SERVICE

"Many of you have loved ones who are wandering off the path to eternal life. You wonder what more you can do to bring them back. You can depend on the Lord to draw closer to them as you serve Him in faith." ~President Henry B. Eyring, "Come Unto Me", April 2013 General Conference

"Kneel down to pray. Step up to serve. Reach out to rescue. Each is a vital page of God's blueprint to make a house a home and a home a heaven." ~President Thomas S. Monson, "Heavenly Homes, Forever Families", Ensign, June 2006

"The incomprehensible suffering of Jesus Christ ended sacrifice by the shedding of blood, but it did not end the importance of sacrifice in the gospel plan. Our Savior requires us to continue to offer sacrifices, but the sacrifices He now commands are that we 'offer for a sacrifice unto [Him] a broken heart and a contrite spirit' (3 Nephi 9:20). He also commands each of us to love and serve one another—in effect, to offer a small imitation of His own sacrifice by making sacrifices of our own time and selfish priorities." ~Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Sacrafice", April 2012 General Conference

"Israel, Israel, God is calling--calling us to live the gospel of Jesus Christ personally in small ways as well as large, and then to reach out to those who may not look or dress or behave quite like we do, and then (where you can) go beyond that to serve in the widest community you can address." ~Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "God is Calling", Broadcasts, September 2012

"It is our sacred joy and privilege to serve the Lord and our fellowmen, to commit the best that is within us to the noble cause of lifting others and building the kingdom of God." ~ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Joy of the Priesthood", October 2012 General Conference


“Miracles are everywhere to be found when the priesthood is understood, its power is honored and used properly, and faith is exerted. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes.” ~President Thomas S. Monson, April 2012 General Conference Priesthood Session

“Let us do whatever is required to qualify for the Holy Ghost as our companion, and then let us go forward fearlessly so that we will be given the powers to do whatever the Lord calls us to do.” ~Serve with the Spirit, President Henry B. Eyring, October 2010 General Conference: Priesthood Session

“Those who are caught up in trying to save their lives by seeking the praise of the world are actually rejecting the Savior’s teaching that the only way to save our eternal life is to love one another and lose our lives in service.” ~Elder Dallin H. Oaks, April 2009 General Conference

"[Jesus Christ] concluded His mortal ministry with the single most compassionate and significant service in the history of the world: the Atonement." ~Elder Russell M. Ballard; Ensign, November 1994, page 65.



"Salvation is an eternal goal we gain by a process of constant upward change. Doubt is spiritual poison that stunts eternal growth. We must first feel our way before we can see it with any clarity. We prove ourselves by making numerous correct decisions without being absolutely sure; then comes a greater knowledge and assurance, not before. Happiness is created. Love is its center. Its principal ingredients are sincere faith, true repentance, full obedience, and selfless service." ~Richard G. Scott, "Happiness Now and Forever", Ensign, Nov. 1979, 70

CAPSTONE:

I love that the Priesthood which is God's power on earth is only done through service. One holding the Priesthood cannot lay their own hands on their own head and give a blessing. When I realized this, I smiled at God's perfect plan. I realized how service brings us closer to our Savior and our Father in Heaven. When we lose ourselves in service to others, we forget our own selfish thoughts and truly love the person whom we serve. Multiple times in the scriptures, we are taught by the Savior's example how he served all of those around him all of the time. I believe that part of our progression on this earth and into the next life hinge upon our ability and willingness to love and serve all, not just the people we feel comfortable with. This is something I am constantly working on. It's easy for me to serve those I love, but I have a much harder time with those I am unfamiliar with or not comfortable with. I know that our modern day prophets counsel on service is true and one that I must heed. I'm so grateful for their example of selfless service as they serve all of us every single day of their lives.