“Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (3 Nephi 12:16)
Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:
“Latter-day Saints are uniquely committed to sacrifice. In partaking of the sacrament each week, we witness our commitment to serve the Lord and our fellowmen. In sacred temple ceremonies we covenant to sacrifice and consecrate our time and talents for the welfare of others.A great example of unselfish service is the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose vow committed herself and her fellow workers to “wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor.” She taught that “one thing will always secure heaven for us—the acts of charity and kindness with which we have filled our lives.” “We can do no great things,” Mother Teresa maintained, “only small things with great love”. When this wonderful Catholic servant died, the First Presidency’s message of condolence declared, “Her life of unselfish service is an inspiration to all the world, and her acts of Christian goodness will stand as a memorial for generations to come” That is what the Savior called losing our lives in service to others.” (Ensign, May 2009)
1. Complete three selections from any of the 2011 or 2010 experiences.
2. Complete the service project.
3. Fill out the evaluation form and give it to your Ward Relief Society President.
2011-2012 GOOD WORKS PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPERIENCES
1. In April 2011 General Conference, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:
“May we show our love and appreciation for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice through our simple, compassionate acts of service.”
Read "Finding Joy Through Loving Service" (Ensign, May 2011) for Elder Nelson’s counsel about the joy of simple service. As you read, ponder the ways you can be more helpful in the different areas of service he describes. Prayerfully look for ways to render acts of simple service each day.
2. There are people all around us who are in need. They can be in our neighborhoods, our communities, country or another area of the world. Disasters strike without warning and people struggle for the necessities of life. Read the following talks to learn more about our responsibility to help others and what kinds of service the Church has been involved in around the world.
"Opportunities To Do Good" by President Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Ensign, May 2011)
"And Who Is My Neighbor" by Bishop H. David Burton of the Presiding Bishopric (Ensign, May 2008)
Look at the work that is currently being done by the Church Humanitarian Services. LDS Humanitarian Services Find a way to help with current needs yourself or organize a group of sisters to work together. Completion of this experience will also fulfill your service project for this value.
3. In your own home or other setting, plan and present a family home evening lesson about what your personal righteousness experience has taught you about the importance of good works. You could work with another sister to complete this experience.
4. Work with a Young Woman to help her complete a Value project. Her value project needs to involve 10 hours of work and be approved in advance by her Young Women’s President. Completing this experience will also fulfill your service project for this value.
5. Read these two inspiring articles. "And of Some Have Campassion - Making a Difference" by Barbara Thompson (Ensign, Nov 2010) and "Feeding His Sheep Through Visiting Teaching" (Ensign, 2008)
Look for ways to become a better visiting teacher. If you are unable to visit sisters, ask your Relief Society president if she has any sisters who could benefit from you sending Visiting Teaching messages to them.
6. Volunteer to teach a Relief Society lesson either on Sunday or a weekday class. Another idea is to volunteer to help in Primary, or teach a skill at an Achievement Day activity, a Young Women activity, Cub Scout meeting or Young Men activity.
7. Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve said,
“The willingness of Latter-day Saints to respond to calls to serve is a representation of their desire to do the will of the Lord.”
Read "Called To Serve" by Elder Packer (Ensign, Nov 1997) to learn more about the process of how the Lord calls members to serve in the church.
8. Interview someone who has served a full time mission. Ask about his/her spiritual growth on the mission and what things or incidents helped his/her testimony to grow. Write to a missionary in the field for three or more times and give encouragement using the information you gained from the interview.
9. Read the following beautiful and inspiring scripture selections:
D & C 4 and D & C 18:15. Prayerfully ask the Lord to let you know whom you can invite into your home for the missionary discussions. Record your experience and feelings in your journal or share your thoughts with a family member or friend.
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2010 GOOD WORKS PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPERIENCES
Increase your understanding of why service is a fundamental principle of the gospel. Read Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 22:35-40; Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 6:9-10; James 1:22-27, Mosiah 2:17; Mosiah 4:26; and 3 Nephi 13:1-4 and “Why Do We Serve?” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, November 1984 and “Called To Serve,” by Boyd K. Packer, Ensign November 1997.
