Diligence is necessary for a lifetime of faithful priesthood service, said President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, during the priesthood session of general conference.
He told of a newly ordained deacon who, preparing to pass the sacrament for the first time, created a diagram showing every row and a route through the chapel to serve sacrament to the members. President Eyring said that the young man had made a plan to be sure he would succeed in his priesthood service. "I recognized in his diligence the pattern for the new 'Duty to God' booklet. It is to learn what the Lord expects of you, make a plan to do it, act on your plan with diligence, and then share with others how our experiences changed you and blessed others."
President Eyring spoke of another example, a man who, after he was released as bishop the second time, served despite physical limitations. He diligently sat each Sunday near the door to the chapel where each person arriving could see his look of love and welcome. "His task as a bishop was finished; his priesthood service did not end," President Eyring said.
"You have seen such examples of great priesthood servants. Tonight, I will try to tell you about what I have learned about them. It begins with their learning to know whose service they are in and for what purpose."
Directing his remarks to the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood, President Eyring spoke of developing diligence as individuals feel the magnitude of the trust God has placed in them.
Quoting from the "Duty to God" booklet, he said: "'Heavenly Father has great trust and confidence in you and has an important mission for you to fulfill. He will help you as you turn to Him in prayer. Listen for the promptings of the Spirit. Obey the commandments and keep the covenants that you have made.'"
President Eyring spoke of the importance of knowing who calls priesthood leaders and for what purpose they serve.
"Your priesthood calls allow you to offer the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to the members of His Church today," he said. "That is the same privilege the Savior granted to the Twelve Apostles in His mortal ministry. He did it again when He called twelve disciples after His Resurrection to lead His Church."
President Eyring referenced 3 Nephi 20:1-9, which tells how the Lord provided the emblems of His infinite sacrifice and administered them to the people.
"Think of Him and how He honors you when you perform your priesthood service. As you remember Him, you will be determined to perform that service, as nearly as you can, as well and faithfully as He did. That can become a pattern in your life that will increase your power to be diligent in every priesthood service for which the Lord is preparing you and to which He will call you."
Service in the Aaronic Priesthood will prepare young men to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, President Eyring said. "Like the Aaronic Priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood is more than a trust to do what the Lord would do. It is an invitation to become as He is."
Further, he said, "We are to learn our duty from the Lord and then we are to act in all diligence, never being lazy or slothful."
With so many distractions surrounding priesthood holders today, many times studying the daily news can appear more interesting than the priesthood lesson manual, and sitting down to rest can be more attractive than making appointments to visit those who need our priesthood service, President Eyring said.
"When I find myself drawn away from my priesthood duties by other interests and when my body begs for rest, I give to myself this rallying cry: 'Remember Him.' The Lord is our perfect example of diligence in priesthood service. He is our captain. He called us. He goes before us. ...
"He chose us to follow Him and to bring others with us. ... By faithful service and through His Atonement we can come to want what He wants and be what we must be to bless those we serve for Him."
