Be Not Weary

In two of his epistles, the apostle Paul gives the same counsel to church members:

• “Let us not be weary in well doing” (Galatians 6:9).
• “Be not weary in well doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:13).

Alma encouraged his son Helaman to carry the same message to church members on the American continent:

Teach them never to be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest unto their souls.

Alma 37:34

I usually think of weariness as something that happens naturally when I work hard. How can we choose not to be weary?

One answer comes from the Greek word Paul used in his epistles. Ekkakeó (ἐκκακέω) appears six times in the New Testament, and it is usually translated “faint.” For example, when Jesus counsels us to “pray always, and faint not” (Matthew 18:1), this is the word in the Greek manuscripts. (See also 2 Nephi 32:9.) The contextual meaning in all of these passages is “give up” or “lose heart.” The apostle Paul is telling church members to keep moving forward, not to slack off, especially when they begin to feel worn out or discouraged. That’s why some Bible translations use phrases like “lose not courage” or “do not lose heart.” The God’s Word translation says simply, “Brothers and sisters, we can’t allow ourselves to get tired of doing what is right.” (See parallel translations of 2 Thessalonians 3:13 on biblehub.com.)

A second answer comes from Alma’s words to Helaman. What’s the alternative to being weary? Being meek and lowly in heart. Isn’t there sometimes a hint of pride in our temptation to slack off a little? “I’ve already done so much,” we might say. “I’ve paid my dues. It’s time for someone else to step up and do their part.” Which brings to mind the words of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Retirement is not part of the Lord’s plan of happiness” (“Two Principles for Any Economy,” General Conference, October 2009).

Alma said that if we are not weary of good works, we will find rest to our souls. This is certainly true in the long run. We may be exhausted now, but we are working toward an eternal reward. But I think it is also true in the short run. Isaiah said, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). And in 1832, the Lord promised that those who preach the gospel faithfully “shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:80). Surely we can all relate to the experience of finding a “second wind” as we work hard at something really important.

In 1831, the Lord renewed the counsel Paul and Alma had given anciently:

Be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

Doctrine and Covenants 64:33

This counsel applies to so many things we are working on. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has applied it specifically to two: building strong marriages and raising children:

• “If you keep adding pebbles of kindness, compassion, listening, sacrifice, understanding, and selflessness, eventually a mighty pyramid will begin to grow. If it appears to take forever, remember: happy marriages are meant to last forever! So ‘be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great [marriage]. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great'” (“In Praise of Those Who Save,” General Conference, April 2016).
• “You may not see the immediate effects of your efforts. But don’t give up. ‘All things must come to pass in their time,’ the Lord said. ‘Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for [you] are laying the foundation of a great work.’ What work could be greater than helping God’s precious children learn who they really are and build their faith in Jesus Christ, His gospel, and His Church? Jesus Christ will bless and magnify your consistent efforts” (“Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Parents,” General Conference, April 2023).

Today, I will “be not weary in well doing.” I will continue to work toward eternal goals and fulfill my divinely-appointed responsibilities even if I feel tired or discouraged. I will remember that those who persist in doing the Lord’s work will find rest to their souls—now and always.