Lesson Summary - "What Have I Done For Someone Today?" - President Thomas S. Monson

"What Have I Done For Someone Today?" - President Thomas S. Monson

President Monson has such a great story telling voice. I can't help but be enraptured every time he speaks.  You can listen to part of this talk in the following video.






As I was watching this video, I recalled a couple of instances where I experienced the joys of service.  One where I was the server, and another where I was the served. These are very personal experiences that are very dear to me, so please keep that in mind as you read. I am sharing very special memories.

The first happened while I was in college.  I was far from home, and a couple in my ward with several small children were very kind to me.  They invited me to their apartment to eat often and always checked up on me.  I just loved them.  Every time I went to their home, I could feel the Spirit so strong.  They were such good people. Always willing to help someone in need.  As I went to their home to eat, though, I noticed that their apartment was much smaller than mine.  They didn't have much furniture.  Their kids' clothes were old and worn.  I wanted to do something for them.  I wanted to help them because they had been so kind to me.  As I thought about what I could do, I realized that my sister's children were just older than theirs.  I called up my sister and asked her if there were any clothes that her children couldn't wear anymore that I could give to these people.  My wonderful sister took on the task, and the next time I went to visit her, I got a huge garbage bag full of clothes.  I was so excited to give them to this family.  The next Sunday, I told this family about the clothes and helped them put them in their car.  We didn't get to say much because we were both in a hurry that day.  Later that week, I got a call from her while I was taking a nap.  She left a voicemail on my phone that I'll never forget.  She told me that they had been praying for a way to afford new clothes for their children and what I gave them was exactly what they needed--the right sizes, the right type of clothes.  After hearing that message, I jumped out of bed and did a dance in my room because I was SO happy!  It felt so good to help someone else.

The second instance I thought of was also in college.  I'm sure you're all familiar with the term "starving college student."  It's pretty common.  I was working two jobs my last year in college to make ends meet.  I had a great job at the university library and got a chance to meet some truly wonderful people there.  I remember one time one of the ladies that worked there saw me shivering at my desk.  We started talking about how cold it was that time of year, and she asked me why I didn't wear gloves when I walked to work.  I told her I didn't own any gloves.  A week or so later was the Christmas holidays.  I came into work one morning to find two pairs of gloves with a note that simply said "From Santa."  I couldn't believe that she thought enough of me to buy those for me.  I was so grateful!  I'm pretty sure I still have at least one set of those.  Every time I wear them, I think of her sweet gesture to a poor, cold college student.  It really brightened my day and warmed my... hands.  :)

I truly do believe that we can become happier by serving others and allowing others to serve us.  I have been on both ends of the spectrum, and it is beautiful.  I really feel that if we spend less time worrying about our problems and more time finding ways to help others with theirs that there would be less sorrow in this world.  Our acts of service don't have to be huge.  A smile or a phone call could make someone feel ten times better than they did.

So let's all "raise up and do something more than dream of [our] mansion above"  Doing good IS a pleasure.  What have YOU done for someone today?