Service

One of the central teachings of Jesus Christ is the importance of loving God by serving His children. It could be said that the entire life of the Savior was an example of loving service, both for His Father in Heaven as well as all of humanity. In both how He lived and gave His life, Jesus demonstrated that the most well-lived life is filled with, and dedicated to, serving our Father in Heaven by serving His children.

In the Book of Mormon, we are reminded of this concept by King Benjamin, who said, 


In one of the greatest sermons in the Book of Mormon, Jesus provided His expectation for His disciples to follow His example when He asked,

The teachings of Jesus throughout His life were no different. In John 13:34-35 He taught,

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The Lord taught that not only is it impossible to follow His example without living a life of loving service, it is essential to becoming one of His disciples.

The Savior taught the importance of service in even more detail, when He forewarned His disciples what He will say to “all nations":

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me…For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Matthew. 25:40-45)

At New Jerusalem Academy, we believe the Lord’s example and teachings of service were meant to show us that a life dedicated to serving our Father in Heaven is essential for a happy and fulfilling life. Whenever we do good things or bad to those around us, and especially those in need, the Lord considers it the same as if we were doing it to Him. As we serve in our community, we help our students to view those around them with this kind of love. We teach students that each person is a child of God, whom our Father in Heaven and Jesus love as much as they love themselves. At the same time, we are very much aware of life’s dangers. We also teach students that our church leaders admonish us to be wise, keep ourselves safe and to keep balance in life.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni knew our present world would be tempted with endless distractions. He wanted to teach us how to live a more fulfilling life. So he asked everyone in the future a series of heart wrenching questions,

Do [you] love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted?... have ye polluted the holy church of God…are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ…do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness…do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not? (Mormon 8:37-39)

It is so difficult for youth to avoid the many distractions of life that can take any of us away from what is most important. At New Jerusalem Academy our students learn where “endless happiness” is found. To help our students develop the habit of serving often and making service a safe, balanced, regular part of their lives, we provide them regular opportunities to give back to their community. We also teach service in the classroom by encouraging acts of kindness and service. It is our desire that these regular activities will instill firmly within students’ hearts a desire to dedicate their lives to serving their Father in Heaven, as best they can, and help them learn through experience how caring for people can bring them true happiness. Throughout this process, students learn that it is their perspective, goals and the desires of their hearts that can turn any moment, activity or career path they choose into a life filled with service and dedication to their Father in Heaven. This process also helps them to develop and draw closer to the Lord, by helping them increase in love, charity and compassion for others, while helping them develop an enjoyment and passion for seeking activities that are most important to the Lord.

Service activities with New Jerusalem Academy are enjoyable experiences that help us teach our students some of life’s greatest lessons. Students, teachers, volunteers, staff and those we serve, look forward to them as enjoyable and fulfilling experiences, where all have the opportunity to learn what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.