As 2013 begins we continue to be excited to be engaged in a great work; that of bringing hope to those who are in despair.  Once the question was asked, “Why do you entrust the spreading of your message to inexperienced young men and women between 19 & 23?”  The answer was, “Because it works!”  We recently came across this poem which seems to sum it up.

IT DEPENDS ON WHOSE HANDS IT’S IN

 

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.

A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is worth about $33 million.

It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.

A baseball in Mark McGuire’s hands is worth $19 million.

It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.

A tennis racket in Venus Williams’ hands is championship winning.

It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A rod in my hands will keep a barking dog at bay.

A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.

It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy.

A sling shot in David’s hands is a mighty weapon.

It depends on whose hands it’s in.

Two fish and 5 loaves in my hands is a couple of tuna sandwiches.

Two fish and five loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands.

It depends on whose hands it’s in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.

Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce salvation for the entire world.

It depends on whose hands it’s in.

As you now see, it depends on whose hands it’s in.

Put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams,

Your relationships with family and friends in God’s hands because…

It depends on whose hands it’s in.

The work of the Lord is in good hands as the 55 thousand (soon to be closer to 95 thousand) young men and women manifest love as they search for those who will listen to their message of hope and peace.  They put their personal plans on hold, learn foreign languages, love people that they previously had no idea existed, and make many other sacrifices.  The Lord’s work is in good hands!

We are blessed to be involved in a great work; the work of bring hope to those in need.  The Lord wants to give hope to all of His children; hope is essential.  Our opportunity to personally spread hope seems minimal, but we use the talents and knowledge that we have to support the efforts in this part of His vineyard.  As we provide support for others who are working each day to spread His hope, we find joy in His service.  All efforts are rewarded when we see the change in the countenance of those who discover hope.  It is such a joy to see a glow on faces where there was once emptiness.  Our Savior lives and loves His children.

"Great things are brought about and burdens are lightened through the efforts of many hands 'anxiously engaged in a good cause.' Imagine what the millions of Latter-day Saints could accomplish in the world if we functioned like a beehive in our focused, concentrated commitment to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ."

—M. Russell Ballard,

Love

Elder & Sister Segeberg