“The limelight of history and contemporary attention so often focuses on the one rather than on the many.” –President Howard W. Hunter
I was reading some of the war chapters in Alma today (43-51), a portion of which talks about Captain Moroni and his great military leadership and success. The quote above is one which I found while reading the Book of Mormon CES manual alongside the scriptures. I found the article it was taken from and found several other insights I was greatly impressed by as well.
Obviously, we could profit greatly by studying the life of Captain Moroni. He is an example of faith, service, dedication, commitment, and many other godly attributes. Rather than focusing on this magnificent man, however, I have chosen to look instead at those who are not seen in the limelight, who do not receive the attention of the world, yet who are “no less serviceable,” as the scripture phrased it.
I am very humbled when I read the scriptures and learn of the dedicated prophets who follow the Lord so obediently and who rarely, if ever, murmur. I am in awe of the power with which they speak and share the Gospel and serve, without thought for themselves. I am inspired by their courage, and yet many times am brought to an awareness of my own imperfections and weaknesses. I feel at times that I will never be able to reach that level.
Perhaps I won’t ever reach that level. But the Lord does not demand that of each of us. We will not all be placed in positions of authority or raised up as examples. But that does not mean that we are of less significance or less worth. Many of us live very humble lives, just trying to get along as best we can each and every day. President Hunter addresses this:
Not all of us are going to be like Moroni, catching the acclaim of our colleagues all day every day. Most of us will be quiet, relatively unknown folks who come and go and do our work without fanfare. To those of you who may find that lonely or frightening or just unspectacular, I say, you are “no less serviceable” than the most spectacular of your associates. You, too, are part of God’s army.
I really like that sentiment. We are a part of God’s army. I may not have great strength to boast of, but I have faith. I used that faith to enlist in the Lord’s army through baptism. I am being trained through trials and experiences which build up both my confidence and my abilities. And even if after all my work, I am still a lowly private, at least I know whose direction I am serving under. Being on the Lord’s team is more important than the rank I am assigned. President Hunter continued, and I would like to leave you with this wise counsel:
If you feel that much of what you do does not make you very famous, take heart. Most of the best people who ever lived weren’t very famous, either. Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly.