What if the Lord's work isn't waiting for someone else?
What if it's waiting for you?
Elder Patrick Kearon's message is a beautiful reminder that the Savior doesn't only call the most talented or the most experienced. He invites ordinary disciples with willing hearts to help in His work.
About His Business
A Sacrament Meeting Talk Based on Elder Patrick Kearon's April 2026 General Conference Address
Brothers and sisters, today I would like to speak about Elder Patrick Kearon's beautiful General Conference message, "About His Business." In this talk, Elder Kearon reminded us that the work of the Lord is not reserved for a few extraordinary people. It is the work of ordinary disciples who are willing to follow Jesus Christ and bless those around them.
One phrase from his message has stayed with me:
"He needs you."
What a remarkable thought.
The Lord of heaven and earth invites imperfect people like you and me to participate in His work.
He doesn't need our perfection.
He asks for our willingness.
About Our Father's Business
One of the scriptures that comes to mind is found in Luke 2. After searching for Jesus for three days, Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple. The Savior asked:
"Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:49).
Even as a young boy, Jesus understood His purpose. He was devoted to His Father's work.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are also invited to be about our Father's business.
What does that look like?
It often looks much simpler than we imagine.
It may look like:
Visiting someone who is lonely.
Teaching a Primary class.
Sending an encouraging text.
Bringing a meal.
Listening to someone who is struggling.
Bearing testimony.
Praying for someone in need.
The Savior's work is often accomplished through simple acts of love.
The Lord Uses Imperfect Servants
Sometimes we may feel inadequate or unqualified.
We may think:
"I'm not spiritual enough."
"I'm too busy."
"Someone else could do it better."
But throughout the scriptures, the Lord has always worked through imperfect people.
Moses felt he couldn't speak well.
Enoch felt he was too young.
Gideon considered himself weak.
Peter denied the Savior.
Yet the Lord used each of them in remarkable ways.
In Ether 12:27, the Lord teaches:
"I give unto men weakness that they may be humble."
Our weaknesses do not disqualify us from serving the Lord.
Often, they are the very things that teach us to rely on Him.
President Russell M. Nelson has taught:
"The Lord loves effort."
The Lord is not asking us to be flawless. He is asking us to be willing.
Every Calling Changes Us
Elder Kearon taught that every calling is an opportunity to become more like Jesus Christ.
I love that perspective.
Sometimes we think our callings are about the work we do.
But perhaps the greater purpose of a calling is who we become while serving.
A calling teaches us:
Patience.
Humility.
Charity.
Compassion.
Dependence on the Lord.
The Savior spent His earthly ministry serving others. As we serve, we begin to see people more like He sees them.
President Thomas S. Monson often taught:
"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."
The Lord's work is people.
And our callings help us learn to love people more deeply.
It Doesn't Matter Where We Serve
Another beautiful truth from Elder Kearon's message is that it isn't where we serve but how we serve that matters.
The world often focuses on titles and positions.
The Lord focuses on hearts.
In His kingdom, there are no insignificant callings.
A nursery leader matters.
A Primary teacher matters.
A pianist matters.
A ministering sister matters.
A deacon passing the sacrament matters.
A parent teaching the gospel at home matters.
The Lord notices every quiet act of service.
King Benjamin taught:
"When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).
Service to others is service to Him.
Joining the Savior in His Redeeming Work
One of the greatest privileges we have is helping others feel the love of Jesus Christ.
The Savior's work is redeeming work.
He seeks the lost.
He comforts the lonely.
He strengthens the weak.
He heals broken hearts.
And He invites us to join Him.
I think of the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd left the ninety and nine to seek the one.
That is the Savior's work.
And often, He sends us to find the one.
Maybe the one is:
A struggling friend.
A youth who feels unnoticed.
A new member.
A neighbor.
A family member.
A person sitting alone at church.
The Lord frequently answers prayers through ordinary disciples who are willing to serve.
He Needs You
I love Elder Kearon's reminder:
He needs you.
Not because you have everything figured out.
Not because you are perfect.
But because you have something unique to offer.
Your testimony.
Your experiences.
Your compassion.
Your kindness.
Your willingness.
Paul taught:
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:4).
Every one of us has gifts the Lord can use.
Every one of us can bless someone else's life.
There is someone you can reach that no one else can.
There is someone who needs your friendship.
Someone who needs your testimony.
Someone who needs your encouragement.
Small Things Matter
Sometimes we underestimate the power of small acts.
But the Lord does not.
The scriptures teach:
"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6).
A simple invitation can change a life.
A kind word can strengthen someone.
A testimony can bring hope.
A prayer can bring comfort.
A small act of service can become an answer to someone's pleading prayer.
The kingdom of God often moves forward through quiet, ordinary acts of goodness.
An Invitation
I would invite each of us to ask ourselves:
Who needs me this week?
Who needs a text?
Who needs an invitation?
Who needs encouragement?
Who needs to feel remembered?
Then I invite us to act on the promptings we receive.
As we do, we will discover that serving others blesses us as much as it blesses them.
Life truly is better when we are about our Father's business.
Testimony
Brothers and sisters, I testify that Jesus Christ lives.
I know that He invites each of us to participate in His sacred work.
I know He can do remarkable things through willing hearts and imperfect servants.
I know our callings and our acts of service help us become more like Him.
And I know that when we serve God's children, we are joining the Savior in His redeeming work.
May we be willing to answer His invitation and joyfully be about our Father's business.
In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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