The leader of a volunteer group had just finished reviewing plans for an upcoming event at the local high school when she closed her notebook and, with a hint of concern, said, "What we need now is for people to get excited."

It was a casual comment that probably didn't cause a blip on most thought patterns.

Yet, how true it is in every field of endeavor: Enthusiasm powers progress.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm."

As others have said, nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm.

In a 1995 article in the July Ensign, Francis M. Gibbons detailed the life of President Thomas S. Monson, then first counselor in the First Presidency.

Any concern over the abilities of a 22-year-old bishop assuming responsibility for a ward with more than 1,000 members, including 84 widows, was misplaced, he wrote.

"Once installed in office, Bishop Monson went about his work with customary enthusiasm. Continuing the fine work of his predecessors, the once dowdy chapel was spruced up; the youth organizations were energized; sacrament meeting attendance soared; the needy were nurtured; and the widows were given tender, loving care.

"Indeed, Bishop Monson's care of the widows stands as the most enduring badge of his service," Brother Gibbons wrote.

Reflecting on that calling, President Monson highlighted key principles from that experience during an October 2007 General Conference address.

"It is not enough to want to make the effort and to say we'll make the effort. We must actually make the effort. It's in the doing, not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals." President Monson said.

"A great deal of effort was required to make certain that every matter which needed to be handled was taken care of and every member of the ward felt included and watched over. Although the assignment was monumental in scope, I did not let it overwhelm me. I went to work, as did others, and did all I could to serve. Each of us can do the same, regardless of the calling or assignment."

The scriptures are replete with examples of faith unleashed by enthusiastic diligence. Whether it's Nephi accepting the daunting task of building a ship and sailing to new lands, or Ammon and his brethren teaching the gospel to avowed enemies, or Joseph Smith setting to the task of translating foreign markings, the catalyst was faith and, one of its companions, enthusiasm.

To be enthusiastic in the work of the Lord is less about waving pompons or delivering fiery locker room speeches, but rather more about the inspiration that comes from loving the Lord and seeking His will.

It isn't found so much in flashy efforts that glow brightly then soon flame out, but rather in steady service that maintains a passion for purpose.

The word "enthusiasm" is rooted in the Greek word, entheos, which comes from en (in) theos (god). A translation of "enthusiasm" is "having God in us" or "being inspired by God" (see Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, 2001, IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.)

"The Christ-centered life," said Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "produces in us, not a woeful countenance, but a disciplined enthusiasm to work righteousness. We need this, week after week and day after day, for we often meet with and try to help people who 'droop in sin' (2 Nephi 4:28).

"The electricity of our enthusiasm for righteousness can brace and lift them. With this enthusiasm for righteousness, we avoid the feeling of being personally plateaued.... Duties ... help us to avoid staleness. They are like keys on a piano keyboard; touch them correctly and in concert and renewing music is inevitable — if one chord doesn't lift, another will!" ("The Christ-Centered Life," Ensign, August 1981, p. 13).

The life and ministry of the Savior is a study of enthusiastic service. Meeting His apostles that early morning on the shores of Galilee shortly after His resurrection, where they were greeted with hot coals ready to bake bread and fry fish, typifies His enthusiastic service of meeting the needs of His followers on their schedule. His enthusiasm is manifest in His untiring care for an individual, or His effort to bless the masses.

His call to enthusiastic service has its own cadence, "See that ye serve Him with all your heart, might, mind and strength" (Doctrine and Covenants 4:2).