God knows you perfectly. He loves you perfectly. His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, has asked you, “Come, follow me.” Thus, in a very real and majestic sense, each of us is called To Serve.
As President Merrill Oaks kindly introduced me, I was reminded that I’ve been introduced in the Marriott Center by both President Dallin Oaks and President Merrill Oaks. I hold them both in high regard. While I didn’t know their father, I knew their mother, Stella. She was an exceptional woman, and her spiritual qualities are evident in Merrill and Dallin Oaks.
It’s a pleasure to be with you tonight, alongside President Rex Lee and his wife, Janet. Sometimes, you meet people and instantly feel a deep connection, as if your friendship is not a new beginning but a continuation. I feel this way about President and Sister Lee, and others here, as we reconnect.
As Easter approaches, with its profound meaning, we should celebrate God’s incredible gift of immortality, freely and universally given—”For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). However, God’s greatest gift—eternal life—is reserved for a relatively few: those who respond to Jesus’ call, “Come, follow me” (Luke 18:22). It is this invitation to discipleship, to actively serve Him, that I wish to discuss tonight. The magnificent gift of the Resurrection is enhanced by the exaltation of eternal life, attainable through the depth of our discipleship and our willingness to serve.
Following tonight’s beautiful invocation, I ask for your hearts and minds as we delve into some of the profound doctrines of God. These kingdom principles should not be treated lightly, so I encourage both your thoughtful listening and personal reflection.
When Jesus took upon Himself the heavy, atoning yoke to redeem humanity by enduring the agonizing penalty for our sins, He experienced what He called the “fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God” (D&C 76:107). The very phrase inspires awe. Jesus also willingly took on additional suffering to experience and understand “according to the flesh” human sicknesses, weaknesses, and sorrows, even those not caused by sin (Alma 7:11–12). Consequently, through His great atonement, Jesus gained unparalleled empathy and perfect mercy, enabling Him to perfectly serve us.
In turn, He who carried the atoning yoke asks, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me” (Matthew 11:29). Accepting Jesus’ yoke signifies true discipleship and a commitment to serve. I especially address those of you who are young: there is no greater calling, no greater challenge, and no greater source of joy—both immediate and lasting—than the journey of discipleship and dedicated service. This path brings its own joys and assurances. However, do not expect the world to understand or appreciate your discipleship and desire to serve. They often won’t. They might admire you from a distance, yet be perplexed by the priorities that stem from your devotion.
Taking on the yoke of discipleship profoundly deepens our adoration and understanding of Jesus. Through our own, smaller-scale experiences, we gain valuable insight into the Savior’s experience. In this sacred process, the more we emulate Jesus by allowing our wills to be “swallowed up in the will of the Father,” the more we learn (Mosiah 15:7). This emulation directly enhances our reverence for Jesus and strengthens our desire to serve as He served.
Simultaneously, as we become more like Jesus, we come to know Him more intimately. There might be a deeper, more literal meaning than we currently grasp in His declaration, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). Jesus often imparts more than we are prepared to comprehend at the time.
Returning to the concept of submissiveness and service, the Prophet Joseph Smith, in a redemptive letter to his rebellious brother William, wrote, “God requires the will of his creatures, to be swallowed up in his will.” He urged William to make “one tremendous effort to overcome his passions and please God” (Dean C. Jessee, comp. and ed., The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1984], p. 115). Sadly, William did not, just as we sometimes fail to overcome our own desires and, consequently, fail to “please God.” We become too preoccupied with self-gratification instead of seeking opportunities to serve.
In contrast, meek Enoch reached a point in his discipleship, as Paul wrote, where he received a testimony that he pleased God (see Hebrews 11:5). Reflect on this, brothers and sisters. It is possible to reach a state where you know you are pleasing God through your dedicated service and devotion.
