God told Moses that His work is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life (Moses 1:39). He also told Moses, “I have a work for thee” (Moses 1:6). And He assured Moses, “I am with thee” (Moses 1:26).
God’s work is beyond the capabilities of the best among us. We can only do it with His help. And He invites us to do just that.
Isaiah wrote about a “sealed book” which would be given to “one who is learned.” He would refuse to read it, saying, “I cannot; for it is sealed.” The same book would then be given to “him that is not learned,” who would reply, “I am not learned” (Isaiah 29:11-12).
That’s as far as the story goes in the Old Testament. But in the Book of Mormon, Nephi provides a more detailed account of this event. When the unlearned man protests that he cannot read the book because of his lack of education, the Lord replies:
The learned shall not read them,
for they have rejected them,
and I am able to do mine own work;
wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee.
Touch not the things which are sealed,
for I will bring them forth in mine own due time;
for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work.
(2 Nephi 27:20-21, italics added)
This prophecy was literally fulfilled during the translation of the Book of Mormon as recorded in Joseph Smith—History 1:63-65.
I recently received a new calling to serve at church. When I think about the work that must be done, I realize that it is beyond my abilities. A leader whom I trust said, “That’s true—so you need to follow the guidance of the Spirit.”
When I think of the Lord’s admonition to the unlearned servant, I think He is giving all of us the following advice:
Trust me.
Jump in, and get to work.
Pray for guidance, and then follow that guidance.
You don’t have to understand how all of the pieces fit together.
I will help you.
Today, I will trust that He knows what He is doing when He asks for my help. I will strive to follow His guidance and do what He asks, believing that He will magnify my efforts so that I can help Him accomplish His work.
I am a big fan of this post! We are His hands and we must go forth confidently and boldly to do His work. We will definitely make mistakes and not be enough, but as Elder Uchtdorf recently taught in his Oct-2019 hobbit talk, “If you hesitate in this adventure because you doubt your ability, remember that discipleship is not about doing things perfectly, it is about doing things intentionally. It is your choices that show what you truly are, far more than your abilities.”
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Thanks for the Elder Uchtdorf quote! That’s a great reminder.
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