Let’s start by introducing ourselves to the group and sharing our experiences in working to keep our commitments this past week. As part of your introduction, please share the following:
Your name
Your mission
How long you’ve been back from your mission
An insight or question that came from keeping your commitments this past week
Three Keys to a Full Life
1. A Key to Success
Read:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught that those who are “pursuing the righteous goals of obtaining an education and finding an eternal spouse” should remember that “working diligently in the Lord’s vineyard will greatly upgrade your résumé and increase the probability for success in both of these worthy endeavors” (“Two Principles for Any Economy,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 57).
Ponder:
Discuss:
What examples have you seen of faithful service to the Lord blessing other aspects of your life?
2. A Key to Happiness
Read:
Consider the following example of a returned missionary who learned the value of service:
One day, a young returned missionary came to his old mission president, Elder Don R. Clarke of the Seventy, for advice. This young man had been an excellent missionary, a hard worker, faithful, and dedicated. And now, several months after his mission, he was miserable. After he explained all of his struggles and worries, President Clarke said, “Elder, go to the hospital to visit the sick and serve others every week.”
Discuss:
How could Elder Clarke’s counsel help this returned missionary? How is service related to your spiritual progress?
3. A Key to Retaining a Remission of Sins
Read:
The scriptures further explain the importance of serving others.
When King Benjamin taught his people, he wanted them to understand the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and that serving them would help them receive the full power of the Atonement in their lives:
“And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, … administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according their wants” (Mosiah 4:26; see also Alma 34:29).
Discuss:
What blessing of service did King Benjamin promise? Why does this blessing come because of service?
An Invitation to Continue Serving
Read:
President Thomas S. Monson taught:
“The Savior taught His disciples, ‘For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.’
“I believe that the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives” (“What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 85).
After returning home, many returned missionaries believe that they have to get back into the “real world.” But this is inaccurate. You are never going to become part of this world; you are to rise above and shine before the world (see Matthew 5:16). Review the plans you made at the end of your mission to continue to serve others.
Discuss:
What did you learn on your mission about the importance of losing yourself in the service of others?
Read:
Consider the following example of a returned missionary named Francis:
Francis lives in Africa. After returning home from his mission, he wanted to further his education but had no money. He also wanted to get married but could not afford to.
He developed a plan and borrowed some money to start a business so he could earn what he needed. However, the business failed. Francis had so little money that he ended up living on the streets and was not only unemployed but also in debt. He did not know what to do. He went to the temple to seek guidance. While there, he heard two words: “Trust me!”
Later Francis felt impressed to introduce himself to a Church leader. Francis told the Church leader about his challenges and dreams, and the leader helped him find a part-time job. Francis worked very hard and did so well that his employer offered him full-time work. He continued to be diligent at work and was soon promoted. His employer continued to be impressed by Francis’s diligence, and he agreed to help pay for Francis to finish his undergraduate degree and attend law school while he worked.
When Francis started his part-time work, he was also impressed that he should be married in the temple. Francis soon helped his new wife find work, and together they paid back their debts and planned to start a family. Francis also felt he needed to help others like himself. He prayed diligently to determine what to do. The Spirit impressed him to use his spare time and his talents to write two books that have now become part of the local school curriculum, as well as a text to help teach literacy throughout his country. He later became a bishop and continued serving faithfully at church.
Ponder:
Activity: (5 minutes)
Divide into groups of three and discuss the following question: What principle stood out to you as you read about Francis’s experience?
Read:
The Lord wants you to continue to live the principles that brought you close to Him on your mission. Do your best to avoid becoming casual in your relationship with the Lord. You are on a lifelong mission to become the person that Christ wants you to become and to help others to do the same. As you diligently seek His guidance, the Lord will bless you with a greater understanding of your life’s purpose. He will bless you with opportunities to serve and lift others.
Activity: (10 minutes)
Individually create a plan to serve others.
In class, write in your study journal some specific ways that you can serve others each week under the heading “Weekly Service Plan.” Consider the following as you write your plan: How much time can you dedicate each week to serving others? What skills and experiences did you gain on your mission that prepared you to help and serve others?
In class, share with your action partner your ideas about your weekly service plan.
At home, pray to know if there are other ways that your Father in Heaven wants you to serve at this time in your life. Write down any additional ideas you gain from your prayers in your Weekly Service Plan.
At home, commit to fulfilling your Weekly Service Plan.
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President M. Russell Ballard
“Please use the skills you learned on your mission to bless the lives of people around you every day. Do not shift your focus from serving others to focusing exclusively on school, work, or social activities. Instead, balance your life with spiritual experiences that remind and prepare you for continued, daily ministering to others.”
M. Russell Ballard, “The Greatest Generation of Young Adults,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 69
Commit:
Complete and act on your plan to serve someone each week.
Complete your My Plan worksheet at the back of this manual, and review it regularly. If you haven’t already, you may want to share it with a family member.
Share what you learned today with another returned missionary, another young single adult, or a member of your family.
Choose an action partner for this week and take two minutes to share with each other the commitments that you feel impressed to work on. Decide how you will follow up with each other during the week.