Serving God

            King Benjamin, a prophet-king in ancient America, was a great and righteous leader. Under his leadership his people eliminated contention in their land and had peace. King Benjamin was also a good father to his three sons and accepted the parental responsibility to teach his children. He taught them “in all the language of his fathers” that they might be “men of understanding.” He also taught them the words of the prophets and the importance of studying the scriptures. (See Mosiah 1:1-3.) 

            After King Benjamin “made an end of teaching his sons,” he realized that he was old and would “soon go the way of all the earth” (Mosiah 1:9). He wanted to leave his kingdom in good hands, so he called his oldest son, Mosiah, to him. He told Mosiah that he was going to confer the kingdom upon him. He also told Mosiah to notify the people in the kingdom to gather together the next day at the temple because he (the King) wanted to speak to his people.

            Mosiah was obedient to the commands of his father and notified the people of the kingdom to come to the temple to hear the words of the king. The people gathered on the morrow, but there were too many people to meet within the temple. King Benjamin caused that a tower should be built in order that the people could hear his words. He also caused that his words should be written and taken to the people to make sure that all of his people knew what he spoke.  

            King Benjamin’s speech contains many nuggets of truth as found in Mosiah 2-5. The truth that I wish to enlarge upon today is found in Mosiah 2:17-19. 

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?

19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!

            I learned the truth of these words by King Benjamin very early in my mothering experience. I learned that the greatest service that anyone could give to me was to help my children. If I as a mortal had this desire for someone to help my children, I can only imagine how Heavenly Father must feel toward anyone who helps His children.

            Since we are all His children, each of us are usually on one end or the other of service, meaning that we are either serving someone or being served by someone. This is true in families as well as communities or nations.

            President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke about the importance of service in our quest to gain eternal life. He spoke about the Savior being the perfect “example of unselfish service” and how He devoted His life to serving Heavenly Father and His children. He explained that “we must be changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ – born again and cleansed from sin” to “qualify for eternal life. He then spoke about how we can be assured that we are being cleansed and prepared to return to God’s presence.

One of the assurances that you are being purified is an increasing desire to serve others for the Savior. Home teaching and visiting teaching become more of a joy and less of a chore. You find yourself volunteering more often in a local school or helping care for the poor in your community. Even though you may have little money to give to those who have less, you wish you had more so that you could give more (see Mosiah 4:24). You find yourself eager to serve your children and to show them how to serve others.

As your nature changes, you will feel a desire to give greater service without recognition. I know disciples of the Savior who have given great gifts of money and service with a determination that no one but God and their children would know about it. God has recognized their service by blessing them in this life, and He will bless them in the eternal life to come (see Matthew 6:1-4; 3 Nephi 13:1-4 (“Service and Eternal Life,” Ensign, March 2014.) 

            One does not automatically learn to forget oneself in service to others. There must be teaching of some kind taking place in order to impress the importance of service upon the rising generation. This teaching should be performed by parents and other leaders and shown by example as well by word.

            This site has some ideas on how to turn our homes into “service stations.” The site includes the following ideas: (1) A parent can take a child with them when delivering some of the “family’s plenty with others” who need it. (2) When baking goodies, a mother can “make enough to share with someone outside” the family and include the children in the decision of who gets the extra goodies. (3) Parents can teach children to help others in the family. (4) Parents can take children with them in performing service.

            As we learn to serve one another we will be preparing ourselves for eternal life. As we teach our children by precept and example to serve others, we can help them to live happier lives here and to prepare for eternity. Service is a blessing for people on both ends of the experience. When we are serving the children of Heavenly Father, we are in His service.

Service of God

                Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when we teach the importance of service to the rising generation.  We, as parents and grandparents, have the God-given responsibility to teach our children and youth to love and serve each other.  We must teach them that some of the most important work we can ever do will be that which we do within the walls of our own homes.

                There are opportunities all around us to serve others.  We can teach the rising generation the importance of serving by encouraging them to look for ways to help others people as they go through their daily activities and then report back to the family.  We must teach them that they are serving God as they serve His children.  Some of the most important acts of service are expressed through “everyday acts of kindness” (For the Strength of Youth, 32).

                The righteous King Benjamin taught this truth to his people, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Christ, Mosiah 2:17).

