The Lord asks us to care for one another as part of His second great commandment (Matthew 22:37–39), and doing so can benefit the lives of others, bring families and communities closer, and even improve mental health. But it can be hard to find the time to serve between work, life challenges, and other commitments.
Fortunately, caring for those in need isn’t always about the stereotypical grand gesture we may imagine when we think of service. It’s about a “holier approach to caring for . . . others” (“Ministering,” President Nelson, April 2018) where we serve one another in small and simple ways.
How to Make Service a Part of Your Day-to-Day Life
When attempting to create a more service-oriented life, it can be less intimidating if you follow the following tips:
1. Start Small
Think about smaller ways you can get yourself used to service, like:
- Writing someone a thank-you note.
- Offering to help someone with a chore (dishes, homework, cleaning, cooking).
- Asking someone how they’re doing and really listening when they answer.
- Checking in on friends you haven’t heard from in a while.
2. Seek the Spirit
Elder Gong said, “Higher and holier ministering comes when we pray for ‘the pure love of Christ’ and follow the Spirit” (“Ministering,” Liahona, May 2023). The Holy Spirit can direct and inspire us to find who needs our help or how we specifically can offer care. Here are a few ways to invite direction:
- Open each day in prayer by inviting the Spirit to be with you
- Pray intentionally once a day for an opportunity to do a little good
- Study Topics and Question’s entry on the Holy Ghost to understand His role
- Study conference talks on revelation to better understand the process in your life
3. Reach Out to Others
The more we reach out to people in our communities, the more we’re aware of the needs, struggles, and ways we can support others.
“The Savior’s declaration ‘ye are my friends’ is a clarion call to build higher and holier relationships among all of God’s children.”
—Elder David L. Buckner, “Ye Are My Friends”
If you struggle to know how best to reach out to others, here are some resources to help you get started:
- “Ye Are My Friends,” David L Buckner, October 2024
- Making and Keeping Friends, Family Resources
- “Friendship: A Gospel Principle,” Marvin K. Jensen, April 1999
4. Participate in the Church’s Global Initiative
While you’re making a habit of small acts of service, it can help to give yourself an overall goal to direct your efforts. For example, the Relief Society is currently focused on the Global Initiative to Improve the Well-being of Women and Children.
What Is the Global Initiative to Improve the Well-being of Women and Children?
Stories of Small, Simple, Powerful Service
As the Lord says, “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise” (Alma 37:6). We can see this when many people come together, and their small and simple efforts magnify their communities.
Here are examples of how others like you are serving.
Giving to a Community’s Garden
Twelve coworkers in town for a company meeting stopped by The Giving Garden—a community garden that supports local food panties—in Saint Charles, Missouri. The volunteers thinned tomato plants, weeded the pollinator garden, moved tree logs, and more before their flights back home.
Though each only assisted for about an hour and a half, their work culminated in what the coordinator said was more than she could do in a month on her own.
Small and Impactful Paintings
Paul, a member of the Church in Nottingham, England, donates his paintings every year to help organizations in his area raise money through art exhibitions and charitable auctions. The funds help with several community projects, including helping those who are disadvantaged pursue education in the arts.
Creating a Culture of Service
At a Book Fair held in the city of Berazategui, Argentina, a group of young volunteers participated in spreading the word about JustServe.org, which helps people search for volunteer opportunities by type and location.
Volunteers invited friends and those attending the fair to learn more about projects available nearby and how they could contribute to their local communities in small and simple ways.
Serving as True Followers of Christ
Jesus Christ said, “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27), and in doing so, He set the standard of service for those of us who follow and seek to be like Him.
But this mandate is not just a simple box to check off or brownie point to earn. Obeying this commandment with full purpose of heart can lead to an internal transformation process that helps us develop charity and become more like our Savior as we learn to love our God and fellow brothers and sisters.