Lift: The Power of Service

“What if your neighbor asked you to take 20 minutes one night to help him? Would you do it? Most decent people would. But what if he asked you every night following, with no end in sight? Would you be willing to do it? … When would serving your neighbor feel more like servitude?”

That is the question a group of men had to ask themselves when they united to serve their neighbor Kathy, who suffers from the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. For the past seven years they have lifted Kathy into bed at night. In doing so they have lifted her spirit, as well as their own.

Kathy was diagnosed after 16 years of marriage. She assumed her husband would face the challenge with her. He decided he could not and filed for divorce. When her sons grew up, they had to come to her house every night and morning to help her in and out of bed. The work became too much for them to do alone.

A group of 50 men—friends, neighbors, and church members—offered to help. Every night, two of them come to get the bedtime routine rolling. They pull off her slippers, adjust her pillows, charge her wheelchair, and place pills on the nightstand. Then they lift her into bed. At first, the men felt awkward about the procedure and burdened by the responsibility.

“I felt sympathetic to the situation, but I felt like ‘You know, I’ve got other things I need to deal with,’” one explains.

The group discussed how they could help Kathy without having to visit her every night. One of the men said that if the others didn’t want to help, he would do it himself if he had to. That caused a change in attitude among the group. Kathy’s heart has also been touched and changed as a result of the service.

“I have seen an even greater compassion. It’s let me know that I’m not forgotten, that I’m still valued, not only to God, but I have worth to give other people in different ways,” she says.

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[MiltonMugera]

❤ Christ saviour lifts up every situation no matter challenges are!

[davidglover]

This story has shown to me what the Lord means when He says, when you are in the service of others you are in the service of your GOD. He is the Good Shepherd, we are the sheep. The Shepherd watches over His sheep, we share in each others burdens.

[leavittcountry]

Kathy passed away the night before last 8/26/2019. What a wonderful person and great friend she was to me.. She will be missed.. Love you Kathy. ❤️😢

[sydniburrup]

'I will do it myself, .... every night if I have to, ..."  the righteous examples of others that shed light on the path that we try to follow, ... thank you.

[searchingquiet]

This is beautiful! I'm so glad I decided to return to church.

[sdl-lds]

" When we heal the body, it's always an inward effort, paying attention to our self. When we heal the soul, turning inward doesn't work. The medicine of the soul lies in turning outward to other people. "

[jerryutah]

This is probably one of the most powerful messages I've heard and felt. Makes me want to be a better person.

[DuncanCunningham]

i just discovered this video. Thank you. I need to change.

[normasmith]

Praise God I'm in a wheelchair chair myself and people help me that a great thing they're doing for her Jesus is always the only answer In God we trust God blesses us

[andrewhorner]

Holy smokes. You men are fantastic. I'm going to be better about my attitude with service. What a fantastic church we have. The rest of the world is missing out not only on the gospel we share, but on the community we offer each other.

[mattxander]

One of the most realistic Mormon messages I’ve ever seen. As a husband with a wife who has many health issues (not the same but similar situation Kathy lives with) this shares a very different perspective on what it’s like to help someone constantly with even basic things we take for granted.

Some days it’s easy. Other days, it’s a test of my patience and faith. It’s made my marriage difficult at times. We also have 4 kids under 8, so often times my days feel like I’ve taken care of everyone else’s needs and emotions and responsibilities at home, but my needs and emotions are never met or addressed.

But like it was said, serving my wife has made me realize that I needed healing as well. Because my mind and heart was not in the right place.

One of my favourite Mormon messages.

[jasonandinnacogswell]

This is such a beautiful story. I cried watching it... my mom has ALS ... she lives in Spain, her husband does everything for her, literally everything. Love really is the strongest power in the universe.

[Alinedays]

This video is done beautifully, not only in cinematic terms but in spiritual terms. I felt lifted myself by this story. I felt goosebumps and a warm and comforting feeling inside. I have so much to learn but most importantly, I have so much to do to serve the Lord and His children. Thank you to all these people for sharing this experience. It has inspired me to be better.

[shirleyharding]

This is wonderful, I have never seen the amount of compassion for our fellow man (or woman) that I have seen in this wonderful Church. I am so blessed to be a new member.

[MaryJoSnyder]

This is the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  It is humbling to watch these kind men serve this woman that needs them to much!

[MrRevolutzion]

Why hasnt this been hitting millions of views yet? This is so powerful. Healing the soul is not turning inward, the real power comes from serving those outward from ourselves.

[beckiezra]

I saw this years ago and it was touching because my mom was in a wheelchair and needed to be helped in and out of bed herself and I wasn’t really strong enough to do it myself which really limited what she could do even though she was never left alone. Now it’s been nearly two years since she passed and the thought of being able to try to help lift her again brings me to tears. I can relate to the people who felt it was a burden because it is hard taking care of people, but it’s such a blessing, too, and when the opportunity to serve is gone it’s missed.

[lukedav]

What a beautiful story and it perfectly teaches why service is so important!

[heatherphelon]

My dad had muscular dystrophy, and this video brought back many memories of how he was helped by countless people in the neighborhood. I'm so grateful to those people who helped my dad live a quality life at home. We can all do our part to help those in need.

[dvonmason]

Good work on those who helped her, this is a powerfully moving and touching story!🙏