A mistake we can make during this mortal experience, particularly in an academic setting, is to value knowledge in isolation from the other virtues developed through submissive discipleship and service. Knowledge is crucial. Its discovery, preservation, and transmission are primary reasons for this university. Yet, knowledge alone, without cultivating love, mercy, meekness, and patience, is insufficient for complete discipleship and a life of service. Intellectual agreement with truth, if not applied, deprives us of vital, personal experiences. It is like attending a lecture without lab work, or receiving a briefing on a field trip but never going. We likely had orientation briefings in the premortal realm about mortal life, but the actual experience is vastly different.
Therefore, while knowledge is undeniably important, it cannot save us by itself. I sometimes worry in Church classes that we become so focused on discussing doctrines that the discussion itself becomes a substitute for living them and serving others. King Benjamin’s sobering words remain profoundly relevant: “And now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them” (Mosiah 4:10). Deeds, not mere words—becoming, not just describing—are paramount in true discipleship and service.
Of course, teaching and learning doctrines are essential. We would be spiritually lost without them, and without the saving and exalting gospel ordinances, because:
in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh. (D&C 84:20–21)
Discipleship, therefore, requires us to translate doctrines, covenants, ordinances, and teachings into improved personal conduct and a life of service. Otherwise, we may be doctrinally rich but spiritually impoverished!
Celestial attributes—like love, patience, mercy, meekness, and submissiveness—represent who we are meant to become. They are not simply a list of qualities to recite. Awareness, even articulate awareness, without application and active service, is insufficient. Furthermore, these attributes cannot be developed abstractly. Relevant experiences, even those we might avoid, are necessary. Moreover, our individual development timelines are aligned with God’s plan, not our own. His timetable, when followed, prepares us incrementally for the journey of discipleship, service, and returning home.
Every sincere disciple desires to return home to Heavenly Father and be welcomed by Jesus. But the Prophet Joseph Smith declared that we cannot go where They are unless we become more like Them in principles, attributes, and character (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 216).
Among the many restored truths, God has certainly given us “enough and to spare.” However, we are soberly reminded that “unto whom much is given much is required” (D&C 82:3). I hope we feel the weight of the word required. It is used instead of the softer expected, nor does the Lord say, “It would be nice if…” The word is required, again emphasizing the necessity of submissiveness and dedicated service in discipleship.
The gospel’s rich and true doctrines combine to form a call to a new and more abundant life, but this is a gradual process. It demands significant time, learning through relevant experiences, keeping covenants, and receiving essential ordinances—all to propel us along the discipleship path of personal progression and service. On this journey, we shed our old selves. The natural man or woman is “put off,” and we find ourselves becoming more saintly (see Mosiah 3:19). We witness such saintliness all around us in the Church—quiet, good individuals, not necessarily prominent, who are becoming saints through humble service. This should be the experience of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We even feel gentle, helpful nudges—you and I experience them at times—reminding us of our true identity. As eternal beings temporarily living in time, it’s often more than a whisper that tells us we are strangers here and our ultimate home is elsewhere (see “O My Father,” Hymns, 1985, no. 292).
Walking and overcoming by faith is not easy. Time constantly limits our perspective, and the world persistently tempts us. No wonder Jesus gives us instructive words about the narrow and straight path back home: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He then added, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus established strict conditions for those who desire to serve Him and return to the Father.
We live in a world where many others consider themselves Christians, and some live admirable lives. However, some who identify as Christians admire Jesus but do not worship Him. Some see Him as a great teacher but not as the Great Redeemer. Yes, Jesus is the generous Lord of the Expansive Universe, but He is also the Lord of the Narrow Path! Some overlook this latter aspect of His Lordship.
The ravines on either side of that narrow path—often covered in loose gravel—are deep and perilous. Moreover, the shifting, heavy burden of the natural man, until shed, tilts and sways us, making the journey dangerous and hindering our ability to serve faithfully.
The natural man or woman does not disappear quietly or easily. Therefore, the most intense form of personal discipline involves the internal effort required to put off the natural man. The new self continually battles the stubborn old self. Sometimes, just when we think we’ve succeeded, the old self reminds us it hasn’t fully departed.
