About a month ago, there was an enrichment meeting in our ward that featured sisters who are presently serving outside our ward. Our ward is pretty big and there are 35 people who serve in other wards. Some are at the two senior care centers that are in our stake boundaries and some serve in various ways in YSA wards and some even serve at the Provo Canyon Boys school. I was really inspired to hear all the great things they are doing. This was really good for me to hear, because I have to admit, I have felt a little resentful at times that so many of my good friends in the ward don't attend because of these other assignments, especially because now that I work full-time, I don't see a lot of these ladies at other times than at church. So it was great to see all the good that is coming from their service.
But then that got me thinking. You could also have a group of sisters (or men too) that are serving in our ward in different capacities and you would hear the same inspiration coming from them. I love working in the Young Women and see great things happening and get to be involved in awesome experiences and activities going on there. The same could be said for nursery, scouting, Primary, Sunday School, etc. There are marvelous works and wonders going on in the church everywhere.
(Are there also a lot of problems and conflicts? Yes, but this is not the purpose of this blog. Christ organizes His church through His people, who are all mortal and not perfect.)
Then I started thinking about the many opportunities I have been given to serve in the church. There is a line from my patriarchal blessing that has helped me a lot and I think could apply to everyone. It says that I will be blessed as I do those things I am called to do by those presiding over me. And that as I do so, I will find, discover and develop talents and creative powers and skills. This is true. We are a practicing church. We learn by doing. We learn on each other's time. I find that when I put my heart into whatever calling I am given, I learn to love those I serve and I do gain skills that help me in my own life, but also in helping to build God's kingdom on earth. It is amazing to be part of something so amazing. There is a place for each of us.
When I think of some of the callings I have had in the church, it is incredible to think of the many and varied opportunities I have been involved with:
Primary teacher, president, counselor, chorister
Webelos leader
Young Women counselor, secretary, camp director, camp cook, advisor, youth leader such as Beehive President, Mia Maid President, Laurel President, youth conference committee member
Activities: plan and carry out ward parties
Relief Society president, counselor, teacher, chorister, homemaking committee, food chairman
Seminary council
Full-time missionary and refugee camp volunteer
Visiting teaching
Beyond these, there are many opportunities to help clean the church, help with funeral luncheons, give presentations on various topics in Relief Society or other organizations, substitute in Primary and Sunday school, give talks, sing in the ward choir. The list can go on and on.
Some of the blessings associated with serving in the church:
- Learning talents, skills, knowledge.
- Gain self-esteem.
- Learn to love others and lose yourself in service.
- Establish friendships and relationships with those you serve and serve with.
- Gain a testimony of different areas/aspects of the Gospel or church organization.
For me, serving in the church has strengthened my marriage. When Kevin and I were first married, we introduced ourselves to the bishop and let him know we were ready and willing to be put to work. And our marriage has been blessed by our being willing to do whatever was asked of us. We have always tried to support each other in the calling they have. By doing this, it has helped us keep each other strong, committed, and focused on what is important in life.
But wait, there's more!.....
In the most recent general conference (April 2018) Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson gave this address: Young Women in the Work
In it, she says this:
I lived in a small branch of the Church during a good part of my teen years, and I was often asked to fulfill assignments and callings that would normally have been done by adults. For example, those of us in the youth program often took the lead in helping organize and run our activities and special events. We wrote plays, formed a singing group to entertain at branch activities, and were full participants in every meeting. I was called to be the branch music leader and led the singing in sacrament meeting each week. It was a great experience as a 16-year-old to stand in front of everyone in the branch each Sunday and lead them in singing the hymns. I felt needed and knew I had something to contribute. People depended on me to be there, and I loved feeling useful. That experience helped build my testimony of Jesus Christ and it anchored my life in gospel service.
This statement is true for me, too. I was serving in church callings, particularly Primary from the time I was 13 or 14. Back when Primary was during the week, I helped with the children before Primary started and I was the junior primary chorister when I was still in junior high, and I think I did that for a few years. I taught Primary and loved it! I can remember my sister Karen and I teaching a Primary class together.
Now that I am in my late fifty's, that means that I have been serving in the church for well over 40 years! Wow! It starts to add up. And I realize that this early church service and feeling needed has helped to solidify my testimony and commitment to the church/gospel. My life isn't over yet, but when I think about this, it has helped me to realize that serving really has saved me. Have I loved every calling I have had? Almost. But even things I thought I wouldn't like to do have turned into some of my favorite callings. I have learned how to do a lot by observing others as they serve in their callings.
And this, my friends, is my testimony of serving in the church.
