So I've been straining to think of what to write for my first *real* mission blog post, and whether that's because I had too many ideas flying around my head or none at all I'll let you decide. I finally decided to write a little on service, since that is the real thrust of everything we do as missionaries. There are a few reasons that we give service, some better than others. One easy reason is that it makes us feel good and we are generally inclined to repeat behaviors that make us feel good. Another, better reason is to follow the example of the Savior, who said: "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10 :45.) He spent his entire life wholly devoted to the service and salvation of others. As our example he showed us the way to live our lives. Another reason we give service is to fulfill commandment. When some of the Pharisees came to Christ and asked what was the great commandment in the law, He responded, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22: 36-40) On this hangs all the law and the prophets. Everything we do in the Church, from the Word of Wisdom to Tithing to Family History stems from a love of God and a love of all mankind. And as we learn from King Benjamin, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17) So these two scriptures, taken together show that service fulfills both of the great commandments. As we serve others we show our love to them and by extension to God. Obviously there are other things that we do in order to show obedience to the commandments, but service is a great way to demonstrate our love. When we are lost in the service of others blessings will always come. My mission has already been a huge blessing in my life in the short eight months I've spent here. I know that selfless service can bless the lives of those who give it, sometimes even more than those who receive it. Thursday, March 10, 2011
Service
So I've been straining to think of what to write for my first *real* mission blog post, and whether that's because I had too many ideas flying around my head or none at all I'll let you decide. I finally decided to write a little on service, since that is the real thrust of everything we do as missionaries. There are a few reasons that we give service, some better than others. One easy reason is that it makes us feel good and we are generally inclined to repeat behaviors that make us feel good. Another, better reason is to follow the example of the Savior, who said: "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10 :45.) He spent his entire life wholly devoted to the service and salvation of others. As our example he showed us the way to live our lives. Another reason we give service is to fulfill commandment. When some of the Pharisees came to Christ and asked what was the great commandment in the law, He responded, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22: 36-40) On this hangs all the law and the prophets. Everything we do in the Church, from the Word of Wisdom to Tithing to Family History stems from a love of God and a love of all mankind. And as we learn from King Benjamin, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17) So these two scriptures, taken together show that service fulfills both of the great commandments. As we serve others we show our love to them and by extension to God. Obviously there are other things that we do in order to show obedience to the commandments, but service is a great way to demonstrate our love. When we are lost in the service of others blessings will always come. My mission has already been a huge blessing in my life in the short eight months I've spent here. I know that selfless service can bless the lives of those who give it, sometimes even more than those who receive it. 
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