One day as I was spending way too much time surfing Facebook, I stumbled into a friend’s page of favorite quotes. Some were pithy while others profound, but there was one that offered me the best advice for an interview I know I will have one day that I need to begin preparing for now.

The advice was given by President David O. McKay, the leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1950s and 60s (link). He expressed what would occur during the interview that each child of God will have with the Savior prior to Judgment Day. In it, he states to the group of men he was addressing:

Let me assure you, Brethren, that some day you will have a personal … interview with the Savior, Himself. If you are interested, I will tell you the order in which He will ask you to account for your earthly responsibilities.

First, He will request an accountability report about your relationship with your wife. Have you actively been engaged in making her happy and ensuring that her needs have been met as an individual?

Second, He will want an accountability report about each of your children individually. He will not attempt to have this for simply a family stewardship but will request information about your relationship to each and every child.

Third, He will want to know what you personally have done with the talents you were given in the pre-existence.

Fourth, He will want a summary of your activity in your Church assignments. He will not be necessarily interested in what assignments you have had, for in his eyes the home teacher and a mission president are probably equals, but He will request a summary of how you have been of service to your fellowmen in your Church assignments.

Fifth, He will have no interest in how you earned your living, but if you were honest in all your dealings.

Sixth, He will ask for an accountability on what you have done to contribute in a positive manner to your community, state, country and the world.

From this, I am reminded that what we focus on in this life may not be what the Lord focuses on. Therefore, it might be time re-evaluate what we spend our time and efforts on in order to align our concerns to be more like the Lord’s. By doing so, we will find peace and solace within our lives and be of a great benefit to those we love.