Strengthen Them

A teacher in the restored Church of Jesus Christ has a duty to “watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:53).

At the Last Supper, Jesus warned Peter that Satan wanted to create divisions among His disciples. Therefore, He urged Peter, “when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32).

When Alma was hungry and alone in Ammonihah, Amulek invited him into his own home. (See Alma 8:19-27.) Later, after they both endured horrific trauma including Amulek losing his home and probably his family, Alma “took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord” (Alma 15:18).

At a precarious moment in the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, the chief judge, Pahoran, wrote to Captain Moroni, “See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord; tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them” (Alma 61:21).

How can we strengthen other people in the Lord? Here are some ideas:

1. Sometimes we strengthen others by simply being with them. On one occasion, Spencer W. Kimball visited President Henry B. Eyring’s father in the hospital. He didn’t stay long, and they hardly said a word, but President Eyring’s father later said, “Of all the visits I had, that visit I had from him lifted my spirits the most.” (See “Serve with the Spirit,” General Conference, October 2010).
2. We strengthen others by listening to them. Elder M. Russell Ballard gave the following advice: “Fathers, listen to your sons—really listen to them. Ask the right kind of questions, and listen to what your sons have to say each time you have a few minutes together” (“Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship,” General Conference, October 2009).
3. We strengthen others by expressing confidence in them. Alma strengthened his son Shiblon with these words: “I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God” (Alma 38:2).
4. We strengthen others by testifying of the truth. Lehi helped to fortify Sariah’s wavering faith by sharing his conviction that God was leading them to a land of promise and that He would protect their sons. (See 1 Nephi 5:5.)
5. We strengthen others by inviting them to exercise faith. Just like physical strength, we build spiritual strength through exercise. We can echo the following invitation from President Russell M. Nelson, “What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith” (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” General Conference, April 2021).

Today, I will strengthen the people around me, beginning with my own family. I will spend time with them, listen, express confidence, testify of true principles, and extend invitations.