Pres. Howard W. Hunter said, "Giving consistent effort in the little things in day-to-day life leads to true greatness." Chapter 11 from our manual, True Greatness was our lesson this past Sunday. President Hunter lived his life according to this teaching. Rather than seeking the spotlight or the acclaim of others, he performed daily deeds of service and sacrifice that were often unnoticed.
The world's definition of greatness is often misleading and can prompt damaging comparisons. Pres. Hunter tells us that we need to realize who we are and what we may become. "As someone once noted, there is within each of us a giant struggling with celestial homesickness." It is understandable that we make comparisons with others; sometimes this can even be beneficial as we strive to become better. However, making unfair and improper comparisons can destroy our happiness when they cause us to feel unfulfilled or inadequate. We cannot ignore aspects of our lives that may contain elements of true greatness.
Giving consistent effort in the little things in day-to-day life leads to true greatness. In 1905, President Joseph F. Smith made this most profound statement about true greatness: "Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history, but they do not make real life." Pres. Hunter said, "....it is the thousands of little deeds and tasks of service and sacrifice that constitute the giving, or losing, of one's life for others and for the Lord. They include gaining a knowledge of our Father in Heaven and the gospel. They also include bringing others into the faith and fellowship of his kingdom. These things do not usually receive the attention or the adulation of the world."
The Prophet Joseph was concerned with the daily tasks of service and caring for others. The Prophet Joseph was an everyday Christian. He was concerned about the small things, the daily tasks of service and caring for others. There are many stories where Joseph Smith made sure that all around him were comfortable and had the things they needed, regardless of the circumstances. George Q. Cannon said of him, "Joseph never saw the day when he did not feel that he was serving God and obtaining favor in the sight of Jesus Christ by showing kindness and attention 'even unto the least of these'."
True greatness comes from perservering in the difficulties of life and from serving in ways that are often unnoticed. We should try our best to follow the example of the Savior, who was constantly serving others and worrying about their welfare. There are many heroes that walk among us. Those who go about quietly serving, lending a hand, making calls and visits to those who need it, and fulfill their church responsibilities. Those are they who are achieving true greatness.
True greatness requires consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary steps over a long period of time. Pres. Hunter says, "True greatness is never a result of a chance occurence or a one-time effort or achievement. Greatness requires the develpment of character. It requires a multitude of correct decisions in the everyday choices between good and evil." The achievement of greatness is a long-term process.
Commonplace tasks often have the greatest positive effect on others. Pres. Hunter teaches us that we are all unique with different talents and skills. We also all have our own set of challenges and contraints as we are striving to serve others. "It is the commonplace tasks we perform that have the greatest positive effect on the lives of others, as compared with the things that the world so often relates to greatness."
Doing the things that God has ordained to be important will lead to true greatness. Pres. Hunter pleads with us, "To those who have devoted their lives to service and sacrifice for their families, for others, and for the Lord, the best counsel is simply to do more of the same.....If you endure to the end and if you are valiant in the testimony of Jesus, you will achieve true greatness and will one day live in the presence of our Father in Heaven."
Our teacher shared a beautiful video at the end of her lesson that reminds us all of the little, commonplace things, that we often don't think matter so much, really do matter in the lives of those we serve. You can watch it here:
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