Assignments vs. Callings

[ZealouslyStriving]

This is a question for Bishops, Stake Presidents (current or former).

I am currently not a member of record and I have no clue how long before the Church will decide to change that.

I know I obviously cannot be given any callings, but would it be appropriate to ask to be assigned to do something without an official calling or ordination. Maybe just some mundane task that lets me feel like I am contributing somehow.

Have you ever had anyone in my position who for all intents and purposes is an active member and wants to do SOMETHING but was waiting a long time to be reinstated? Were you able to use them in any way? Or am I just stuck. 🫤

Thanks.

[longview]

No. You are a good man. You can keep looking for informal ways to serve and assist. Show kindness to the lonely and infirm and whatever.

Is your Bishop waiting for inspiration from the Lord for the next step to be taken? Did he tell you what will be needed for you to (re)baptize?

[Rain]

I'm obviously not a priesthood leader, but no one is going to be able to answer that for you without knowing more about your specific situation.  I am by no means saying you should share it.  Just saying they won't have the info needed. 

@longview gave some good advice about finding ways to serve others around you.  For a time, no callings were formally given to me.  I decided I would pray each day for something the Lord would have me do while waiting. That became quite a joy to me and I actually had a hard time when I was given a "new" calling. 

 

[manol]

35 minutes ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

This is a question for Bishops, Stake Presidents (current or former).

Well that's not me, but...

 

35 minutes ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

Have you ever had anyone in my position who for all intents and purposes is an active member and wants to do SOMETHING but was waiting a long time to be reinstated?

There was this guy in our ward in a similar situation who decided he would greet people.  He would hang out near the main doors and open them for people and welcome them, and he kept an eye out for any new faces and made sure they felt especially welcome.                                               

It wasn't a big thing, or was it?  We had at one person say that the tipping-point for their decision to return to activity was how warmly that guy welcomed them when they showed up at church for the first time in many years. 

 

[JAHS]

2 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

This is a question for Bishops, Stake Presidents (current or former).

I am currently not a member of record and I have no clue how long before the Church will decide to change that.

I know I obviously cannot be given any callings, but would it be appropriate to ask to be assigned to do something without an official calling or ordination. Maybe just some mundane task that lets me feel like I am contributing somehow.

Have you ever had anyone in my position who for all intents and purposes is an active member and wants to do SOMETHING but was waiting a long time to be reinstated? Were you able to use them in any way? Or am I just stuck. 🫤

Thanks.

From the Handbook:

"People who are not members of the Church may be called to some positions, such as organist, music director, or a calling to help plan activities. However, they should not be called as teachers, as quorum or organization presidency members, or as Primary music leaders.

A person whose membership has been formally restricted or has been withdrawn may not have a calling (see 32.11.3 and 32.11.4)."

When we still had the scouting program there were non-members who served there. I know some who handed out the programs at Sacrament meetings

[Calm]

2 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

I know I obviously cannot be given any callings, but would it be appropriate to ask to be assigned to do something without an official calling or ordination. Maybe just some mundane task that lets me feel like I am contributing somehow.

We have had active nonmembers be given assignments before in several wards we have been in.  I heard it was not uncommon for nonmember dads to be asked to be an assistant Scout leader, though that’s not an option any more.  I don’t know the setup for youth these days if working with them is likely anymore.

I would go ahead and ask, but be prepared to be told you can’t do anything ‘official’ if I remember what you have shared in the past about your situation.  If that happens, why not ask if there is anything unofficial that needs doing, such as cleaning up around the outside of the Church or weeding when it needs it as that doesn’t need keys or anyone else involved.  If you want something more in the ministering range, looking after the needs of some family or individual who is in a bad spot…my husband drives people in the ward and neighbourhood (when they spilt the ward they took the opposite side of the street for the other ward to make the numbers work, which makes no sense to me) who can’t drive (including me, lol) to doctor’s appointments, even if it’s an hour away (people go for chemo up in Salt Lake sometimes or have specialists that are operating out of the UoU).  Of course he is retired and you may not be (I don’t have a clue about your age, now I am thinking of that).  Taking someone grocery shopping or even doing it for them if they can’t afford the delivery service many stores offer now would be a very welcomed gift.

