Main Hoon Na - 05/08


Main Hoon Na

When I began my job in India, I was fortunate enough to have a personal admin who would help me with the many things that needed to be done. Not only was there a lot to do for my work, but there were also a lot of personal things that I needed to accomplish in preparation for my family to come out from the U.S.  This admin, Mohammad Niyaz was a big help.  One time, when I asked him to take care of something that was particularly important, he said, “Main Hoon Na.”  When I asked him what that meant he explained that it means “I am there for you.”  I thought this was a great phrase and over time, I have found that this matches very nicely with the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, “..love one another, and … serve one another.”[1] And in Leviticus: “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself…”[2]

Serving one another can be done in a variety of ways. As we work to serve each other, we become one in our goals, our efforts and our love for each other. 

A quote from Sathya Sai Baba says, "Hands that help are holier than lips that pray." (A holy man in the Hindu religion, like a saint to the Roman Catholics)

Christ taught us how we must become united and to serve everyone as a child of God. In Romans it says, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.”[3]  In the eternal scheme of things, everyone on the earth is the same.  There are none that are any greater or any lesser than you or me.  The highest president, or the simple worker – are of the same worth to our Heavenly Father and we should treat them the same. 

While in India, we had a young man who was our driver.  He was with us every day, taking me to work, taking the girls to the store, etc.  After being with us for a year or more, he made a comment to my admin that he found it interesting that we treated all people the same.  We treated him with the same respect that we treated a member or our branch, or a shop owner or the president of a company.  This was foreign to him, because in the Indian society, there is still quite a difference in the way people treat different classes of people. 

Christ taught that we should serve all people regardless of their station in life. “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”[4]

“Main Hoon Na” is exemplified by Mother Teresa. In an address to a group of sisters at Notre Dame, she talked about the hungry ones in today's society--not just those who hunger for bread, but those who are literally hungering for understanding love, for being wanted, for being important to somebody. “This kind of poverty,” said Sister Teresa, “is all over the world”. She talked about the homeless ones, “not people who are homeless because they have no houses of bricks or stone, but homeless, again, for understanding love--helpless, hopeless people who have forgotten how to smile.” "There is so much suffering," she said, "and we seem to have so little time for each other and for works of love.”

On of the purposes of this life is to help other people.  We help them by leading and also by serving. Many years ago, Jo had a severe infection in her leg that got progressively worse and worse.  The doctors were unable to diagnose the problem and Jo was eventually bed ridden because of the pain.  It was a difficult time for us.  I was working a lot of hours and you children were all young. The house hold chores seemed to pile up quickly.

One afternoon, Jo was visited by a wonderful sister in our Ward named Maryann Hamm.  MaryAnn came to the door wearing a fairy costume, and carrying a “magic wand.”  She told us that she was the “cleaning fairy” and was here to grant three cleaning wishes.  She then proceeded to do some of the things that needed to be done.  She cleaned the house, did dishes, and generally did what ever Jo needed help with.  When she finished, Jo, with tears in her eyes expressed her love and gratitude for this sister and her willingness to help and serve.  Maryann Hamm was a sister who truly understood the meaning of charity.

Gandhi, speaking about service said “.. every one of us does render some service or other. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and will make, not only our own happiness, but that of the world at large.”

Ivana is a good example of service.  There have been many times when I have been sick in bed and Ivana would be there to look after me and to bring me drinks or anything else that I needed.  Ivana unselfishly serves others, to get recognition, but because she truly loves other people.  I have often observed her as she helps her mother, or when she takes care of her little sister Victoria.  She seems to have a heart that truly loves other people and causes her to put aside her own needs and lovingly exemplify the characteristic of serving others.

When they first arrived in India, Tori willingly washed our clothes day after day for many days.  She loves to help out and to work side by side with her mother.  I find that she is also a good example of service.

Jo is one of the best examples of service I know.  The service to you, our children is freely and unselfishly given.  You all know of the many times when Mom has come to your aid and rescue.  She gives to lots of people, helping them, looking after them, or their children.  She calls on sick friends, or those who are in need of comfort.  She is a strength and rock to her Mother and siblings.  She is also my best friend and sacrifices constantly to serve me and make me happy.

One of my favorite scripture stories is the account of Ammon who traveled into the land of the Lamanites to do missionary work.  When he got into the land he was captured and brought before King Lamoni, who would decide what was to be done with him, perhaps even to put him to death.  King Lamoni asked Ammon what he was doing in this land.  Here we get an interesting insight into Ammon’s character.  He said simply, “And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.”[5]  Something in his words or his character must have impressed King Lamoni, because he offered him one of his daughters to be his wife.  Think about that for a minute.  One minute Ammon was a foreign Nephite who were not liked by the Lamanites, the next minute, the King wanted him for a son-in-law.  Ammon knew that this was not what the Lord wanted, so he politely declined and then offered to be the king’s servant.  After Ammon saved the king’s flocks and cut of the arms of the attackers, Kim Lamoni sent for him. Let me share with you a segment of one of my favorite articles written just before I went on my mission. I would encourage you to read the whole article.  Brother Roger Merrill writes:  “Because of Ammon’s great ability as a follower, with the Spirit in the lead, he gained the confidence of the king. The king sent for Ammon and wanted to know about the source of his power and what made Ammon so unusual. It is here that Ammon’s ability to influence by service is clearly focused.

“Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: “Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? … And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words.” (Alma 18:22–23. Italics added.)  That is one of my favorite scriptures “wise, yet harmless” meaning that he had power and wisdom, but would do no harm. He would not do anything that Heavenly Father didn’t want him to do.

Now Ammon was able to really influence. He had gained the confidence of the king, and the king would listen to him as he counseled and explained the gospel.”[i]

Later, King Lamoni and Ammon were traveling, and they met King Lamoni’s father.  This father became very angry with his son and with Ammon and pulled his sword to kill them, but Ammon stopped him.  In his state of fear, King Lamoni’s father offered Ammon half of his kingdom.  Again, Ammon declined.   

“Now when Ammon saw that he had wrought upon the old king according to his desire, he said unto him: If thou wilt grant that my brethren may be cast out of prison, and also that Lamoni may retain his kingdom, and that ye be not displeased with him, but grant that he may do according to his own desires in whatsoever thing he thinketh, then will I spare thee; otherwise I will smite thee to the earth. Now when Ammon had said these words, the king began to rejoice because of his life. And when he saw that Ammon had no desire to destroy him, and when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni, he was astonished exceedingly, and said: Because this is all that thou hast desired, that I would release thy brethren, and suffer that my son Lamoni should retain his kingdom, behold, I will grant unto you that my son may retain his kingdom from this time and forever; and I will govern him no more—and said that he wanted only that his brethren were released from prison and the King Lamoni and his father were reconciled.”[6]

From this we learn that the greatest rewards come not from status, reward or recognition but from service and having true love in our hearts.

Pray that love will guide your actions. The true love of Christ must become the guiding principle in every aspect of our lives.  Pray that this love will be with you when you talk to your children, when you counsel with your husband or wife, when you do your church calling. Pray that love will guide all of your actions “Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing.”[7] Listen to the Spirit and do what the Lord directs. Listen.  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”[8] Keep trying.  Heavenly Father does not expect us to be perfect.  He expects us to endure, to keep trying. “…continue in patience until ye are perfected.”[9]  Look for opportunities to serve others.  Be happy when an opportunity comes along to serve.

During my career, when I was traveling so much – back and forth to India, I found that it was less stressful for me, if I isolated myself with ear phones on and my nose in a book.  As soon as I got through security, I would turn on my music, and start reading.  I became pretty oblivious to everything around me except just getting on the plane, etc.  Then one day, I decided to change that a little, and I tried to do just the opposite.  I would look for opportunities to reach out and help people.  If someone was struggling in line with a bag, I offered to help.  When we got on the plane, I would put my things down and then stand ready to help other put their bags up and get settled.  I found plenty of opportunity and it was a lot of fun.  I particularly remember one woman who was astonished and how friendly I was and how quickly I was ready to help her.  As I would prepare at home for the flight, I would pray for opportunities to help people.  It was fun to see how many of those opportunities came up. 

Once, at the Paris airport, I was on the shuttle which takes people from wing to wing all around the airport.  It is very confusing and time consuming. If you don’t pay attention, it would be easy to miss your stop and perhaps your flight.  On one particular bus ride, I was standing near to a man that kept looking out of the window in obvious distress and then down at the papers in his hand.  I overheard him speak to the bus driver, in Russian. Of course, the bus driver didn’t respond.  As you know, Mom and I learned a little Russian, so I spoke up to him.  I told him my name, and gestured to look at his papers.  I could see where he needed to go, and so, in my limited and broken Russian, I explained that it was in three more stops – one, two, three  - B, C, then D.  He thanked me and was so grateful that I could help.  Imagine me, an American, who happens to know a little Russian, meeting this guy in Paris, who only spoke Russian, and needed help.  Clearly, service brings joy.

Now, my dear children, remember that there is very little in life that is more important than the interpersonal relationships we develop.  Work isn’t of eternal value, neither are homes or cars or any of the millions of things that we are told are important in an earthly sense.  The things that are of most value are our families, our friends and helping them and others when ever we can.  It is through this process that we grow develop and learn to be more perfect like our savior Jesus Christ.

Love one another.  Serve one another.






[1] Book of Mormon, Mosiah 4:5
[2] Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18
[3] New Testament, Romans 12:5,16
[4] New Testament, Matthew 25:40
[5] Book or Mormon, Alma, 17,23
[6] Book of Mormon, Alma, 20, 27, (italics added)
[7] Doctrine and Covenants, 19: 38
[8] Old Testament, Proverbs. 3:5
[9] Doctrine and Covenants, 67:13


[i] Liahona, 1978, January Followership, Roger Merrill
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