Ministering | Ivins 3rd Ward Elders Quorum

Why “Just Minister”?

No program can replace a brother who cares

Our web address, JustMinister.com, is a simple reminder of what matters most. The Church’s General Handbook teaches:

“Ministering means serving others as the Savior did (see Matthew 20:26–28). He loved, taught, prayed for, comforted, and blessed those around Him (see Acts 10:38).”
General Handbook, 21.0

Ministering isn’t a visit to report or a box to check. It’s a brother who notices, prays, shows up, and keeps showing up. Ministering brothers are to “watch over” and “be with and strengthen” those they serve (Doctrine and Covenants 20:53).

As He did, we try to…

Love them as they are, and see who they can become.
Teach by example, sharing what we know of Christ when the Spirit prompts.
Pray for them by name, and act on the impressions that come.
Comfort them: mourn with those who mourn, and rejoice with those who rejoice.
Bless them through service, and through priesthood blessings when asked.

Learn of Him

The Savior’s example of ministering

Every principle of ministering is found in the life of Jesus Christ. Read these passages with your companion, and ask how you can do what He did.

He went after the one

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”
Luke 15:4

He walked beside them

“And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.”
Luke 24:15

He served with His own hands

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
John 13:14–15

He was moved with compassion

“…Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.”
3 Nephi 17:7

He went about doing good

“…who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
Acts 10:38

He asked, “Lovest thou me?”

“…Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
John 21:16

“…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Matthew 25:40

Start small, start this week

Simple ways to reach out

The Handbook encourages personal visits when appropriate, and adds that ministering brothers “can also reach out in other ways. These include phone calls, video calls, texts, emails, letters, social media, contact at church, and acts of service” (General Handbook, 21.1). A few ideas:

Pray for them by nameAsk Heavenly Father what they need, then watch for the answer.
Send a quick text“Thinking of you today. Anything I can do this week?”
Sit together at churchSay hello in the foyer, save a seat, introduce them to others.
Remember what matters to themBirthdays, new jobs, a missionary, a ballgame, a hard anniversary.
Help in the cool of the morningYard work, a sprinkler repair, or hauling green waste before the heat.
Offer a rideTo church, the temple, the doctor, or the airport in St. George.
Share a talk that helped youA general conference message, a scripture, or what you learned Sunday.
Invite them alongA quorum activity, a service project, or a temple trip.
Help with the temple or family historyFind a family name together, or go to the temple together.
Be ready to give a blessingLet them know you’re available, and follow up when they ask.
Listen more than you talkAsk good questions. Most needs are discovered by listening.
Tell the presidencyShare needs and good news, so the quorum can help, too.

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15).

At least once a quarter

Ministering interviews

The Handbook compares ministering interviews to “a simple yet profound interview with Peter about feeding His sheep (see John 21:15–17).” They’re a chance for us as a presidency to counsel with you, and to minister to you.

When: “at least once each quarter. They may be held at any time during the quarter.”
Who: a member of the elders quorum presidency meets with your companionship. “Preferably, interviews are held in person and with both members of the companionship.”
How long: “Ministering interviews do not need to be long to be effective.”
In between: share needs anytime. Ministering brothers “may share confidential information directly with the bishop.”

Quotes from General Handbook, 21.3.

What we’ll talk about

The purposes of the interview, from the Handbook:

“Counsel about the strengths, needs, and challenges of assigned individuals and families.”
“Discuss ways to help persons prepare to receive ordinances if needed.”
“Consider how the elders quorum, Relief Society, ward council, and others might help.”
“Minister to ministering brothers and sisters.”

Before your interview

Pray about each person or family you serve.
Note one strength and one need for each, and any upcoming ordinance or milestone.
Bring questions, and ideas for how the quorum could help.

Current interview window: 4th Quarter
Scheduling: Steve Camp will reach out.

From the Liahona

Ministering Principles

All Ministering Principles articles

A series of short articles from the Church to help us learn to minister. As the series itself notes, these articles “are intended to help us learn to care for one another—not to be shared as messages during visits.”