I assume you are getting your ward’s weekly email.  Look for any humanitarian projects the ward or stake is holding and show up for those if you don’t already if it’s okay with the bishop (unless he is a clueless newbie that wants to avoid any possible error I can’t see why this would be a problem, but it’s not like I am familiar with protocols).  If the bishop is okay with it, talk to the Elders Quorum and Relief Society leaders and get out on their list of ‘someone needs help’ contacts.

Edited February 9 by Calm

[rpn]

I sang in the choir, and went vting with people whose companions weren't available.   And you can always serve in "Just Serv" Projects in the community and help clean the building.

[blackstrap]

D &C 58:27  gives one a very broad assignment to be anxiously engaged in doing good .

[california boy]

To be honest, it is kinda sad to me that you feel you need some kind of calling to live the gospel that Christ taught.  Do you really have to have someone tell you how to serve others?

I have been traveling for the past couple of months throughout Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.  One of the things I have been impressed with is how we all tend to live in some kind of self imposed bubble.  Mormons seem to only see the world in the Mormon bubble.  On a broader scale, Christians only see the world in a Christian bubble.  People in the middle east only see the world in the Muslim bubble.   In SouthEast Aisa, they only see the world from a Buddist or Hindu bubble.  There is very little visible of the Christian bubble in this part of the world.  I think the whole time I have been here, I have only seen one Christian church.  I don't for one second think that God sees his children only as Mormon, or Christian or even followers of Christ or Buddha, yet each group only thinks they are the only group that matter to God.

You don't have to be Mormon to live a Christ like life.  You don't have to have a church leader tell you what to do to serve others.  I think you are missing the entire picture of how God views the world and His children.

[MustardSeed]

1 hour ago, california boy said:

To be honest, it is kinda sad to me that you feel you need some kind of calling to live the gospel that Christ taught.  Do you really have to have someone tell you how to serve others?

I have been traveling for the past couple of months throughout Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.  One of the things I have been impressed with is how we all tend to live in some kind of self imposed bubble.  Mormons seem to only see the world in the Mormon bubble.  On a broader scale, Christians only see the world in a Christian bubble.  People in the middle east only see the world in the Muslim bubble.   In SouthEast Aisa, they only see the world from a Buddist or Hindu bubble.  There is very little visible of the Christian bubble in this part of the world.  I think the whole time I have been here, I have only seen one Christian church.  I don't for one second think that God sees his children only as Mormon, or Christian or even followers of Christ or Buddha, yet each group only thinks they are the only group that matter to God.

You don't have to be Mormon to live a Christ like life.  You don't have to have a church leader tell you what to do to serve others.  I think you are missing the entire picture of how God views the world and His children.

I can certainly appreciate the sentiment. I agree totally that there is no limits to us being Christlike. Certainly don’t need calling to  reinforce our devotion.. 

That said, within the church, there is a tremendous social pressure to serve.

I think every Christmas autobiography we received in the form of a Christmas card indicated what people’s callings were. 
 

also, I don’t think it’s wrong to want to contribute in a concrete and visible way to whatever organization one is invested in. 
 

But to your point, there is plenty of opportunity to serve the Lord every minute of the day in every interaction we have. 

Edited February 13 by MustardSeed

[bluebell]

2 hours ago, california boy said:

To be honest, it is kinda sad to me that you feel you need some kind of calling to live the gospel that Christ taught.  Do you really have to have someone tell you how to serve others?

