We began the lesson by guessing what these words had in common: hours, endless, eternal, tiresome, earthly, money, rewarding, responsibility commandments and the key word was work. In John 5:17 Jesus says "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." and in John 9: 4 Jesus says "I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."
Work is a commandment. The Lord said to Adam "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread," (Genesis 3:19).
Heber J Grant said "Work is to be enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our church membership."
Lisa read excerpts from President Uchtdorfs' article "Two Principles for Any Economy" in the November 2009 Ensign
"How I admire men, women, and children who know how to work! How the Lord loves the laborer! He said, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,” 1 and “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” 2 He also gave a promise: “Thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you.” 3 Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and lose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church.
The Lord doesn’t expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn’t (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can—that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be
Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren, let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious opportunity for work that each new day presents.
When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration. President Thomas S. Monson put it this way: 'It is not enough to want to make the effort and to say we’ll make the effort. … It’s in the doing, not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals. If we constantly put our goals off, we will never see them fulfilled.' "
Our attitude to work is very important it helps us to be happy in our lives. We can pray for help with work so that we can perform better and be motivated to succeed.
"One way to enjoy life's fullest benefits is to learn to love work. ... We should each find the proper balance between work, recreation and rest. Not only is it pleasant and necessary to rest, but we are commanded to rest on the Sabbath Day."
We then read and discussed the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. Among other things the talents can be compared to faith and testimony, if we don't use it we will lose it.
God condemns idleness. In Doctrine and Covenants 75:29 He says, "The idler shall not have place in the church, except he repent and mend his ways."
"President David O. McKay said, 'Let us realise that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success'.(Pathways to Happiness [1957], 381).
Honest work allows us to provide for our families, to help others, and to attain our goals.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The First Presidency has issued a special invite to everyone 18-30 yrs old to attend Institute classes.
Relief Society Family BBQ
Tuesday 22nd 6pm
Waterworks Reserve
Hut 9
Youth and Family Activity
Saturday 26th 10-12.30
Conningham Beach
