The scriptures tell us to serve one another. Jesus Christ taught this commandment through his doctrine and by his example. Serving our fellowmen is part of being a disciple of Christ and following him.

There is a two-fold phenomenon that takes place when we serve. Obviously, the recipients are blessed by our service but instantaneously we are blessed for giving the service.

When we serve one another, we gain perspective and gratitude for our own lives and circumstances. We begin to become more like Christ whose life was focused on service. As we serve more, we also develop charity – the pure love of Christ – and begin to love our neighbors as God loves them.

The Savior taught his disciples, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” The current president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thomas S. Monson explained this more. “I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives,” Monson said. “Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish – and in effect save their lives.”

Virtually, by serving others we find more purpose to our own lives and more happiness. David O. McKay made this statement: “Man’s greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others.”

I’m proud to be a part of this community. For the past 15 years, I have gotten to know many, good people who are living and serving alongside one another. They are excellent examples of disciples of Christ, doing service in the world.

So many people here are serving each other and working to better the community. For every service project and organization I know of, I am sure there are just as many I don’t know about.

To help the service effort in our community, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started a new networking website to link willing volunteers with service opportunities in the area.

There is strength in uniting together to serve more. Fittingly this website is called JustServe.org. JustServe allows for anyone to post and find service projects and volunteer opportunities.

This website is a tool to create a stronger community by uniting us in doing good works in the world. Whenever I think of service, I think of one of my favorite LDS hymns, “Have I done any good?”

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?

There are chances for work all around just now,

Opportunities right in our way.

Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”

But go and do something today.

‘Tis noble of man to work and to give;

Love’s labor has merit alone.

Only he who does something helps others to live.

To God each good work will be known.

Remember, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

Michael Nelson is the stake president of Puyallup Washington Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.