I have been traveling for the past couple of months throughout Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.  One of the things I have been impressed with is how we all tend to live in some kind of self imposed bubble.  Mormons seem to only see the world in the Mormon bubble.  On a broader scale, Christians only see the world in a Christian bubble.  People in the middle east only see the world in the Muslim bubble.   In SouthEast Aisa, they only see the world from a Buddist or Hindu bubble.  There is very little visible of the Christian bubble in this part of the world.  I think the whole time I have been here, I have only seen one Christian church.  I don't for one second think that God sees his children only as Mormon, or Christian or even followers of Christ or Buddha, yet each group only thinks they are the only group that matter to God.

You don't have to be Mormon to live a Christ like life.  You don't have to have a church leader tell you what to do to serve others.  I think you are missing the entire picture of how God views the world and His children.

Can you clarify who you are talking to?  The OP stated he wanted to contribute to his ward and never implied that he believes he can't live the Gospel of Christ without having a calling, so I'm thinking it wasn't written to him.

[Tony uk]

I think we can all live a Christ like life. By following the teachings of Christ, and following the example set by Christ, during his life. Also, there are a Church related people, who bring the teachings of Christ to us. By following and learning we are able in our own way to live a Christ like life. People who hold certain positions within a Church, may see a certain potential in a person. That potential may be used in different ways, we all have our own individual skills. And so another person may notice how those skills could be used in a Christ like way.

Edited February 13 by Tony uk
Spelling mistake

[Calm]

9 hours ago, california boy said:

To be honest, it is kinda sad to me that you feel you need some kind of calling to live the gospel that Christ taught.

Where did you get that idea?  Maybe he just wants to contribute to his faith community or knows leadership has struggles getting callings filled and if he covered one area, that frees up others for another one.

[Calm]

7 hours ago, bluebell said:

Can you clarify who you are talking to?  The OP stated he wanted to contribute to his ward and never implied that he believes he can't live the Gospel of Christ without having a calling, so I'm thinking it wasn't written to him.

Can’t see anyone else it was written to either though….

[california boy]

On 2/13/2026 at 8:16 AM, bluebell said:

Can you clarify who you are talking to?  The OP stated he wanted to contribute to his ward and never implied that he believes he can't live the Gospel of Christ without having a calling, so I'm thinking it wasn't written to him.

I am more addressing the mindset that I certainly saw in the church when I was involved.  Church members seemed to be so used to being assigned to do some kind of service that it became the only way so many ended up serving others.  I see a much different pattern in the countries that I have been visiting.  It is more in their nature to not have to be asked or assigned by someone before they realize the opportunities for service lay all around them.  The church seems to create this climate where Mormons only serve Mormons unless it is a specific ward or stake activity.  If the church didn't organize the project, it rarely would happen.  I think the lesson of Matthew 25 is a message about a different kind of administering to others.  It doesn't talk about I was assigned to go to a prison to visit someone, or I was assigned to help those that thirst.  

I know that some of you will get all defensive about what I am trying to say because there is a lot of good that the church does.  But maybe a hard look at how much service a person does outside the church should be considered every so often. THAT can be done regardless of whether you have a calling or an assignment, making either one of those things irrelevant ways to contribute to the community.  I'm trying not to be offensive here.  I am only trying to discourage feelings of needing a calling or assignment.  There is nothing a calling will provide that you can't already do without that calling.  Can anyone tell me something that can only be done if you are assigned or called to do something?

[Tony uk]

I am not trying to contradict, or be argumentative on this. And I admit to being very much on the outside looking in on this (I'm RC). 

 Is it possible, that on occasions.  The person called or assigned. Has shown certain qualities, or attributes. Or perhaps, performs certain tasks in their day to day life. That may have been noticed, by those who assign or call, and considered to be of use, in a good way.

