I love today's column. It is so true that our callings includes doing those things that need to be done but are unassigned because they just happen. The level of our activity in the church is better measured by the things we do that we are not asked to do. I notice these actions by others everytime I walk into the church. These are the actions of people who love the Lord and all of His children and do what they can to serve each of them because it is just the right thing to do. To paraphase the scriptures, we should be anxiously engaged in attending to our duties (a good cause) and doing much good of our own free will.

Thanks for a wonderful column today Brother Card.

We used to be the third ward of the day to use our building. By then the chapel was a disaster and usually there was no toilet paper in the women's bathroom. Our kids would sometimes get a bit annoyed that we insisted they help straighten up the chapel before our meeting began. Even I sometimes I would feel a little funny walking down the hall with a replacement roll of toilet paper that was roughly the same size and shape of a spare tire.

However, the thing that kept coming to my mind was,"If not me, who?" It's not like we have a janitorial staff on hand at all times to tidy between meetings.

I remember a story my father told. He was a high councilor in the high desert in California. Their stake had just built a new stake center, back when each stake had to come up with the money themselves, and build it themselves. Needless to say, they were rather proud of themselves. Elder Spencer W. Kimball, not yet president, was coming to dedicate the building. My father was assigned to show Elder Kimball the building. Everything was wonderful, except for the men's room. The young men had decided to practise their basketball shooting with paper towels and missed a bunch. My father was going to track down someone to clean up, but Elder Kimball just bent over and picked up the mess, and went on. Moral: everyone needs to help out wherever needed.

The attitude of "anything that needs doing is my job" comes through when our bishops and stake presidents get down on their knees to weed crops at a Church welfare farm. It was manifested by Mitt Romney getting out of his car to direct traffic to clear a traffic jam during the Olympics. It was manifested by Professor Henry Eyring when he was very ill getting down on his stomach to weed crops--and only finding out later the weeds had been sprayed and his hours of difficult and painful labor made no difference. In combat zones, when the Saints are able to come together, they can organize a meeting and have prayers, songs, speakers, and the Sacrament planned out in 2 minutes because so many are willing to do whatever is needed. (It always amazes the Protestant and Catholic chaplains, who usually have to do everything themselves.) That widespread willingness to serve and sacrifice scares some people, who accuse Mormons of being mindless sheep. Humble love and service, the washing of the apostles' feet by the Son of God, and even more his painful sacrifice for all mankind, are beyond their comprehension.

I would love more than anything for there to be cry rooms in the chapels. I haven't heard a sac meeting in two years from all the crying and screaming, eating and playing, running and jumping etc. I think the old SLC tabernacle still has a cry room. Can't we take some of the money used for the basketball court and put it towards a cry rooom?

As a young mother of 4 very young children, I want to sincerely thank you for your article. Our ward was reprimanded just last week for leaving messes in the foyers and chapel. I was feeling very guilty knowing that those messes might be caused by my small little ones. However, I have great respect and appreciation for our ward buildings and I do my best to keep up with whatever mess our bench creates. Thank you for being one to clean up with a joyful attitude and making those of us with the babies with big diapers and arms full of coloring books and who knows what else feel a little better about the chaos we bring to our wards. Your tke on this subject left me feeling loved, not guilty. Thanks.

"It was manifested by Mitt Romney getting out of his car to direct traffic to clear a traffic jam during the Olympics." Wasn't that when Mitt swore at one of the volunteers and then denied having used foul language? Always the good example, that guy.