June Ministering Principles

*"Ministering Principles" are intended to help us learn to care for one another, not to be shared as messages during ministering visits. As we come to know those we serve, the Holy Ghost will prompt us to know what message they might need in addition to our care and compassion.*

Five Things Good Listeners Do

Truly Listening will help you know how to help meet the spiritual 

and temporal needs of others as the Savior would. 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: "Perhaps even more important than speaking is listening... If we listen with love, we won't need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us by the Spirit." Listening is a skill we can learn. Listening shows our love for others, helps build strong relationships, and invites the Spirit to bless us wit the gift of discernment to help us understand others' needs. Here are five ways we an improve how we listen:

   1. Find Common Ground:

You might not agree with everything said, but agree with what you can without misrepresentation your own feelings. Being agreeable can help diffuse anxiety and defensiveness. (see Matthew 5:25).

  2. Reflect:

Paraphrase what you heard and how you understand the other to feel. This helps them know if they have been understood and gives them an opportunity to clarify. 

 3- Give Them Time:

Many people need time to gather their thoughts before speaking. Give them time to think both beforehand after they say something. (see James 1:19). Just because they are finished speaking doesn't mean they have said everything they have they need to. Don't be afraid of silence. (see Job 2:11-3:1 and Alma 18:14-16).

                 

 4- Clarify:

Don't be afraid to ask questions that clarify something you didn't understand (see Mark 9:32). Clarify reduces misunderstanding and shows your interest in what is being said. 

 5- Pay Attention:

We think faster than others speak. Resist the temptation to jump to conclusions or to think ahead to what you'll say when they're through. (see Proverbs 18:13) Instead, listen with the intent to understand. Your response will be better because it will be informed by greater understanding. 

President Russell M. Nelson taught that we should "learn to listen, and listen to learn from one another." As your learn to listen with the intent of learning about others, you will in a better position to understand their needs and hear promptings about how you can care for those around you as the Savior would. 

Ministering As the Savior Did:

As Jesus departed from Jericho, two blind men cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on us, O lord.. and Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight and they followed him." (Matthew 20:30, 32-34). What can we learn from how the Savior listened?