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service is to use my gifts and talents to help somebody else…so that they can turn<br />

around and help somebody else (VT14).<br />

to share what I have and help others to reach their potential (VT15).<br />

You’re giv<strong>in</strong>g your best, not just your physical, mental, best, but your spiritual<br />

best to those that you’re teach<strong>in</strong>g (VT8).<br />

us<strong>in</strong>g the Priesthood 16 (VT7).<br />

giv<strong>in</strong>g your time, your talents, your energy, to help other people (VT2).<br />

I get to share experiences that I do know about from my mission, from my<br />

learn<strong>in</strong>g, and I get to share that with the students (VT3).<br />

I’m sacrific<strong>in</strong>g part of myself, whether it be time, knowledge, wisdom, and<br />

talents. Giv<strong>in</strong>g it to other people and allow<strong>in</strong>g them to benefit from it (VT4).<br />

Service as Mutual Strengthen<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Although volunteer teachers gave answers that focused on strengthen<strong>in</strong>g others, five<br />

also <strong>in</strong>dicated that reach<strong>in</strong>g out <strong>in</strong> service could not only strengthen others, but also<br />

themselves. Church doctr<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>dicates that a person’s relationships and knowledge are<br />

the only “possessions” that will be able to be taken to the next life (Doctr<strong>in</strong>e and<br />

Covenants 130: 18-19). As such, the importance of ga<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g ample positive association<br />

and wisdom are important life goals, and service is a direct and effective way to<br />

<strong>in</strong>crease both. Personal <strong>in</strong>crease was not portrayed as a selfish aspect of service, but<br />

rather as a chance for <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g personal enthusiasm to spur ongo<strong>in</strong>g service to<br />

others. Illustrative answers of the receiv<strong>in</strong>g side of service are illustrated below,<br />

The greatest th<strong>in</strong>g I’ve found out is when you give service you always f<strong>in</strong>d true<br />

joy. It makes you feel happy, and that’s what makes you want to do more, because<br />

it feels good (VT6).<br />

We’re help<strong>in</strong>g people to understand…for me, what happens is, we start see<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

way the Lord sees…we get an opportunity ourselves to progress as teachers. Like<br />

example, for me, I’m teach<strong>in</strong>g Doctr<strong>in</strong>e and Covenants. I know noth<strong>in</strong>g at all<br />

about Doctr<strong>in</strong>e and Covenants, historically. Church history, I don’t know much at<br />

16 The Priesthood for members of the Church refers to the authority to act <strong>in</strong> God’s name on the earth.<br />

It is given to worthy males <strong>in</strong> the Church and its purpose <strong>in</strong> to bless and serve others.<br />

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