So yesterday, was, "Morrill Sunday". Myself, Aasha, Moma and Dad (we gave them in that order) were all asked to give talks on service. As most of you know, i have horrible stage fright. So when i got up to give my talk, i could hardly read the words on my page. I turned all red, i couldnt look up from my paper, and i could read. And what i did read, i read mighty fast, leaving alot of time for everyone else.
Here's my talk...
"'When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.'
(Mosiah 2:17)
Thomas S. Monson gave a talk at Ricks College on January 14, 2001, Entitled Three Gates Only You Can Open, He said…
'Years ago, I discovered a thought which is true. It is this: The gate of history swings on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. I have chosen to discuss three gates which you alone can open. You must pass through each gate if you are to be successful in your journey through mortality:
• The Gate of Preparation.
• The Gate of Performance.
• The Gate of Service.'
And then he goes on to tell a story,
'I witnessed such an act of service one Sunday as I attended the sacrament meeting of a small branch which consisted of patients in a nursing home. Most of the members were elderly and somewhat incapacitated. During the meeting, a sister called out aloud, “I’m cold! I’m cold!” Without a moment’s hesitation, one of the priests at the sacrament table arose and walked over to this sister, removed his own suit coat, placed it around her shoulders, and then returned to his duties at the sacrament table. After the meeting, this young man came to me and apologized for blessing the sacrament without his suit coat. Quietly I said to him that he was never more appropriately dressed than he was that day when a dear widow was uncomfortably cold and he provided the warmth she needed by placing his jacket around her shoulders. A simple act of kindness? Yes, but much more: a genuine love and concern for others.”
Albert Schweitzer, a noted theologian and missionary physician said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.'
Throughout my life I have been able to perform many little acts of service like cleaning up biking trails, or racking leaves for others, cleaning the toys in the nursery, baking, clean house, donate to a book, toy or money donation, service scavenger hunts and many more things. And I have received lots of little acts of service. Like a friendly smile in the hall, or a fun email, letters in the mail, a nice compliment, someone listens to me, or will except me for who I am. Even though these don’t seem like anything special, it helps my day to seem so much brighter.
In the Hymn 'I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go' It says…
'It may not be on the mountain height
Or over the stormy sea,
It may not be at the battle’s front
My Lord will have need of me.
But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know,
I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I’ll go where you want me to go.'"