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, california boy said:

I am more addressing the mindset that I certainly saw in the church when I was involved.  Church members seemed to be so used to being assigned to do some kind of service that it became the only way so many ended up serving others.  I see a much different pattern in the countries that I have been visiting.  It is more in their nature to not have to be asked or assigned by someone before they realize the opportunities for service lay all around them.  The church seems to create this climate where Mormons only serve Mormons unless it is a specific ward or stake activity.  If the church didn't organize the project, it rarely would happen.  I think the lesson of Matthew 25 is a message about a different kind of administering to others.  It doesn't talk about I was assigned to go to a prison to visit someone, or I was assigned to help those that thirst.  

I know that some of you will get all defensive about what I am trying to say because there is a lot of good that the church does.  But maybe a hard look at how much service a person does outside the church should be considered every so often. THAT can be done regardless of whether you have a calling or an assignment, making either one of those things irrelevant ways to contribute to the community.  I'm trying not to be offensive here.  I am only trying to discourage feelings of needing a calling or assignment.  There is nothing a calling will provide that you can't already do without that calling.  Can anyone tell me something that can only be done if you are assigned or called to do something?

No reason to be defensive.  There is not one of us on this message board (member, nonmember, or ex) that could not benefit from a hard look at our biases and blindspots.   

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, Tony uk said:

I am not trying to contradict, or be argumentative on this. And I admit to being very much on the outside looking in on this (I'm RC). 

 Is it possible, that on occasions.  The person called or assigned. Has shown certain qualities, or attributes. Or perhaps, performs certain tasks in their day to day life. That may have been noticed, by those who assign or call, and considered to be of use, in a good way.

I think you are spot on with some callings.  With others, they can be harder to understand.

One of the things that I like (and also don't like) is that when you are asked to serve in callings at church you often get the chance to serve in ways you would otherwise never (in a million years) volunteer for.  You end up working with people you don't want to work with, doing things you don't want to do or are even terrified to do, in areas you have no real talents or sometimes, actively dislike.  

But more often than not if you go in with a willing heart you learn important things about yourself and others, learn to love people you would never have had the chance to love, and gain attributes and strengths you wouldn't have gained in any other way.

 

[Tony uk]

8 minutes ago, bluebell said:

I think you are spot on with some callings.  With others, they can be harder to understand.

One of the things that I like (and also don't like) is that when you are asked to serve in callings at church you often get the chance to serve in ways you would otherwise never (in a million years) volunteer for.  You end up working with people you don't want to work with, doing things you don't want to do or are even terrified to do, in areas you have no real talents or sometimes, actively dislike.  

But more often than not if you go in with a willing heart you learn important things about yourself and others, learn to love people you would never have had the chance to love, and gain attributes and strengths you wouldn't have gained in any other way.

 

That is something I never thought about. Being put into a situation that a person would not have considered. Especially being put alongside people that not automatically be another persons choice. I see how it would help a person to grow a better understanding of themselves, and of others.

[Calm]

5 hours ago, california boy said:

The church seems to create this climate where Mormons only serve Mormons unless it is a specific ward or stake activity.  If the church didn't organize the project, it rarely would happen. …But maybe a hard look at how much service a person does outside the church should be considered every so often.

Would a study qualify as a hard look?

https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/03/15/mormons-and-civic-life/

Quote

So this is a culture that when people are asked to fulfill any task, 99% of the time they say yes. We categorize the many volunteer activities into four groups. Group one was a volunteer activity that is not affiliated with the church. It’s what you can call secular volunteering, helping an organization, community event — nothing to do with the church. Then we have three activities that can be done within the church. One is helping people who are not members of the church. One is still social and helping people within the church. And the last one is volunteering that is purely religious, that is, helping the church fulfill its religious activities.

What did we find? For religious activities, people give on average 242 hours. For church-affiliated volunteering to help meet social needs of people in the church, 96 hours. For church-affiliated activities helping people outside the church, 56 hours. And for activities outside of the church totally, 34 hours.

