You’re on the Team!
You have something awesome to contribute to God’s work.
I’m not good at basketball. But for some reason, my friends still invited me to play. During one game, I hoped the ball would never come to me. Well, it did, and I decided to take a shot. As the ball flew toward the basket, I was sure it would miss. The ball hit the backboard and then fell through the hoop.
I made the shot!
My friends cheered as I stood in disbelief. I didn’t contribute much else to that game, but it felt good to be part of a team and to participate in my own small way.
Much more important and long-lasting than being part of a basketball team, a music or theater group, a work team, or any other kind of team is being part of God’s team and participating in His work of salvation and exaltation.
Do you wonder if you can do much in God’s work? If you do, here are some helpful things to keep in mind.
You Are Needed
God is able to do His own work (see 2 Nephi 27:20–21), but we have the opportunity to participate in His work with Him. That includes you!
If you ever feel inadequate, remember that God doesn’t want you on the sidelines. He needs you to be all-in as a member of His team and joyfully participate in His work.
The Lord has said, “O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength. …
“Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:2–3).
If you desire it, God will take your unique talents and abilities and use them in amazing ways. You may not see it now, but there are many things God needs you to do to help move His great work forward.
Remember the Two Great Commandments
It’s not enough to serve God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. We must also love Him with all that we have (see Doctrine and Covenants 59:5). The Savior taught that the greatest of all the commandments are:
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39).
Our love for God strengthens our desires and ability to serve Him. It also increases our ability to love and serve others. If those around you can feel that you genuinely love and care for them, you’ll find opportunities to bless them and help them feel God’s love.
Study—Then Speak Up!
Before the Church was organized, the Prophet Joseph Smith’s older brother Hyrum expressed his desire to serve. He asked Joseph what he could do to help God’s work. Joseph received a revelation for Hyrum. The Lord said:
“Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:21).
This is a good lesson and pattern for all of us. First, study God’s word, get it in your heart, and then you can speak up and share it. You never know what good will come as you speak up. You can help bring God’s light and truth to those “who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (Doctrine and Covenants 123:12).
Keep an Eternal View
God’s work is for all of His children. A vital part of that work is done in temples around the world, even for those who lived and “died without a knowledge of [the] gospel, who would have received it” (Doctrine and Covenants 137:7).
You might wonder if what you do now really makes a difference, but you can help those on the other side of the veil by performing baptisms for them in the temple. Attending and worshipping in the temple throughout your life will help you keep an eternal view—to think celestial—and bring joy and spiritual power to you and others here and in the life to come.
With this eternal view, you’ll see that you’re on the team—God’s winning team—and you have an important part to play on it. There is so much you can do to assist in this important work of salvation and exaltation.
Join in and see what God can do through you.