Service

True disciples of Jesus Christ desire to serve those
around them. The Savior said, “By this shall all men know
that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” ( John
13:35).
When you were baptized, you covenanted to take the
name of Jesus Christ upon yourself. The prophet Alma
explained this covenant to a group of new converts who
wanted to be baptized. He observed that their desire to
“come into the fold of God” included a willingness to give
meaningful service—to “bear one another’s burdens, that
they may be light,” to “mourn with those that mourn,” and
to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah
18:8–9).
As you strive to serve others, look to the Savior as your
example. Even though He came to earth as the Son of God,
He humbly served all those around Him. He declared, “I am
among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27).
The Savior used a parable to teach the importance of
service. In the parable, He returns to the earth in His glory
and separates the righteous from the wicked. To the righteous
He says: “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” (Matthew 25:34–36).
The righteous, who are puzzled by this declaration, ask:
“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?” (Matthew
25:37–39).
Then the Lord answers, “Inasmuch as ye have done it
unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it
unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
The Savior invites you to give of yourself in the service of
others. Your opportunities to do so are limitless. Each day, look
for ways to gladden hearts, to say kind words, to perform
labors for others that they cannot do for themselves, to share
the gospel. Be receptive to the whisperings of the Spirit,
prompting you to serve. You will find that the true key to
happiness is to labor for the happiness of others.
Additional references: Matthew 22:35–40; 25:41–46; Luke 10:25–37;
Galatians 5:13–14; Mosiah 2:17
See also Charity; Love