Counseling Resources

Many members face a variety of challenges. As a leader, a ministering brother or sister, or a caring family member or friend, you have the opportunity to provide help. As you minister to the needs of others, you can help them experience joy and fulfillment as they understand and accept responsibility for themselves and their families. As you serve, you will work with those who seek guidance and who have difficult personal problems. As you minister, always seek to do so in a manner consistent with God’s plan for both the person and yourself.

As individuals seek solutions to their personal problems, they can find help and healing through Jesus Christ and His redeeming power. As they exercise faith in Him, He will strengthen them in their moments of need. Additionally, His power will bring hope into their lives as they understand that He is willing to help and save.

In many situations, individuals can solve their problems by personally seeking the help of the Lord and employing their own resources. Encourage them to ponder and pray about their problems. Help them find counsel in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. Encourage them to turn to family members and friends for answers and support. Invite them to seek resources in the community that can help them with their specific challenges.

Beyond the assistance you provide, many other tools and resources can help individuals become more self-reliant spiritually, emotionally, and temporally. In situations where they feel their challenges are overwhelming, prayerfully work together under the direction of the bishop, Relief Society president, or elders quorum president to assist them. The blessings associated with your individual callings and interest can help you assist others in their efforts to receive personal revelation to address the challenges in their lives.

The topics listed on this site have been created to assist you in helping individuals study their problems out in their minds (see Doctrine and Covenants 9:8). These resources provide access to gospel teachings, the counsel of Church leaders, scriptures, assessment tools, and other Church resources.

As you help with any of these sensitive or trying situations, consider the following guiding principles:

Love first. All of God’s children are worthy of love and kindness. We may not understand a person’s individual experiences, but we can always show love.

Listen to understand. Be careful not to make assumptions about feelings or behavior. Ask questions and listen, then respond with interest and empathy. As you listen, you will nurture trust and gain understanding in how to minister.

Teach truth. True principles provide the foundation for faithful choices. As guided by the Spirit, lovingly teach those truths that will help the person stay on a path toward eternal joy.

Nourish faith. Faith is founded on trust in a loving Heavenly Father, on an understanding of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, on confidence in the Holy Ghost’s guidance, and on the assurance that God has a plan for each person’s eternal progression. Encourage individuals to nourish their personal faith through daily prayer and scripture study.

Minister. Acting in love, listening to understand, and seeking direction from the Spirit will provide a deeper understanding of the best way to lovingly minister to individual needs.