Cover image: “Picnic at Manassas” by Richard R. Miller.

In high school history class, I recall being taught that several hundred politicians, socialites, and journalists showed up in carriages to watch the first battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Bull Run. Many sat in fine clothing in their carriages during what was nicknamed “The Picnic Battle.” They expected to see a decisive, bloodless Union victory, but were surprised by real warfare, and a victory for the Confederates.

War spectators have existed in other ages and locations. There’s even a German word for it: Schlachtenbummler. Today it means sports fan, but it originally meant “battle enthusiast.”

Today, it’s easy to see the Carriage Set as silly onlookers, people who were so complacent that a glimpse of a vigorous fight could qualify as entertainment.

Fast forward to today. We witness an assassination attempt on a Presidential candidate. We watch the news, we listen to opinions, we talk—sometimes with gusto—about the state of affairs in the world today. Sometimes we even have these conversations over, dare I say, a picnic or a dinner?

If that’s as far as we take our action, we are really not much different from the civilians at Bull Run.

I once heard a General Authority say that valiant warriors are not people who fight if the battle comes to them; they bring the battle to the enemy.

Does this mean we should all join the military or run for office? No—unless you feel called to do that—but most of us, myself included, could be far more involved than we are. It’s easy to leave it to others. We’re busy raising families, working, serving in callings—believe me, I know the list of what keeps us busy. There’s even, “I’d fight but… it’s kind of hot out…”

So, here are 20 ways – moral, educational, and political– we can stop just talking about it, and make a real difference in the world we observe and bemoan:

  1. Assist with voter registration or become a poll worker during elections
  2. Run for the school board
  3. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, food bank, or soup kitchen
  4. Check online at JustServe.org for opportunities that fit various time slots
  5. Become a tutor or a mentor to local kids. Contact schools to find out how
  6. Meet with other parents to outline better educational goals and present them to the school board
  7. Volunteer on commissions that help with local issues you care about
  8. Get involved with pet rescue services
  9. Volunteer at nursing homes
  10. Join a service club such as the Rotary, Kiwanis, or Lions Club
  11. Get involved with toy donations for needy children
  12. Look for virtual volunteering opportunities. You can give service, time, and skill from home
  13. Consider helping out at a summer camp
  14. Organize a blood drive
  15. Help build homes with Habitat for Humanity
  16. Coach a youth sports team
  17. Volunteer at the local library
  18. Have a family council and choose a charity to support
  19. Attend a political rally
  20. Get involved in an Interfaith group where people come together to work together

Getting involved does more than help a certain cause. It’s also a great way to encourage kids—and adults– to put down their phones. Another side benefit is that you make connections with other volunteers who can inform you about current issues, innovative ways to serve, and causes you never even knew about. You’ll make your own influence felt, and shine light in ways you never expected.

Many feel the world is in a sorry state. So let’s put down our binoculars and do something. Let’s not just be schlachtenbummlers.

Joni Hilton is an LDS author, Seminary teacher, and shares life hacks at https://m.youtube.com/c/jonihilton  Her novel, Golden, has just become an Amazon audiobook.