Saturday morning session: Summaries from Latter-day Saint general conference-president Oaks talk - humanitarian effort-

Listening closely to each song and conference talk what is the Holy Spirit telling me ? 

Love the opening song by the Tabernacle  Choir - I know each song and talk was carefully planned to say the messages that Heavenly Father wants me to hear at this conference - I loved hearing this hymn and set the message for the entire conference - Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah -the choir sang 

Majestically

1. Guide us, O thou great Jehovah,

Guide us to the promised land.

We are weak, but thou art able;

Hold us with thy pow’rful hand.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,

Feed us till the Savior comes,

Feed us till the Savior comes.

2. Open, Jesus, Zion’s fountains;

Let her richest blessings come.

Let the fiery, cloudy pillar

Guard us to this holy home.

Great Redeemer, Great Redeemer,

Bring, oh, bring the welcome day,

Bring, oh, bring the welcome day!

3. When the earth begins to tremble,

Bid our fearful thoughts be still;

When thy judgments spread destruction,

Keep us safe on Zion’s hill,

Singing praises, Singing praises,

Songs of glory unto thee,

Songs of glory unto thee. -   The thoughts came to me as I listened - Guide us Lord in these trying days as we prepare the world for thy second coming and may we each do our part- be not afraid when all seems lost - Jesus Christ over comed the world and he will guide us and lead me to my Zion home.  This song was very stirring to my soul - 

The opening speaker was the 2nd counselor to the Prophet addressing us in this subject -

President Dallin H. Oaks — Helping the poor and distressed-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave $906 million in 2021 through donations in 188 countries, President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency said. Members also contributed 6 million hours of aid and served through callings in the church and personal donations to charitable organizations.  President Oaks said that most of the humanitarian work done throughout the world is not done through the church, or by any singular organization, and giving to others is a principle in many religions. He encouraged members to be more aware of and thankful for the service of others. -The Church of Jesus Christ is committed to serving those in need, and it is also committed to cooperating with others in that effort,"

He said the church has learned from other organizations how to best provide care and stressed that each of the children of God is enlightened to serve.-While each humanitarian organization has its own areas of specialization, we share the common goal of relieving suffering among God's children. All of this is part of God's work for his children," President Oaks said. He gave examples of individuals who saw a need and stepped up to fill it, helping those in need receive education or medical care, and said God is inspiring people of faith worldwide to serve. "These examples do show that God inspires many organizations and individuals to do much good. It also shows that more of us should be recognizing the good done by others and supporting it as we have the time and means to do so," President Oaks said. President Oaks encouraged members to support religious freedom, education, relief from natural disasters and many other good causes and said Jesus Christ can guide church members on how they can best help.

"I testify of Jesus Christ, whose light and Spirit guides all of the children of God in helping the poor and distressed throughout the world.”

From this talk relearned that any good cause is of God - as King Benjamin taught as we are in the service of your fellowmen ye are in the service of your God- as the deeds of evil men increase in the world from War- displacement of many losing their homes and all belonging, also from the nutural disaster of the elements increasing - people lives are turned upside down - we all need to help where we can in the sphere of our own surrounding to help others and to donate to the monthly fast which is used to help care for the needy and the poor- have alt has asked us to care for one another to minister and love all mankind with the basic needs of sustaining our lives. The humanitarian effort is world wide and the needs have increased greatly.  We are going to continue to see even more needs in the future months as a world wide famine begins- how do I prepare myself and our family so we can be of service to others in our own surroundings?  I pray for the guidance on how I can be prepare better,  I know when things suddenly shut down in the spring of 2020- I was in shock seeing this happen- craig and I went to the store and found the shelves were empty- I had never seen this happen so quickly.  I realized then I was not very prepared to sustain myself or my family for a period of time.  I know I have always been taught to have a years supply of emergency food supply.  With us in our retirement years I have become lazy.  We had no extend supply stores up -  I felt this 2020 shut down was a wake of call to be more prepared and continue to store a food supply that can sustain our family when the need arises- when stores shut down in the future again- I have since strived to do better and fill my storage with things that will help us and give us the resources to serve other too- I need to do more !  I can see that food shortage are on the rise from all that is happening in the world and will effect our own lives too as the effect come to America-  the Lord says we need not fear if we are prepared-  help me to know how to prepare more effectively-  help me to have the spirit prompt me where needed To sustain our lives - we can’t depend on the government - it will come down us as individuals, the family and as a church to help one another in need.  It is prophesied turbulent times and it is upon us - each day in thr news the alarm is sounding the tribulation happening in our world and we all are connected to help one another where we possibly can.