President Henry B. Eyring on coping with busy lives by putting God first

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. These remarks were part of a CES fireside presented in Moscow, Idaho, on May 6, 2001:

"I realize that there are some, perhaps many, for whom my urging to capture leisure time cuts like a knife. You feel overwhelmed by the lack of time. You have left unfinished tasks in your Church calling. You've carried your scriptures all day but still have not found a moment to open them. There is someone in your family who would be blessed by your thoughtful attention, but you haven't gotten to them yet. You will go to a job tomorrow that barely pays enough to keep food on your table and pay your bills. Rather than finding ways to capture leisure time for learning, you are trying to decide what to leave undone.

"There is another way to look at your problem of crowded time. You can see it as an opportunity to test your faith. The Lord loves you and watches over you. He is all-powerful, and He promised you this: 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you' (Matt. 6:33).

"That is a true promise. When we put God's purposes first, He will give us miracles. If we pray to know what He would have us do next, He will multiply the effects of what we do in such a way that time seems to be expanded. He may do it in different ways for each individual, but I know from long experience that He is faithful to His word."

- Henry B. Eyring, "Education for Real Life," CES fireside in Moscow, Idaho, on 6 May 2001; see Ensign, Oct 2002, pp. 14-21
Click here to read the full talk

President Eyring had been encouraging wise use of leisure time in this talk. I love his acknowledgement that "some, perhaps many" feel so overwhelmed by life's challenges that the thought of wise use of free time is far from their minds. I've certainly felt that way, with the "To Do List" growing out of control!

It's so easy to think of those busy periods as our own shortcoming, evidence of poor planning, or even a manifestation of incompetence. Gentle President Eyring asks that we consider them as a trial of faith: will I be willing to turn to God for help? Will I claim the promises of assistance, of magnification, of deliverance?

President Eyring summarizes God's promises to us in a powerful way:

This is a hopeful promise: we truly can pray to receive help, guidance, inspiration, and even miracles in our life. I find especially fascinating the thought that "time seems to be expanded" when we see God intervene in the things we do.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

April 14, 2015