5 days ago4 min read

Jesus Needs Us to Be the Wind

Written By April T Giauque

Elder Cavalcante Oct 2024

Elder Cavalcante was a lawyer and donated his service to interview elderly residents in a nursing home to discover several crimes that had been committed against them, such as abandonment, mistreatment, and misappropriation of funds. They were there to serve and help the residents.

The residents had more trials to go through, but the Lord had not forgotten them even when they felt like the Jaredites—hundreds of feet below the water. But that Saturday, the nursing home residents knew that regardless of their earthly anonymity, they were known personally by a loving Heavenly Father, One who responds to even the simplest of prayers.

How Can We Be His Hand/Wind?

The Master of masters caused “a furious wind” to blow the Jaredites toward promised blessings.

Similarly, we can serve as a humble gust of wind in the Lord’s hands. Elder Cavalcante shares, “Just as ‘the wind did never cease to blow’ the Jaredites toward the promised land, we can help others progress in their journey to receive God’s blessings.

The Lord Knows Us. We are Not Forgotten

Elder Cavalcante was called to serve in the bishopric, and he knew his counselor would be a man who couldn't read and always wore sunglasses to protect his heart from interacting with others. He asked the man to be his counselor, then asked if he had problems with his eyes. He said, “No.” At that moment, he took off his sunglasses and never used them at church again. All could see him, and he could see all.

Elder Cavalcante says, “This beloved brother served at my side until my release as bishop. Today, he continues to serve faithfully in the Church. And yet, years ago, he was an unknown sunglass-wearer sitting essentially forgotten in the pews of the chapel.”

When I interpret for my church congregation, I can see the whole group, even though I focus on the deaf I serve. But I see those who are alone, those who have heartache. There are times when I pray my smile and slight nod will give them a lift. I know I can do more, so I need to try.

Elder Cavalcante shares, “I often wonder, ‘How many faithful brothers and sisters sit forgotten’ among us today?”

Wind is Hope; Be the Wind

The Lord promised the Jaredites that they would be blown to the Promised Land. Being in the wind is not always comfortable or pleasant, but in the end, it gets us to where we need to be. Can we help the Lord and be that wind? Whether for nursing home residents, a misjudged Church member, or anyone else, we can be “the wind [that] did never cease to blow,” bringing hope and guiding others to the covenant path.

Youth Are Called to Serve Missions

Youth are called to serve Missions. President Nelson has said, “You can have more impact on the world than any previous generation!” But Missionaries might feel:

“led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [you] should do. Nevertheless [you] went forth.”
“I cannot speak, for I am a child.”
“O my Lord, I am not eloquent … : but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”

Remember that the Lord promises, “Therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” Your transformation from your natural to spiritual self will occur “line upon line, precept upon precept.”

Elder Cavalcante talks directly to the Missionaries. When I served my mission, I would be nervous that I would not be perfect. That I would mess up someone’s chances of understanding the gospel. But thankfully, we have a perfect Heavenly Father who knows us personally and a Savior who loves us. In the Mission, Missionaries have mission leaders who, despite their imperfections, will serve you as “the wind [that] did never cease to blow” in guiding Missionaries along their journey of personal conversion. It is a blessing!

Allow the Lord and His Servants to Be the Wind

As Elder Cavalcante teaches, I am reminded to look at each life I serve and remember the storm they might face, but if they are facing in the right direction and have hope and faith in Christ, they can use the Wind to help them return to home. Elder Cavalcante said, “Each of us—and those around us—faces our own storms of opposition and waves of trials that submerge us daily. But “the wind [will not] cease to blow towards the promised land … ; and thus [we shall be] driven forth before the wind.”

If we follow the Spirit and repent daily, each of us can be a part of this wind—the same wind that blessed the Jaredites in their journey and the same wind that, with our help, will bless the unrecognized and forgotten to reach their promised lands.

Elder Cavalcante shares his testimony. “I testify that Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father. He is a living God and acts as a strong wind that will always guide us along the covenant path. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

I can’t wait to share this with you on Thursday at 6:30 pm Mountain on the Beacon of Light Podcast from the Pulpit.