President Henry B. Eyring on finding joy in life

President Henry B. Eyring (born May 31, 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 experienced the joy of coming closer to the Savior and of His coming closer to me most often through simple acts of obedience to the commandments....

"We are under covenant both to lift up those in need and to be witnesses of the Savior as long as we live.

"We will be able to do it without fail only as we feel love for the Savior and His love for us. As we are faithful to the promises we have made, we will feel our love for Him. It will increase because we will feel His power and His drawing near to us in His service....

"By His words and His example, Christ has shown us how to draw closer to Him. Every child of Heavenly Father who has chosen to enter through the gate of baptism into His Church will have the opportunity in this life to be taught His gospel and to hear from His called servants His invitation, 'Come unto me' (Matthew 11:28).

"Every covenant servant of His within His kingdom on earth and in the spirit world will receive His guidance by the Spirit as they bless and serve others for Him. And they will feel His love and find joy in being drawn closer to Him."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Come unto Me," General Conference, April 2013
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There are lots of paths in life that we might choose in pursuit of joy; most of them may find temporary happiness but not the pure, lasting joy that truly matters. President Eyring points out the "secret" to establishing a closeness with the Savior, through "simple acts of obedience to the commandments":

The Savior's invitation "Come unto me" still provides the greatest source of peace and joy available to us. President Eyring testifies of this truth through his own experiences; and he challenges us to have the same opportunities to learn for ourselves.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)