I was at work last week, when an elderly gentleman came in with a Reader’s Digest. “I have not seen a Reader’s Digest in Years”, I told the man, who in reality was not much older than me. He took the time to open the issue, and show me a picture of two men, and asked if I knew who they were. Naturally I had no Idea, so he told me a little of their story and said that on his way out of the building he would leave me the book so I could read about them myself.
As usual, I got busy and did not give the conversation a second thought. Well, later that day I found the book on my desk. Apparently the old man’s memory and intentions were better than my own, so I brought the book home and read the story titled “The Stranger Who Changed My Life”, and what I read made quite an impression.
This is a story of Ben, from right here in Ogden, who received a message on Facebook… not unlike ones we have ALL received… “My name is Joel from Liberia, West Africa. I need some assistance from you. Business or financial assistance dat will help empower me.” Ben originally got involved to teach this “scammer” a lesson. He sent the scammer on a goose chase, claiming to be a photographer who was looking for some pictures to sell. The scammer took pictures of life in his home country of Liberia. These pictures, and the spirit impressed Ben. Ben compiled the pictures into a booklet “By ‘D’ Grace of God”. He sold quite a few copies and, not wanting to keep the “Scammed” money, he sent it all to the scammer with instructions to keep half, and donate half (about $500). Ben quickly learned that Joel was not a scammer, but someone desperate FOR help, as well as someone desperate TO help. See, Joel is a father of 7, from an area with an annual income of not much more than $500. Joel took the extra $500 (which was about his annual wages), bought and donated school supplies. The two have forged a friendship as well as a business venture that is blessing not only themselves, but countless other lives.
There is a lot more to this story, and I would encourage you to research the story. This is just the “Reader’s Digest version” (pun intended). I will include a link at the end.
There are a lot of important gospel principals in action in this story. Mainly self-reliance. The Church teaches that “Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the temporal necessities of life and family. As a member becomes self-reliant they are also better able to serve and care for others”
Now, I am not suggesting that the next time you receive a massage like this, that you should try to duplicate this result. But, I know that The Lord continually blesses each of us according to our efforts. Through His Church, the Lord has provided a way for us to care for those in need. He has asked that we give generously, according to what we have received from Him. He has also asked that we “visit the poor and needy and administer to their relive”. (D&C 44:6)
The Lord has established a law of fast and fast offerings to bless us and to provide a way for us to serve those in need. When we fast, we are asked to give a generous fast offering. The blessings associated with this law include; closeness to the lord, increased spiritual strength, temporal well-being, greater compassion and a greater desire to serve.
May the lord bless each of you in your efforts to grow spiritually as you keep the commandments.
https://www.rd.com/true-stories/inspiring/changed-internet-scammers-life/
Riverdale 7th Ward 