Lately, there have been quite a few people moving in and out of our ward (“ward” is the term Latter-day saints use to describe their local congregations).  My current calling is 1st counselor in the Elder’s quorum presidency and part of my duties is to organize help for those who are moving in or out.
Latter-day saints are big on service.  We have been taught to look for opportunities to serve others.  This isn’t limited to other members of the church but it extends to everyone around us.
In the Book Mormon prophet/king Benjamin counseled:
Mosiah 2:17
17 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.
Yesterday we had another move and to help with and believe it or not it was actually quite fun.  We had over 20 men and moved a family out of one house and into another house in about two hours!  When you have that many people helping the work is light and you are able to build relationships and or course serve the lord.
We do Latter-day Saints do this?
Is it because we are trying to “work” our way into heaven?  NO.  King Benjamin also says in the Book of Mormon:
Mosiah 2:21
21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
We are very aware that all the service in the world alone will not get you into heaven.  Because we would still fall short.  It is the atonement of Jesus Christ that makes our service worth anything.  Because of His atonement, our service does the following for us:
- It is part of keeping our covenant with the savior so it is counted as righteousness.
- It helps in our effort to become sancified and changes us so we are more fit for His kingdom.
- It is what He would do in the same situation so we are following His example.
- We receive blessings from the Lord
- It makes us happy and brings lasting joy.
I testify that when we undertake to serve others, regardless of who they are, we are truly serving the Lord.
We are being changed from the inside out.  The Lord will bless those who serve their fellow beings.
Matt 25:35-40
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?