Finding Joy through Loving Service

Mormons Serving Worldwide

" It is only when we love God and Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and minds that we are able to share this love with our neighbors through acts of kindness and service--the way that the Savior would love and serve all of us if He were among us today.

" When this pure love of Christ--or charity--envelops us, we think, feel, and act more like Heavenly Father and Jesus would think, feel, and act. Our motivation and heartfelt desire are like unto that of the Savior. He shared this desire with His Apostles on the eve of His Crucifixion. He said:

" A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you....
" By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35).

" The love the Savior described is an active love. It is not manifested through large and heroic deeds but rather through simple acts of kindness and service" -Elder M. Russell Ballard, Finding Joy through Loving Service 


We are a very blessed people with many opportunities to serve and love our neighbors. It is through those selfless acts of kindness and service that we are filled with the pure love of Christ. Charity is a gift that we should so earnestly strive for and desire within our hearts. It is through charity--or the pure love of Christ-- that we can think, act, and feel more like our Savior, Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Through the pure love of Christ we are able to serve and love as the Savior did. I can't think of a better way to Become like Him than to serve and love as He did. We are all trying to be like Jesus in all that we do and say. Our life has little purpose if we remain selfish and unwilling to give of ourselves in the service of our God and King. Let us actively love one another by small and simple acts of kindness and service everyday. There is no need for the "large and heroic" deeds but rather there is a need for the small and simple ones. I hope to be better at giving my heart to the service of God's Children. I know that when we are truly serving our brothers and sisters that we are becoming more like Our Father in Heaven and Our Savior.

As Elder Ballard has said," May we show our love and appreciation for the Savior's atoning sacrifice through our simple, compassionate acts of service." It is my prayer that we all may do so with a happy heart.

Faith---the Choice is Yours

Richard C. Edgley once said, "But, while I don't know everything, I know the important. I know the plain and simple gospel truths that lead to salvation and exaltation. I know that the Savior did suffer the pain of all men and that all repentant people can be cleansed from sin. And what I don't know and don't completely understand, with the powerful aid of my faith, I bridge the gap and move on, partaking of the promises and blessings of the gospel. And then as Alma teaches, our faith brings us to a perfect knowledge (see Alma 32:34). By moving forward into the unknown, armed only with hope and desire, we show evidence of our faith and our devotion to the Lord."

I love this so much! I feel like I could do better at demonstrating my faith in Heavenly Father and the Savior. I often find myself asking why and I hope to rather be moving forward into the unknown with hope and desire. I don't know everything but I too know the important. The important is enough to move forward with faith into the unknown. Sometimes the unknown can be scary and very overwhelming, but it is with the powerful aid of faith that we can bridge the gap and move on! In the process of replacing fear with faith we are able to access the promises and blessings of the gospel. Let us show evidence of our faith and our devotion to the Lord. God has a plan for each of us and it is through faith that we keep walking even when our course may be uncertain.

"Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism."

The Touch of the Master's Hand

I found this while cleaning out my Grandmother's house and It hit home pretty hard. I just wanted to share it with you today in hopes that it may touch you as well. Many of you have probably heard it and others not.

The Touch of the Master's Hand:
'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin
but held it up with a smile:

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar"; then, "Two!" "Only two?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three--" But no,
From the Room, far back, a gray-haired man
came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
and tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
as a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
with a voice that was quiet and low,
said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"
and he held it up with the bow.
A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand, twice,
and going, and gone." said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried.
"We don't quite understand
What changed its worth, "Swift came the reply:
"The touch of the master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune.
and battered and scarred with sin.
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage." a glass of wine:
a game--and he travels on.
He is "going" once, and "going" twice,
He's "going" and almost "gone."

But the Master come, and the foolish crowd
never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand

- Myra B. Welch

I love this so much! I know it to be so true! I hope that you all can gain something from this and use it to help someone else!