The Gift of Giving: Finding the Lord in Acts of Service

When I was first sent out, I thought I knew what 'service' meant. I thought it was about showing up, showing up early, and having the perfect answers for every missionary discussion. I thought I had to be *doing* the work to prove I was worthy of the Spirit.

But the more time I spent in the field, and the more I spoke with fellow disciples, the more I realized that the gospel isn't a checklist of perfect actions. It's a continuous outpouring of selfless care—a constant gift that flows from the heart. It's about realizing that the Lord wants us to be disciples who serve, not just disciples who *know*.

Service as a Gospel Principle

Nothing illustrates this principle better than the simple, profound act of donating blood. It's a gift that requires nothing more than a few minutes of time and a little bit of courage.

Watching this video from the BYU-Hawaii blood drive, I was struck not just by the numbers—the potential to save 120 lives—but by the personal motivations of the donors. One gentleman shared his experience, not just as a donation, but as a tribute to a family member who passed away. He turned a painful memory into a tangible act of service. That is the heart of the work.

"Greater love hath no man love than this; that a man should lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

We are called to be Internet missionaries, disciples everywhere, all the time. And sometimes, the most natural, local, and immediate ways we can donate to the 'work' aren't with a tract or a scripture study, but with a simple, selfless act of care. It can be volunteering at a local community center, helping a neighbor, or even just consistently showing up to the temple.

Applying the Principle: Finding the Need

This principle of service reminds me a lot of what we talk about when we prepare for missionary discussions. Sometimes, the hardest part isn't knowing the scriptures, but identifying the true need of the person across from you. It requires listening, having compassion, and being willing to give of your time and energy without expecting a return.

If you're working on your missionary preparation, remember this: the best way to learn to answer the hard questions is to first practice the principle of service. When you are speaking with an investigator, don't just be ready with your answers; be ready to *listen*. Be ready to point them to the resources, to recommend an Iron Rod author, or to guide them to a local Book Club in HolyPlaces.

A Tip from Davee: The AI Investigator Approach

If you ever feel stumped in a conversation, remember that your goal is to guide, not to dominate. Our friend Davee, our AI Investigator, always reminds us that the best answer often leads the investigator back to the source—the Spirit, the scriptures, or a local opportunity. If they ask about the nature of the Atonement, don't give a monologue. Instead, help them find the passage, or invite them to a Bible Study Group where they can discuss it with others. Service means knowing where to point them next.

Your Turn to Serve

The beautiful thing about discipleship is that it always has a harvest. Just as the blood drive showed that every single donation helps save multiple lives, every single time we give of ourselves to the work—whether it's a little bit of time for a companion study, or helping a friend understand the Book of Mormon—it ripples out and helps someone else find the gospel.

I encourage you to look for a simple way this week to donate to the 'work.' Maybe it's a text to an old friend, a donation of time to a ward activity, or even simply showing up to the temple. Don't wait for the big moment; the Lord is at work through the little, consistent gifts of service.

If you want to deepen your understanding of service and discipleship, I highly recommend diving into *Preach My Gospel*. It’s a foundational text for all of us who are called to be internet missionaries. And if you want to join a group of fellow disciples who are committed to service, check out the nearest Bible Study Group through HolyPlaces. Let's keep the momentum going and keep the work flowing!