                We can teach our children to use their talents to bless others.  A good example of one who does this is Kuha’o, a blind 15-year-old piano prodigy who shares his God-given musical gift freely in order to bless all who hear him.

                Another way to teach children to serve is to involve them in service projects.   Even little children can help bake cookies to share with the neighbors or helping a neighbor with work in their yard.

                I know that we can strengthen our families, communities, and nations by teaching the rising generation by precept and example to serve other people.

Thomas S. Monson

                    My very important person for this week is Thomas Spencer Monson, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I chose to write about President Monson because he has such a sense of duty and is such a good example of service to other people.

                    President Monson serves other people because he has a testimony of Jesus Christ and is converted to following Him.  He explained how Christ is the perfect example of doing one's duty to serve others.   "Although He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served those around Him.  He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God.  His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world" ("The Bridge Builder," Ensign, Nov. 2003, 68).

                    The scriptures tell us that He said, "I came into the world to do the will of my Father" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 3 Nephi 27:13).  Another scripture tells us that He "went about doing good,… for God was with him" (Acts 10:38).

                    President Monson reminded us that Christ answered His call of duty in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:  nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39).  President Monson also said, "The Savior was ever up and about - teaching, testifying, and saving others.  Such is our individual duty as members" ("Anxiously Engaged," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 56).

                    Thomas S. Monson follows his own advice.  We often hear stories of his visits to the many aged widows in his ward, but we know that he served other people also.  He was only 22 years old in 1950 when he was called to serve as bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in the Temple View Utah Stake.  This was his home ward, the same ward where he grew to manhood.  He accepted his responsibility to be the "father of the ward, the president of the Aaronic Priesthood, a provider for the poor and needy, the keeper of proper records, and the common judge in Israel" with his usual optimism and love for others.

                    One of his assignments as bishop was to send a subscription to the Church News and to the Improvement Era to every serviceman from his ward.  He was also counseled to write a monthly personal letter to every serviceman from his ward.  Then Bishop Monson understood the importance of personal letters because he had served in the navy during World War II.  He called a sister in the ward to assist him in mailing the letters, and then he proceeded to write to every one of those 23 servicemen every month.  He continued to write to all of them even though some of them did not write back.  One young man did not write to his bishop for seventeen months, but Bishop Monson never got discouraged.  Then he received a letter:  "Dear Bishop, I ain't much at writin' letters.  Thank you for the Church News and magazines, but most of all thank you for the personal letters.  I have turned over a new leaf.  I have been ordained a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood.  My heart is full.  I am a happy man."

                    Several years later while he was speaking at a stake conference,  Elder Monson mentioned writing to all his servicemen.  After the meeting was over, this former serviceman came up to him and thanked his former bishop once again.  "Thank you again for your concern for me and the personal letters which you sent and which I treasure" ("The Call to Duty, "Ensign, May 1986, 39).

                    Elder and then President Thomas S. Monson gave the same counsel for many years as shown by the following quotes (All quotes are from Heidi S. Swinton in "Thomas S. Monson - Answering the Call of Duty," Ensign, August 2012, 11). 

"As we follow in [Jesus Christ's] steps today, we too will have an opportunity to bless the lives of others.  … Jesus invites us to give of ourselves:  `Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.'" ("The Gifts of Christmas," Ensign, Dec. 2003, 2)

                    "To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves.  No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellowmen.  Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy" ("The Lord's Way," Ensign, May 1990, 93).

                    "Whatever our calling, regardless of our fears or anxieties, let us pray and then go and do, remembering the words of the Master, even the Lord Jesus Christ, who promised, `I am with you always, even unto the end of the world'" ("They Pray and They Go," Ensign, May 2002, 51).

                    "We can strengthen one another; we have the capacity to notice the unnoticed.  When we have eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that know and feel, we can reach out and rescue those for whom we have responsibility" ("The Call to Serve," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 47).

                    "None of us lives alone - in our city, our nation, or our world.  There is no dividing line between our prosperity and our neighbor's poverty" ("In Quest of the Abundant Life," Ensign, Mar. 1988, 3).

                    "There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save" ("How Firm a Foundation," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 68).

                    "Perhaps when we face our Maker, we will not be asked, `How many positions did you hold,' but rather, `How many people did you help?'" ("Faces and Attitudes," New Era, Sept. 1977, 50).

