Interview

The idea of posting on service came to me, as I mentioned previously, from an amazing course I took at BYU called Learning Through Service. The Professor, Casey Peterson, is also the director for the Center for Service and Learning at Brigham Young University. He became interested in service through "a lifelong pursuit as both a giver and receiver".

He changed my views on service, and so I asked him a few questions as I wanted you to have the same opportunity. 

Service to Casey Peterson is defined as "selfless sharing of time and talents to helping others as an instrument in God's hands." A major learning experience for me was when I realized that service isn't always effective. This realization allows for the opportunity to improve our methods of service. "Service can be ineffective when planned around the needs of the server, instead of the recipient. I believe some good will come from every effort to serve, but the efficiency increases as the awareness of the needs of the person being served is found."

He shared four suggestions to make our service more effective:

• Love
• Thought
• Reflection 
• Revelation

So, how does the Church of Latter-Day Saints exemplify effective service?
"Knowing the needs of cultures, individuals, and communities. Each response is specific to an area, well researched, and well planned. The larger picture is maintained well."

Lastly,
How can we incorporate effective service in our daily lives, jobs, school, and hobbies? "Continual prayer to be guided, a willingness to always act, and opportunities to continually reflect on what is happening."