Henry B. Eyring on lifting and serving others

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.

"I am grateful to be with you in this evening of worship, reflection, and dedication. We have prayed together. Our loving Heavenly Father has heard us. We have remembered our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, as we have been touched by hymns of praise to Him. We have been inspired to do more to help our Master in His work to lift up and to succor the children of our Heavenly Father.

"Our desire to serve others is magnified by our gratitude for what the Savior has done for us. That is why our hearts swell when we hear the words sung 'Because I have been given much, I too must give' (Hymns, no. 219). King Benjamin, in his great sermon recorded in the Book of Mormon, promised that feeling of gratitude would come (see Mosiah 2:17-19).

"When our faith in Jesus Christ leads us to qualify for the joy of His forgiveness, we feel a desire to serve others for Him....

"So, with those feelings, the first thing you must commit to do is to go and serve, knowing that you do not go alone. When you go to comfort and serve anyone for the Savior, He prepares the way before you."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Trust in That Spirit Which Leadeth to Do Good," General Conference, April 2016, General Women's Session
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I have often felt the spirit President Eyring describes as I've attended wonderful, uplifting meetings in the Church: the inspired desire "to do more to help our Master in His work to lift up and to succor the children of our Heavenly Father." But I am not sure I have always responded to those feelings in the ways I should have.

The source of these inspirations is described in these words:

Because of all the Savior has done for us, a person with a truly grateful heart will be eager to follow His example and "Do unto others." It is reassuring to know that we are never alone in those efforts to serve; God promises that He will guide and sustain us in our efforts, preparing the way before us.

So now the invitation and challenge is to respond more actively and find ways to "serve others for Him." I was grateful for the renewed emphasis on this topic in the most recent conference, and hope to see the fruits in the lives of many around me.