This is #10 in a series of posts in which I share some of the things I have experienced because I am a Mormon. In each of these posts, I will give you a basic background and share a small experience. I hope that through the sharing of these small things you can have a glimpse into my experience as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I will also try to explain principles and doctrines of my faith that bring me so much happiness.

Sick, and Ye Visited Me

She taught Relief Society lessons on Sundays with wisdom and candor. She was funny. She was real and without pretense. The lesson I remember best is when she taught us from Matthew 25. We read,

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

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 25:33-36, KJV)

“Do you realize what this means?” she said. “Have you BEEN to a prison? Have you seen how ‘yucky’ a sick room can be? We need to be in THOSE PLACES.”

Perhaps I remember her words because one afternoon in May (and it happened to be her birthday), this Relief Society teacher walked into my hospital room to visit me. She was my only visitor during that hospital stay and I will never forget that pure Christian act.

“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. (Matthew 25:40)

Mine is a religion of action and personal development. Understanding that we are lacking, we depend on the Savior for salvation, daily support, and direction. This does not diminish the role our actions play in expanding our capacity to experience heaven someday. We believe that as followers of Jesus Christ, we spend our time visiting, lending, comforting, and helping, not as items to check off a list, but as a means of expanding Christ’s influence in the world and in our hearts.