At a recent community service event I helped organize, Latter-day Saints joined others in distributing hundreds of food boxes, including frozen ground venison that LDS young people processed from deer donated by hunters.
A frustrated missionary paused, trying to get someone — anyone — to listen to a message about Christ, and spent an hour teaching English, feeling buoyed up by an overwhelming sense of how much Jesus loves each person.
Community service. It’s a good idea when we get around to it. Except this: Until we take seriously the call to serve all God’s children, we can never become a Zion society. Personal benefits include “increased sense of purpose in life and reduced feelings of loneliness, depression and hopelessness,” said Dr. Eric S. Kim, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia.
Community service is also one of the best ways to retain youth and new converts, invite friends and fulfill many callings by bringing others along to the church.
Worldwide church efforts are commendable: “4,119 humanitarian projects in 191 countries and territories in 2023 — with 6.2 million hours of volunteer work and $1.36 billion in expenditures.”
But many members feel disconnected from these reported efforts. They feel good knowing that their checks are going to good causes, but few are personally invested in the soul-stretching, much-needed local work serving “the least of these” (Matthew 25:34-46).
JustServe, the program overseen by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is intended to make it easier to serve in the community and in some ways it does. JustServe.org is a searchable database of service opportunities, administered by JustServe specialists.
I served as a JustServe specialist in the faith’s Boston Massachusetts Stake and the San Antonio Texas East Stake for a combined eight years. In both places, it was hard work to get this program off the ground. Many people patted me on the head, saying, “Such nice work. You just keep going.” Members gave generously for food drives and clothing collections; some missionaries served regularly at food pantries or senior centers. But most members said, “We’re busy with our family and church. We don’t have time for the community.” Many missionaries said, “We’re too busy teaching.”
Common pushback to calls for more active community service that I’ve heard include:
Instead of getting involved in the community, we should support the bishops’ storehouse and contribute fast offerings. We already have a system in place to feed the poor (our own). We can’t feed the whole world.
Instead of getting involved in the community, we should read the scriptures more.
Ditto for more temple worship, which will solve the problems of the world.
While scripture study and temple worship are vital, my answer is 1 Corinthians 13:2: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith. . . and have not charity, I am nothing.”
Rather than confine our efforts within chapel walls, we can follow the people of the Book of Mormon’s Alma, who “did not send away any ..., whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need” (Alma 1:30).
Church founder Joseph Smith said, “[We are] to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them.”
Sharon Eubank, a former counselor in the general presidency of the women’s Relief Society who directs the church’s humanitarian services, added, “Through your ministry, donations, time and love, you have been the answer to so many prayers. And yet there is so much more to do.”
You will rarely have time, but you can make time.
Members: Instead of seeing community service as an optional activity, think of how you can include your family, friends and those you are called to serve, such as your Primary or seminary class, or your ministering families. Bring them along as a way to fulfill your calling and your responsibility as a disciple of Christ.
Leaders: Integrate community service into your organization as a central part of being a disciple of Christ, not just an add-on when you have time. Watch morale, retention and missionary work soar.
Missionaries: Check with your mission president. Think of your community service to all God’s children as part of your missionary responsibilities, not just an optional good idea. See “Go About Doing Good,” Preach My Gospel, Chapter 1, and “Service in the Community,” Missionary Handbook, 2.7 and 7.2.
While JustServe.org operates better in some areas than in others, you might be surprised by what you find, for both in-person and remote service ideas. If you don’t find a match, poke around in your community in an area that interests you, such as animals or literacy, refugees or the environment, seniors or homelessness.
The world needs you. And serving others might just be the answer to your own needs, too.
(Marci McPhee) Marci McPhee is editor to Steve Young, Richard and David Ostler, and Fatimah Salleh, among others.
Marci McPhee is editor to Steve Young, Richard and David Ostler, and Fatimah Salleh, among others (see www.marcimcpheewriter.com). Mother of six and grandmother of 16, she has lived in places such as Germany, Panama, Boston, Texas and Louisiana.
The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.
