In the Service of Our God

Mosiah 2: 17-18—“(17) …when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (18) Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?”

The first few chapters of the book Mosiah, contains one of the greatest sermons found in holy scriptures. As we read this powerful speech delivered by King Benjamin we learn of different teachings and doctrine of the gospel. He speaks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how salvation can only come in and through Christ. He mentions the role of prophets and the importance of overcoming the “natural man” in each of us through submissiveness, meekness, humility, patience and love. He also urges us to be active in serving others.

Service is an act of help or work motivated by humility and love that is performed for someone else. I believe in the simple happiness that we create for ourselves through hobbies, or successes small and big, or many other things. However, I have found that no happiness compares to the joy felt as you put forth honest effort in making others happy. As you serve others sincerely, there comes a special power that can bring light to not only the receiver’s darkest days, but also the giver’s.

King Benjamin prophetically declares that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” When we are happy, Heavenly Father is happy. We operate as tools in the hands of the Lord as we serve others. An act of service directly blesses the life of who we are serving, and God’s tender mercies flow into our lives as we are honest in service.

I see a symbolic nature in verse 18 of chapter 2 as we relate it to our lives. Who do we call our King? We proclaim Jesus Christ to be the King of Kings. In what ways has your King labored to serve you? Our Savior has served us in infinite measures. We can humbly choose to follow His example and constantly be seeking opportunities to serve another. Our lives can become more meaningful as we apply such a divine privilege daily.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”—Mahatma Gandhi