Along The Way
Along The Way
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
December 8th, 2025
In this week’s message, I have chosen one of many accounts from the Savior’s life that teaches us to place the needs of others above our personal agendas:
“And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.” (Luke 7:11-15)
I love this tender account from the Savior’s life! Certainly, the Savior encountered other burial processions during His ministry. What was it the Savior perceived in the life of this woman that required His miraculous powers to restore life to her son? I am confident His powers of discernment made Him aware of a deep need in the life of this widow – and mother, that only His miraculous powers could resolve. I am grateful for the personalized discernment, love, and sensitivity taught us in this brief account from the Savior’s life.
In this account, we see one of many examples when the Savior paused His agenda to minister to the needs of another. Jesus always took time for the unexpected. He did not allow the demands of His schedule to take away from spiritual or physical matters that were suddenly presented to Him. His priority was always to serve others, not check off a ”to do” list for His day. The scriptures are full of such instances where the Savior paused “along the way” to minister to those in need of His attention, instruction, and healing.
Many of you know of my penchant for timeliness. Most days I carefully plan the many activities of my busy schedule down to the minute. This can understandably drive Sister Quinn crazy. There have been days when I have unfortunately allowed my personal agenda to drive the depth of my compassion for another. Rather than focus on others, I have focused on my watch. On those occasions when I have set aside my agenda to address the unexpected needs of another, I have been reminded through the Spirit that people are more important than agendas.
Our lives as missionaries are busy. We have much to accomplish each day. We plan our weeks and days with the hope that we can accomplish the many duties, responsibilities, and tasks required of us. I hope we can follow the example of the Savior by pausing, when necessary, our daily agenda to minister to those we meet “along the way”. I am confident unexpected opportunities to minister to others will be presented to us. Let’s not allow our schedule for the day be an excuse for not stopping to minister to someone in need. Let’s never allow our personal agenda to take priority over the Savior’s. Instead, let our agenda and our prayers as we move through each day be to have eyes to see and ears to hear the needs of those we meet. That is the agenda the Savior has always exemplified – and asked of His disciples.
“But now I go unto the Father… And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them. And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.” (3 Nephi 17:4-7)
Thank you for your faithfulness, goodness, and discipleship. We love you! Sister Quinn and I pray the Lord’s choicest and abundant blessings upon each of you.
Love,
President Quinn
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