No Less Serviceable
Many make their contributions in unsung ways. Even though Helaman was not as noticeable or conspicuous as Moroni, he was as serviceable (helpful and useful).
"I think we should be aware that there can be a spiritual danger to those who misunderstand the singularity of always being in the spotlight. They may come to covet the notoriety and thus forget the significance of the service being rendered.
You must not allow yourselves to focus on the fleeting light of popularity or substitute that attractive glow for the substance of true, but often anonymous labor that brings the attention of God even if it does not get coverage on the six o'clock news. In fact, applause and attention can become the spiritual Achilles' heel of even the most gifted among us.
If the limelight of popularity should fall on you during sometime in your life, it might be well for you to follow the example of those in the scriptures who received notoriety and fame.
Nephi is one of the great examples. After all he accomplished, his attitude was still fixed on the things that matter most. The limelight never blinded Nephi to the source of his strength and his blessings. Why do we serve? When we understand why, we won't be concerned about where we serve.
(poem by Meade McGuire)
Father, where shall I work today?
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed out a tiny spot
And said, "Tend that for me."
I answered quickly, "Oh no, not that!
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done;
Not that little place for me."
And the word He spoke, it was not stern;
He answered me tenderly:
"Ah, little one, search that heart of thine.
Art thou working for them or for me?
Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee."
Pres. J. Reuben Clark: "In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one takes the place to which one is duly called, which place one neither seeks nor declines." (CR Apr'51)
Excerpt from BYU Speeches, Sept. 1990, Howard W. Hunter "No Less Serviceable" (Service, Pride, etc.)