[annually for Mormons]…

We can also get a sense of the centrality of reaching out to the poor and needy in Mormonism by taking a look at which Mormons are most likely to see aid to the poor as a crucial part of their religion. It is precisely those Mormons who are the most committed to the practice of their faith — those people who say they attend church regularly, who say they pray every day, who say that religion is very important in their lives. It’s precisely that group of Mormons who are most likely to say that providing assistance to the needy is an essential part of what it means to practice their faith. Similarly, Mormons who have served a mission are significantly more likely to say it’s essential to provide aid and assistance to the needy.

 

For comparison:

Quote

But our study’s focus and my research through many years is about who gives and who volunteers in our society. We know from many studies that about 30% to 50% of Americans volunteer — depends on how you measure it — and we know that they do it for about three to four hours a month. And when I say do it for three or four hours a month, we mean only the volunteers. That’s not the national average that includes the non-volunteers. It’s only including the volunteers. I’ll repeat those numbers a little later.

Unfortunately they did not provide a breakdown of the four categories for American volunteers in general.  I may be able to find it elsewhere.  Still 34 hours in comparison to 48—if we assume all those hours for nonLDS are not church affiliated, which I find highly unlikely on average—is still quite significant in my view given we already were doing 393 hours of church affiliated work including 56 hours of community projects sponsored by the Church….so 90 hours total of service in the nonLDS community with over 1/3 of that self initiated.

Also remember the 48 hours is not the average counting all Americans, but only for those already volunteering.  The study cites it being 26-55% of the total population depending on the measure used where for self identified LDS it’s 62% volunteering for nonChurch affiliated projects, so percentage wise, more LDS volunteer for the community outside of church functions than nonLDS do, even if we are giving less hours (again assuming here the 48 are all nonChurch affiliated for the nonLDS which is highly unlikely).

https://sp2.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/cnaan_lds_giving.pdf

Maybe you just weren’t aware of what others were doing unless it was a church activity?

Are you still going to believe that it’s rare that church members volunteer outside church sponsored activities?  If so, why since the data shows otherwise? (Not a challenge or accusation if you haven’t changed your mind and I hope no one else goes there….though I think I have presented a persuasive argument if I say so myself 😛 , I ask because I want to understand your thinking)

PS:  I do believe members should be asking themselves frequently what they can do outside of church sponsored efforts.  Maybe that’s what is getting the 62% out there.  But wouldn’t it be great if it was 94% (the percentage who do stuff for the ward or church) or greater?

Edited February 14 by Calm

[california boy]

On 2/14/2026 at 2:48 PM, Calm said:

Would a study qualify as a hard look?

https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/03/15/mormons-and-civic-life/

For comparison:

Unfortunately they did not provide a breakdown of the four categories for American volunteers in general.  I may be able to find it elsewhere.  Still 34 hours in comparison to 48—if we assume all those hours for nonLDS are not church affiliated, which I find highly unlikely on average—is still quite significant in my view given we already were doing 393 hours of church affiliated work including 56 hours of community projects sponsored by the Church….so 90 hours total of service in the nonLDS community with over 1/3 of that self initiated.

Also remember the 48 hours is not the average counting all Americans, but only for those already volunteering.  The study cites it being 26-55% of the total population depending on the measure used where for self identified LDS it’s 62% volunteering for nonChurch affiliated projects, so percentage wise, more LDS volunteer for the community outside of church functions than nonLDS do, even if we are giving less hours (again assuming here the 48 are all nonChurch affiliated for the nonLDS which is highly unlikely).

https://sp2.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/cnaan_lds_giving.pdf

Maybe you just weren’t aware of what others were doing unless it was a church activity?

Are you still going to believe that it’s rare that church members volunteer outside church sponsored activities?  If so, why since the data shows otherwise? (Not a challenge or accusation if you haven’t changed your mind and I hope no one else goes there….though I think I have presented a persuasive argument if I say so myself 😛 , I ask because I want to understand your thinking)

PS:  I do believe members should be asking themselves frequently what they can do outside of church sponsored efforts.  Maybe that’s what is getting the 62% out there.  But wouldn’t it be great if it was 94% (the percentage who do stuff for the ward or church) or greater?

