Service: The Pathway to Eternal Life

Service: The Pathway to Eternal Life
Through loving service to God's children, we prepare ourselves for eternal life in the celestial kingdom. Christ taught us the true path of service—to follow Him is to serve others with humility, compassion, and selflessness.
Learn More About Service
Read Mosiah 2:17
Why Service Matters in Our Eternal Journey
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Divine Requirement
Our Heavenly Father has established service as a fundamental requirement for those who seek to dwell with Him in eternity. This is not merely a suggestion but a divine imperative for our exaltation.
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Pathway to Eternal Life
"We must serve others to gain eternal life" (Gospel Principles, chapter 28). Service isn't simply a mortal obligation—it is the very preparation for our eternal calling in the celestial kingdom.
As we embrace opportunities to serve, we align ourselves with God's eternal purposes and begin to develop the divine attributes that will enable us to live with Him eternally. Each act of service brings us one step closer to becoming what our Heavenly Father intends us to be.
The Sacred Foundation of Service
Matthew 25:34-40
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto Me." The Savior teaches that when we serve others, we are truly serving Him.
Mosiah 2:17
"When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." King Benjamin revealed the divine connection between serving others and serving God.
Luke 22:27
"I am among you as he that serveth." Jesus Christ, our perfect exemplar, demonstrated that true leadership comes through humble service to others.
Service: The Fiber of Celestial Life
"Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made."
—President Marion G. Romney
This profound declaration from President Romney reveals a fundamental truth about eternal life: service isn't merely a requirement for entering the celestial kingdom—it is the very essence of celestial living. The nature of exalted beings is to serve one another in perfect love and harmony.
In mortality, we are given opportunities to develop this celestial attribute through serving others. Each act of service shapes our eternal character, preparing us for the perfect unity and love that characterize life in God's presence. As we serve willingly and selflessly, we are literally practicing the celestial lifestyle that awaits the faithful.
Finding Our True Selves Through Service
"The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls."
—President Spencer W. Kimball
President Kimball taught that service isn't just something we do—it's something that transforms who we are. When we serve others, we discover our divine potential and develop godlike attributes that prepare us for eternal life.
Through selfless service, we paradoxically find ourselves. As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we gain a deeper understanding of our divine nature and eternal purpose. Service helps us recognize our place in God's eternal plan.
Self-Reliance and Service: The Celestial Connection
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Self-Reliance
Being able to provide for our own spiritual and temporal needs is the gateway to service. It enables us to help others from a position of strength rather than dependence.
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Giving Service
As we become self-reliant, we can turn outward to bless others. This unselfish service is the next step in our progression toward godliness.
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Celestial Living
"Unselfish service is what Godhood is all about." When we serve others without thought of recognition or reward, we are emulating our Heavenly Father's perfect nature.
President Marion G. Romney taught that while self-reliance is important, it is merely the foundation upon which we build a life of service. The ultimate goal is not independence for its own sake, but rather developing the capacity to give and serve as God does—perfectly and eternally.
Retaining a Remission of Sins Through Service
In his powerful sermon, King Benjamin taught his people how to retain the forgiveness of sins they had received. After experiencing the mighty change of heart that comes through Christ's Atonement, they needed to maintain this spiritual state through ongoing service.
Remember God's Goodness
Benjamin counseled his people to remember God's goodness and their own nothingness, retaining in remembrance the forgiveness they had received (Mosiah 4:11).
Impart of Your Substance
He taught them to "impart of your substance to the poor," giving according to what they had received (Mosiah 4:16). Service becomes the natural expression of a forgiven heart.
The Temporal Blessings of Service
While the eternal rewards of service are paramount, the Lord also blesses us with immediate benefits as we serve others. These temporal blessings enrich our mortal experience and strengthen our spiritual capacity.
Increased Capacity to Love
As we serve others, our hearts expand and we develop a greater capacity to love as God loves—unconditionally and completely.
Reduced Selfishness
Service naturally diminishes selfish tendencies as we focus on the needs of others rather than our own desires.
Joy and Fulfillment
Authentic service brings a profound sense of joy that cannot be found through self-centered pursuits.
Healing and Comfort
As we minister to others, we often find that our own wounds are healed and our burdens lightened.
Diverse Paths of Christlike Service
Service takes many forms, allowing each of us to use our unique gifts and circumstances to bless others. The Lord expects us to serve in multiple dimensions, meeting both temporal and spiritual needs.
Economic Service
Sharing our material resources with those in need, including money, food, clothing, and shelter. Fast offerings and humanitarian aid exemplify this form of service.
Physical Service
Providing physical assistance to those who cannot care for themselves, including the elderly, sick, or disabled. This might involve cleaning, cooking, transportation, or physical care.
Social Service
Befriending the lonely, welcoming newcomers, and building community. This includes visiting those who are isolated or marginalized and creating bonds of fellowship.
Spiritual Service
Teaching gospel truths, bearing testimony, comforting the grieving, and participating in temple work. This service nourishes souls and connects heaven and earth.
Following the Savior's Perfect Example of Service
Humble Service
Jesus washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating that true leadership comes through humble service. He taught that "he that is greatest among you shall be your servant" (Matthew 23:11).
Meeting Physical Needs
The Savior fed the hungry, healed the sick, and comforted the afflicted. He recognized that temporal needs often precede spiritual receptivity.
Going About Doing Good
Acts 10:38 records that Jesus "went about doing good," making service a constant pattern rather than an occasional event. His life was characterized by continuous giving.
As we follow Christ's example of selfless service, we not only bless others but also transform our own character to become more like Him. In this way, service becomes our pathway to eternal life—the very means by which we prepare to live with God forever.