Part 5: What’s In It for Me?!

The event that prompted me to create this category was a church meeting spotlighting service missionary opportunities by listening to those that had served in these positions.

What could be wrong with that? Well, quite a lot, actually.

Almost without exception, the people sharing their ideas that night focused, almost entirely, on the benefits that accrued to them from serving. For example, they reported increased spirituality, personal growth, how their lives went better, and the better feelings they had toward people and the Church.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, but the benefits of serving and the benefits that accrued to the Church and those they served seemed lost in the list of benefits they personally experienced in their own lives.

When you are serving in the Church, the focus should be on the service, not whatever you glean from it. If you are serving others, you should be more concerned with what they are getting out of it, not what you are.

Unfortunately, this seems to be a selfish approach to Church service.

This sort of attitude can play out in numerous ways. For example, missionaries who are overly concerned about where they get to serve rather than the fact that they get to serve are indicative of it.

Being preoccupied with getting callings where you receive an impressive title is also an indication.

Recently, I was deciding what sort of indexing projects to focus on. It seems I can maximize my name count by selecting the beginning index projects. The advanced projects are time-consuming and tedious and don’t yield a high name count.

I’ve decided to deal with this problem in two ways so that I don’t inordinately focus on my name count.

First, I’m not going to brag about my name count to anyone or even myself.

Second, I’m going to focus on advanced projects to avoid the temptation to maximize my name count, especially since most people seem to avoid them.

Jesus Christ didn’t have an “I” or “Me” focus. He spent all of his time and attention doing things for others. He didn’t want the glory either.


Spiritual Vaunting and the Perils of the Rameumptom Syndrome

“As teachers, we may speak with the tongues of angels; we may entertain, delight, amuse, astound. But if we have failed in keeping our focus on Jesus Christ, we have missed the mark and our teaching is only a shadow of what it ought to be. Always keep the focus on our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Teaching in the Savior’s Way with Elder Uchtdorf”. Address given June 12, 2022. Accessed June 12, 2022 from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts?lang=eng&video=19634698842979671470&mode=watch

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