I can't claim that I understand this survey and how it was conducted,  but I am trying to.  Here is for me, is the key to how Mormons define volunteer work outside of church service.  

Quote

So this is a culture that when people are asked to fulfill any task, 99% of the time they say yes. We categorize the many volunteer activities into four groups. Group one was a volunteer activity that is not affiliated with the church. It’s what you can call secular volunteering, helping an organization, community event — nothing to do with the church. 

This is in line with my experience as well.  I would say that the wards and stakes I was involved in, did a community service project about once a quarter.  They did all kinds of activities from improving trails at state parks, painting fences at a community park, helping an immigrant family that were not members do yard work and other jobs.  So yeah, church members do volunteer work in the community when asked by church leaders.  And that is part of the point I am making.  My experience is that church members are very good at showing up to do community projects where they can truthfully answer questions about community service.  But my experience also shows that those numbers fall of dramatically if the question is, how much community service do you initiate all on your own without being asked to participate by church leaders.  This is the point I was addressing.  I rarely saw community service that was initiated by individual members without some kind of church support.  Has your experience been different than that?  Do you find church members involved in community activities all on their own?  Do the majority of the numbers in the survey concerning community service reflect church sponsored community projects or self initiated community projects. 

Maybe how community service doesn't really matter all that much.  But it does address how some members feel the need for church direction when none is really needed.  It is why I started my comment expressing sadness that a person associated with the church felt the need to have a calling or assignment to find ways to serve others.  Thats all.

[Kenngo1969]

On 2/14/2026 at 11:57 AM, bluebell said:

I think you are spot on with some callings.  With others, they can be harder to understand.

One of the things that I like (and also don't like) is that when you are asked to serve in callings at church you often get the chance to serve in ways you would otherwise never (in a million years) volunteer for.  You end up working with people you don't want to work with, doing things you don't want to do or are even terrified to do, in areas you have no real talents or sometimes, actively dislike.  

But more often than not if you go in with a willing heart you learn important things about yourself and others, learn to love people you would never have had the chance to love, and gain attributes and strengths you wouldn't have gained in any other way.

 

"[O]ften get the chance to serve in ways you would otherwise never (in a million years) volunteer for"?  You mean, like, Ward Technology "Specialist"?      I joke than when I got the calling, i said, "Understand, the only thing I know about computers is that if you try to turn them on and nothing happens, Yep!  Sure enough, somethings wrong!"  And then I started laughing and didn't stop for fifteen minutes, before finally, I told the Brother who extended the call.  "Oh, wait.   You were serious, weren't you."  And then, I breathed a sigh of relief when my ward was dissolved ... before a suspiciously-similar conversation with another Bishopric Counselor in my new ward ... [Sigh!]

[Kenngo1969]

On 2/14/2026 at 3:48 PM, Calm said:

Would a study qualify as a hard look?

https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/03/15/mormons-and-civic-life/

For comparison:

Unfortunately they did not provide a breakdown of the four categories for American volunteers in general.  I may be able to find it elsewhere.  Still 34 hours in comparison to 48—if we assume all those hours for nonLDS are not church affiliated, which I find highly unlikely on average—is still quite significant in my view given we already were doing 393 hours of church affiliated work including 56 hours of community projects sponsored by the Church….so 90 hours total of service in the nonLDS community with over 1/3 of that self initiated.

Also remember the 48 hours is not the average counting all Americans, but only for those already volunteering.  The study cites it being 26-55% of the total population depending on the measure used where for self identified LDS it’s 62% volunteering for nonChurch affiliated projects, so percentage wise, more LDS volunteer for the community outside of church functions than nonLDS do, even if we are giving less hours (again assuming here the 48 are all nonChurch affiliated for the nonLDS which is highly unlikely).

https://sp2.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/cnaan_lds_giving.pdf

Maybe you just weren’t aware of what others were doing unless it was a church activity?

