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Called to Serve

In all of the scriptures, there has probably never been a more successful missionary than Ammon. The reasons why he was so successful are formulaic and can be followed by anyone wishing to engage in missionary work. I would invite any considering a mission to seriously study and ponder the chapters written about Ammon and his brethren and identify the things they did to enhance their spirituality and closeness to the Lord, which gave them access to the blessings and power they needed in their work. They are the same things you will need in your work, also.

In a larger sense, they are the same things we all need in our lives. We are engaged in a great latter-day work, sharing the gospel, redeeming the dead, and perfecting ourselves as saints. We find ourselves most truly and absolutely as we refine our lives and bring them in line with what our Heavenly Father wants of us. Thus, in losing our lives in His service, we find our lives all over again. It is in the abandonment of our own selfish will and desire to the Lord's (realizing, of course, that His will is most excellent and far superior to our own, and is what enables us to achieve blessings we would otherwise miss) that we become free.

I have said this before, and I am sure that I will say it again: the call to the Priesthood is a call to serve. Those who bear the Holy Priesthood of God have the right only to serve others in humility, faith, and meekness. It is not a call to lord ourselves over those we serve. It is not something that makes us better than others. The Doctrine and Covenants states that we must be the servant of all if we would be the greatest. Those who seek to exercise dominion over others in any degree of unrighteousness find themselves without the very authority they need in order to perform. We must be patient, loving, kind, and soul-enlarging with our pure knowledge and example. We must love as Christ loved. And only in this way are we able to reach out to those whom we would lead, showing forth examples of Christ and His love and service. That is the only authority and power that the Priesthood has - the authority and power to serve and bless and lead through love and Christ-like example. Any who deviate from this find themselves without any authority and are left to themselves.

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