Servants and Handmaids

As Isaiah described the gathering of the House of Israel he said, “They shall return to their lands of promise. And the house of Israel shall possess them, and the land of the Lord shall be for servants and handmaids” (2 Nephi 24:2).  Joel similarly gave us these words of the Lord concerning the last days: “Upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit” (Joel 2:29).  One way to interpret this is that those who have had humble means and been oppressed in the eyes of the world—symbolized by servants and handmaids, very lowly positions in society—will be the ones whom the Savior will gather to make up His people in the last days.  In other words, a humble station in life will help lead people to find and follow the gospel path.  Another way we might understand these references to servants and handmaids is the inverse: the gospel will turn people to be humble and become servants and handmaids.  The more that we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and advance in our discipleship, the more we will see our own nothingness before God and become servants to Him and those around us.  Indeed, that is how Isaiah saw himself—though he was a prophet called of God, he described being a servant as his fundamental purpose for existence: “And now, saith the Lord—that formed me from the womb that I should be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him” (1 Nephi 21:5).  Unlike what it means to advance in worldly terms, the more we develop in the gospel the more we will serve others with humility.  The Savior put it this way: “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 23:11).

One of the greatest blessings of the Restoration is that it provides us with numerous opportunities to become true servants and handmaids for the Lord.  From missionary work to ministering assignments and church callings and service projects, from serving in the temple to setting up tables and donating fast offerings and making meals for those in need, we all have the chance to serve.  In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the responsibility to help and teach and serve is upon all willing members and not only those leaders who preside.  In the revelation given as the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord described how Joseph Smith was specifically called to give us the Lord’s commandments, but He also described His desire for all to have the opportunity to serve even as the prophet would: “That every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:20).  The prophet or leaders of the church have no monopoly on the ability to speak and serve in the name of the Lord—we can all do that if we will. 

As I think about my own life, it’s hard to imagine it without the blessings of the Restoration that have come to me through opportunities to serve even when others could have done a much better job than me.  As a young deacon I served in a quorum presidency, learning what it means to plan and counsel together, to think about others over whom I had stewardship and visit those in need.  When I was a freshman in college I was given the opportunity to serve as an executive secretary to the Bishop, and I gained far more than I gave as I watched experienced men seek inspiration in their service to the young people in our ward.  The great blessings I received serving as a missionary are hard to number—from learning a foreign language and getting to know people from many different cultures to discovering what it means to lose yourself in the pursuit of the welfare of others.  Through my membership in the Church I have also had many opportunities to teach and speak in front of others, to develop leadership skills, and to even learn a new instrument.  These are just a few of the good things that have come to me from my small chances for service in the gospel, and my experience is no doubt similar to many others.  How blessed we are to be able to become “servants and handmaids” in the restored gospel!