Good morning, brothers and sisters. To introduce my message today, I'd like to show you a short video clip. But I'm going to warn you right off, that it might be pretty scary.
[Video clip of phones ringing.]
If you're like my kids, you might be thinking, "That is terrible! Why would anyone call a person instead of texting them?"
But I'd like the image to sink in a little bit for you because the question I'd like you to consider today is, "How will you answer the call?" And I hope that, when your phone rings sometime in the future, you might connect it back to this principle.
In the grand council before the world was, our Father introduced His plan and asked, "Whom shall I send?" Our Savior then set the pattern for us with these simple words: "Here am I, send me."[1]
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, "Never has anyone offered so much to so many in so few words."[2]
Elder M. Russell Ballard taught, "When God asked who would come to earth to prepare a way for all mankind to be saved and strengthened and blessed, it was Jesus Christ who said, simply, ‘Here am I, send me.’”[3] Elder Ballard continued, “Just as the Savior stepped forward to fulfill His divine responsibilities, we have the challenge and responsibility to do likewise."[4]
When we are baptized, we covenant to always remember Jesus Christ, and to stand as His witnesses at all times, in all things, and in all places.[5] And yet, sometimes, the call to serve is not easy.
Why is it hard to answer the call?
Sometimes, we don't feel prepared or capable. If you ever feel like that, you are not alone. Consider these words from Moses as he was called: "And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue."[6]
Or these words from Enoch: "Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?"[7]
To each of them, the Lord helped them see that it wasn't because of their own strength or abilities, but it was because of the Lord's. He was the one who called them, and He would show His power through them.
To Enoch, the Lord responded, "Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good."[8]
We should remember that "whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies."[9] He took fisherman, tax collectors, and others, and used them to establish His Church and kingdom.
President Henry B. Eyring said, "There will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with the feeling that you are inadequate. Well, you are inadequate to answer a call to represent God with only your own powers. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone. The Lord will magnify what you say and what you do in the eyes of the people you serve."[10]
Sometimes we struggle to answer the call, because we feel we don't have the time.
I've felt this pressure in my life.
Several years ago, I was working as a software engineer. I was married, had two kids, and was serving in the Church. I started teaching some night classes at the local university, and I loved it. So, I was considering trying to become a university professor, but that would mean that I would need to quit my job and go back to school full-time.
My wife and I counseled together about it and asked the Lord to help us with wisdom and judgment. In the end, we felt good about this option and moved forward with faith that the Lord would help us through the process. So I quit my job and started back into school full-time. In addition to my schooling, I was working on the side to try to make ends meet. Needless to say, this was a busy time for me.
Perhaps you can relate.
At this time, I was serving as the executive secretary in my ward, and so I attended bishopric meetings. During some of these meetings, it came up that our ward needed a new young men's president. As the bishopric discussed names of possible people, none quite felt right. And in the process, my name came up. The bishop knew this was a very busy time in my life, but he asked me to give it some thought and let him know how I felt. He said he wasn't officially issuing me a calling, and if I said it wasn't a good fit right now, it wouldn't be a problem.
This was a difficult decision for me to wrestle with. In some ways, I think it would have been easier for me if the bishop had issued the calling directly. Because, as it was, I was left to weigh the options myself.
My wife and I counseled together about it, because it would affect our whole family, and we felt assurance and faith that the Lord would bless us if we moved forward with this calling.
I wrote the following in my journal: "It was really in my court whether or not I would be called. I didn't sleep well and wasn't sure what to do, but as I was reading in the scriptures, I had the distinct impression that if I waited until I had time to serve, then I never would, because things will always be busy. So I told the bishopric I was willing, and I was given the call."
This decision blessed my life in many ways during that time, but it has blessed it even more since, because it established a pattern in my life that has made a huge difference for me.
I can't tell you how many blessings have come from simply saying yes and showing up—even when I was tired or didn't always start with the best attitude.
