Hands and Feet of RVA

Conversations in Salt Lake City In February, I traveled to Salt Lake City for a work conference. While in the city, I took time to visit the grounds of the Salt Lake Temple , a central site of worship for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . During my visit, I walked around the temple grounds on a couple of occasions and had the opportunity to speak with three different pairs of LDS missionaries. First Conversation: Listening and Learning In my first conversation, I quickly realized that I was not as familiar with LDS beliefs as I would have liked to be. Rather than attempting to challenge their views without a solid understanding, I chose to ask questions and listen carefully. Some of the key questions I asked included: What is considered Holy Scripture? What does salvation mean in your faith? How do works relate to faith? This conversation became an opportunity to better understand their perspective and approach future discussions more thoughtfully. Studying ...

On February 28th, my family, friends, and I went into the city with a simple mission: serve others with food, prayer, and the Word of God. In preparation for the day, we made nearly 150 sandwiches and burritos. We also organized snack bags, hygiene kits, and Bibles to distribute to those we encountered. Once we arrived, we set up a table where people could stop by to receive food, essential items, and prayer. Throughout the day, we were able to hand out many meals and hygiene supplies while also taking time to talk with people and pray with those who desired it. These conversations were meaningful moments of connection that reminded us how important it is to simply be present and willing to listen. After the table was set up, a few members of our group began walking around the area to meet people where they were. We handed out food directly to individuals we encountered and spent time speaking with them, learning their stories, and offering encouragement and prayer.