“I will help others and build the kingdom through righteous service” (Young Women Personal Progress, ‘Good Works,’ p. 47).
I am particularly passionate about doing good works. There is such an amazing feeling of utter joy that comes to me when I am able to do something for someone I love. In fact, the more I love someone, the more I want to do things for him or her.
Service is the hallmark of every Christian religion, and is certainly no different for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormon Church, as it is often called). Service is encouraged in the various programs of the Church, beginning in Primary for children, going on through the teen years in the Young Men and Young Women programs, and continues on through our adult programs as well. It is perhaps one of the most powerful tools in spreading the love of God.
The scripture that goes along with the Young Women value of ‘Good Works’ can be found in the Book of Mormon – another testament of Christ.
“Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (3 Nephi 12:16).
Giving service sets you apart, makes you shine, causes you to become extra special in the eyes of those you serve. There are so many people in my neighborhood and my church who have become dear to me because of the services they’ve proffered over the years in my behalf. The thought that someone else in this world might think of me in the same way makes my heart sing.
You might be surprised at how many people serve you. The first Value Experience offered in the Young Women Personal Progress book encourages our teen girls to consider what acts of service are performed for them every day.
“Learn why service is a fundamental principle of the gospel. Read Matthew 5:13-16; 25:34-40; Galatians 6:9-10; James 1:22-27; Mosiah 2:17; 4:26; and 3 Nephi 13:1-4. Others often give service you may not notice, such as preparing meals, reading or listening to younger children, repairing clothing, or helping a brother or sister. For two weeks record in your journal the quiet acts of service your family members and others perform. Acknowledge their service in some meaningful way.”
Other value experiences encourage the girls to do other things. One is to plan, shop for, and cook the meals for two weeks. Another is to read Mosiah 18:7-10 and think of ways to comfort others.
I especially appreciate value #5, which asks the girls to read Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-28, and think of ways to apply the scripture to her own family. She is to pick a member of the family (I would encourage her to look at the one she gets along with the least) and serve that person for a whole month. One of the quickest ways to create a bond with someone is to serve that person. Service can work miracles.
In all our acts of service we must do as the scripture in 3 Nephi quoted above says, and do so with the purpose of glorifying our Father. It should be in His name that we accomplish these works, as Christ often did. Just as we should be willing to serve others, it is also important that we give others the chance to serve us.
My husband and I are trying hard to impart to our children the joy service can bring. Sometimes the object of our service knows it’s us, other times we try to keep it a secret. It’s not always easy to convince a four-year old he really does want to help rake up a giant pile of leaves, but our efforts over the years have begun to show great rewards. I can already see in my oldest the desire to help others, not with the thought of being given praise or money, but because she loves those she serves.
I can testify of the joy doing good works can bring into your life, if you do it for the right reasons. The feeling that comes of doing it can give more in the way of rewards than any earthly prize. I believe one of the most wonderful things about serving others is the more you do it, the happier you become.