A few years later, I was called to serve in another visible position. As I accepted the call, I was impressed that the Lord was pleased with my willingness to serve. But I also had a distinct impression that changed my perspective. Echoing the words of the Savior to Thomas when He appeared to him after His resurrection, the Spirit whispered to me, "Blessed are they that are called and serve. Blessed are they that are not called and yet serve."[11]
Callings in the Church are amazing things, and they give us great opportunities to serve. In addition to formal callings, often the Lord's call may come directly through the Spirit, in small ways that have nothing to do with a specific calling at Church. These calls to action are often not even seen by others, but they are powerful invitations from the Lord.
Truly, answering the call could be through a calling, the words of the prophet, or even more directly, the voice of the Spirit. And often, the call comes when it's not easy or convenient.
President Russell M. Nelson has taught, "Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?"[12]
How will you answer the call?
Being at BYU-Idaho provides many opportunities to serve. And I'd invite you to get involved—whatever that means. Don't wait until you are settled. Don't worry if you aren't going to be somewhere for a long time. The way you respond to the call will solidify the path you're on. I encourage you to respond now with an attitude of, "Here am I, send me."
At BYU-Idaho, we have a unique learning model. One of the principles says that "learners and teachers at BYU-Idaho love, serve, and teach one another."[13]
The way you serve others in your classes can have a powerful effect on them and on you. Last year, I was teaching an online class. My students were divided into teams that met once a week on Zoom to work through practice exercises together. In one group, I had a divorced mother later in her life who was learning to code to support her family. She was working alongside a young man who had recently graduated high school and was taking classes online because the social anxiety of going off to school was too much for him. He was better at computers than she was, but he wasn't quite as committed. They spent hours working together, and they actually made a great pair. One time, when I was visiting with her, she said, "Oh, don’t worry about him, we're going to get him through this.”
Later, I was talking with another student in a different class. He said, "You know, earlier this semester, when things were pretty tough, I was planning to just give up and drop the class, but my teammates wouldn't let me." He said they encouraged him to keep coming and working with them. And then, by the end of the semester, the concepts started clicking for him, and he found he was the one helping them.
What a beautiful example of the principle that when we serve others, we are often blessed even more than they are.
The mission of BYU-Idaho is to “develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities.”[14]
And the way you answer the call is a great example of what it means to be a disciple of the Savior who leads. And the pattern you establish will show up in the small and simple things you do that bring about great things in the lives of others.[15]
I have been greatly blessed by others who answered the call.
Years ago, I received the phone call that no one ever wants. A police officer told me that my wife had just been in a car accident, she was unconscious, and they were rushing her to the emergency room. It turned my life upside down.
Thankfully, she and the other driver were OK. In the days that followed, with all kinds of tests, and more questions than answers, we learned that she had had a cluster of seizures out of the blue.
We were full of questions, and we were scared. We didn't know what impact this would have on our lives. Our first baby was nine months old and had to be weaned that weekend. Would we be able to have more kids? Would this impact my wife's ability to work or do things independently? Would there be short- or long-term health ramifications?
If you've had an experience like this, you know that, even though intellectually you understand the situation, it weighs really heavily on your heart. I can still remember the feeling of walking back to my bedroom after talking with someone about logistics, and the tears just coming to my eyes as the emotions welled up.
That Sunday when I came home from church, my home teacher, who happened to be a nurse, was waiting for me in my driveway. He came in and just sat and talked with me. I don't even
remember exactly what he said, but his love and reassurance gave me so much peace and confidence. He answered the call that day.
Because of the situation, we learned that my wife couldn't drive for at least three months. Our Relief Society president said she would talk with the sisters about lining up some potential people to help with rides. Later, she came over to our house with a list of over 20 sisters who said they would love to help.
I will forever be grateful for the way all of these people answered the call with a spirit of "Here am I, send me."
