Difference between revisions of "Service"

Revision as of 11:57, 30 August 2006

Service, or caring for others, is an important part of life as a Latter-day Saint. Members of the Mormon Church believe that in serving others we serve God and become more like Him. Mosiah 2:17 states, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." A similar verse can be found in Matthew 25:40, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of humility and service. Those who chose to follow Jesus called Him "Master." Nevertheless, although He was their leader, Jesus taught them that He was also their servant. He wrapped a towel around Himself and washed His apostles' feet, a job for servants, in a basin of water. The Savior then told them that if He was willing to serve them by washing their feet, they ought to be willing to serve each other (see John 13:5-17).

Service should be exemplified in all parts of our lives, but especially in the home. We have been given families as a gift, and families provide ample opportunities to learn to serve each other better. Parents are obligated to be good examples to their children and to teach them the value of service.

President Spencer W. Kimball had this to say about the importance of service:

God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom. The people of the Church need each other’s strength, support, and leadership in a community of believers as an enclave of disciples. In the Doctrine and Covenants we read about how important it is to “… succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5.) So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds!... One of the most vital things we can do is to express our testimonies through service, which will, in turn, produce spiritual growth, greater commitment, and a greater capacity to keep the commandments (“Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, Dec. 1974, 2).

See also Humanitarian Efforts