Self-evaluation.

The very thought can send chills through the soul.

But, when all is said and done, self-evaluation really is the only truly valuable evaluation.

In evaluating your performance, a kind teacher might be, well, too kind. Conversely, an assuming neighbor might be, yes, too assuming.

But — deep down inside — you, and only you, fully and honestly know how you're doing.

In opening last April's general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley shared "a few words of accountability concerning (his) stewardship during the past 10 years."

He reported "a remarkable flowering of the work" and "many meaningful accomplishments." He asserted that "every faithful, active member of the Church across the world" had contributed to that progress.

Given that, Latter-day Saints might well use President Hinckley's report as a guide to their own self-evaluation.

• Perhaps you served a mission or had the courage to invite a friend to hear the gospel message.

  " . . . the Church has grown across the world . . . . We have become a great international family scattered through 160 nations. . . . more than 500 new stakes have been created and more than 4,000 new wards and branches. Three million new members have been added."

• Perhaps you have been called to rise early five days a week to teach the gospel to sleepy youths enrolled in seminary.

  "The enrollment in our education system has doubled, increasing by approximately 200,000."

• Perhaps you have married and started a family. Perhaps you have watched your Sunbeams become Beehives. Perhaps you have helped cultivate faith and integrity in your children.

  "For the most part, our youth are stronger and more faithful."

• Perhaps you have used your resources for the benefit of others.

  "The Perpetual Education Fund has been created. We started with nothing but hope and faith. Today nearly 18,000 young people are being assisted. They live in 27 different nations. They are being trained and are moving out of the slough of poverty in which they and their forebears have lived for generations. Their skills are being refined and their earnings multiplied."

  "With all of this and much more, we have reached out across the earth to assist those in distress and need wherever they may be. In the last 10 years we have supplied in cash and commodities hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to those not of our faith."

• Perhaps you made time to start or have extended your efforts in family history work.

  "We have greatly increased the number of temples. In 1995, there were 47. Today, there are 119, with three more to be dedicated this year."

• Perhaps you have read the Book of Mormon, perhaps many times.

  "The Book of Mormon was had in 87 languages in 1995. Today, it is available in 106 languages."

• Perhaps you not only enjoyed Sunday worship in a comfortable building, but spent some Saturday mornings washing walls or cleaning floors.

  "We have constructed literally thousands of buildings across the earth. They are of a better quality and more suitable to our needs than those previously built."

  There are, of course, countless ways that you could have displayed your discipleship over the past 10 years. In your heart, you know what you have honestly done.

And there are, of course, countless more ways that you can display your discipleship in the future. In your heart, you know what you can honestly do.

President Hinckley asserted that "our hope concerning the future is great and our faith is strong."

And, repeating a clarion invitation of 10 years previous, President Hinckley asked that we "stand a little taller, . . . lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."