Service
Overview
During His ministry on the earth, Jesus Christ spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
Those who are baptized covenant to take the name of Jesus Christ upon themselves. 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).
The Savior is the best example of service. 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 told of His return to the earth in His glory and of separating the righteous from the wicked. To the righteous in this parable 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).
Opportunities for service to others are limitless. Kind words and deeds can lift burdens and gladden hearts. Sharing the gospel is a great service with eternal consequences. One true key to happiness is to labor for the happiness of others.
Related Topics
Scriptures
Scripture References
Scripture Study Resources
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Topical Guide, “Service”
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Guide to the Scriptures, “Service”
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Index to the Triple Combination, “Serve, Service”
Messages from Church Leaders
Videos
“Service through Song”
When Ye Are in the Service—YW
Tabernacle Choir Videos
“I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”
“Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel”
“Ye Elders of Israel”
Learning Resources
General Resources
“Full-Time Service,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org
“Part-Time Service Opportunities,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org
“Volunteer on Church Projects,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Church Magazines
David Dickson, “Service You Didn’t Think Was Service,” New Era, March 2017
Pauline Mooney, “Grass, Blisters, and God’s Love,” Ensign, January 2017
Rockwell Palmer, “Helping Hands after the Storm,” New Era, January 2017
“Salsa Service,” Friend, January 2017
Gabriel Costa Silva, “The Missionary Service I Needed,” New Era or Liahona, December 2016
Brooke Jameson, “Serving More Than Soup,” New Era, November 2016
Jeffery A. Hogge, “My Service-Filled Sundays,” Ensign, October 2016
Christina H. Fairweather, “Tutored by the Lord,” Ensign, October 2016
John A. Grinceri, “Blessed for My Service,” Ensign, September 2016