                    "As we go about our daily lives, we discover countless opportunities to follow the example of the Savior.  When our hearts are in tune with His teachings, we discover the unmistakable nearness of His divine help.  It is almost as though we are on the Lord's errand; and we then discover that, when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help" ("Windows," Ensign, Nov. 1989, 69).

                    "By learning of Him, by believing in Him, by following Him, there is the capacity to become like Him.  [Our] countenance can change; [our] heart can be softened; [our] step can be quickened; [our] outlook enhanced.  Life becomes what it should become" ("The Way of the Master," Ensign, Jan. 2003, 4).

                    Thomas S. Monson is a very important person in the eyes of the Lord because President Monson is the Lord's mouthpiece on earth today.  President Monson is also a very important person in my eyes because I know he is the living prophet of God.  I encourage all of us to follow his counsel because I know that his counsel is exactly what the Lord would have us do.  I know that God desires each of His children to serve His other children; in fact, I know that we have a duty to do so!

                   

                    

Acts of Service

                    Our Savior, even Jesus Christ, taught, "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:27).  In order to develop true charity - the pure love of Christ - we must each be willing to give of ourselves in service to our fellow humans beings.  We each have the capacity to serve someone else, and we should be looking for opportunities to help others.  Just such an opportunity was presented to a man traveling far from home in an airport terminal; his experience is told in the following story.

                    "A young mother on an overnight flight with a two-year-old daughter was stranded by bad weather in [the] Chicago airport without food or clean clothing for the child and without money.  She was two months pregnant and threatened with miscarriage, so she was under doctor's instructions not to carry the child unless it was essential.  Hour after hour she stood in one line after another, trying to get a flight to Michigan.  The terminal was noisy, full of tired, frustrated, grumpy passengers, and she heard critical references to her crying child and to her sliding her child along the floor with her foot as the line moved forward.  No one offered to help with the soaked, hungry, exhausted child.  Then, the woman later reported, `Someone came towards us and with a kindly smile said, "Is there something I could do to help you?"  With a grateful sigh I accepted his offer.  He lifted my sobbing little daughter from the cold floor and lovingly held her to him while he patted her gently on the back.  He asked if she could chew a piece of gum.  When she was settled down, he carried her with him and said something kindly to the others in the line ahead of me, about how I needed their help.  They seemed to agree and then he went up to the ticket counter [at the front of the line] and made arrangements with the clerk for me to be put on a flight leaving shortly.  He walked with us to a bench, where we chatted a moment, until he was assured that I would be find.  He went on his way.  About a week later I saw a picture of Apostle Spencer W. Kimball and recognized him as the stranger in the airport'" (Edward L. Kimball and Andrew E. Kimball, Jr., Spencer W. Kimball [1977], 334).

                    The immediate effects of Elder Kimball's service were a comforted child and a relieved mother who were able to board their airplane more quickly, but acts of service often have far-reaching effects also.  In this case, President Kimball received the following letter many years after he helped the woman at the airport.

"Dear President Kimball,

"I am a student at Brigham Young University.  I have just returned from my mission in Munich West Germany.  I had a lovely mission and learned much….

                    "I was sitting in priesthood meeting last week, when a story was told of a loving service which you performed some 21 years ago in the Chicago airport.  The story told of how you met a young pregnant mother with a young screaming child in … a [condition of] distress waiting in a long line for her tickets.  She was threatening miscarriage and therefore couldn't lift her child to comfort her.  She had experienced four previous miscarriages which gave added reason for the doctor's orders not to bend or lift.

                    "… You comforted the crying child, and explained the dilemma to the other passengers in line.  This act of love took the strain and tension off of my mother.  I was born a few months later in Flint, Michigan.

                    "I just want to thank you for your love.  Thank you for your example!" (As quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley, in Christmas Devotional address, 18 Dec. 1983).

                    When Elder Kimball helped the woman in the airport, the person who wrote this letter had not yet been born; however, Elder Kimball's service had a great impact on his life.  Elder Kimball's service may have actually saved the unborn baby from coming prematurely.

                    The unselfish act of service by Elder Kimball may have affected many other people.  Surely the family members and friends of the woman and her daughter were affected.  The other people standing in line at the airport were affected as were the employees at the ticket counter.  In addition to those immediately impacted, there were people in Germany who were taught the gospel by the young man who wrote the letter.  Elder Kimball - who later became President Kimball - and his family were impacted; we know this because his son and grandson wrote the story.  In addition, all who hear this story of unselfish service are touched.  This one act of service has the potential of reaching untold numbers of lives.

