From the Archives: What is Our Work
"One of the most well-known and frequently cited passages of scripture is found in Moses 1:39. This verse clearly and concisely describes the work of the Eternal Father: 'For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man' (emphasis added).
"A companion scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants describes with equal clarity and conciseness our primary work as the sons and daughters of the Eternal Father. Interestingly, this verse does not seem to be as well known and is not quoted with great frequency. 'Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength' (D&C 11:20; emphasis added).
"Thus, the Father’s work is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children. Our work is to keep His commandments with all of our might, mind, and strength—and we thereby become chosen and, through the Holy Ghost, receive and recognize the tender mercies of the Lord in our daily lives."
--Elder David A. Bednar
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“The Tender Mercies of the Lord”
p.99, May 2005 Ensign
"A companion scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants describes with equal clarity and conciseness our primary work as the sons and daughters of the Eternal Father. Interestingly, this verse does not seem to be as well known and is not quoted with great frequency. 'Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength' (D&C 11:20; emphasis added).
"Thus, the Father’s work is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children. Our work is to keep His commandments with all of our might, mind, and strength—and we thereby become chosen and, through the Holy Ghost, receive and recognize the tender mercies of the Lord in our daily lives."
--Elder David A. Bednar
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“The Tender Mercies of the Lord”
p.99, May 2005 Ensign
Labels: church talks, General Conference, gospel, obedience
posted by Mary A | 1:27 PM
5 Comments:
I'd not thought of it that way. In that sense, our work and His work are completely intertwined. In doing our work, we are completing His work. And since the second great commandment is to love others, and serve them, we then help others in their work, thus completing more of His work.
I love that we are God's work!-Barb
Hi, Mark! Hi, Barb! Thanks for your comments. I, too, love that we are God's work, and I love that we have our own work to do in furthering His work, just as Mark described. It lets us know that we are an important part of bringing to pass God's work of providing salvation to His children. In addition to the important missionary work and temple work, we can help develop Zion in our own hearts and spread it outward from there. We can help to make our time on earth productive, not only for ourselves, but for those around us. We can set examples of how to live a good life and can give and serve and do so many positive things. It is very intertwined--God's work and our work.
I'm reminded of the young Jesus standing in the Temple talking with the Elders; when his parents returned and asked him what he was doing he responded that he was going about his Father's business. Hopefully we are doing the same.
Very good point, TF. Jesus Christ is our exemplar in every way.
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