"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40).
Efforts to reach out and rescue are manifest in many forms, but characteristics of rescuers are consistent: courage, sacrifice, love and inconveniencing oneself.
These noble traits of rescuers were evident in members of the Mission Viejo 2nd Ward, Mission Viejo California Stake, as they reached out to welcome and nurture Melissa and Casey Robertson.
Melissa and Casey moved to Mission Viejo from Salt Lake City in August 2003. Casey had a management job with a restaurant chain, and the couple was excited for life in the Southern California sun. They had been casually involved in the Church in Utah, and had not received the blessings and ordinances of the temple.
Their pattern of occasional Church attendance was exacerbated in California by frequent Sunday work commitments. The Robertsons rarely were able to attend meetings or activities and often didn't go, even when they could. Patterns of gospel study were not, at that time, part of their lives.
Then Karen McConnell began visiting Sister Robertson as her visiting teacher.
"I was a little reluctant, but after her first visit, I knew she would always be welcome," said Sister Robertson. "She came faithfully every month. She always brought a message, and she also brought the Spirit. Finally, I went to Church. They sang all my favorite hymns, and everyone was very friendly."
Sister Robertson met many people who welcomed her warmly that first day in the ward. By this time, she and Casey had a baby daughter, Grace.
"When I left Relief Society to feed Grace, I came back to a note on my chair saying that someone wanted to be my friend. The note said she had gone to help in Primary but she left telephone numbers and her name."
Lesli Dustin and her husband became good friends to the Robertsons, as did many others.
The Robertsons didn't attend Church meetings the next couple of weeks, and Bishop Andrew Mortensen, who had previously met the family, dropped by their apartment. The couple told him they were moving the next day, which was Sunday. Both of them had been able to get the day off from work and would be moving within their large apartment complex. Bishop Mortensen smiled and told them he could round up some help if they came to Church.
They did, and later that afternoon 32 ward members helped pull the "ox from the mire" and got them moved. It was an unorthodox service project on the Sabbath, but its results were profound.
"It was very humbling, and we cried when they all left," Sister Robertson recalled.
Feeling a constant outpouring of love and support from ward members, the Robertsons began attending meetings regularly. They counseled frequently with Bishop Mortensen and began attending temple-preparation classes. One of their home teachers and his wife, Fred and Sara Fredlund, would watch little Grace so they could attend and learn undistracted.
Love and support from the bishopric and their spouses, Relief Society and elders quorum leaders, and many others continued to bolster and bless the couple as their dormant testimonies were reawakened and their commitment rekindled.
On Sept. 3, 2005, this group of ward members who exemplified pure religion and Christlike caring rejoiced with Casey and Melissa as they were sealed in the newly dedicated Newport Beach California Temple.
"At the temple, we recall feeling one kind of love for everyone in the room," said Brother Robertson. "There was no separation between family, friends and ward members."
The joyous occasion was not the end of efforts for those who had done so much for the young family. Bishop Mortensen would take Casey golfing and would call to check up on them, even when away on business. Relief Society President Debbie Crisp and her family had them over for Thanksgiving. Ward leaders and friends — really one in the same — extended countless acts of kindness, love and support.
When Casey, Melissa and little Grace relocated from the Mission Viejo to Springville, Utah, this past summer, the scene of sweet service was repeated.
"When we moved, they all helped us again," said Sister Robertson. "We drove off to the sound of Danny and Jessica Kettle vacuuming our place so we could get on the road. We will be forever grateful for members of the Mission Viejo 2nd Ward who blessed our family with their friendship and love." — Mike Cannon, a BYU-Idaho professor of communication, is president of BYU-Idaho 2nd Stake.