                    There are many, many unselfish acts that are never recorded for publication but kept in journals and passed down to posterity.  Another story that has received much notice is about Emma Somerville McConkie, a widow; Sister McConkie used her time and energy to serve others who were suffering even though she was ill herself.  The following story was related by her son, Oscar McConkie.

                    "Mother was president of the [ward] Relief Society….  [A nonmember who opposed the Church] had married a Mormon girl.  They had several children; now they had a new baby.  They were very poor and Mother was going day by day to care for the child and to take them baskets of food….  Mother herself was ill, and more than once was hardly able to get home after doing the work at [this family's] home.

                    "One day she returned home especially tired and weary.  She slept in her chair.  She dreamed she was bathing a baby which she discovered was the Christ Child.  She thought, Oh, what a great honor to thus serve the very Christ!  As she held the baby in her lap, she was all but overcome….  Unspeakable joy filled her whole being.  She was aflame with the glory of the Lord.  It seemed that the very marrow in her bones would melt.  Her joy was so great it awakened her.  As she awoke, these words were spoken to her, `Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me'" (As quoted by Bruce R. McConkie, in "Charity Which Never Faileth," Relief Society Magazine, Mar. 1970, 169).

                    Jesus Christ taught His disciples about the importance of giving away ourselves in service to other people.  He often taught with parables, stories, and every day experiences and always explained His teachings to those who sought further understanding.  While relating the parable of the sheep and the goats, He taught the following.

                    "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 

                    "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat:  I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

                    "Naked, and ye clothed me:  I was sick, and ye visited me:  I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

                    "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee?  Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

                    "When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in?  or naked, and clothed thee?

                    "Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

                    "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:34-40).

                    These verses describe acts of service performed for other human beings but also serving "the king" who is Jesus Christ.    When we serve each other, we are actually serving God. 

                    King Benjamin taught a great sermon on service and included this same wonderful truth:  "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Mosiah 2:17).

                    I learned the truthfulness of this principle when I became a mother with numerous children.  I was always very grateful for those who helped my children, probably more grateful than I would have been if they simply serving me.  Since my children are so precious to me, I will be eternally grateful to everyone who helped or will help my children  - and my grandchildren.

                    Sister McConkie served the young family so diligently out of the goodness of her own heart.  She was going far beyond the ordinary duties of a ward Relief Society president, and the Lord recognized her willingness to give of herself.  I am fairly certain that she had a great influence on the young family.  Surely the mother felt loved by the devotion of her president.  The husband must have been touched by Sister McConkie's willingness to help his family even though he was antagonistic toward the Church.

                    Even though Jesus Christ commanded us to love and serve everyone, some people limit their service to those people they enjoy being around.  Other people give service only to be seen of other people.  We show our willingness to give of ourselves when we love and care about all people.  Most of us have far more capacity to serve others than we currently use.

                    "We need to look around us, and if we cannot see poverty, illness, and despair in our own neighborhood or ward, then we have to look harder.  And remember, we cannot be afraid to go beyond our own social and cultural circles.  We have to rid ourselves of religious, racial, or social prejudices and expand the boundaries of our service.  Service should never discriminate and is hardly ever easy.  Did not Jesus Himself mingle with those who were branded unfit by the self-righteous Pharisees?  And were not those people the ones who needed Him the most?"  (See Elder Hans B. Ringger of the Seventy in Ensign, May 1990, 26.)

                    We are each surrounded by people who are in need of assistance or friendship, and we should look for those opportunities to serve.  We cannot always know who is pleading with God to send someone to them.  I myself have been the recipient of such 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….  So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane [ordinary] help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds!"  (See President Spencer W. Kimball, "Small Acts of Service," Ensign, Dec. 1974, 5).

Small and simple acts of service show others that we care about them, and there are many small and simple acts that we can perform without cost of much time or energy.  How many times has a simple smile brightened your day?   How many times has a hug from a colleague or a word of praise from a supervisor made your life much brighter?  How has a telephone call from a loved one made you feel more loved?

