COURAGE IN OUR SERVICE

The subject of my last few blog messages has been service, specifically, the joy in giving service. As I was reading today to gain some inspiration for this blog message, I read President Henry B. Eyring's message in this month's issue of the ENSIGN MAGAZINE. A statement he made caught my eye. He said, "The holy priesthood gives us courage in our service. In its ordinances we receive power to serve God's children and to withstand the influence of evil. When He calls us to serve, we have this promise: 'And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.' (D&C 84:88)"

I certainly never thought about that! But, there it is! Through the priesthood, if I give service, I have the power to resist evil. The Lord is on my right hand and on my left hand and His Spirit is in my heart and angels surround me. That takes me back to my first blog message concerning service. It was entitled WHO BENEFITS FROM GIVING SERVICE, REALLY? In D&C 76:5 we read, "For thus saith the Lord--I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end."