"We become so caught up in the business of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes."
- President Thomas S. Monson, "What Have I Done for Someone Today?" Ensign, Nov. 2009, 85.
Definitely words of wisdom and an answer to many prayers.
"It is serving God and others persistently with full heart and soul that turns testimony of truth into unbreakable spiritual strength."
- Henry B. Eyring, "Mountains to Climb," General Conference, Apr. 2012.
I chose this quote because I do not think we can come to know the Savior without serving others and serving in his kingdom.
"Let us learn and contemplate our duty. Let us be willing and worthy to serve. Let us in the performance of our duty follow in the footsteps of the Master. As you and I walk the pathway Jesus walked, we will discover He is more than the babe in Bethlehem, more than the carpenter’s son, more than the greatest teacher ever to live. We will come to know Him as the Son of God, our Savior and our Redeemer."
—President Thomas S. Monson, "Willing and Worthy to Serve", General Conference, Apr. 2012)
This is a witness to me that I need to serve and sacrifice unselfishly so that I can enjoy eternal life.
"I believe that Latter-day Saints who give unselfish service and sacrifice in worshipful imitation of our Savior adhere to eternal values to a greater extent than any other group of people. Latter-day Saints look on their sacrifices of time and means as a part of their schooling and qualifying for eternity. This is the truth revealed in the Lectures on Faith, which teach that 'a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. … It is through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that man should enjoy eternal life.'"
—Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Sacrifice", General Conference, Apr. 2012
I appreciated this counsel as we serve and have found it very valuable.
"As the humble servants of the Savior, we should pray for the manifestations of the Holy Ghost to come to us in our service and to those we serve. Humble prayer to our Heavenly Father, in deep faith in Jesus Christ, is essential to qualify us for the companionship of the Holy Ghost."
- President Henry B. Eyring, "Serve with the Spirit,"General Conference, Oct. 2010.
This is a great reminder that there is no lack of opportunities to serve others and we have a responsiblity to do so.
“My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.”
- President Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 86
I know this to be true. The happiest people I know are those that willingly serve others.
"The Savior taught His disciples, 'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it' (Luke 9:24).
"I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives."
- President Thomas S. Monson, "What Have I Done for Someone Today?" Ensign, Nov. 2009, 85
I chose this quote because the service we render does not have to be major, we just need to do something.
"The love the Savior described is an active love. It is not manifested through large and heroic deeds but rather through simple acts of kindness and service."
-Elder Melvin J. Ballard, "Finding Joy through Loving Service, General Conference, Apr. 2011.
This is a message that is near and dear to my heart. Motherhood has been a sacrifice for me but it has come with some of the greatest rewards.
"A familiar example of losing ourselves in the service of others—this one not unique to Latter-day Saints—is the sacrifice parents make for their children. Mothers suffer pain and loss of personal priorities and comforts to bear and rear each child. Fathers adjust their lives and priorities to support a family."
-Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Unselfish Service," General Conference, Apr. 2009.
"I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves. (See Matt. 10:39.)"
-Spencer W. Kimball, “Small Acts of Service," Ensign, Dec. 1974.