"We observe vast, sweeping world events; however, we must remember that the purposes of the Lord in our personal lives generally are fulfilled through the small and simple things and not the momentous and spectacular….

"We must never ignore or pass by the prompting of the Spirit to render service to one another."  (See Elder M. Russell Ballard in Ensign, May 1990, 6, 8.)

I know that we can all feel joy through serving other people; I know that we can receive great blessings of love and personal growth that come through serving others. 

Helping Hands

                    I attended an interesting lesson taught in a recent Relief Society meeting in our ward about being helping hands for the Lord.  The topic was visiting teaching, and the lesson came from Daughters in My Kingdom, Chapter 7:  "Pure Religion" - Watchcare and Ministering through Visiting Teaching, pp. 103-23.  As we discussed how we could become better visiting teachers and shared personal experiences that happened either as visiting teachers or while being visited, I thought about the National GOP Convention, particularly the last night when several different people shared their own stories of receiving compassionate service from Mitt and Ann Romney.  

The "talking heads" on television seemed to be shocked with the stories that were coming out about service performed by Mitt and Ann.  In comparison, I was not surprised at all with the stories even though I had never heard them previously.  You see, I know many, many other men and women who spend their lives serving and helping other people - not to be recorded by cameras and reporters but to be of service to their brothers and sisters.  I remember some of my thoughts and feelings while I listened to those experiences.  I wanted to know more about Mitt and Ann Romney, and I was pleased to hear that they were living our shared religion.  Without taking anything away from the Romney family for their good works, I recognized that some variation of each of those stories had played out in wards and stakes all over the world as visiting teachers, home teachers, bishops, and stake presidents go about doing good.

The leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have always counseled members to go about doing good.  The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "[We are] to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever [we find] them."  (See Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  Joseph Smith [2007], 426.)

President Brigham Young counseled, "Let us have compassion upon each other, and let the strong tenderly nurse the weak into strength, and let those who can see guide the blind until they can see the way for themselves."  (See Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  Brigham Young [1997], 219.)

President Gordon B. Hinckley stated, "Who, even in the wildest stretch of imagination, can fathom the uncountable acts of charity that have been performed, the food that has been put on barren tables, the faith that has been nurtured in desperate hours of illness, the wounds that have been bound up, the pains that have been ameliorated by loving hands and quiet and reassuring words, the comfort that has been extended in times of death and consequent loneliness?"  (See Ensign, Mar. 1992, 4.)

President Thomas S. Monson said, "We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness….  We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.  He is dependent upon each of us."

Jesus Christ showed us the way that we should live our lives while He lived upon the earth.  He showed us how to minister and how to watch over and strengthen each other.  He ministered to individuals, one by one, and taught that we should leave the ninety and nine to save the one that was straying (Luke 15:3-7).  Christ was concerned with individuals in His teaching and healing.  While visiting the Americas after His resurrection, He spent time with each individual in a multitude of 2,500 people (Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 3 Nephi 11:13-17; 17:5-25).

We can follow the example of Jesus Christ and be obedient to counsel from prophets as we go about doing good and helping others.  We can be instruments in the hands of God as He seeks to bless all the people of the earth.

Anxiously Engage in Good Causes

                    Families grow stronger as children learn the joy of being anxiously engaged in good causes.  Good causes are all around us, and none of us have the ability, energy or time to be involved in every one of them; therefore, we should use wisdom in our choices.  Wise parents teach by precept, example, and experiences the importance of being involved in good causes.

                    On August 1, 1831, soon after Joseph Smith and his party arrived in Jackson County, Missouri, the Lord revealed important information through His prophet to the people.  Part of the information included the following verses:  "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

                    "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.

                    "For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves.  And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

                    "But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned" (Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-29).

                    What does it mean to be "anxiously engaged"?  To be "anxious" means to be concerned, troubled or worried about something.  In this application, "engaged" means to keep busy, to work, or to stay occupied.  So if we are "anxiously engaged," we are working to do something about a matter that concerns us.  In verse 27, the Lord described it as "…do many thing of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."

                    How can we know what a "good cause" is?  The prophet Mormon explained the following to his people about good causes:  "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired by God.

                    "Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil" (Moroni 7:13-14).

                    What "power" do we have that allows us to do good?  As explained above, we are agents unto ourselves.  We were given moral agency in our premortal life with which we can choose for ourselves.  This is the power that is in each of us.  Mormon explained that this power comes from God.

