John 13:13-14; 21:15-17; Mark 10:42-44; Matt. 18:12; 20:26-27; 23:12; 25:40; 3 Ne. 12:1; D&C 24:7; 50:26; 81:4-6; Luke 15:4; Ezek. 34:1-10; Prov. 3:27-29; 1 Kings 12:7; 2 Tim. 2:24; Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 123-124; Conference Report, Oct. 1948, pp. 47-48; Conference Report, Apr. 1985, pp. 56-60; refer in this text to Alma 17:18
“Continue to seek opportunities for service. Don’t be overly concerned with status. Do you recall the counsel of the Savior regarding those who seek the ‘chief seats’ or the ‘uppermost rooms’? ‘He that is greatest among you shall be your servant’ (Matt. 23:6, 11). It is important to be appreciated. But our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status. The faithful visiting teacher, who quietly goes about her work month after month, is just as important to the work of the Lord as those who occupy what some see as more prominent positions in the Church. Visibility does not equate to value.” (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1992, pp. 96-97)
“When we understand why we serve we will not worry about where we serve.” (Howard W. Hunter, BYU Devotional, Sept. 2, 1990)
“People serve one another for different reasons… . [1] Some serve for hope of earthly reward. Such a man or woman may serve in a Church position or in private acts of mercy in an effort to achieve prominence or cultivate contacts that will increase income or aid in acquiring wealth. Others may serve in order to obtain worldly honors, prominence, or power… . The scriptural word for gospel service ‘for the sake of riches and honor’ is priestcraft (Alma 1:16)… . [2] Another reason for service … is that which is motivated by a desire to obtain good companionship. We surely have good associations in our Church service, but is that an acceptable motive for service? … Persons who serve only to obtain good compaionship are more selective in choosing their friends than the Master was in choosing his servants. [3] Some serve out of fear of punishment. The scriptures abound with descriptions of the miserable state of those who fail to follow the commandments of God… . [4] Other persons serve out of a sense of duty or out of loyalty to family, friends, or traditions. I would call such persons ‘good soldiers.’ They instinctively do what they are asked, without question… . Such persons … do much good. We have all benefited from their good works… . Service of this character is worthy of praise and will surely qualify for blessings, especially if it is done willingly and joyfully… . [5] One such higher reason for service is the hope of an eternal reward. This hope … is one of our most powerful motivations… .
The above five motives for service have a common deficiency. In varying degrees each focuses on the actor’s personal advantage, either on earth or in the judgment to follow. Each is self-centered. There is something deficient about any service that is conscious of self. A few months after my calling to the Council of the Twelve, I expressed my feelings of inadequacy to one of the senior members of my quorum. He responded with this mild reproof and challenging insight: ‘I suppose your feelings are understandable. But you should work for a condition where you will not be preoccupied with yourself and your own feelings and can give your entire concern to others, to the work of the Lord in all the world.’ Those who seek to follow [the Savior’s] … example must lose themselves in their service to others… . [6] If our service is to be most efficacious, it must be unconcerned with self and heedless of personal advantage. It must be accomplished for the love of God and the love of his children… . Here we learn that it is not enough to serve God with all of our might and strength. He who looks into our hearts and knows our minds demand more than this. In order to stand blameless before God at the last day, we must also serve him with all our heart and mind.” (Dallin H. Oaks, Pure in Heart, pp. 38-49)
“Service to others deepens and sweetens this life while we are preparing to live in a better world. It is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves! In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves!” (Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, July 1978, pp. 3-7)
“Sometimes, because of the pressures of the world around us, our service projects become self service projects rather than selfless service projects… . Of all influences that cause men to choose wrong, selfishness is undoubtedly the strongest. Where it is the Spirit is not.” (William R. Bradford, Conference Report, Oct. 1987, pp. 80-83)
“Those who stand at the head must set the example. They must walk in the right path, and invite the people to follow them. They should not seek to drive the people; they should not seek to become rulers; but they should be brethren and leaders of the people.” (Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, Apr. 1901, p. 72)
“Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
“I speak of that service which is given without expectation of monetary reward. Most of the troubles of the world come because of human greed. What a therapeutic and wonderful thing it is for a man or woman to set aside all consideration of personal gain and reach out with strength and energy and purpose to help the unfortunate, to improve the community, to clean up the environment and beautify our surroundings.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Aug. 1992, p. 5)
“Service … is the golden key which unlocks the doors to celestial halls… . Wise undersheperds, in helping others to partake of the bread of life and the living water, seek neither acclaim nor accolade. The honors of men are of no consequence to them.” (Alexander B. Morrison, Ensign, May 1992, p. 14)
“Many great people I know work for much less money than they are worth because service is a greater value to them than money. Whatever career or profession you pursue, consider the value of service.” (Janette C. Hales, BYU Devotional, Mar. 16, 1993)
“Love is a potent healer. Realizing that, Satan would separate you from the power of the love of God, kindred, and friends… . He would lead you to feel that the walls are pressing in around you and there is no escape or relief. He wants you to believe you lack the capacity to help yourself and that no one else is really interested… . His strategy is to have you think you are not appreciated, loved, or wanted so that you in despair will turn to self-criticism, and in the extreme to even despising yourself and feeling evil when you are not… . If you have such thoughts, break through those helpless feelings by reaching out in love to another in need. That may sound cruel and unfeeling when you long so much for healing, but it is based upon truth. Paul taught, ‘Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.’ (Gal. 6:2). Love comes by learning how to give it to another in a spirit of trust. If you feel deprived of love, that is difficult. Yet sustained concern and support of others will engender their interest and love. You will feel needed. You become an instrument through which the Lord can bless another.” (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 1994, pp. 8-9)
“Position in the Church does not exalt anyone, but faithfulness does. On the the other hand, aspiring to a visible position—striving to become a master rather than a servant—can destroy the spirit of the worker and the work. Occasionally confusion exists regarding servants and masters. The Bible reports that a group of men ‘had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest’ among them. Jesus said, ‘If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all’ (Mark 9:34-35)… . The word servant comes from the Greek noun diakonos, which means ‘one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master,’ Diakonos is the Greek word from which the English word deacon is derived.” (Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 1996, pp. 15-16)