"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

"Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me" (Matthew 25:34–36).

In this passage, Jesus addressed three basic physical needs of humans: food, clothing and shelter. Then He spoke of an emotional need: consolation or comfort.

This is the Master's guide pertaining to serving those in need.

For the most part, we follow that guide. The challenge is not with our desire to serve, but if we will provide that service in time to benefit those in need.

The realization of lost opportunities rests heavily upon us. For example, the news of the death of a loved one, or even a casual acquaintance, inevitably leads us to feel regret if we did not follow through on our intentions to visit the individual, or send a card, write a letter or speak with him or her on the telephone. Many chapel pews at funeral services are occupied by individuals who have thoughts such as: "I should have visited," "I should have written," "I wish I had done more."

Having good intentions is good but following through is better. Procrastination seldom, if ever, has any positive outcomes.

While serving in the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Henry B. Eyring, now first counselor in the First Presidency, addressed the need for acting now.

He said: "There is danger in the word someday when what it means is 'not this day.' 'Someday I will repent.' 'Someday I will forgive him.' 'Someday I will speak to my friend about the Church.' 'Someday I will start to pay my tithing.' 'Someday I will return to the temple.' 'Someday….'

"The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. It is that we may discover that we have run out of time. The God who gives us each day as a treasure will require an accounting. We will weep, and He will weep, if we have intended to repent and to serve Him in tomorrows which never came or have dreamt of yesterdays where the opportunity to act was past. This day is a precious gift of God. The thought 'Someday I will' can be a thief of opportunities of time and the blessings of eternity.' "

Further, Elder Eyring said: "In the hardest trials, as long as you have the power to pray, you can ask a loving God: 'Please let me serve, this day. It doesn't matter to me how few things I may be able to do. Just let me know what I can do. I will obey this day. I know that I can, with Thy help.'

"The quiet invitation to you may be to do so simple a thing as to forgive someone who has offended you. You can do that from a hospital bed. It may be to go to help someone who is hungry. You may feel overwhelmed by your own poverty and the labors of the day. But if you decide not to wait until you have more strength and more money, and if you pray for the Holy Spirit as you go, you will when you arrive know what to do and how to help someone even poorer than you are. You may find when you get there that they were praying and expecting that someone like you would come, in the name of the Lord' " (April 2007 general conference; "This Day," Ensign, May 2007, P. 89).

Of feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, the Savior said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40).

Think on this a moment: If we knew it was the Savior to whom we were bringing life's necessities, would we wait unto tomorrow to provide meat, drink, clothing and comfort? Would we not be moved to action today?

We must not procrastinate, or wish for greater abilities or resources, or wait for more opportune times and circumstances to serve "the least of these."

Rather than "not now," "not yet" or "someday," our resolve to serve ought to be "today."