                    "For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

                    "For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

                    "But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; nether do his angels; nether do they who subject themselves unto him" (Moroni 7:15-17).

                    The following story gives a positive example of being engaged in a good cause.  It is a true experience of Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  "When I was about ten or eleven, many of our relatives came to visit.  There must have been 35 or 40.  Mother had invited them all to dinner.  After dinner everyone went in the other room and sat down to visit.  There were piles of dirty dishes and silverware everywhere.  The food had not been put away, and there were dirty pots and pans from all the preparations.

                    "I remember thinking that later on everyone would leave, and my mother would have all the cleaning up to do.  An idea struck me.  I started cleaning up.  It was in the days before electric dishwashers.  Mother had always been very clean, and she taught us how to wash and wipe dishes correctly.  I started in on this mountain of work.  Finally, about three hours later, I had finished drying the last dish.  I had put away all the food, cleaned off all the counters, the sinks, and the floor.  The kitchen was spotless.

                    "I will never forget the look on Mom's face later on that night when all the guests had left and she came into the kitchen to clean up.  I was wet from my chest to my knees.  It was worth every particle of effort I had put into it just to see the look on Mom's face.  It was a mixture of emotion, relief, and pride.  I made a decision then that I would try to put that look back on her face over and over and over again" ("We Love Those We Serve," New Era, March 1988, 19).

                    I can understand the relief and pleasure that Mrs. Featherstone must have felt.  It must have been pure joy to realize that her son loved her enough to do all those dishes and clean up the kitchen.  This was a good cause.  Some variation of it could happen in every home.  I have personally been on the receiving end of similar "surprises," and I appreciated every one of them.

                    Several months ago members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Alaska were counseled to find people in their area who were not of our church who needed service.  September 17, 2011, was set for the day of our service.  Our ward (congregation) chose several different projects.  The Relief Society sisters found a non-member grandmother who has the responsibility to care for two of her grandchildren, a two-month old boy and fourteen-month old girl.  I do not know why the children were in her home; I only know that she needed everything necessary to care for a baby and a toddler.  Some sisters purchased clothing, including lots of diapers, and others purchased blankets, coats, etc.  One sister donated a slightly-used two-place stroller.  Money was collected for car seats, etc.  I made a Care Bear quilt for the little girl.  I felt great joy and satisfaction in being a small part of such a worthy cause.

                    Elder Ezra Taft Benson, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated:  "Usually the Lord gives us the overall objectives to be accomplished and some guidelines to follow, but he expects us to work out most of the details and methods.  The methods and procedures are usually developed through study and prayer and by living so that we can obtain and follow the promptings of the Spirit.  Less spiritually advanced people, such as those in the days of Moses, had to be commanded in many things.  Today those spiritually alert look at the objectives, check the guidelines laid down by the Lord and his prophets, and then prayerfully act - without having to be commanded `in all things.' …. 

                    "Sometimes the Lord hopefully waits on his children to act on their own, and when they do not, they lose the greater prize, and the Lord will either drop the entire matter and let them suffer the consequences or else he will have to spell it out in greater detail.  Usually, I fear, the more he has to spell it out, the smaller is our reward" (in Conference Report, April 1965, 121-122).    

    

                    Good causes come in every shape and size.  Some can be accomplished by one or two people; others require larger numbers of people.  Some can be planned for, and others arise spontaneously.  Some can be done in a few minutes or hours while others can take days or weeks. 

I recently learned that the largest boatlift in history happened on September 11, 2001, when 500,000 people were rescued from Manhattan Island in less than 9 hours, by people who joined in a good cause.  This video shows what can happen when good people see a need and become involved.  My heart was touched while watching the video, "Boatlift - An Untold Tale of9/11 Resilience."  Wise parents teach their children the importance of being engaged in good causes.  

Service

The principle for our discussion on this Sabbath day is service. Jesus taught the importance of service when He explained, "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27). He also taught, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). It is a fact that true followers of Jesus Christ desire to serve other people.

The Savior taught the importance of service in the following parable. In His parable, He returned to earth in all His glory and separated the righteous from the wicked. To the righteous He said, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me" (Matthew 25:34-36).

The righteous people were puzzled and asked Him, "Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?" (Matthew 25:37-39).

