Administer Spiritually

When reading in Mosiah I have delighted in the many messages given by King Benjamin. Most especially his message to not just give to the poor and the needy but to also administer relief not only temporally but SPIRITUALLY to individuals stuck out to me. I have considered what this means to administer spiritually? Of course this means to bless them with the power of the Priesthood and administer consecrated oil upon their heads, but I think there is also a deeper meaning; Elder Ballard shares a wonderful scripture account which exemplifies what it means to administer spiritually. In his recent General Conference address titled. " Following Up" Ballard shares from the book of Acts, chapter 3: “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple. … And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John ask of them alms. And fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” But Peter didn’t stop at the blessing. The scriptural narrative next tells us that “he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." "And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” In other words, Peter didn’t simply invoke his priesthood authority and invite the man to rise up and walk. He also followed up on his invitation by reaching out to the man, taking him by the right hand, lifting him up, and then walking with him into the temple. From this we see that we can spiritually administer by reaching and taking others hands to become closer to Christ. We do this as we take our spouses and children's hands and initiate family scripture study. We do this as we hold family prayer twice daily. We spiritually administer when we bring others to the temple and church activities. Another thought that I had in regards to spiritually administering to others was the recollection of the times that I have felt prompted and stretched by the spirit to recognize that if I FIRST am not spiritual, then I will not be able to administer spiritually to my family or anyone. I remembered those times that I sought to help my children have spiritual experiences that would strengthen their testimonies, and then the Spirit reminded me that if I had my own spiritual revelation and experiences that would be the best means to also help my children and spouse. I am thankful for the witness that we have from King Benjamin that we will be if greatest strength to others as we lead them by example. I am thankful to know that a portion of our giving is not only temporal, but also spiritual. No matter how much or how little money that we have to help others, I know that I can still be of help to others with my testimony of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ.Amen. Mosiah 4: 26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.