Pleading in prayer for help and assurance that he would not fail in the call that has come to him as second counselor in the First Presidency, President Henry B. Eyring received an answer that he said is probably the same as he received as a boy of 13 or 14.

President Henry B. Eyring

Speaking in the priesthood session, President Eyring recalled that his family had moved to an area with stakes, large wards and chapels, elements to which he had not been accustomed, "and quorums of boys who all seemed to know so much more than I did about what priesthood holders do."

He went outside the chapel and prayed for help and some assurance he would not fail in serving God in His priesthood.

Now, as a new First Presidency member, President Eyring said the answer he got "is the same answer you can expect to get when you face a call to serve in the priesthood which seems beyond you."

"The message may come in words to your mind, or in a feeling, or both," he said. He mentioned elements of such a message that will give assurance and guidance.

Such assurance will come from remembrance of times when Heavenly Father has helped the seeker through dangers and difficulties, President Eyring said, recalling a recent instance when he was called to face a crowd of angry people who, as it turned out, were suddenly and inexplicably touched by a spirit of calm and reconciliation.

He told of his apprehension when assigned to speak to a gathering of leaders of other churches about the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith. President Eyring said that in answer to his prayers he was prompted to be direct in his approach.

"I was given no assurance of the outcome, just a clear direction," he said. As it happened though, he was received cordially at the meetings by ministers who had had positive experiences with Church members in the past.

"You new deacons: Remember. You new quorum presidents: Remember. You fathers with children who are a challenge to you, remember, and have no fear," President Eyring said. "What is impossible for you is possible with God's help."

He said the second part of the message one will receive as one prays for help facing a hard assignment came to him very early the day before the general conference convened. "I had prayed, as you will about your overwhelming inadequacies. The answer was clear and very direct: Forget yourself; start praying about the people you are to serve. That does wonders to bring the Holy Ghost. But be prepared to lose track of time as you pray. You will feel love for the people you are to serve. You will feel their needs, their hopes, their hurts, and those of their families. And the circle will grow wider than you would imagine, to people perhaps not in your quorum or your family but to those they love across the world."