Unto the Least of These

Phoebe gave her first official talk in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. She was very nervous and spent a good chunk of time preparing and worrying about what she should say. When she stood at the pulpit to deliver it she was poised and articulate, she did a wonderful job!

Service

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 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:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

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.

That was Matthew 25, verses thirty-four through forty. 

Mosiah 2:17 says; “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” These scriptures are talking about serving others, and how Heavenly Father serves others through us. Not only that, but when we serve others, it’s just as if we are serving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

 When I think of service, I usually think of big things, like weeding someone’s yard, or helping clean up after a natural disaster. And while those are excellent means of service there are many more ways that we can serve others. Small acts of service, like including someone, checking to see how they’re doing, and letting them know that they’re loved, are ways to serve too.

Some things I’ve thought of to help me serve better are;

1. Keep an eye out for opportunities to serve. We have chances to serve in our everyday lives. If we deliberately look out for these chances, they will not pass unnoticed. We have to seek out opportunities to serve, and not just wait for them to come to us.

2.  It’s important to have a willing heart when serving others. This will help us serve more effectively, and with joy.  

3. If you’re not sure of ways you can serve others, pray that you will be able to keep an eye out for those that you can serve.

I know that we each have our own talents and gifts that will enable us to serve others. The way you serve might be different from the way others serve. I also know that as we serve others, we can grow closer to them, and to Heavenly Father. When we serve others, we are showing that we love them, and that Heavenly Father loves them. We are also showing that we love Heavenly Father. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.