26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
Sorry I couldn't make it cute since it was so long
ReplyDeleteThis comment may show Kyle..its not. Its Melissa. So my thoughts. Great scripture. With my new little person my time to get things done is often not on my schedule but hers and she only gives me a little at a time. So this scripture made me think of the good better best. Doing something is better than doing nothing, but is working in my kids class more important than doing my visiting teaching? Not sure and I think the answer probably changes from day to day. Are we seeking the inspiration to know what "doing good" is for that day, that hour or that moment? Just some
ReplyDeletethoughts.
Melissa
This scripture made me thing a lot about the quotes and talks from Elder Bednar about being "agents unto themselves" and "acting vs being acted upon." Like Lissa, I'm always busy- but am I busy doing the best things? Are the things I spend my time doing the best?
ReplyDeleteThen as I reread this verse several times, the word "compelled" and the phrase "he that doeth nothing until he is commanded" came to the surface. That puts a new twist on it. Now we add in an accountability factor. Even if we keep all the commandments, but we wait to be righteous until we are told or compelled (forced?) to do so then we can still be considered slothful and unwise.
I have 2 boys in my seminary class like this. One comes because he is forced or compelled to by his father. His heart is not in it, he doesn't care about learning the gospel. He has been slothful to complete his make up work. The other one is lazy and knows better. He's gotten so lazy about living the gospel that I'm not sure if he even believes it anymore, even though he is going begrudgingly and half heartedly through the motions. The make up work he has done is because he is compelled to get his attendance up to earn his reward of getting in to BYU. He may not earn his reward due to his slothfulness and doubtful heart.
We have the power to earn our reward, but we have to get busy doing good to get it. The quote from Sister Dibb also keeps coming to my mind with this scripture: "I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it." For me, I think the order is a bit different. I live the gospel-anxiously engaged in a good cause. Because of that I learn to love it and keep living it more. This is the foundation for my testimony- what I know to be true.
I think that's the conclusion Heavenly Father wants us to come to. In the end our will and agency are the only gifts we can give back to Him to show or gratitude for the life and blessings he has provided us with. If we can do that, then as it says in verse 2 of D&C 58 "the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven."
I'm really anxious to read your comments on this scripture because its application is so broad. Like many principles of the gospel, if lived in our private lives it will make us better parents, employees, supervisors, brothers, and sisters. We all know people at church, work, school, or in our neighborhoods who only do what they are told to do and then only when it is forced upon them. And then there are the others (like your Mom) who just never seem to stop. They are always finding ways to work, serve, and improve the situation around them. Which type person is making the most of the the time and talents they have been given? Which is the most valuable to the church or any organization?
ReplyDeleteIn the AF I was mostly surrounded by energetic people always looking for ways to improve our mission. Those few who did not were a pain. They really sapped the strength of the others on the crew. The same is true in our homes, jobs, and the church.
I really love the fact that Christ doesn't stand over us with a whip, but rather gives us commandments and a scripture like this to remind us of how best to follow His example.
Now if you want to ponder just a bit more think about these phrases and how they are or are not playing out in your life: command in all things; compelled in all things; slothful and not wise servant; anxiously engaged; own free will; much righteousness; the power is in them; agents unto themselves; do good; nowise lose their reward; doeth not anything until he is commanded; doubtful heart; slothfulness; damned.
Today I am sad because last night we heard John is back in Jail. He was in prison for 5 years. He worked so hard to get out. I was glad that he got the 1/2 way house next to the Jail. I hoped it would be a reminder that he would see everyday to keep his resolve to never go back. At first John was compelled in all things. He could not even come out on pass. We had to go see him. Once he earned freedom he started to do things that were under the radar that he knew were wrong, and didn't get caught. One example is he would get out on a hygiene pass and then meet his friends a walmart and hang out with them. We called him on it a couple of times but he said it was better than being in the 1/2 way house that was just a crack house. We watched him little by little go back to his old ways and his own friends instead of striving to be better. The power was in him so that he could have come out and lead a wonderful life. and be united with his family, but he chose to do those things that were not good. Now because of his slothfulness he will have no reward.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that being an agent means that you will do the right thing all the time even when no one is looking. You become a changed creature, as you choose the right things then you are rewarded with blessings and you want to choose more right things so you can please God. We are so blessed with the Holy Ghost to help us to choose the right.
I am proud of each one of you. You were all raised in the same home with the same standards yet you became agents unto yourself. You each chose a different profession, created unique families, and chose to live in different parts of the country. You all have good lives and are seeking to be the best you can. Thanks for using our agency wisely.
As I reread this scripture yesterday the part that hit me is the part where it talks about being not a slothful servant and we need to be servants of Jesus Christ in our own lifes and doing our part being a servant in a good cause ! Have a great week !
ReplyDeleteLove Mariah sparrow
I have always loved this scripture. To me this scripture speaks about a divine attribute that we are given but most don't realize, our brain. When God created us he calls is "intelligences". We are not mindless to be lead, but we have been given minds, thought and reason to "act and not to be acted upon". We have a brain and mind to use and develop. As we are educated we can make better choices and decisions. Knowledge is power. We are given knowledge to use. I guess what I am saying is common sense is special and is the application of learning (wisdom). Our father in heaven wants us to learn and use knowledge, internalize it. We don't just want to learn about truth but we need to live it. As we use the knowledge we are given we can gain more knowledge "and grow brighter and brighter".
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