Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. -Matthew 25:36
All my life, I have read this scripture with the thought of visiting those behind prison walls, and it is certainly appropriate, good, and right. Nevertheless, this was obviously difficult to do when young and perhaps scary or ill-advised. But later in life, I realized people are imprisoned in many ways, behind walls of doubt, fear, insecurity, pain, and loneliness.
Just up our street hardly a block from our house when I was a child lived a kind old woman and her son—right across the road from one of my best friends. She was welcoming and kind to us children. Back in those days, youngsters could visit adults in their homes without fear of abuse, and I visited Mrs. Goble frequently. I enjoyed cheering her up. She was always so happy to see me. She obviously enjoyed having company, and I was 4-5 at the time and filled that need wonderfully. As benevolent as that may sound, I admittedly was there for the treats.
Sometime during my visit after introductory pleasantries and probing questions about my family, Mrs. Goble brought out the cookies, and I was allowed to take whatever I wanted. Imagine that—a whole tray of sugar cookies, pecan pralines, lemon drops, and shortbread-like Mexican wedding cakes. Actually, I had no idea the actual names of the variety of delicacies. I just remember savoring every bite. She must have known how much I liked the cookies, because she kept them coming as long as I would sit there and visit.
And I expect that she knew I never got such a prize all to myself in a house of eight children, so we kept having regular visits for some time, until my mother found out. Then I was gently rebuked to not solicit treats from poor old Mrs. Goble. You would think I would have been crushed, but truth is I was getting too old for this kind of arrangement, and I didn’t know how I was going to break the news to my elderly friend. So it all worked out in the end, but I will always remember fondly my wonderful visits to Mrs. Goble’s.
Today, I realize there are many elderly people who feel their lives have been reduced to an occasional visit perhaps out of duty. They wait every day for a call, a card, or recognition that their memory and their lives will be viewed as significant and go on to bless others. Sadly, many feel forgotten.
There are others we meet every day that on the outside look healthy, young and vibrant, but inside they are battling tremendous obstacles and perhaps even addictions. These folks feel lonesome and hopeless because their challenge is frequently fought on the lonely battlefields of regret, shame, and fear. Though they try to smile and look normal on the outside, the turmoil within leaves them feeling scared, disconnected, and lonely. Friends may call regularly, but their circumstance frequently worsens without help. It doesn’t feel real, and they can’t escape their ghastly prison.
Another vice perhaps even more insidious than the previous two is discouragement. The reason it is more sinister than those already mentioned lies in the fact that it both often accompanies them and is frequently invisible to others. Gestures to “cheer up” or other well-meaning encouragement fall flat and is neither interpreted nor implemented correctly. The situation is often similar in effect to a person who cannot quench his thirst in an ocean of salt water and ends up dying from dehydration…water everywhere but inaccessible to the one that really needs it.
The Savior discussed like situations in his time when people found themselves in circumstances from which they could not free themselves, and he interestingly also taught all of us how we should respond. Do you remember it? He spoke of a time still to come, when the Son of man shall appear in his glory, and legions of angels with him. The Lord then does something very interesting. He gathers all nations before him and separates them one from another as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. And he sets the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Let’s read in the Bible from the gospel of Matthew what happens next:
34 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:
35 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:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 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.
And this encouragement applies to us today as well. Just when we think things are going pretty well, we get a surprise that stops us in our tracks and nearly knocks us down. It happens when we are sideswiped with devastating news or circumstances we neither prepared for nor imagined. It happens to all of us, so we should have empathy for others who are experiencing the challenges in our very midst. Everything important that we have is a result of his grace for you and me. We have a wonderful future in store for us despite the hardships of our present circumstances. And gratefully, we are not alone.
We have many examples of faithful men and women who followed the example of the Savior and gave their lives and effort toward furthering His ends. These people recognized the important role of the Savior and acknowledged his part in the Great Plan of Happiness. From numerous possibilities, I have selected the beloved King Benjamin as an example to illustrate my point.
King Benjamin discusses this very idea comprising chapters 2-5 of Mosiah. The prophet Mosiah sends a proclamation to all the people of the land to assemble so they could hear from their beloved leader. King Benjamin was becoming old and wanted to talk to his people and tell them that his son Mosiah would be the next king. When he addressed his people, he recounts the equity, fairness, and spirituality of his reign, and he counsels them to serve their Heavenly King. Then he teaches them a lesson that I believe he felt was most important for his people to hear. He teaches them humility, service, and appreciation for God. In the book of Mosiah 2:19-24, we can read the following which is only an excerpt:
23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?
So what is it I am supposed to do? What does he ask of me? To follow him, so that he can bless me. Examples are abundant in the Church: family history work, home teaching, rearing families, and service. This of course is just a small sample of the means through which the Lord blesses us. I would like to use an example occurring in my surroundings now. We just so happen to have missionaries serving from our family like many of you. These young men and women spend months in difficult circumstance preaching the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to help, lift, and inspire people all across the world. They interrupt education, work, and leave their families for 18-24 months at a time in the prime of their lives and do it all on their own dime. And they have never been happier.
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The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about freedom and happiness. The scriptures are filled with examples of people and nations that do not believe this claim and have experienced tragic circumstances from selfish decisions. The world today is largely suffering the same consequence—whether as a group or in the lonely battlegrounds of self-reproach.
However, the answer to these challenges of the past is the same today.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to life’s hardships.
Let it free you and change your life for good.
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
In 1989, Walter Penning formed a consultancy based in Salt Lake City and empowered his clients by streamlining processes and building a loyal, lifetime customer base with great customer service. His true passion is found in his family. He says the best decision he ever made was to marry his sweetheart and have children. The wonderful family she has given him and her constant love, support, and patience amid life's challenges is his panacea.
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