Throughout His ministry, the Savior invited listeners to follow Him, to put off their own self-centered existence and join Him in doing His Father's work. He did not seek followers who were idle; He wanted followers who would keep God's commandments and care for their fellow beings.

He reminded His disciples, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

Today, the Savior's invitation continues to be extended by thousands of LDS missionaries teaching in nations across the earth. Their invitation is being answered one individual at a time and people of all walks of life are finding that the teachings of Jesus Christ are as relevant in today's uncertain world as they were back when He uttered them in the meridian of time.

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it" the Savior told His followers, "but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it" (Luke 9:24).

President Spencer W. Kimball said, "Never did the Savior give in expectation. I know of no case in His life in which there was an exchange. He was always the giver, seldom the recipient. Never did He give shoes, hose, or a vehicle; never did He give perfume, a shirt, or a fur wrap. His gifts were of such a nature that the recipient could hardly exchange or return the value. His gifts were rare ones: eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and legs to the lame, cleanliness to the unclean, wholeness to the infirm, and breath to the lifeless. . . . . We should strive to give as He gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift" (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 246-47).

Serving others is just one way we can show our love for God and keep Christ at the center of our lives. Our happiness — and in large measure the happiness of those around us — is made easier when we direct our efforts to eternal principles and strive to live the teachings of the Savior. We find His teachings in the holy scriptures and in the words of counsel from our priesthood leaders.

After the Savior's visit to the Americas, the Nephites enjoyed nearly 200 years of peace. The prophet Nephi described the followers of the Savior in this manner: ". . . and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God" (4 Nephi 1:16).

We, too, can enjoy that peace of which Nephi spoke by living our lives in harmony with the gospel and by partaking of the Savior's goodness.

In a conference address before he became president of the Church, Elder Harold B. Lee advised: "Now the only safety we have as members of the Church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through His prophet, 'as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me. . . .'

"There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with your social life. . . .

"Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow the ones who the Lord has placed to preside over His church. He knows who He wants to preside over this church, and He will make no mistake. The Lord doesn't do things by accident. . . . Let us keep our eye on the president of the Church" (Conference Report, October 1970, p. 152-53).

Our prophet today, President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, "It seems to me that He (the Savior) is saying to each of us that unless we lose ourselves in the service of others our lives are largely lived to no real purpose. . . . He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity" (BYU Speeches of the Year, 1977, p. 43).

By following the words of the Savior and the prophets we can enjoy the promise in James: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" (James 2:7-8).