In the new Church video “Follow the Savior’s Example—Love, Share, and Invite,” Church leaders recount how simple member invitations contributed to their respective conversions.

This two-minute video features Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, eight General Authority Seventies, and two general presidency counselors.

This video and accompanying videos of individuals speaking about invitations leading to their conversions are part of a current emphasis on sharing the gospel are available on the “Love, Share and Invite Stories” page in the Media Library and the “Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ” channel on YouTube. You can easily share the videos with your friends on social media.

Find more ways to share on the Church’s Sharing the Gospel webpage.

Learn more about this video in the article “Video: Simple ways to ‘Love, Share and Invite’.”

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To say life was difficult at home would have been the understatement of a lifetime. My dad had been unemployed for over a year, and our family of eight felt the crushing strain financially and otherwise. While I was used to a life of financial worry, this time felt different—desperate, even.

As a new high school graduate, I had my whole life before me, and I could not wait! With a small nest egg of money I earned at a local ice cream shop, I excitedly began a new chapter of life at BYU. In my naïve 18-year-old mind, I believed my family’s worries would remain at home in Arizona, allowing me to build a carefree existence in Provo.

I could not have been more wrong.

As I settled into college, I did all I could to support myself, not wanting to ask my parents for a single dollar. And, while I was getting by on my own, I could not hide from my family’s financial devastation. Just weeks into the fall semester, in an unexpected blow, I learned we would soon lose our home to foreclosure.

No job. No home. No money. What would become of us?

Trying to distract myself, I buried myself in school, work, and social activities. I was outwardly stoic, driven, and composed. But, beneath the surface, I was crumbling. While I loved being away at school, I could not shake the feeling that I had abandoned my family in their time of need. Perhaps, had I stayed, I could have worked hard enough to save our home. Maybe this financial tsunami that threatened to destroy us was partially my fault.

One day, amid this escalating trial, I stopped by the desk in the Morris Center to retrieve my mail. Hiding in the small stack of envelopes was a folded piece of paper with my name on it. Opening it, I read these simple words: “Lynnette, let those pearly whites shine, and know that you are loved.”

There was no signature, and the absence of a stamp told me this note had been dropped into my mailbox by someone who knew which box was mine. But nobody fitting that description knew anything about my heart-wrenching challenges. 

Except God.

As I read those words through tear-filled eyes, I knew they had come from Him through the willing hands of someone who had followed a simple prompting. To me, that letter from heaven said, “I see you. I know you. I love you. Everything will be okay.”

For me, the incomprehensible thing about the Lord’s love is that it is both infinite and strikingly personal. In a garden long ago, His love led Him to do what would be impossible for the rest of us. While His friends slept, He pushed through excruciating pain and did what the Father sent Him to earth—atone for all humanity’s sins. I can think of no greater manifestation of infinite love.

But, somehow, miraculously, His love is also deeply personal. It reaches across time and space, borders and boundaries, and finds its way into individual hearts. It is amplified on a thousand daily stages that all lead to Him, often through the hands of those who hear and heed His call to help. 

Long ago, the resurrected Savior stood on the seashore with His chief apostle, Peter, who would soon take over the leadership of His church on earth. In their final conversation, before He ascended to heaven, the Lord asked Peter a significant question: “Peter, do you love me?” When he answered in the affirmative, Christ instructed Peter to “feed my lambs.”

Then again, the same question: “Peter, do you love me?” Perhaps the Master had not heard, so Peter answered again, “Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” The same urgent instructions bridged the space between them: “Feed my sheep.”

The Master Teacher undoubtedly knew the power of repetition. So, a third time, He asked His increasingly confused apostle: “Peter, do you love me?”

At this point, Peter was noticeably rattled. What was he missing? Did the Lord not understand or approve of his answer? But, once more, he pleadingly replied, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”

Not missing a beat, the Savior repeated the familiar instructions that would forever change the trajectory of Peter’s service: “Feed my sheep.” 

With such a short time to spend with His beloved apostles before returning home to His Father, the Savior needed Peter to grasp what it meant to love Him because love would always be the foundation of His work. Consequently, if Jesus had a few minutes to spend with each of us, I believe He would teach us exactly what He taught Peter in that historic conversation over 2000 years ago: If you love Me, take care of my children.

Loving God has never been and never will be passive—it is feeding, lifting, serving, and succoring on His behalf. It is finding the lost, nurturing the lonely, and strengthening the weak. It is praying to know how we can be His hands and then following quiet promptings to do unexpected things we otherwise would not do. 

Nearly thirty years ago, a folded piece of paper containing a few simple words of encouragement interrupted a cascading waterfall of challenges with undeniable evidence of God’s love for me. I may never know whose hand wrote those words, but like Peter of old, they had learned to follow the Lord’s call to share His love. I will be forever grateful for that simple gift, which continues to point me to Him.

