What Have I Done for Someone Today?

by President Thomas S. Monson
Sunday Morning October 2009

Remember this quote?

“And what did you do for someone today?

I didn't think that I remembered this talk until I came to this story. We tried for a time to implement into our nightly family prayers but it didn't last long. We'll have to try again. It is so important that we think of others before ourselves and that we teach our kids this principle.

I was listening to talk radio the other day and the host said that when he has couples come to him saying they aren't in love with their spouse anymore. He tells them they haven't been serving them enough. We love who we serve.


We see many verses in the Scriptures telling us to serve and love one another. President Monson says,

"I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives."

"I am confident it is the intention of each member of the Church to serve and to help those in need. At baptism we covenanted to “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light.”8 How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you’ve left it for others to help, feeling that “oh, surely someone will take care of that need.”

We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes."

I'll be the first to admit that this is definitely one of my weaknesses.  I often have thoughts of others.  Little things I should say or do and most of the time I get going about my day and forget to act upon those promptings.  Most of the time I think my thoughts are silly.  I tell myself they would think I was silly for doing that.  Anyone else do this?

I will be better at this!! Will you? 

What have you done today for someone?