Gospel Principles
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 28: Service
Concept 3: Why the Savior Wants Us to Serve Others
'through the service of men and women and boys and girls God's work is done. President Spencer W. Kimball explained: "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs" ("Small Acts of Service", Ensign, Dec. 1974, p. 5)
Throughout our lives all of us depend on others for help.When we were infants, our parents fed, clothed, and cared for us. Without this care we would have died. When we grew up, other people taught us skills and attitudes. Many of us have needed nursing care during illness or money in a financial crisis. Some of us ask God to bless suffering people and then do nothing for them. We must remember that God works through us.
When we help one another, we serve God. King Benjamin, a great king in Book of Mormon times, taught his people this principle by the way he lived. He served them all his life, earning his own living instead of being supported by the people. In an inspired sermon he explained why he loved service, saying:
"When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God...
"And if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?" (Mosiah 2:17-18).
Discussion
Matthew 25:40 "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Why does the Lord want and need us to serve others? Who benefits when we perform acts of service?"