Challenges from President Monson

Today I went to my brother's ward and they were talking about what our Prophet President Monson has asked us to do since he has become our prophet. Below is the list they gave us of those challenges!

Service

• Each of us can do something to help someone
• Recall with me the familiar words of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon; "When ye are in the service of the your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
• We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.
• My brothers and sisters, may we ask ourselves the questions which greeted Dr. Jack McConnell and his brothers and sisters each evening at dinner time; "What have I done for someone today?"
• May the words of a familiar hymn penetrate our very souls and find lodgment in our hearts; "Have I done any good in the world today. . ."

Prayer

• I would ask that your faith and prayers continue to be offered in behalf of those areas where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely at this time.
• I would ask once again that you would remember me and all of the General Authorities in your prayers.

Refrain from Anger

• We must choose to refrain from becoming angry.
• May we make a conscious decision, each time such a decision must be made, to refrain from anger and to leave unsaid the harsh and hurtful things we may be tempted to say.
• May we ever be exemplary in our homes and faithful in keeping all of the commandments that we may harbor no animosity toward any man but rather be peacemakers, ever remembering the Savior's admonition, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Other

• May we continue to be faithful in performing [temple] ordinances for those who are unable to do so for themselves.
• We call upon all members to befriend the new convert, to reach out to them, to surround them with love, and to help them feel at home.
• To those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, [the oath and covenant of the priesthood] is a declaration of our requirement to be faithful and obedient to the laws of God and to magnify the callings which come to us...May we be worthy sons of our Heavenly Father.
• May we incorporate into our daily lives the truths found [in the General Conference issue of the Ensign].
• May every man and woman, boy and girl leave this conference a better person than he or she was when it began two days ago.