In her April 2026 General Conference address, Sister Kristin M. Yee teaches that ministering is not simply something disciples of Jesus Christ do—it is part of who they are becoming. Through the Savior’s Atonement and our sacred covenants, we are invited to participate in God’s work of loving and caring for His children one by one.
Ministering is truly loving and caring for others as the Savior would.
Many people—even faithful members—sometimes think of ministering primarily as a Church program. Assignments, companionships, interviews, and reminders can unintentionally make it feel administrative rather than spiritual. Sister Yee gently redirects our focus. Ministering is not fundamentally about completing an assignment; it is about becoming more like Jesus Christ.
Common Criticism: Ministering Is Just Another Church Program
Some people wonder whether ministering is simply another organizational initiative designed to keep members busy. If ministering is motivated by assignments rather than genuine love, can it really reflect Christlike service?
Fallacy at Work: Reductionism
Reductionism is the tendency to reduce something complex to only one of its parts while overlooking its larger purpose.
When ministering is viewed only through the lens of assignments, reporting, or monthly visits, its deeper meaning disappears. The outward structure is mistaken for the entire practice, while its covenant foundation, spiritual purpose, and transformative power are overlooked.
Doctrine
From the beginning, God has ministered to His children individually. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus healed, comforted, taught, and lifted people one by one. He then invited His disciples to follow His example (John 13:34–35; 3 Nephi 27:21).
Sister Yee reminds us that ministering is rooted in our baptismal and temple covenants. It is not a temporary responsibility tied to a calling—it is part of taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and becoming like Him.
Sister Yee’s Correction
Rather than defending ministering as an effective Church program, Sister Yee elevates it into something much greater. She teaches:
We are not called to or released from ministering.
That simple statement changes the entire conversation.
Callings begin and end. Assignments change. But discipleship does not.
Ministering is the natural expression of a covenant life. As we choose to love as Christ loves, we gradually begin to think, feel, and serve as He does. The goal is not simply accomplishing acts of service but becoming the kind of people whose hearts naturally turn toward others.
Solution
When we reduce ministering to a Church program, we miss its greatest purpose. God does not invite us to minister because He lacks workers. He invites us because becoming like His Son requires learning to love as His Son loves.
Ministering is not merely something we complete. It is one of the primary ways Christ transforms us.
Living Apologetics: Becoming the Savior’s Hands
Many conversations about the Church focus on its organization. But Sister Yee reminds us that behind every assignment is a person Heavenly Father loves.
Ministering helps answer the misconception that Church life is centered on programs or policies. At its best, it demonstrates that the restored gospel is deeply personal. God works through ordinary disciples to answer prayers, strengthen faith, and remind individuals that they are not forgotten.
Practical Apologetic Use
If someone says: “Ministering just feels like another Church assignment.”
You can respond: “The assignment simply gives us someone to begin loving intentionally. Ministering itself isn’t the program—it’s learning to care for people the way Jesus Christ does. The assignment may organize the work, but Christlike love is the real purpose.”
Ways to Apply Today
1️⃣Pray for one person by name. Rather than asking, “Who is assigned to me?” ask, “Who needs the Savior’s love today?”
2️⃣Notice the one. Look for someone who may be overlooked at church, work, or in your neighborhood. A simple conversation, invitation, or act of kindness may answer a prayer.
3️⃣Remember your covenants. Before seeing ministering as another responsibility, remember that caring for others is one of the ways we live the promises we have already made with God.
Keep This Talk With You
One of the beautiful truths Sister Yee teaches is that ministering reflects the very nature of heaven. Our Father in Heaven works one soul at a time. Jesus Christ ministered to individuals one by one. As we follow Him, we begin to do the same.
This perspective changes more than our ministering assignments—it changes how we see every interaction. Instead of asking whether someone is “our responsibility,” we begin asking how we can represent the Savior wherever we are.
This week, try one small step:
- Look beyond the assignment. Reach out to someone simply because the Spirit places them on your mind, whether or not they are on your ministering list.
- Practice intentional noticing. Slow down enough to recognize someone who may need encouragement, friendship, or relief.
- Pray to become more like Christ. Ask Heavenly Father to help you see others the way the Savior sees them and to give you courage to act on spiritual promptings.
When disciples stop viewing ministering as a program and begin seeing it as part of their covenant identity, service becomes more than an obligation—it becomes a way of life. As Sister Yee beautifully reminds us, “When we bless the one, we bless the whole.”
Who is one person the Savior may be inviting you to notice, love, and minister to this week—not because you were assigned to, but because you are becoming like Him?
The Consider Conference series by FAIR offers an in-depth look at recent General Conference talks to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints navigate common questions, misunderstandings, and criticisms. Each post provides doctrinal insights, historical context, and practical ways to apply gospel principles in everyday conversations. Through this series, we hope to equip readers with faith-promoting resources that encourage thoughtful reflection, respectful dialogue, and a stronger foundation in gospel truths, fostering both personal conviction and meaningful discussions with others.
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