Kirt Saville teaches 3 ways to serve others during BYU devotional

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BYU School of Music Director Kirt Saville speaks during a BYU devotional about how to apply the act of service. (Hannah Gasinski)

BYU School of Music Director Kirt Saville delivered a devotional address August 1 centered around the phrase, “What goes around, comes around.” He used the phrase to illustrate how providing service to others helps in times of need. Saville gave three ways to apply service into everyday life.

He shared a story about a time his family and he traveled to Bear Lake. Along the way, his father spotted a man trying to wave cars down for help on the other side of the road. His father delayed his family fishing trip approximately two and half hours to help the man.

He said he was irritated by the delay and asked his father why he stopped rather than let another person help the stranded traveler.

“What goes around comes around,” Saville’s father said. “I believe that someday you or I will be on the road needing help and someone will return the favor.”

At the time, Saville was uncertain about his father’s theory until years later when he traveled with his parents to Flaming Gorge Reservoir on a Friday the 13th.

They began fishing and enjoyed each other’s company. Saville’s father saw a man waving from a far distance and lead them to a big yacht. The man asked for help with his battery.

The next day Saville went out fishing again and catching fish was not good. His parents and he decided to go back to the marina, when waves and winds began and their boat engine stopped working.

The man in the yacht saw them and helped pull their boat. Suddenly, the man in the yacht’s motor died. After much effort to revive the motor, the winds continued pushing their boats further from the marina.

Then, an old man and his wife showed up in a 12-foot boat and offered assistance. The old man pulled the man in the yacht to the marina, then came back for the Saville family.

They all began loading their boats to go home, when the old man and his wife realized they left their car light on. Saville’s father used his jumper cables to help them.

“What goes around, really does, come around,” Saville said.

Saville said Christ often served others when he was on his way to do something else, like the parable of the Good Samaritan. During another instance, Christ was teaching his followers about marriage when he was interrupted by children. Christ interrupted his plans and blessed the ones in need.

Saville learned from his father that if one desires mercy, he or she must be merciful. He said if one is continually righteous, that righteousness will return in unexpected ways.

“The kind of life you live will come back to you,” Saville’s father said.

About 30,000 students attend BYU, and Saville acknowledged that many BYU students feel invisible at times.

“I believe that it is easy to feel like people don’t see you, the real you, the vulnerable and insecure you,” Saville said. “The person-stranded-on-the-side-of-the-road’ you.”

Saville said that at some point, every person has felt invisible and the use of cellphones can be a distraction to make others invisible. Smiling and showing love like Christ did can make others feel included. Some days are difficult, but a smile can change a person’s day.

“We won’t recognize a need if we don’t see a need,” Saville said.

He shared three pieces of advice to help others. First, see others who are invisible and encourage them. Second, be willing to interrupt a busy schedule to help others and third, love others.

“The great joy we have in today’s world is to see the unseen, to help those who are fallen and to share God’s love,” Saville said.

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