A vital, personal question for each of us is: “Are we steadily becoming what gospel doctrines are designed to help us become?” Or are we simply rich inheritors of a vast treasure of truth but poor investors in the personal development essential for discipleship and meaningful service?
Significantly, when the Lord described His purpose, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39), He used the word work, even though it is a “marvelous work.” Becoming like Jesus is certainly work (see 3 Nephi 27:27)! This process requires taking up the cross of discipleship daily—not occasionally.
Sometimes, as we begin to take up the cross, we overlook the first part of Jesus’ instruction. He said, “Deny yourselves, and take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This self-denial is particularly challenging in a world saturated with sensual and secular stimuli. Greed and lust, always companions, have formed an unprecedented and pervasive alliance, profitable on a global scale.
Self-denial has never been a popular lifestyle, and it certainly isn’t today. Many portray it as overly puritanical and ascetic. Scoffers in our society use powerful platforms to broadcast their message, denigrating discipleship and encouraging the natural man to prioritize self-pleasure.
What are we to deny ourselves? The dominance of any desires or actions that produce not only the seven deadly sins but all others that hinder our service and devotion to God. Happily, self-denial, when practiced, brings great relief. It liberates us from the “morning-after” regrets caused by excess and poor choices. True disciples, focused on the future, are mindful of their present actions and how they impact their ability to serve.
Self-denial also includes not becoming overly attached to trivial or worldly things. This allows us to learn profound lessons about the connection between righteousness and the powers and joys of heaven, enabling us to serve with greater spiritual strength.
There is much discussion in society about empowerment. Economic and political oppression are valid concerns, but what about other forms of bondage? What about liberation from the subtle forms of servitude that prevent us from fully serving God and others? Peter wrote, “For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Peter 2:19). Many things can overcome and enslave us, hindering our capacity to serve.
Fundamentally, if we do not deny ourselves, we become distracted. Even if not entirely consumed by worldly pursuits, we are sufficiently diverted to make serious discipleship and dedicated service impossible. Consequently, the gifts and talents God has given us are not humbly offered on the altar to serve others and please God. Instead, we withhold them to gratify ourselves. Diversion, therefore, is not necessarily gross transgression, but it is a genuine loss—especially when we consider what we could have become and the greater good we could have done to bless and help others through service.
Ironically, the natural man, so self-centered in many ways, is strangely unselfish in pursuing too few of the things that bring true joy. He settles for fleeting pleasures instead of eternal joy and the fulfillment that comes from service.
By denying the desires of the natural man, we avoid this diversion, making it easier to take up the cross of discipleship and wholeheartedly serve. Emancipation from various forms of bondage might not bring public accolades, but it is significant news because we become conquerors!
Discipleship, far from being restrictive, is choosing joy over fleeting pleasure. It is choosing eternal values over temporary trends. Ultimately, we become prepared for the final act of consecration, when we willingly and completely surrender our wills to the Father’s will. Jesus exemplified this in Gethsemane and on Calvary: “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). God’s will was for Jesus to complete the Atonement. Even so, Jesus pleaded, “Take away this cup from me” (Mark 14:36), and later, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Yet, Jesus submitted, choosing to serve God’s will above His own.
Is discipleship possible without an initial inner desire for it? I don’t know. Can we instill inner “desires” against someone’s will? External pressure alone rarely produces lasting change. For most of us, even with inner desire, outward circumstances often serve to sharpen and activate existing desires, prompting us to act. This was true for Abraham. He desired a better life, greater happiness, and priesthood blessings (see Abraham 1:1–2). External circumstances spurred Abraham’s longings, but he clearly possessed fundamental desires for discipleship and service.
