The Yoke of Service

I have accepted a new yoke of service; this is something that occurs to thousands of faithful Saints every week the world over—a new yoke of service.

Several months ago, Sister Osborn and I were traveling a narrow road in central Luzon in the Philippines, where I was serving as a full-time Regional Representative. We passed a farmer on his way to market. He was trotting along, carrying an enormous load of vegetables and produce hanging from both ends of a wooden yoke carried across his shoulders. I stopped the car to take his picture. After I snapped the camera, he lowered his burden in order to visit. I asked my friend if his load wasn’t really too heavy to carry a great distance. He replied, “No, it isn’t, because it’s balanced.”

“Doesn’t that yoke hurt?” I asked.

“At first it did, but I carved and sanded it with a rough stone, and now it fits and is comfortable.”

I noticed, also, that he had a small cloth pad that spanned his neck—I suppose to cushion the shocks of a rough road.

It wasn’t until we drove away that I thought of the Savior’s invitation found in Matthew 11:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28–30.)

Elder Spencer H. Osborn, "Service in the Church", Ensign, Nov. 1984, 76