This article is one in a series of articles about explaining our Mormon beliefs to our friends. See other articles in this series.

One way our church is different from many other churches is that Mormons volunteer their time to serve as leaders and teachers in local congregations. Unlike ministers from other faiths who feel they receive their call to the ministry directly through the inspiration of God, the calling of an LDS leader is a formal, official invitation to serve from church leaders who extend the call after study, prayer and inspiration from God.

Below are some resources you may want to share with others to explain this:

• Below is an infographic that explains how Mormons volunteer in the local congregations.
• Read the share the articles “Mormon Lay Ministry: An Opportunity to Serve” and “Lay Leadership: Volunteer Ministry of the Church” from the Church’s Mormon Newsroom.
• Read the Deseret News article “Was Mitt Romney the ‘quintessential’ Mormon stake president? A look at volunteer LDS leaders.”

I hope you find these resources helpful and that you share them with others. Perhaps you could write on your Facebook page or blog today about how you serve in your ward and how you feel about it. Then link to the infographic.

What other ideas do you have that you can share with others? Post them in the comments below.