Henry B. Eyring on unselfish service and spiritual growth

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.

"James the Apostle taught us how the desire to serve others springs from our gratitude for what the Lord has done for us:

"'But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed....

"'Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world' (James 1:25, 27).

"One of the assurances that you are being purified is an increasing desire to serve others for the Savior. Home teaching and visiting teaching become more of a joy and less of a chore. You find yourself volunteering more often in a local school or helping care for the poor in your community. Even though you may have little money to give to those who have less, you wish you had more so that you could give more (see Mosiah 4:24). You find yourself eager to serve your children and to show them how to serve others.

"As your nature changes, you will feel a desire to give greater service without recognition."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Service and Eternal Life," Ensign, March 2014, pp. 4-5
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So much depends in this life on developing the perspective that acknowledges the involvement of God in our lives, and how every aspect is inter-related. When we are truly grateful for God and His blessings in our life, then we naturally want to be a part of His work in blessing and helping His other children.

I loved President Eyring's analysis that relates our spiritual growth to increased personal desire to serve others.

In essence, it becomes easier to act like Christ because we have become more like Him. We're no longer motivated by the desire for recognition; we just want to do good. What a beautiful state to aspire to!