WEEK # 41

DILIGENT WORK

"Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership"  (Heber J. Grant, in Conference Report, Oct 1936, p. 3).

"Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success."  ( David O. Mc Kay, quoted in Franklin D. Richards, "The Gospel of Work,"  Improvement Era, Dec. 1969, p.103).

"Diligence is determination, perseverance, application to duty, zeal, industry, and heed to counsel.  Continuing diligence in church service is a mark of testimony, conversion, and spiritual stability."  (Bruce R. McConkie,  Mormon Doctrine. p. 197).

Questions and Activities

• How does the commandment given to Adam---"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread"---apply to your life?
• What are some examples of diligence and hard work in the scriptures?
• What is meant by being "anxiously engaged" in a good cause?
• What was the process by which you have become proficient in a particular skill or hobby?
• Compare the attitudes and feelings of a hardworking person with those of a person who is satisfied with just doing the minimum.
• What is the role of work in perfecting our lives?  in gaining exaltation?
• In what ways do you feel you are a diligent servant of the Lord?
• What are you doing to become more diligent in other ways?

Topical Guide

Trustworthiness

Valiant

Valiantly

Work

Work, value of

Scriptures

Jacob 1:7

Mosiah 1:11

Alma 18:7-10

Helaman 10-:4

D&C 4;  24:7-9;  75:3-5;  106

Matthew 25:15-46

2 Thessalonians 3:13

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 27