The Lord answered them: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40).

I recognize the principle that Jesus Christ was teaching in this parable. As a mother and grandmother, I appreciate the efforts of every person who serves my children or grandchildren, and I feel that they are serving me also.

Service can be defined as giving assistance to someone else. Giving Christlike service comes from a genuine love for the Savior as well as love and concern for those we have the opportunity to serve. Since love is more than a feeling, we have a sincere desire to help those that we love.

Service is something that can be given by anyone regardless of income, age, or social position. Service can be helping others economically, socially, physically, and spiritually. Service takes place when we share food or other articles, be a friend to someone new in the community, listen to a lonely person, help an elderly or sick person, or comfort someone who grieves. Service can be either small or large acts, and small acts of service can be just as important as large acts of service. Just as the Savior gave up His life in serving us, we may be required to sacrifice greatly to serve someone.

God wants us to do service because much of His work is done through the acts of service done by men and women, boys and girls. President Spencer W. Kimball explained, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 82).

We all depend on others for help throughout our lives. As babies, we were fed, clothed and cared for by our parents or else we would have died. As we grew up, other people taught us skills and attitudes. Many people have needed nursing care during illness or money during a financial crisis. We are all dependent upon God.

Blessings come to those who serve others. One of the greatest blessings that comes through service is the increased ability to love the person we serve. As we help others with their problems, we become less selfish and our problems seem less serious. In fact, one of the best ways to overcome sadness or loneliness is to look around until we find someone who is worse off than we are and help them. Those who desire to live with God must love and serve His children (see Matthew 25:34-40).

People who serve unselfishly usually gain much more than they give. President Spencer W. Kimball said, "We become more substantive as we serve others - indeed, it is easier to `find' ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!" (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 85-86).

Jesus Christ commands us to love and to serve everyone, and He gives us many opportunities to serve (see Mosiah 4:15-19). There is much service to be given in a family situation between husband and wife and between parents and children. There are also many opportunities to serve our neighbors, our friends or even strangers. If God has given special talents to us, we should use those talents to serve other people.

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of service. He told His followers that He came to earth to give His life for us and not to be served. He loves each of us very much, even more than we can understand. During His life on earth, He served the poor, the ignorant, the sinner, and the despised, and He taught His gospel to all who would listen. He fed crowds of hungry people who came to hear Him, healed the sick, and raised the dead.

When we willingly give service to other people, we develop more Christ-like love for them as well as become more like Christ.

Change

Are you concerned about the direction our nation is headed? Do you want to make a difference? The best way to change the conditions in a home, community or nation is to change a person. Human beings have little ability to change other people, but we have great power to change ourselves. Allow me to suggest a few actions for changing yourself and thus changing our nation. 1) Pray once a day on your knees. Pray for protection for our nation. Pray for our leaders to make wise decisions. Pray for yourself and your family. 2) Tell the truth because the truth will make you free. 3) Do something nice everyday for every member of your family. I can promise you that you will be changed by doing these three things every day for three weeks and that greater changes will take place as you continue doing them.

Service

The principle for our discussion on this Sabbath day is service. Jesus taught the importance of service when He explained, "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27). It is a fact that true followers of Jesus Christ serve other people. Service can be defined as giving assistance to someone else. Giving Christlike service comes from a genuine love for the Savior as well as love and concern for those we have the opportunity to serve. Since love is more than a feeling, we want to help those that we love. Service is something that can be given by anyone regardless of income, age, or social position. Service can be helping others economically, socially, physically, and spiritually. Service takes place when we share food or other articles, be a friend to someone new in the community, help an elderly or sick person, or comfort someone who grieves. Service can be either small or large acts, and small acts of service can be just as important as large acts of service. Just as the Savior gave up His life in serving us, we may be required to sacrifice greatly to serve someone. God wants us to do service because His work is done through the acts of service done by men and women, boys and girls. President Spencer W. Kimball explained, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 82). We all depend on others for help throughout our lives. As babies, we were fed, clothed and cared for by our parents or else we would have died. As we grew up, other people taught us skills and attitudes. Many people have needed nursing care during illness or money during a financial crisis. We are all dependent upon God. Blessings come to those who serve others. One of the greatest blessings coming through service is the increased ability to love the person we serve. As we help others with their problems, we become less selfish and our problems seem less serious. Those who desire to live with God must love and serve His children (see Matthew 25:34-40). People who serve unselfishly usually gain much more than they give. President Spencer W. Kimball said, "We become more substantive as we serve others - indeed, it is easier to `find' ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!" (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 85-86). Jesus Christ commands us to love and serve everyone, and He gives us many opportunities to serve (see Mosiah 4:15-19). There is much service to be given in a family situation between husband and wife and between parents and children. There are also many opportunities to serve our neighbors, our friends or even strangers. If God has given special talents to us, we should use those talents to serve other people. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of service. He told His followers that He came to earth to give His life for us and not to be served. He loves each of us very much, even more than we can understand. During His life on earth, He served the poor, the ignorant, the sinner, and the despised, and He taught His gospel to all who would listen. He fed crowds of hungry people who came to hear Him, healed the sick, and raised the dead. When we willingly give service to other people, we develop more Christ-like love for them as well as become more like Christ.

