The Most Important Calling

The Greatest among You

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

In God's kingdom, greatness and leadership means seeing others as they truly are - as God sees them - and then reaching out and ministering to them. It means rejoicing with those who are happy, weeping with those who grieve, lifting up those in distress, and loving our neighbor as Christ loves us. 

To be effective Church leaders, we must learn this critical lesson: leadership in the Church is not so much about directing others as it is about our willingness to be directed by God.

 If we approach our callings as opportunities to serve God and minister to others with faith and humility, every act of service will be a step on the path of discipleship. 

We accept callings with grace, humility, and gratitude. When we are released from these callings, we accept the change with the same grace, humility, and gratitude.

In the eyes of God, there is no calling in the kingdom that is more important than another. 

Each time we give of ourselves to others, we take a step closer to becoming good and true disciples of the One who gave His all for us: our Savior.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to serve the Lord, but when we seek to gain influence in the Church for our own sake-in order to receive the praise and admiration of men-we have our reward. When we "inhale" the praise of others, that praise will be our compensation.

What is the most important calling in the Church? It is the one you currently have.