President Henry B. Eyring shared a story of when he was a counselor to a district president who said to him as they would go to visit people, “Hal, when you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time." President Eyring continued, "Not only was he right, but I have learned over the years that he was too low in his estimate."[16]
And here, I want to point out that we all go through seasons in our lives. Sometimes, you may find yourself in a time of service, and other times it may be your chance to be served, and you shouldn't feel guilty for not doing more. If you have a willing heart, the Spirit will direct you.
In addition to blessing others, as we answer the call with an attitude of, "Hear am I, send me," it will bring blessings into our own lives as well.
As the Savior taught, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."[17]
As I mentioned, for me, trying to answer the call this way has been one of the most important things that has kept me safely on the covenant path, aligned with prophets, and in a place where my testimony could thrive.
In addition to the spiritual component, as you develop this pattern in all aspects of your life, you will become someone different, and people will see it. People will recognize your goodness and your willingness.
Employers will recognize this trait in you, your family and friends will see it, and the Lord will be able to use you as an instrument in His hands.
I feel confident in saying this, because it's not just my feeling. President Henry B. Eyring prophesied this about you. Let’s listen to his words: “Those graduates of BYU-Idaho will become—and this is a prophecy that I am prepared to make and make solemnly—those graduates of BYU-Idaho will become legendary for their capacity to build the people around them and to add value wherever they serve.”[18]
The way you answer the call will also say something about your commitment to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It's not about isolated decisions to help a person move, go to girl's camp, or to help someone in your classes here at school. It is about your commitment to follow Jesus Christ at all times, in all things, and in all places that you may be in, no matter what He asks.
I want you to think for a minute about Nephi. We think of Nephi as the amazing prophet, full of faith and dedication. And how did he get there? Well, like his brothers, he was born into a family where his parents taught him the gospel. But then, right at the beginning of his story, we see him answer the call with the statement, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.”[19] This established the path that he would follow through his life as an incredible disciple of Jesus Christ.
Think for a minute about Esther. When she answered the call to go before the king, she risked her life and didn't know how it would turn out. But she asked her people to join her in fasting and
prayer, and she answered the call with the words, "And so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."[20]
In fact, one way to view the scriptures is one story after another of people who answered the call, like Nephi and Esther, and then the effect it had on their lives and those around them.
In the most recent general conference, President Russell M. Nelson said, “Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.”[21]
Throughout His life, Jesus Christ showed us the way to answer the call.
He went about doing good[22] and said, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."[23]
In the Garden of Gethsemane, our Savior, the greatest of all, trembled and said, "Not my will, but thine, be done."[24] These powerful words echoed his commitment to His premortal offering of, "Here am I, send me."
May we each answer the call with an attitude of, “Here am I, send me,” is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Abraham 3:27
[2] Neal A. Maxwell, "Jesus of Nazereth, Savior and King," Ensign, May 1976.
[3] Abraham 3:27
[4] M. Russell Ballard, "Here am I, send me," BYU Speeches, March 13, 2001, speeches.byu.edu/talks/m-russell-ballard/send/
[5] Mosiah 18:8–9
[6] Exodus 4:10
[7] Moses 6:31
[8] Moses 6:32
[9] Thomas S. Monson, "Duty Calls," Ensign, May 1996.
[10] Henry B. Eyring, "Rise to Your Call," Ensign or Liahona, October 2002.
[11] John 20:29
[12] Russell M. Nelson, "Let God Prevail," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020.
[13] BYU-Idaho Learning Model.
[14] BYU-Idaho Mission Statement.
[15] Alma 36:6-7
[16] Henry B. Eyring, "Try, Try, Try," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018.
[17] Matthew 16:25
[18] Henry B. Eyring, "A Steady Upward Course," BYU-Idaho Speeches, September 18, 2001.
[19] 1 Nephi 3:7
[20] Esther 4:16
[21] Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again." Liahona, Nov. 2024.
[22] Acts 10:38
[23] John 6:38
[24] Luke 22:42; see also Doctrine and Covenants 19:19