Liahona · June 2018

Five Things Good Listeners Do

Listening is how we come to understand what someone really needs.

Read the article → Liahona · July 2018

Reach Out in Compassion

Following the Savior’s example of compassion toward those who are struggling.

Read the article → Liahona · August 2018

Building Meaningful Relationships

Our ability to help grows out of real, sincere friendship.

Read the article → Liahona · September 2018

Counsel about Their Needs

Counsel with Heavenly Father, with those you serve, and with your leaders.

Read the article → Liahona · October 2018

Getting Help to Help Others

How ministering interviews and councils help us involve others when we need help.

Read the article → Liahona · December 2018

Communicate That You Care

Dozens of simple, everyday ways to let people know you care.

Read the article → Liahona · January 2019

The Purpose That Will Change Our Ministering

Helping others come closer to the Savior and the covenant path.

Read the article → Liahona · February 2019

Developing the Empathy to Minister

Trying to understand what others are going through, and walking with them.

Read the article → Liahona · April 2019

Making Ministering Joyful

Serving with love brings joy to the giver and the receiver.

Read the article → Liahona · June 2019

Ministering Is Seeing Others as the Savior Does

Seeing the divine potential in people whose lives look different from ours.

Read the article → Liahona · September 2019

How the Spirit Can and Will Help You Minister

Seeking and acting on revelation for those you serve.

Read the article → Liahona · October 2019

Are You Missing This Vital Part of Ministering?

Rejoicing with others in their good times, not only helping in hard times.

Read the article →

Bear one another’s burdens

Need help, or know someone who does?

You don’t have to carry it alone, and you don’t have to know all the answers. Here’s the path.

In danger? Call 911

For any medical emergency, fire, or immediate danger, call 911 first. If someone is thinking about suicide or in emotional crisis, call or text 988 (988 Lifeline).
Reach out and listen

If it’s someone you minister to, reach out yourself. Listen, ask how you can help, and do what you can. Counsel with your companion and with the ministering sisters.
Tell the presidency

For rides, projects, or needs you can’t meet alone, let us know. We can bring in the quorum, the Relief Society, and the ward council.

Request help · Contact the presidency
Confidential? Go to the bishop

Food, finances, abuse, family crises, or anything private: please go directly to the bishop, by contacting Dakota Denver, (435) 823-1727 or dakota.denver95@gmail.com. Don’t share sensitive details by group text or on this site.

Request help Contact the presidency

Other local help: 211 Utah (dial 2-1-1) connects you to community services in Washington County.

Common questions

Ministering questions

Where do I find my ministering assignment?

Assignments are private and never posted on this site. Sign in to the Member Tools app or ChurchofJesusChrist.org and open Ministering to see your companion and the people you serve. If something looks wrong, let us know.

Does ministering have to be a home visit?

No. The Handbook says personal visits are encouraged, “considering factors such as safety, distance, and cultural appropriateness,” and that ministering brothers and sisters “adapt their efforts to the needs and circumstances of those they serve” (21.1). Ask the people you serve how they would like to be contacted.

What if someone doesn’t want visits?

Respect their wishes, and keep caring. A friendly wave at church, a note on a birthday, or help when they ask can still say “we’re here.” Talk with the presidency about how best to help.

Can my wife and I minister together?

Yes, it’s possible. The Handbook says, “A married couple may be assigned to minister together to a person or family” (21.2.1). Talk with the presidency.

Do young men serve as ministering companions?

Yes. “A young man serves as a ministering companion to a Melchizedek Priesthood holder when he is ordained to the office of teacher or priest” (21.2.2). Companions help youth have a safe and rewarding experience.

What should I keep confidential?

Nearly everything you learn while ministering. Share needs only with your companion, the elders quorum presidency, or the bishop, and only what’s needed to help. Never post others’ needs, health, or family matters online or in group texts.

Just minister, as the Savior did