Question
Gramps,
I am 14 and in Mia Maid’s right now. All of my friends have been in a presidency in Beehives or Mia Maid’s, but I have not. Why? I feel like I am left out or not important. I follow all the teachings of the Church and attend church every week and hold a current temple recommend.
Savvy
Answer
Dear Savvy,
First of all, God bless you for your obedience and for your desire to serve. The Church always has need of helping hands, and you are on the right track with your desires. But remember, just because you have not been called into one of your Young Women’s presidencies, does not mean you are somehow unimportant. You are very important. In Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 the Lord says just how important you are
“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”
Indeed, you are so valued by God that He sent Jesus Christ to pay the price of your sins so you could one day come home to Him.
Frequently, in the Church we tend to equate leadership with importance. But what is leadership in the Lord’s kingdom? Our Savior answers this question in Mark 10:42-44 when his apostles were struggling with that very same subject
42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Savvy, you can begin exercising leadership in the Church today, no matter what your calling is, by serving those around you. That is who Jesus Christ considers a leader.
With your desire to serve, I have no doubt you will have many callings throughout your life. But, no matter what those callings may be, never forget then President Uchtdorf’s admonition in his April 2017 conference talk “The Greatest among You” when he said:
“God’s greatest reward goes to those who serve without expectation of reward. It goes to those who serve without fanfare; those who quietly go about seeking ways to help others; those who minister to others simply because they love God and God’s children.”
So go out and look for ways to serve those around you Savvy, and don’t worry so much about what title you hold. If you do that, no matter what calling you have, you will be following God’s will for you.
Gramps
