President M. Russell Ballard on small acts of Christlike love

President M. Russell Ballard (born October 8, 1928) was called as a Seventy in 1976, and has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1985. He became acting president of the Twelve in January 2018.

"We read of the service Church members provide around the world and especially the humanitarian service given in times of crisis—fires and floods and hurricanes and tornadoes. These much-needed and much-appreciated emergency responses should certainly continue as a way of bearing one another’s burdens. But what about our everyday lives? What would be the cumulative effect of millions of small, compassionate acts performed daily by us because of our heartfelt Christian love for others? Over time this would have a transformative effect upon all of our Heavenly Father’s children through the extension of His love to them through us. Our troubled world needs this love of Christ today more than ever, and it will need it even more in the years ahead."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Be Anxiously Engaged," General Conference October 2012
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It's always gratifying to read of dramatic efforts of humanitarian service performed on behalf of the Church in instances of natural disaster or human tragedy. We are all grateful that our offerings and contributions can be used in such ways to relieve suffering and bless lives.

But Elder Ballard suggested that the compounded impact of our personal, individual efforts can have an even more profound impact:

In our "everyday lives" we each have the opportunity every day to share "small, compassionate acts" with those around us. If we truly feel Christian love for those around us, we will be eager to serve as He did—unselfishly, sincerely, with the desire to uplift and bless. We will be eager to comfort, to bear burdens, and to bring others unto the Savior.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)