Submit to God by serving others
It is the tendency of mankind to seek self-benefit. The only remedy for the deep-seated selfishness of mankind is to willingly submit to God.1 In opposition to man’s natural motive—which is to get everything he can, irrespective of what it costs others—God’s motive is to maximize the joy of all, irrespective of what it costs him.2
The transition from one’s natural state into a servant of God occurs as one learns and lives to maximize the purpose of God, which is to provide everything necessary so that all people progress as far as they are willing to into greater and longer-lasting happiness.3
You cannot serve God without serving others.4 The consideration of others above self is a nonnegotiable quality of conversion.5 The converted do not seek their own benefit before the benefit of others.6 In doing this they walk in the example and after the order of God.
The Lord directly explained that he expects us to emulate his love for all people, commanding us to practice it in the same form it was demonstrated.7 God’s purpose is for you to love him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength,8 and to love others9 as God loves you.10 Our happiness here and hereafter is maximized to the extent that we take advantage of God’s love by becoming more like him11 and demonstrate God’s love by helping others to do the same.12
Footnotes
- 1. For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. (Mosiah 3:19) ↩
- 2. He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. (2 Nephi 26:24) ↩
- 3. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) ↩
- 4. And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:17) ↩
- 5. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:32) ↩
- 6. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-16) ↩
- 7. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (John 15:12) ↩
- 8. Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him. (D&C 59:5) ↩
- 9. Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God. (D&C 82:19) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35) ↩
- 10. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (John 15:12) ↩
- 11. And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Mosiah 2:41) ↩
- 12. As you allow the love of God to fill you and flow out to others, you will experience more and longer lasting joy than is available in any other way. “And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.” (1 Nephi 11:21-23) ↩