May 28th, 2025, 8:51am MDT
When it comes to serving as a mission at the Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ, some may not know where to start. Perhaps it has something to do with some anxiety and awkwardness.
In his recent speech at the General Conference, Church President Russell M. Nelson spoke about his confidence before God.
“Let your gut fill up with charity to all men, and virtues constantly decorate your thoughts, and your confidence will be stronger before God,” President Nelson said.
Latter-day saints could grow with such confidence in their ministry, said Relief Society President Kamille N. Johnson.
“We can be confident before God when we work to work as we deserve the gift of charity, the pure love of Jesus Christ,” she said.
President Johnson spoke about his service in a recent episode of the Church News Podcast in a conversation with Elder Robert M. Daines, 70 presidents assigned to the Church’s Priesthood and Family Division. They spoke of how the mission of serving in the church is made so that every member of the church is remembered and cared for in a similar way to how Jesus Christ blessed those around him.
Trust in assignments
President Johnson said church members remember that all of their duties of service were accompanied by commissioned priesthood authorities.
“It is the bishop who has the priesthood keys that make those allocations. He approves those allocations, and therefore the assignments come with the commissioned priesthood authorities.
Elder Danes said having a challenge feels free when it comes to getting closer to people.
“The pastor’s assignment gives me an excuse,” he said. “I know this is odd, but this is my challenge. It opens the door a bit for me.
President Johnson also explained that it was like wearing a missionary badge.
“You have to start somewhere.”
President Johnson and Elder Danes said that after receiving the mission, they can begin interacting with other people and their families. This may start with food, thoughtful notes, flowers, acts of service, or a home visit.
The first memory of being served as a young teenager involves an elderly gentleman who came to his home with a notebook card.
“He would look at me, he would say, ‘Um’ – and he would look down at his notes – “Rob. How are you?” – and he would look down – “‘7th grade?” This showed that the pastor’s brother was trying and that he was taking care of him.
President Johnson said the relationship is formed across multiple engagements.
“Born from engagement and relationships, then you are charity, it is the pure love of Christ, and then your motivation is love, and that is what we aim for.
President Johnson should not be afraid to ask how someone wants to be served.
“How do you follow him?”
His final words, before he left the Gospel of John after the resurrection of the Savior, are two invitations to “follow me.”
Elder Danes said part of the invitation was to understand “how do we follow him?” And serving for him is the easiest way to do it. The prayer he always gets answers is when he prays to know who he can help for the Savior.
“It gives me a certain confidence that the Savior looks at me and that he is paying attention to me, that he is giving me direction. I’m always thinking about someone. “So, even if I’m frustrated that I’m not doing anything else right or that there are big unresolved issues in my life, I can still feel the confidence that I’m following him, that I’m getting advice and direction in his work.”
President Johnson said pastors will be the way of life.
“Go to him and say, ‘Who can I help today? How can I hear your hands and ears? How can I become your feet today?” “He will hear and answer those prayers. And when we want to have a heart and heart to serve, we can be confident before God.”
