Loving Service

“The tough part of that reality, however, is that for Him to give you that increased power you must go in service and faith to your outer limits.

“It is like building muscle strength. You must break down your muscles to build them up. You push muscles to the point of exhaustion. Then they repair themselves, and they develop greater strength. Increased spiritual strength is a gift from God which He can give when we push in His service to our limits. Through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our natures can be changed. Then our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give.”

Henry B. Eyring, “O Ye That Embark”, October 2008 General Conference

“Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others. If we do, He promises us eternal life, ‘the greatest of all the gifts of God’ (Doctrine & Covenants 14:7), the glory and joy of living in the presence of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.”

Dallin H. Oaks, “Unselfish Service”, April 2009 General Conference

“We are to learn our duty from the Lord, and then we are to act in all diligence, never being lazy or slothful. The pattern is simple but not easy to follow. We are so easily distracted. Studying the daily news can appear more interesting than the priesthood lesson manual. Sitting down to rest can be more attractive than making appointments to visit those who need our priesthood service.

When I find myself drawn away from my priesthood duties by other interests and when my body begs for rest, I give to myself this rallying cry: ‘Remember Him.’ The Lord is our perfect example of diligence in priesthood service. He is our captain. He called us. He goes before us. He chose us to follow Him and to bring others with us.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Act In All Diligence”, April 2010 General Conference

“The love the Savior described is an active love. It is not manifested through large and heroic deeds but rather through simple acts of kindness and service… Ward members, both adults and youth, can unite in meaningful service to bless the lives of others. Just two weeks ago, the President of the South America Northwest Area, Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy, reported that by assigning ‘the strong in spirit to those that are weak,’ they are rescuing hundreds of less-active adults and youth. Through love and service, ‘one by one’ they are coming back. These acts of kindness create a strong and lasting bond among everyone involved—both the helpers and the helpees. So many precious memories are centered around such service.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Finding Joy Through Loving Service”, April 2011 General Conference

“Now, some of you may be shy by nature, perhaps feeling yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling. Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, brethren, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it… To all who willingly respond to the sacred call of service comes the promise: ‘I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.”

Thomas S. Monson, “The Sacred Call of Service”, April 2005 General Conference

“Service is an imperative for those who worship Jesus Christ. To followers who were vying for prominent positions in his kingdom, the Savior taught, ‘Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.’ (Matthew 20:27.) On a later occasion, he spoke of ministering to the needs of the hungry, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. He concluded that teaching with these words: ‘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 25:40.)”

Dallin H. Oaks, “Why Do We Serve?”, October 1984 General Conference

“My mother had lived an exemplary and full life. She was loved by family and friends. She had accomplished much in a life that was often hard and which was cut short by disease and sickness. In spite of all of this, her greatest regret was she had not given enough service. Now, I have no doubt my mother’s earthly sacrifice has been accepted by the Lord and that she has been welcomed by Him. But why was it foremost in her mind just days before her passing? What is service, and why is it so important in the gospel of Jesus Christ? First, we are commanded to serve one another. The first commandment is to love God. ‘And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’ We demonstrate our love when we help and serve each other.”

Steven E. Snow, “Service”, October 2007 General Conference

“Service makes us strong in our faith and useful in His kingdom. Service gives us purpose and courage in life. It brings us closer to God and helps us refine our divine nature. It teaches us to love and understand our fellowmen, and it helps us forget about our personal desires, eliminating selfishness, pride, and ingratitude. It teaches us to think of the needs of others, which allows us to develop the virtues that the Savior possesses.”

Carlos H. Amado, “Service, A Divine Quality”, April 2008 General Conference

“Stretching our souls in service helps us to rise above our cares, concerns, and challenges. As we focus our energies on lifting the burdens of others, something miraculous happens. Our own burdens diminish. We become happier. There is more substance to our lives.”

David S. Baxter, “Faith, Service, Constancy”, October 2006 General Conference

“What are we doing? In attempting to prove to the Savior on this day which is so precious to all of us, when we celebrate, preach, and teach of the Resurrection and of the Savior breaking the bands of death, what are we doing and how do we demonstrate to the Savior the love we have for Him? Wouldn’t it be through our obedience and through our service and what we do with the time that we have?”

David B. Haight, “Love And Service”, April 1999 General Conference

Position Statement:

Our willingness to provide meaningful service to those around us is a direct indication of our love for the Lord. As the Savior said in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” our service to others brings us the love and approval of Heavenly Father. (Matthew 25:40) By getting outside ourselves to lift those around us we will find respite from the burdens we feel in our own lives. Each of us can look for opportunities to serve one another more frequently in our daily lives, whether it be stopping to assist that person with car trouble on the side of the road or writing a note to a friend in difficult circumstances. Through service in the temple we can unite families for eternity. Through missionary service we can come to see somebody as the Savior sees them. Through service in the home we can create love and catch a glimpse of heaven. And through our church service we maintain our covenants and sustain our leaders. Service is an important foundation of The Church of Jesus Christ. May we be more willing to go the extra mile with our brother or sister in need.