2 Nephi 16 includes the account of Isaiah’s calling as a prophet. In a famous scene, a heavenly being takes a hot coal and touches Isaiah’s tongue with it, purging him of his sins and preparing him to do the Lord’s work. Then the Lord speaks to him: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me” (2 Nephi 16:8).

In the work of the Lord today, we often hear the equivalent of the question, “Who will go for us?” The actual question could be any of the following:

• Who will go on foreign missionary work?
• Who will tell the Native Americans about their heritage?
• Who will share the gospel or their testimony with a friend?
• Who will work with the youth, teaching them about the Lord and serving as a mentor?
• Who will visit the sick, the widows, those who are lonely?
• Who will sacrifice their time and/or their money to help the work of the Lord move forward?

When these questions (or others) are asked, those who are asking would love to hear a resounding “Here am I, send me!” Even a tentative raising of one’s hand would be welcome.

Instead, what is too often heard is anything ranging from crickets (nobody saying anything) to a plethora of excuses such as, “I’m too busy,” “I can’t do that,” or “I can’t afford that.”

What is preventing us from saying “send me”?

Is it lack of desire? On the day of our baptism, most of us would have agreed to go anywhere and do anything we could for the Lord. If that desire has waned, then let’s think back to how we felt when we gave our lives to the Lord and pray that He stirs up the spirit within us so that we are on fire once again.

Are there obstacles in our lives? Perhaps we need a purging as Isaiah did — not necessarily of sin but of activities or obligations that eat up our time, money, and focus to the point that we have to say “send someone else.”

The call is going out today more than ever! Are we content sitting idly by, watching others answer the call or even seeing the call go unanswered? Were we called into the church to be spectators? Hear the voice of the Lord in your life and give the answer He seeks: “Send Me!”

Verse 2 and Chorus of No. 205 in “Saints Hymnal” – “Speak My Lord”

When the coal of fire touched the prophet,
Making him as pure, as pure can be,
When the voice of God said, “Who’ll go for us?”
Then he answered, “Here I am, send me”.

Speak my Lord, Speak my Lord,
Speak, and I’ll be quick to answer Thee;
Speak my Lord, Speak my Lord,
Speak, and I will answer, “Lord, send me.”

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.