Celebrating Dr. King

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Two years ago, as part of the Mormon Lectionary Project, John offered us a remembrance of and a powerful sermon on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.[fn1]

Today is, again, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. And, while I can’t add to what John said, or make it more powerful, I can offer this quick reflection: 

My oldest daughter’s school has taken seriously the call to make today a day of service.[fn2] Its Friends of group has encouraged all of the kids to perform some kind of service today, take a picture of themselves, write up what they’ve done, and bring the picture and the write-up into school next week. The pictures will ultimately be incorporated into a work of art commemorating service and Dr. King’s legacy.[fn3]

Celebrating Dr. King’s legacy through serving has a particular resonance in Mormonism. Like all Christians, we have Jesus’ assurance that “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of theleast of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

And while that should be enough, lest there were any doubt, we also have King Benjamin, who tells us that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

So let’s celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy today. And in part, let’s do it by joining my daughter’s school in serving our fellow beings, and thus, our God.

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[fn1] In conclusion, John reminded us to

embrace that objective morality, accessible by all through human reason as illuminated by the Light of Christ (though regrettably ignored for many generations) and existing outside of and above temporally and geographically determined norms and opinions, which has always required the rejection of the subjugation, oppression, and mistreatment of others.

[fn2] The slogan is, “Make It a Day On, Not a Day Off.”

[fn3] I should say, as an aside, that I’m tremendously proud of my daughter, who planned and, together with her siblings, performed service this morning. I’m not trying to boast, so I’m not going to say what she did, except that, in planning and implementation, it was something within reach of an elementary school-aged child.