Are you still going to believe that it’s rare that church members volunteer outside church sponsored activities?  If so, why since the data shows otherwise? (Not a challenge or accusation if you haven’t changed your mind and I hope no one else goes there….though I think I have presented a persuasive argument if I say so myself 😛 , I ask because I want to understand your thinking)

PS:  I do believe members should be asking themselves frequently what they can do outside of church sponsored efforts.  Maybe that’s what is getting the 62% out there.  But wouldn’t it be great if it was 94% (the percentage who do stuff for the ward or church) or greater?

For what it's worth [and I make absolutely no claim that this is, in any way, representative: In fact, I'm quite sure that it's not] currently, I volunteer for the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council and for the Advisory Council for the Utah Institute for Disability Research Policy and Practice [yes, the acronym/initialism is I-DRIPP ].  The total time commitment isn't all that impressive: A couple of hours [at most, a few] per month.

[Kenngo1969]

On 2/9/2026 at 12:13 PM, manol said:

[Recounting how a gentleman took it upon himself to greet ward members and visitors upon their arrival at Church]                                    

It wasn't a big thing, or was it?  We had at one person say that the tipping-point for their decision to return to activity was how warmly that guy welcomed them when they showed up at church for the first time in many years. 

 

It was one of those "big" little things.   

[Calm]

15 hours ago, california boy said:

church members do volunteer work in the community when asked by church leaders.

That would have been sponsored by/affliated  with the Church, which is category 3, not 4

4 categories…

 

1:  For religious activities, people give on average 242 hours.
 

2:  For church-affiliated volunteering to help meet social needs of people in the church, 96 hours.
 

3:  For church-affiliated activities helping people outside the church, 56 hours.
 

4:  And for activities outside of the church totally, 34 hours.

From the pdf link:

“The area in which most Latter-day Saints volunteer and to which most volunteer hours are dedicated is religious volunteering (94.4% of the respondents; 242 hours annually).

Social volunteering of all sorts was also carried out by most of the respondents (95.5% of the respondents; 185.9 hours annually). 

One type of social volunteering was secular volunteering to meet social needs outside the church, with an average, church-going Latter-day Saint providing 34 hours per year. Latter-day Saints provide the fewest volunteer hours to causes independent of the church. Yet, even if this were the only volunteer activity of Latter-day Saints, it would equal the national average of volunteering of all Americans.”

bold and italics mine

While the questionnaire itself is not online, the researchers listed at least 200 (going from memory) examples of volunteer work they had collected from asking a number of Saints for examples.  With that likely level of detail, I highly doubt they didn’t make it clear that they were interested in differentiating between social care in the community affiliated with/asked to participate by church leaders and secular volunteering done “independent of the church” or not requested by church leaders.

If you are still assuming category 4 is a result of being asked by church leaders, what would category 3 then be since it seems to be the same focus of “helping people outside the Church”, so it makes sense to me category 3 is a result of being asked by church leaders and 4 not being asked by church leaders.

 I see it as possible a member may start volunteering with a charitable group through a church activity (category 3), but later on go back on their own (category 4).  I have seen this happen quite a bit over the years. First exposure through the Church, but sustained volunteering self motivated.

I think it’s also possible a lot of the secular volunteering is volunteering at their kids’ schools.  I did that a lot and knew quite a few other LDS mothers who did as well.  However, iirc men had higher hours of secular volunteering than women…which was very odd to me, so I wonder if women don’t see working in their kids’ classes as volunteer work, but child care.

added:  oops, memory is wrong, that was religious volunteering and given there are more male only callings with long hours, that’s understandable.  Secular volunteering was the same across gender if I understood it correctly.

Edited February 16 by Calm