Prodigals face a different challenge. Turning away from the world and toward God, toward home, requires a “Great Pivot.” This pivot begins gradually as the mind contrasts “what is” with “what might be.” These are the initial steps in developing “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Regarding our varying levels of spiritual progress, consider this image: What if our internal spiritual imbalance were visibly reflected in our physical form? How distorted, swollen, underdeveloped, or anemic some of us might appear! All intellect, no heart! Eager but devoid of empathy! Egotistical, lacking mercy! Focused on self-gratification, with little concern for others. Spiritually empty, perhaps adorned with material possessions. This condition might be the reverse of “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” where one might say, “Look, the clothes have no emperor!” People often use outward trappings to mask a lack of spiritual substance.
Our actual degree of inner spiritual balance is somewhat hidden, at least initially. The crucial question is not “How many imperfections do I have?” but, rather, “Is my discipleship serious enough that I am patiently and diligently working to overcome weaknesses, perhaps even transforming some into strengths?” (See Ether 12:27).
Outward appearances are no more reliable indicators of our true selves than the résumés circulated in academic and professional circles. These often reveal little about character or true conduct. Similarly, bibliographies rarely hint at one’s character as a neighbor or their willingness to serve.
However, when discipleship becomes a daily commitment, it genuinely aids in developing spiritual balance and character. We become less preoccupied with fleeting concerns. Our conversations in casual settings and family discussions reflect this shift. We become less concerned with public image and external opinions, and more focused on embodying Christ’s image. The competitive pursuit of intellectual or other forms of superiority stands in direct opposition to discipleship, which aims to uplift, not demean.
Given our spiritual shortcomings, it is understandable why God utilizes our limited mortal time so intensely to develop each of us. Life is brief compared to eternity—like a single day at school. But what a crucial day!
For the serious disciple, this urgency means fewer distractions and diversions, and certainly no spiritual sabbaticals—all to hasten God’s continuous refinement of us. Personal moments of respite do occur, but they are fleeting. The rhythm of life, with its challenges, quickly resumes. There is much to accomplish in our brief time in this mortal classroom, serving and growing.
Considering our current state compared to our potential should inspire great spiritual hope. Think of serene, blue lakes nestled in ancient volcanic craters, or lush, green mountains formed from volcanic eruptions. Our potential for spiritual transformation is far more remarkable, beautiful, and enduring.
Amidst the vastness of His creations, God’s personal involvement is evident in the details of our lives—not just in galaxies and molecules, but more importantly, in our individual journeys. God provides personal guidance while simultaneously overseeing cosmic events—as one world passes away, another is born (see Moses 1:38). It is wondrous that He attends to us so personally amidst such cosmic responsibilities, all to help us learn to serve.
Are we willing to be significantly reshaped by His loving hands? Enoch was. He marveled at God’s vast creations, but when deeply reassured, exclaimed, “Yet thou art there.” God is ever “there”! (See Moses 7:30). Enoch also declared God’s attributes: just, merciful, and kind forever! We rely on these attributes daily, and God’s use of them to bless us should inspire us to cultivate them in serving others.
God is deeply invested in the joy of His children! This should not surprise us. God wants us to become more like Him so we can return to Him. He is a perfect Father, desiring us to learn to serve as He serves.
Where would we be without God’s long-suffering? Given the divine sorrow we have each caused our God and Savior, it is comforting to know that when we truly repent, it will be mercifully declared, “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42). No words are more reassuring or vital for us.
What immeasurable love! What incredible patience! How agonizing it would be to be resurrected and eternally burdened by the memory of displeasing Him. Oh, the wonder of His divine mercy and plan of happiness, all centered on our opportunity to serve and become like Him!
One day, if we are like Enoch, we will know, as men and women of Christ, that we too please God. Discipleship’s expanded capacity to serve brings increased joy. No wonder the Lord laments those who reject His invitation to discipleship and service.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37)
Or, from the Book of Mormon:
O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! (Mormon 6:17)
These lamentations reveal Jesus’ deep love for us and highlight the importance of accepting His invitation to discipleship and service.
Jesus prayed for us, His followers, not to be taken “out of the world,” but to be kept from evil (see John 17:15). We remain in this mortal classroom until our learning is complete, and “there appears to be none other way.”
