Henry B. Eyring on service and spiritual strength

President Henry B. Eyring (1933- ) served in the Presiding Bishopric from 1985-1992, as a Seventy from 1992-1995, then was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. He has served in the First Presidency since 2007.

"The more faithful service you give, the more the Lord asks of you. Your smile is a happy one because you know that He increases our power to carry the heavier load.

"The tough part of that reality, however, is that for Him to give you that increased power you must go in service and faith to your outer limits.

"It is like building muscle strength. You must break down your muscles to build them up. You push muscles to the point of exhaustion. Then they repair themselves, and they develop greater strength. Increased spiritual strength is a gift from God which He can give when we push in His service to our limits. Through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our natures can be changed. Then our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give."

- Henry B. Eyring, "O Ye That Embark," Ensign, Nov. 2008, pp. 57-60
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This is an interesting perspective. We grow in our ability to serve as we spend more time serving; and the Lord is able to ask more from those who are better trained and prepared to give more. But in order to reach the greatest capacity to give, one must push "to your outer limits" in preparation.