The Power in Volunteering

“Sometimes we volunteer; sometimes we are ‘volunteered.’ We see assignments not as burdens but as opportunities to fulfill covenants we gladly make to serve God and His children” (“Come, Join with Us,” Oct 2013). When we volunteer to serve our fellowmen, we gain greater access to the enabling power of the Atonement and our faith in Jesus Christ increases.

The Lord states: “men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness” (D&C 58:27). President Kimball explains “the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls” (“President Kimball Speaks Out on Service to Others,” March 1981).

As we actively volunteer to serve others we are really actively volunteering to serve God (Mosiah 2:17). As we consecrate ourselves unto the Lord and sacrifice our time of “own voluntary will” to labor diligently with the Lord in his vineyard, we become more like Him and gain greater access to the power of the Atonement (Leviticus 1:3).

I’m inspired by Nephi’s example to “go and do” (1 Nephi 3:7). While the rest of his family complained that they didn’t have any food and would perish in the wilderness after Nephi’s bow broke and his brothers’ bows had “lost their springs,” Nephi makes a new bow and asks his father: “Whither shall I go to obtain food?” (1 Nephi 16:21-23). Nephi chooses to act for himself rather than be “acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26).

I’m inspired by the two thousand young men who voluntarily entered into a covenant to fight for liberty (Alma 53:17-18). Miraculously, the Lord preserved these two thousand “stripling warriors” from perishing on the battlefield. They were blessed with increased strength from the enabling power of the Atonement because of their faithfulness.

Finally, I’m inspired by the example of the Savior. Christ was the ultimate Volunteer. In the premortal existence, Heavenly Father explained the plan of salvation that would enable us to become like Him and enjoy all the blessings that He enjoys. Central to His plan was the need for a Redeemer. He asked for a volunteer to fill this role of Savior: “Whom shall I send?” Humble, meek Jesus responded “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

Christ willingly volunteered to take upon himself death, all manner of sins and temptations, all of our pains, sicknesses, infirmities, and afflictions (Alma 7:11-13). His sufferings were infinite and utterly incomprehensible to the human finite mind. He asks us to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and strive diligently to represent Him.

The next time we’re blessed with an opportunity to voluntarily engage in service, let us remember Him and with the same vigor exemplified by the Master declare: “Here am I; send me.”