Unselfish Service

This lesson was given by Lindsay Faller on Sunday, May 24th. When considering service, how selfish or unselfish are we truly acting? How often do we think "What's in it for me?"

Examples of unselfish service? Church leadership serves voluntarily - they take time away from their families, etc... sisters taking meals to others, watching eachother's children, church callings... taking care of elderly parents...

Feeling gratitude is one of the blessings of service.

President Hinckley on his mission in England was frustrated with the work, and felt he was doing no good. He wrote home to his father - and his father wrote back and in his letter responded back "Forget yourself and go to work."

You can never love the Lord until you SERVE the Lord by serving others.

Get an attitude of service and you'll find that your problems pale in comparison to others' problems.

An attitude of love characterized the mission of the master.

Parenting is ALL about service! Parents make sacrifices daily for their children. Mothers suffer pain and loss of personal priorities and comforts to bear and rear each child. Fathers adjust their lives and priorities to support a family. The gap between those who are and those who are not willing to do this is widening in today's world. Some opt to be "childless by choice".

We rejoice that so many Latter-Day saint couples are among that unselfish group who are willing to surrender their personal priorities and serve the Lord by bearing and rearing the children our Heavenly Father sends to their care. We also rejoice in those who care for disabled family members and aged parents. None of this service asks, "What's in it for me?" All of it requires setting aside personal convenience for unselfish service. All of it stands in contrast to the fame, fortune, and other immediate gratification that are the worldly ways of so many in our day.

President Monson taught, "Perhaps when we face our Maker, we will not be asked, 'how many positions did you hold?' but rather, 'how many people did you help?' In reality, you can never love the Lord until you serve Him by serving his people."

The ultimate blessing of service will be being in the presence of God the Father and his son Jesus Christ.