When we serve Heavenly Father’s children, we help lead them to believe in God. “Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant. Therefore Ammon became a servant to king Lamoni. … Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy, for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, … that I may lead them to believe” (Alma 17:25, 29).
When we serve others, we demonstrate our love to Heavenly Father: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).
Our purpose is to help others come unto Christ by serving them as the Savior would. We serve voluntarily in charitable organizations, Church functions, and within the community. We will minister in His name to the one, just as He did, expressing His loving kindness.
Service missionaries serve for up to 18 months (young women ages 19–29) and up to 24 months (young men ages 18–25). They live at home and serve locally. They serve as close to full time as their capability and circumstances allow. Each service missionary is provided a customized mission experience uniquely tailored to his or her talents, skills, and gifts. During their missions, it is common for service missionaries to serve in multiple assignments, including approved charitable organizations, Church operations, and stake-assigned service opportunities. Throughout their missions, service missionaries are under the ecclesiastical direction of their stake presidents and under the operational direction of their service mission leaders.
Worthy young men (ages 18 to 25) and young women (ages 19 to 29) whose circumstances are best suited for a service mission may be called as service missionaries. A worthy young man who is unable to serve a teaching mission does not have a priesthood duty to serve a service mission.
Teaching missionaries who return home early due to accident, illness, or other health conditions and have a desire to continue their service may be reassigned to a service mission if recommended by General Authorities in the Missionary Department and the stake president and approved by the Quorum of the Twelve.
Young men and young women whose circumstances are best suited for a service mission are called to be service missionaries. This assessment is made either during the missionary recommendation process or after an individual serves a portion of a teaching mission and returns home before the expected completion date. A service missionary is called by the Lord through His prophet to serve in an environment uniquely tailored to his or her talents, skills, and gifts.