Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” BYU students take nearly a semester of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.
Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.
Hands Willing and Ready to Serve
Letter to High School Friend
My personal calling, or service opportunity, that I accepted to take part in within my ward (or congregation) is the wonderful calling of Compassionate Service Leader. As Compassionate Service Leader, I am to look out for those within the Relief Society (the group of women 18-years old and older) within our ward who might seem to be having a bad day, having trouble with school or work, or who might need someone to turn to to talk for comfort; sometimes even for help with a ride somewhere or to assist them in getting something they can’t afford but need.
This calling is very important, and the overall message and purpose of it is to look after the women in our ward and to do my best to make sure they are okay and being taken care of. However, I have found that since accepting this calling last semester in September, I have done hardly anything to fulfill its demands. While I can say to everyone that all the women within my ward are perfectly happy and doing great on their own, I know that I could be doing so much more to look deeper. While I might hope that it is true, I know in my heart that there is a lot more going on than I see, and I haven’t done much to find out what and how I can be of service to others.
A scripture I read this week helped me to realize just exactly the difference I could be making and how my ignorance of my duties could hurt not only the people I don’t reach out to, but also my own personal happiness:
Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethen–
Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword (Alma 60:7-8).
This scripture, while it may seem a bit dramatic compared to my situation, shows exactly what can happen. In this situation, the warrior captain Moroni is sending word to the chief judge of his home saying that as chief judge, Pahoran should be looking out for his people and should send reinforcements and food to Moroni and his troops, who are being depleted of health in battle but are still fighting as hard as they can for their family, homes, and religion.
Reading this, I realized that I have been put in a position to help so many people, and yet I am not taking advantage of it. I have accepted this responsibility, an important one, but it isn’t going to benefit anyone, including me, unless I reach out to those in need and do what I say I’m going to do. Thinking about it, there are so many people out there who need help and are just waiting for a helping hand. I want to be that hand. I need to be that hand! So from today onward, I am going to do my best to get involved with my calling and seek out ways to help everyone and support them as much as I can!
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