Compassionate Service

Our hearts go out to the victims of natural disasters such as Katrina and the earthquakes in Haiti and Chili. We feel great compassion for them and want to serve them or at least send money to help their cause. Yet there are many people in our own families, neighborhoods, and communities who suffer from heavy hearts, loneliness, and despair. We can develop compassion for those who are suffering around us. The first step in doing this is to pray for compassion. The prophet Mormon taught his son Moroni to "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ" (Moroni 7:48). The New Testament records the many acts of kindness and compassion shown by Jesus Christ in his short life upon earth. He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf and caused the lame to walk. His disciples through all ages have followed His example of showing forth compassion. We can pray mightily for those who are in need of compassion, but we can do greater deeds by being the answer to their prayers. We can reach out to others and help them with their burdens. We can mourn with those who have cause to mourn. We can offer comfort to those in pain and be a friend to the lonely. We can extend our arms in love and kindness and give gifts of compassion and charity. We can bless, help, and strengthen each other. We can nurture and help the young, care for the poor and lift up those with broken hearts. We can become true followers of Christ by following His counsel to "Feed my lambs" (John 21:15).

Question Everything

This morning while quickly perusing our local newspaper, I read a few of the comics. I noticed that there seemed to be a "theme" to the comics, something that I haven't noticed previously. I remembered that this theme had been carried over several days. I wondered why so many comics were about the same topic. It was only later today that I heard a news item that our current First Lady had proclaimed this week to be "service week." The interesting thing about this whole "service" thing is who is supposed to benefit from all the service. I am actually a big fan of serving in my community and church. I enjoy helping my family, friends, and neighbors. I truly believe that we can make the world a much better place by forgetting ourselves and helping other people. I have a problem when someone calls for service for a personal benefit. I believe that it was wrong for Michelle Obama to proclaim a service week in order to advance her husband's agenda for further destruction to our country. I find it very interesting to see that the printed media was prepared with comics about service just in time for the First Lady's announcement. I also find it interesting that Disney is rewarding "volunteers" - a word for working without pay - with a free day pass at Disneyland or Disney World for each day of service (who is keeping track of which people do service?). I also find it interesting that producers of television shows - I've heard that the number is over sixty - had programs about service all ready to be shown during "service week" well before the First Lady made her announcement. Hollywood is said to have stated that they have been planning for these shows for over a year in order to "promote a new way of thinking about service." Is all this just a coincidence or is there an agenda? I remembered reading a chapter about words in Rules For Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky. In the chapter called "A Word About Words" Alinsky explained why words such as political, power, self-interest, compromise, ego, and conflict have "become twisted and warped, viewed as evil" (p 48). "The question may legitimately be raised, why not use other words - words that mean the same but are peaceful, and do not result in such negative, emotional reactions?" (p 49). Alinsky explained that it was important to use a word that wouldn't dilute the meaning and thus change the emotional response. He quoted Mark Twain as stating: "The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." So, service is a very peaceful word. Who could find fault with service? I can't find any fault with true service, but I do question what is meant when Barack and Michelle Obama call for "service." What do they want to accomplish? I am learning to question everything. I advise you to look for the meaning behind the specific words being used. Think about the problems that the words "hope and change" brought to our nation. I am sure that many people who voted for Obama because he was promising "hope and change" are seeing changes that they didn't ever expect to see. That is why I am saying to question everything!