My Ward Family

One night I went with my friends to a youth activity at the local ice rink. Around and around we went on the cold, slippery ice. I was feeling pretty confident and carefree, and I was glad I had gone to the activity.

My mind wandered as I glided along—this was my mistake! It only took one regrettable second for my feet to twist together like a pretzel, and down I went, smashing my face into the ice. Embarrassed, I collected myself and headed for the side of the rink to assess the damage. I quickly realized that my two front teeth were dangling by the roots.

My ward family stepped into place. Brother Kearns called my parents, but by the time they arrived, my ward family was already making arrangements. Brother Bryson comforted me as he helped me into the car to go see a dentist. It felt just like my family had been with me the whole time. They had taken care of everything, and my mom and dad were grateful.

Heavenly Father planned for us to be born into a family where the most important learning takes place, but he has also given us a ward family to belong to. Wards are designed to support the family. They are a safety net, a listening ear, an opportunity to contribute and to participate together in learning. The Apostle Paul teaches us that we are one body with many members (see 1 Corinthians 12:12–27). We have a great need for each other with all our strengths, needs, love, and experience. We should be willing to bear one another’s burdens that they may be light, to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort (see Mosiah 18:9). In 1 Corinthians 12:26 we read: “and whether one member suffer, all members suffer with it, or one member be honored, all members rejoice with it.”

Thank goodness for a family to help in our times of need!