The post Share His Love: Why Christ Still Asks Us to Feed His Sheep appeared first on Public Square Magazine.

Watch a new Church video “How Can I Love, Share, and Invite as Jesus Did?”

Love, Share, and Invite are principles to help you share the gospel in ways that are right for each of God’s children. As you think about these ideas, pray to Heavenly Father for guidance and opportunities and He will help you.

Learn about things you can do right now on the Church’s Share page.

Do you know how to share content from the Gospel Library mobile app?

To share a quote from a chapter or article, select the text you want to share, then tap the share button on the annotation menu. This will bring up a list of sharing options provided by operating system or any third-party apps you have installed.

To share a full chapter, go to the chapter, then choose Share from the overflow menu (three dots in the top right). This will bring up a list of sharing options.

You can also share the contents of a tag or notebook.

You may want to take a few minutes to read through the Gospel Library User Guide. You may discover many features that you didn’t know about.

• Gospel Library User Guide (iOS)
• Gospel Library User Guide (Android)

I have just taken over a month off of Facebook and Instagram. It was eye opening and oh so good for my soul! I intentionally spent a lot more time in the scriptures and reading conference talks and other inspiring texts. I feel different because if it! 

In this process I have desired to have a place where I and others can share thoughts or questions from our personal studies. A place where we can have dialogue and feel unified in our effort to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A place where we can ask Gospel questions among like minded and striving Saints. And a place free of other distractions and time sucking pulls. 

After asking around a bit I’ve decided to try the BAND app. I know another app and another place to check won’t be a great fit for everyone but if any of you would like to join I’d love to have you!  If you’d like to join the link is below! 

Hey, join our 'Striving to Overcome the World' group on BAND - The app for groups and communities!

https://band.us/n/a5af7eV3E7s20

Latter-day Saints who served a mission since 2000 can choose to share their contact information with their former mission leaders through a new Mission Directory in the Member Tools app.

A former missionary may opt in to this directory in his or her Church Account, which then allows mission leaders to see his or her name (including maiden and married surname), photo, individual and household phone numbers, and email addresses. Mission leaders can use this information to more easily communicate with missionaries either individually or as a group. Missionaries will not be able to see mission leaders’ information from Member Tools, nor information about other missionaries.

Mission reunions, email, newsletters, social media, and virtual meeting software like Zoom are some of the methods many mission presidents are already using to maintain mission relationships.

• Learn more about this feature in the article “Returned Missionaries Can Choose to Share Contact Information with Mission Leaders in Member Tools.”
• See a questions and answers page.

Sharing the gospel is easier than ever before! With the help of technology we have the ability to share the beautiful message of the restoration to the world in a matter of a few taps.

A new video from the New York Syracuse Mission gives five easy ways to share the gospel using technology:

• Tip #1: Like and Follow the mission’s Facebook & Instagram pages.
• Tip #2: Like, Comment, & Share posts that you enjoy.
• Tip #3: Utilize Instagram guidebooks! They are custom interactive pamphlets that explain all the lessons the missionaries teach.
• Tip #4: Check out the What to Share section in the Gospel Library app.
• Tip #5: Make a video with the missionaries!

Learn about these tips in this video “Love, Share, Invite from the New York Syracuse Mission:

Enjoy more videos on the Light of Christ in Upstate New York channel on YouTube.

Learn more about Elder Jared Bender and his missionary videos in the article “‘This looks like something straight from Salt Lake!’ 1 missionary’s crazy impressive video editing” on LDS Living.

The Church has powerful resources that can bless our lives. These include courses and tools for improving self-reliance and education, participating in family history, learning a language, and getting help to face life’s challenges. They are not only for members. Sharing them can help bring us and others closer to the Savior.

See this page of resources to share with others to help them lead a more abundant life.

1. Consider who you know who might benefit from the resources listed .
2. Confirm with your local Church leaders what is available.
3. Invite your friend to participate.

Note: Many of these resources are available online.

This is not the full-featured version of the scriptures available in the Gospel Library app. It is a simple, digital version of the Book of Mormon without footnotes or cross-references. That makes it easier for people not familiar with the Book of Mormon to read it or listen to audio recordings of it.

The app includes the following:

• Text in 107 languages.
• Streaming audio in many languages, either as pre-recorded audio or using text-to-speech technology.
• Reference guide to key scriptures about Jesus Christ, doctrines, people, places, and events in the Book of Mormon.
• Simple content navigation and swiping gestures to navigate between chapters.
• Searchable text.
• Invitations to learn more about the Book of Mormon, ask a question, and worship with us.

Get the Book of Mormon app for Apple iOS, Google Android, or Windows.