Read all of the above, then complete at least one of the following three personal righteousness experiences:
1. Visiting teaching is the heart and soul of Relief Society. Visiting teaching brings the love of the Lord to every home and to every sister. It is a sacred trust we have been given. Why do we do visiting teaching? Mosiah describes it this way: To bear one another’s burdens… to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. Mosiah 18:8-9. Read “Rise to Your Call,” by Henry B. Eyring, Ensign November 2002. Create and write down a plan to build more caring and loving relationships with the sisters you visit teach and how you might offer better support, comfort and friendship. Take action on your plan. Record your thoughts and feelings in your journal. Continue your commitment to become a better visiting teacher.
2. When a priesthood leader extends you a calling it is important to know that you were called of God. The person who called you did not issue the call simply because he learned by interviewing you that you were worthy and willing to serve. He prayed to know the Lord’s will for you. It was prayer and revelation to those authorized of the Lord which brought you here. Your call is an example of a source of power unique to the Lord’s Church. Men and women are called of God by prophecy and by the laying on of hands by those God has authorized.
You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands. His work is to bless His Father’s spirit children with the opportunity to choose eternal life. So, your calling is to bless lives. The Lord will guide you by revelation just as He called you. You must ask in faith for revelation to know what you are to do.
Read Luke 1:46; Romans 11:13; 2 Nephi 25:13, Jacob 1:19, 2:2; D&C 24:19, 66:11; “Why Do We Serve?” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, November 1984 and “Rise to Your Call,” by Henry B. Eyring, Ensign November 2002. Elder Oaks explains several motives for serving. What is the highest and noblest motive for service? When we serve out of love for God and his children we magnify our calling. What does it mean to “magnify” your calling? Why is it important? Why is seeking guidance from the holy spirit so critical in magnifying our calling?
3. Pray for a missionary experience. Read Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19; and D&C 88:81 and Preach My Gospel – “Finding People,” Chapter 9, pages 155-158. Invite a non-member or a less active friend to a Church meeting or activity. Introduce your friend to others and make sure he or she is involved in the activity. Share your testimony of the gospel, and invite him or her to come again.
In your own home or other setting, plan and present a family home evening lesson about what your personal righteousness experience has taught you about the importance of giving service.
Select and complete one additional personal righteousness experience from the following or write one of your own or study a General Conference talk and apply a principle taught.
4. Teach a lesson in Relief Society, Young Women or Primary. Use the manual Teaching, No Greater Call as a resource. This manual can be found in the ward or branch library or online at www.lds.org
5. Pray for a missionary experience. Read Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19; and D&C 88:81 and Preach My Gospel – “Finding People,” Chapter 9, pages 155-158. Invite a non-member or less active friend to your home for the missionaries to teach. Record in your journal your actions and feelings about the experience.
6. Read Mosiah 18:7-10, and in your journal list three ways you can comfort others or help them bear their burdens. Do the things on your list, and tell a family member, friend or leader about the experience and how you your attitude and understanding have changed.
7. Complete a humanitarian service project that requires at least three hours of your time. For ideas ask the Relief Society president, a community leader or go online at www.humanitarianservices.org and click on Humanitarian Aid Kit Patterns. Note: Successful completion of this experience qualifies as a service project.
Service Project –
The Prophet Alma taught :
“And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.” Alma 7:24
There are many ways to give simple service to others. If you need ideas, your Relief Society President may know of service opportunities in the ward or stake. (No time measurement is given for this service project because service opportunities vary in length and intensity. Please use your judgement as a guide.)
Service Project –
The Prophet Alma taught :
“And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.” Alma 7:24
There are many ways to give simple service to others. If you need ideas, your Relief Society President may know of service opportunities in the ward or stake. (No time measurement is given for this service project because service opportunities vary in length and intensity. Please use your judgement as a guide.)
