Doctrinal Mastery: Mosiah 2:17

“In the Service of Your God”

In the lesson “Mosiah 2:1–18,” you learned that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). This lesson can help you memorize the doctrinal mastery passage and key scripture phrase for Mosiah 2:17, explain the doctrine, and practice applying the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to realistic scenarios.

Explain and memorize

Read Mosiah 2:17 and the New Testament doctrinal mastery passage Matthew 22:36–39, looking for similarities.

• What similarities do you see between Matthew 22:36–39 and Mosiah 2:17?

• How would you explain the doctrine of service using these passages?

Take a few minutes to memorize the reference and key scripture phrase for Mosiah 2:17. Write them on a piece of paper: “‘When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God’ (Mosiah 2:17).” Take a couple minutes to repeat the key scripture phrase and reference as many times as you can.

Carry the piece of paper around with you for the rest of the day. Throughout the day when you feel the paper or remember that it is there, try repeating the key scripture phrase and reference in your head. Before you go to sleep, try to repeat them from memory.

Practice application

Read through the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023). Select one sentence from each section that you find particularly meaningful. Consider marking these sentences. Keep these sentences in mind as you go through the following exercise.

Service is generally a positive experience for those who participate and those who are served. However, there are also challenges that can be a part of serving. Reflect on recent service opportunities you have had. What were some of the challenges that came along with the service? What are some reasons people choose not to serve?

Write your own scenario describing a challenge with service. Here is an example: Sophia was asked by her Church leaders to take a birthday treat to a less active girl in her Young Women class. When the girl came to the door, she was not very friendly to Sophia. Feeling hurt, Sophia walked away regretting that she had done the service.

Act in faith

1. Answer the following questions:

   • How is it an act of faith to serve despite challenges?

   • How could the doctrine taught in Mosiah 2:17 help the person in this situation act in faith?

Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective

2. Answer the following questions:

   • What changes when you see the scenario with an eternal perspective?

   • How can the doctrine taught in Mosiah 2:17 help this person see things from an eternal perspective?

   • How do you think the Savior would act in this situation?

Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources

Find an additional scripture or a statement from general conference that you could share to help a person serve with a willing attitude. To do this, try searching for “service” in the Gospel Library app, and then look at the scriptures or conference talks that come up. You could also look up “Service” in the Topical Guide or Guide to the Scriptures.

3. Write the scripture or quote you found, and describe how it would help the person in the scenario.