of the answer might be that the Lord teaches and sanctifies us as we serve and love His children.

“Be with and strengthen them”

The Lord’s description of what His servants do can be surprisingly simple:
“The teacher’s duty is to watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them;” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:53)

I love the phrase “be with and strengthen them.” To me, it doesn’t mean hovering, controlling, or policing. It means showing up with faith, listening, and helping someone take their next step toward Christ.

Christlike Love

That’s how Jesus ministered. He:

• was present
• noticed people.
• asked questions.
• wept with them, healed them, and taught truth, always with love and purpose.

What ministering is (and what it isn’t)
The General Handbook describes ministering in a really Savior-centered way. It teaches that ministering sisters and brothers:

• “represent the Lord,”
• are to “watch over” members and “be with and strengthen them,”
• “discern needs and provide Christlike love, caring, and service,” and
• “prayerfully seek the guidance of the Spirit.” (General Handbook 21.1)

It’s not just a checklist. It’s a call to become something more.

It also helps to be clear about what ministering is not:

• Not “dropping by to prove I tried.”
• Not “a monthly message delivery.”
• Not “a relationship where I’m the fixer, and they’re the project.”

Ministering is real friendship in discipleship, the kind where someone would call you first when life gets hard.

Elder Holland: rise above “mechanical” religion (without dismissing the work)

When ministering was emphasized Churchwide, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said we should be:
“individually rising above any mechanical, function-without-feeling routine to the heartfelt discipleship articulated by the Savior…” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be With and Strengthen Them,” Apr. 2018)

To me, that’s not a criticism of structure, callings, or doing things properly. Those things matter. The warning is about doing good things without charity and the Spirit, or functioning without feeling.

Elder Holland pointed us back to the Savior’s core commandment:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you…” (John 13:34–35)

A quick word about administering priesthood blessings
This matters: there are times when priesthood holders are asked to administer to the sick, and that is a sacred privilege. This is an example of ministering with Christlike love.

The Handbook also gives wise direction:
“Priesthood holders who visit hospitals should not solicit opportunities to administer to the sick.” (General Handbook 18.13)

Christlike Love Isn’t About Us

So we don’t make priesthood service about ourselves. We look for people to love, and when someone asks for a blessing, we offer it with reverence and faith.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is sit down, listen, and say: “I’m here. I care. Let’s pray. What do you need?”

What this looks like in real life (simple, doable)
If you’re like me, you might hear the word “minister” and think, Okay, but what should I actually do this week?

A Simple Pattern of Christlike Love

Here’s a simple pattern I try to follow, especially when I feel awkward or unsure:

1. Pray by name for the people you minister to.
2. Reach out simply (“How are you really doing this week?”).
3. Listen first (before advice, before fixing).
4. Do one small act that actually strengthens them (a visit, a ride, help with a problem).
5. Point to Christ (prayer, a scripture, an ordinance, a next step, or whatever fits their need).
6. Why this matters: It helps people stay close to Jesus Christ
7. One reason I feel strongly about this is that many people stay in the Church, or come back, not because it’s easy, but because they feel the Savior’s love through His disciples.
8. And if someone is struggling, whether with testimony, loneliness, sin, or grief, good administration usually won’t heal that.
9. But consistent, gentle, loving ministering can help.