General Conference: "This Day"

by Miriam Caldwell | More from this Blogger

04 Oct 2007 03:11 PM

In his talk "This Day" Elder Henry B Eyring speaks about the importance of avoiding procrastination. He opens by speaking of the danger of the "Someday" mindset, because your time may run out and you will not have accomplished the many things that you meant to do someday.

Elder Eyring then stresses the importance of serving the Lord each day. He points out that service to the Lord helps you to draw closer to Him. Elder Eyring encourages each of us to begin the day with a prayer to ask the Lord where you can serve today. Elder Eyring says:

"That is as true of a day as it is of a life. A morning prayer and an early search in the scriptures to know what we should do for the Lord can set the course of a day. We can know which task, of all those we might choose, matters most to God and therefore to us. I have learned such a prayer is always answered if we ask and ponder with childlike submission, ready to act without delay to perform even the most humble service."

"On many days, doing what matters most will not be easy. It is not supposed to be. God's purpose in creation was to let us prove ourselves. The plan was explained to us in the spirit world before we were born. We were valiant enough there to qualify for the opportunity to choose against temptation here to prepare for eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God. We rejoiced to know the test would be one of faithful obedience even when it would not be easy: 'And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.'"

Elder Eyring emphasizes that we all need the Lord's help so that we do not continue to procrastinate. He speaks of two different reasons why we might procrastinate. The first is complacency. He speaks specifically about members who have felt that they have done enough, and so they no longer need to serve. He points out that service both in church callings and otherwise can help you.

Elder Eyring then goes on to speak to those who are overwhelmed. He emphasizes that by simply serving the Lord today, we can begin to feel better tomorrow. He says:

"Hard as things seem today, they will be better in the next day if you choose to serve the Lord this day with your whole heart. Your circumstances may not be improved in all the ways which you desire. But you will have been given new strength to carry your burdens and new confidence that when your burdens become too heavy, the Lord, whom you have served, will carry what you cannot."

Elder Eyring stresses that we grow closer to the Lord by serving Him. As we take the time to pray and learn just how we should serve each day, then we will grow closer to the Lord. This can bring great peace into your life.

This was a wonderful talk. Elder Eyring spoke of the blessings of service, and addressed the reasons why people may choose not to serve. The message really helped me to see how service can help everyone find happiness and an inner peace. I know that when I take the time to serve, I feel better about my day and how everything has gone. The quotes that I shared from the talk really touched me. I hope that you will take the time to read this wonderful talk.

Related Articles:

Spiritual Pick Me Up

Small Acts of Service

The Positive Effects of Service

Learn more about Miriam Caldwell

Miriam is a SAHM mom of three children. She has a daughter who is seven, and two sons, four and two. She loves being a parent and spending time with her children.

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