Church members were encouraged to reach out and help others each day during the Sunday morning session of the 179th semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and, figuratively, lose their life, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish — and in effect save their life," President Thomas S. Monson, president of the church, said during Sunday's morning conference session.

He stressed that church members should step back from the "busy-ness" of their lives and take a good look at their doings. "We may find that we have immersed ourselves in the 'thick of thin things,'" he said.

"In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things …"

President Monson said we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, encouragement, support, comfort or kindness — be they family members, friends, acquaintances or strangers.

"We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift his children. He is dependent upon each of us."

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor, First Presidency, challenged church members to become better examples, by being more like Jesus Christ.

"Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others. There is no surprise in that, since the Lord proclaimed that as the first and great commandment. It is love of God that will lead us to keep his commandments. And love of others is at heart of our capacity to obey him."

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve spotlighted immigrant ship-builders from Norway who constructed the roof of the Manti Temple. He said their example teaches two important lessons:

1. Of using the principles and truths of the past to help us face the future; and 2. We learn from their desire to share what they knew with others to help build the kingdom of God."

Elder Russell M. Nelson, Quorum of the Twelve, said "Every Later-day Saint may merit personal revelation. The invitation to ask, seek and knock for divine direction exists because God lives and Jesus is the living Christ. It exists because this is his living church."

Bishop David H. Burton, Presiding Bishop, spoke on "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts." He said, "Now is the time for us to join in rescuing and preserving that which is virtuous, lovely or of good report, or praiseworthy."

Conference goers dealt with heavy rain showers and thunderstorms while arriving to the morning session. However, by the session's end, the rain had mostly stopped and temperatures were in the upper 50s under mostly cloudy skies.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com