It is up to each of us to balance contentment with our current life circumstances with a divine discontent regarding who we are compared to who we can become through dedicated discipleship and service. Discipleship creates this balance on the straight and narrow path.
Some may recall the old Popeye cartoons where he declared, “I yam what I yam, and that’s all I yam. I’m Popeye, the sailor man.” We are called to a vastly different path by the Master who asks us to become “even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27), constantly striving to serve and grow.
Though most of you are young, I am heartened by how far many of you have progressed in your discipleship at your age. I interact with you, hear about you, and sometimes counsel you, witnessing your quiet spiritual triumphs and commitment to serve.
An example is the recent words of Brother Lewis, husband of Jennifer Cracroft Lewis, who passed away shortly after their first wedding anniversary. At her funeral, Brother Lewis spoke with composure and courage:
I have a testimony of this gospel. I know that the ordinances in the temple that I have partaken of with Jennifer are eternal. This gospel is so great that I will be with her again and I will hold her flesh again as she is resurrected. I have a testimony of this Church, and Jennifer has a testimony of this Church which she bore with me, that Jesus is the Christ. . . . He was resurrected as we will be.
He continued:
One of our favorite songs, which we will now sing as a congregation, was “Called to Serve.” I believe, as the scriptures have pointed out, that Jennifer, one of the best missionaries I ever had a chance to witness, is called to further service. She has been called home to preach the gospel to those who have not yet received it. I ask that this song be sung with meaning.
We then sang “Called to Serve.” Many of Jennifer’s missionary companions and her mission president and wife sang and wept. I always appreciate that song, but I had never heard it sung with such profound meaning. On Jennifer’s headstone are the words: “Jennifer Cracroft Lewis, September 13, 1968–January 26, 1994, Called to Serve.”
This exemplifies the strength I see and feel in so many of you. God’s work continues here and beyond the veil, where individuals like Jennifer continue to build up the kingdom through service.
Discipleship enhances our spiritual sensitivities and “aliveness.” These sensitivities grow, not diminish, through discipleship. It is part of becoming “alive in Christ because of our faith” (2 Nephi 25:25). In contrast, sin brings dullness and uniformity. Through discipleship, we learn to “act for ourselves,” rather than being “acted upon” by circumstances, taking initiative to serve and bless.
One danger in discipleship is drifting, which can occur when we become “wearied and faint in [our] minds,” as Paul described (Hebrews 12:3). This is a tragedy of neglecting serious discipleship—not necessarily becoming wicked, but merely existing, not truly living a life of purpose and service.
This underscores why doctrines must remain pure and be repeatedly taught. Some doctrines, like faith and repentance, are both principles and vital processes for serving and growing. Other doctrines, like dispensationalism, inform and instruct, but may not directly develop us personally in our capacity to serve.
Paul cautions those on the path of discipleship to be diligent, “lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you” (Hebrews 12:15). The straight and narrow path is traveled alongside imperfect fellow disciples. Offenses and disappointments will arise due to our imperfections. How we handle these is crucial. We must promptly remove any bitterness so our wills can be fully aligned with the Father’s will, enabling us to serve with pure hearts. Putting off the natural man and woman includes shedding jealousy, resentment, and self-pity, all of which hinder our service.
Let me conclude with a personal example illustrating an aspect of discipleship and the call to serve. Considering you as advanced students in discipleship, I will share something rarely discussed in Church settings: defining moments. These moments often focus on single, sometimes traumatic, episodes. However, they are usually preceded by subtle preparatory moments and followed by smaller moments shaped by the defining events.
In May 1945, on Okinawa, at age eighteen, I experienced such a moment. There was no heroism on my part, but a blessing for me and others during Japanese artillery shelling. After repeated inaccurate shellings, their artillery found our range. They should have fired for effect, but in response to a frightened, selfish prayer, the shelling stopped. My prayer included a pledge of lifelong service, which I have imperfectly tried to keep. This blessing and pledge nudged me toward discipleship, though I didn’t fully grasp the service it would entail. I knew I was blessed, and that God knew I knew. After the war, I remembered this pledge and gladly used my overseas savings to fund a mission—another step in discipleship and service.
