Doing Good

Peter described the ministry of Jesus to a group of people in the home of the Roman centurion Cornelius in this way:

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Acts 10:38

This description must have particularly resonated with Cornelius, who was “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts 10:2). Peter also explained that Jesus was a fulfillment of prophecy, that He had risen from the dead, and that He will one day be our Judge. But he started by emphasizing something more relatable and relevant to our daily lives: Jesus “went about doing good.”

Thomas S. Monson loved this description of Jesus. He quoted it eighteen times in general conference. For example:

Jesus was the epitome of service. It was said of Him that He “went about doing good.” Do we, my brethren, do likewise? Our opportunities are many, but some are perishable and fleeting.

“In Harm’s Way,” General Conference, April 1998

Mormon said, “That which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God” (Moroni 7:13).

As important as it is to avoid mistakes and to solve problems, I like this focus on simply “doing good.” When I focus on doing things perfectly, the anxiety can be stifling, but it’s not hard to think of good things to do.

There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.

“Have I Done Any Good?,” Hymns, 223

Today, I will do good. I will take advantage of opportunities to serve, to be kind, to uplift, and to bless.