Written by Alice Gifford - The YW Connection
(7/24/1999)
If we could instill in the YW the desire to serve the Lord with all
their heart, mind, and strength, what a blessing they will be to their
future families! When they are called to serve in a class presidency, if
they would serve for that short period of time as if it is the most
important duty they've ever been given - they will be blessed, the
members of the class will be blessed, and the Lord's work will go
forward °Ü°
When teaching about the different people who serve in specific callings,
I think it is important to also teach that "everyone" has a part in
helping this person "serve" by supporting them in their calling. We are
able to give service in the most simple ways. Sometimes just telling
someone how much you appreciate what they do is a big lift to the person
who feels the pressure of the calling. Offering to call and remind
people about an activity even if you are not part of the presidency is a
great way to "serve" the presidency and class members. We may not have a
specific calling at this time but we are still able to sacrifice some of
our time and talents to "serve others".
One of the great stories in the scriptures is about the Widow of
Zarephath (l Kings 17:10-ll) We mostly associate this story with the
principle of faith but there is also a lesson in service here. She is
asked by Elijah "Fetch me I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that
I may drink and she went to bring him water. As she was going he said,
Bring me, I pray thee a morsel of bread in thine hand" I pray and she
did." She served Elijah with what she had to give and was blessed for
her service and obedience. I imagine this woman tired and hungry;
preparing to die she was still willing to serve when asked.
One of the talks from a previous conference that has stuck in my mind is
the talk given by President Faust re: tithing and temples. In this
lesson we are taught on of the ways we can "serve" is by paying our
tithing and fast offerings. Elder Faust talked about a sister who went
the extra mile and donated extra to the temple fund by giving up some of
the extras in her life.
"The Lord speaks of offerings in the plural. He expects us, as a
condition of faithfulness, to pay our tithing and our fast offerings to
help the poor and the needy. But we are privileged to make other
offerings, not by way of assignment, assessment, or ecclesiastical
direction. Among these are donations to the General Missionary Fund,
Humanitarian Aid Fund, and the Book of Mormon Fund. We are also
privileged to voluntarily contribute to building the new temples
President Hinckley has announced.
Recently I received an anonymous letter from a person who made a
substantial sacrifice for the General Temple Fund of the Church. She
said: "I decided when I wanted to spend any money on myself I would
forgo it and put the money into the temple fund. This meant no new
clothes or shoes, books, hair appointments, necklaces, or anything of a
personal nature until I reached my goal. I thought this would be a
sacrifice, but instead I have found joy in it. It has been a rewarding
and fulfilling experience."
The Prophet Joseph Smith once said, "A religion that does not require
the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the
faith necessary unto life and salvation." He continues, "Those who do
not make the sacrifice cannot enjoy this faith, because men are
dependent upon this sacrifice in order to obtain this faith."14 (Elder
Faust - Oct l998 - Windows of Heaven)
This talk had a great impact on me and I thought that one of the ways I
could contribute would be to give back everything that I "save" when
shopping. So when I go grocery shopping and save with coupons or store
specials, I keep track of the amount I saved and I give donate this to
the temple fund. The money adds up fast and it's fun! Or if I save
somewhere else, I keep track of this. The girls might consider giving up
one outfit they had planned to purchase for school and donate the money
to the temple fund °Ü°
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