Service is caring for or laboring to help another person. In the Book of Mormon, we learn that when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are also in the service of our God (Mosiah 2:17). We choose to follow God’s commandment to love our brothers and sisters when we voluntarily give service.
Our Savior Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of service. During His mortal ministry, Christ humbly helped and served many by healing, teaching, and loving them. As His disciples, we strive to follow Jesus Christ by showing love and kindness to others. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also keep their baptismal covenants to “mourn with those who mourn,” to “comfort those who stand in need of comfort,” and to “bear one another’s burdens” (Mosiah 18:8–9).
Charity, or the pure love of Christ, should be our motivation in serving others. As Elder Richard J. Maynes stated: “Charity motivates people to do the right thing for the right reason. Charity particularly motivates a person to do something that is difficult or maybe even impossible for others to do for themselves” (“Shape Your Life Through Service to Others,” September 2017). As we serve others with charity, we forget our own troubles, shortcomings, and selfish desires and learn generosity, humility, and patience. The Lord blesses us with hope, understanding, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost when we willingly serve His children.
Serving others may be as simple as smiling at someone, listening without judging, or bearing your testimony. As you study the speeches in this topic, you will learn about Christlike service and discover how you can serve others as our Father in Heaven would have you serve.
