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TheDiscipleMD

On a tombstone was carved the following epitaph:

Here lies a miser who lived for himself,

And cared for nothing but gathering pelf,

Now, where he is, or how he fares,

Nobody knows and nobody cares.

Gordon B. Hinckley once  said that those who reach out to lift and serve others “will come to know a happiness . . . never known before. . . . Heaven knows there are so very, very, very many people in this world who need help. Oh, so very . . . many. Let’s get the cankering, selfish attitude out of our lives, my brothers and sisters, and stand a little taller and reach a little higher in the service of others.”

J. Reuben Clark taught that “there is no greater blessing, no greater joy and happiness than comes to us from relieving the distress of others.”

It’s an interesting thing but everyone I know feels the same after serving or helping another. The feeling; it’s a warm feeling of goodness that washes over, not only your body, but also your soul. This is the true blessing of service. Is there a better feeling? That is why so often we are advised by wise and experienced men and women of God, that when you are in your darkest moments, and although it sometimes takes great effort, do something good or say something nice to someone, and we will feel better. Perhaps the feeling doesn’t last as long as we would like. But the momentary relief of joy that comes from service to another, can sooth our wounds and help us through another day. This has been my experience.

The greatest example of how service can buoy the spirit is recorded in the gospel of John.

“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father…He riseth from supper…and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded…after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13)

With his darkest hour shortly ahead, the Savior took the time to serve the apostles and teach them that it is through service to their fellow-man that true happiness can be found. When we live a life of service and help others on their way, others do know where we are, and how we fare. Everyone knows, and everybody cares.