Having described this defining moment, I want to affirm the many subsequent, subtle moments that are equally important. Unlike the artillery’s roar and silence, these smaller moments involve the Lord’s quiet promptings. Over the years, these guide and reassure me, even today. They occasionally provide “sudden strokes of ideas” and pure intelligence, as the Prophet Joseph described (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 151). These moments are as real as Okinawa. They are internal, often a directing phrase or sentence. I have learned, and believe you will too, that the Lord provides more direction than detailed explanations.
About ten years ago, I received a letter from a thoughtful missionary in the MTC asking for an encouraging letter for his companion who was struggling with the language and wanted to quit. My secretary was out, so I set the letter aside, thinking, “I’ll send a letter in a couple of days.”
The Spirit prompted, “Write the letter now.”
I found a secretary who typed as I dictated. I signed the letter and asked her to mail it immediately, sensing urgency.
Days later, another letter arrived from the same missionary:
Dear Brother Maxwell,
You should know what happened today. My companion had packed his bags and was in his exit interview. I sat in the outer office, praying, “Heavenly Father, please let that letter come today.” I ran to the mail, and there it was. I rushed back, knocked, and handed him the letter, saying, “Read this before you go home.” Dear Brother Maxwell, my companion stayed.
What if I had waited a day? It would have been too late. Promptings often come as brief, clear instructions, impressing a duty upon us. They come differently to each of us. We sense them, but don’t fully grasp their implications. But God does. It’s a sacred process. We often know more than we can articulate, not just due to confidentiality, but due to “contextuality.” Those outside the process may not fully value or understand its significance.
The process of inspiration and revelation is like an inspired painter working on a large canvas. The painter doesn’t seek feedback on each brushstroke, nor celebrate each stroke before the pattern emerges. Each stroke contributes to the inspired whole. Without them, there’s no painting. Individually, strokes might not be appreciated, especially by those outside the creative process.
Our spiritual experiences are similar—personal, spiritual, and often private. Some can be shared, but discernment is needed. President Marion G. Romney wisely said, “We’d have more spiritual experiences if we didn’t talk so much about them.”
So, we reflect on discipleship tonight. Be assured, God is “in the details” and subtleties of defining and preparatory moments. He will reassure, remind, and sometimes reprove you personally, in ways others may not understand.
Scriptures describe the Spirit’s voice in our minds, often as a phrase or sentence, not a lengthy discourse. The Lord also says that reading His words, the scriptures, allows us to hear His voice. Many have experienced moments of scripture study where words “come through” clearly. We know it is Him speaking! We’ve all reread scriptures without them registering, then suddenly, we are ready to receive them. We hear the Lord’s voice through His words, guiding us in service.
Discipleship is similar. We miss many meaningful moments, just as we overlook service opportunities. God is always ready, if only we are.
Brigham Young taught, “There is not a single condition of life that is entirely unnecessary; there is not one hour’s experience but what is beneficial to all those who make it their study, and aim to improve upon the experience they gain” (JD 9:292). Life is filled with more discipleship and service opportunities than we utilize. Every minute can be a defining moment, a chance to serve.
Considering the years, days, and moments available, discipleship becomes less anxious and more about calm trust and openness to God’s guidance.
He is “in the details” of your lives. He knows you perfectly, as Jesus knew the woman of Samaria and her belief in the Messiah. She said, “I know that Messias cometh . . . : when he is come, he will tell us all things.”
Jesus declared, “I that speak unto thee am he.”
She excitedly told her village she found the Messiah, saying, “He told me all that ever I did.” (See John 4:25–26, 39–42).
God knows you perfectly. He loves you perfectly. His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, has asked you, “Come, follow me.” Thus, in a real and majestic sense, each of us here tonight has been called to serve! Of this I testify, in the holy name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Neal A. Maxwell
Neal A. Maxwell was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this address was given at Brigham Young University on March 27, 1994.