Watch the video “Share the Book of Mormon App:

Enjoy this Church video “You Are Enough.” Motherhood can feel like participating in a race without a finish line: slow at times, frantic at others, exhausting and exhilarating all at once. No matter your circumstances, Heavenly Father promises blessings as you participate in this essential work of salvation. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland assured, “You will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make [an] honest effort.”

In the following video on Facebook., missionaries from the Mount Vernon Virginia Stake in Alexandria, Virginia, stopped people on the street and asked them why their mom is so important to them. Are their reasons the same as yours?

• See a collection of videos about mothers from the Church.
• Watch other Mother’s Day videos.
• Read the article “How to Celebrate Mother’s Day When You’re Not a Mother

Here is a list of other member-created videos we have shared. If you find other videos you think we should share, please post a comment below.

Here are a few best practices for sharing gospel-centered things online.

Focus on Relationships

• Follow people that uplift you.
• Connect with old and new friends. Reach out to people who live near and far.
• Avoid using social media to compare yourself to others. Instead, look for ways to celebrate others’ joys and accomplishments.
• Give genuine and positive compliments like: “Congratulations!” “I am so proud of you!” “Thank you for sharing!” and “I love this!”

How to Share

• Be yourself. Be genuine. Don’t exaggerate or pretend to be something you are not.
• Don’t preach to others, but simply explain what brings joy to your life.
• Ask questions and involve people.
• Use your page to reflect who you are as a disciple of Christ.
• Express what the content you are sharing means to you and why you are sharing it.

What to Share

• Share uplifting content. Help others feel God’s love by sharing what you are grateful for. Talk about the people you love, positive experiences, and things that inspire you.
• Share your beliefs. Build upon what you have in common with others. Share a quote or video that inspires you. Invite a friend to sign up to receive inspiring emails using Inspire Your Inbox.
• Talk about Jesus Christ. Mention your faith in Him. When people are ready and show interest, invite them to learn more about Jesus’ gospel and His restored church.
• Follow accounts that uplift you, such as Come Unto Christ on Instagram or Facebook or the Church account on Instagram or Facebook.
• Follow LDS365 on Instagram or Facebook for ideas on what to share and tips on how to share it.  (You can also subscribe to get daily emails.)

Some of the ideas above were summarized from the Church’s web page Share Online. See that page for more ideas.

Missionaries from the San Antonio Mission perform an amazing a cappella rendition of the hymn “How Great Thou Art.”

The key message from these missionaries: “Our Heavenly Father’s love is so much more than we can comprehend.”

Watch this video, 6 Missionaries Share Powerful Version of “How Great Thou Art.”

See more missionary videos on the Called to Share YouTube channel.

Here is a list of other member-created videos we have shared. If you find other videos you think we should share, please post a comment below.

New resources at Share.ChurchofJesusChrist.org can help you share the gospel through social media.

Participating in the gathering of Israel includes loving, sharing, and inviting others to enjoy the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Church.

The site includes general information on how to love, share, and invite.

It also gives specific help on the following:

• How to connect with others on social media
• How to share on social media
• How to invite on social media

The post New Resources to Help Share the Gospel first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

Hope Works is a series of videos captured at live events where presenters share interesting insights about hope and faith and how it works in their lives.

The Church has published 23 videos in the “Hope Works” series so far. The series features Latter-day Saints presenting in a Ted-Talk style to share how faith and hope have helped them to overcome challenges in their lives.

A Hope Works playlist is also available on YouTube.

If you use social media, share messages and content that bring light and joy into your life. Look for opportunities to offer hope to those facing challenging times.

The following are ideas from the Church’s page “How to Share Light through Social Media:”

Share

Many people seek for good and for those who radiate light. If you use social media, share messages and content that bring light and joy into your life. Things, that truly inspire you and make you happy. Look for opportunities to offer hope to those facing challenging times. Tag people in uplifting content, to reshare.

Be Real

Be authentic, honest and true to who you are. Be open and willing to discuss your struggles. Relax and laugh a little. When you share, it doesn’t need to sound or look like anyone else—it should sound and look like you. Share your own experience and what is in your heart, and it will be powerful.

Listen

Be prayerful about what you share and how to engage with people. Seek inspiration then listen to and follow the promptings and impressions that come.

Listen to what people are saying and asking about your messages. Try to understand them. Hear them out and avoid confrontation.

Talk

Look for people who have questions or comments about what you share. Sharing light can strengthen relationships through one-on-one conversations. As people read what you share, they will connect with it in their own, individual way. At times, others will reach out to you in a private message. When they do, talk with them.

Invite

Invite those you talk with to do something that feels natural and will bring them closer to the Savior. It can be as simple as responding with kindness, giving them a question to think about, a video to watch or another website to visit. Or it could be an invitation to attend church or talk to missionaries.

Click the image below to see examples of how others share light through social media.