God loves hard work.
When He told Adam in the garden of Eden, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:19), that may have sounded like a punishment. It was certainly a consequence of his decision to eat the forbidden fruit, but it was also an instruction for a fulfilling life. We are happiest when we are “anxiously engaged in a good cause” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27).
When Jesus sent people to preach the gospel during His mortal ministry, He instructed them to “carry neither purse, nor scrip.” He told them that God would provide for their needs, “for the labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:4, 7; see also Matthew 10:9-10).
Nephi echoed this principle as he warned us against priestcraft. “The laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion,” he wrote; “for if they labor for money they shall perish” (2 Nephi 26:31). Years later, Alma, who served as high priest of the church, rebutted the arguments of Korihor with the following question:
If we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren?
Alma 30:34
Indeed, Alma’s friends, the sons of Mosiah, had labored for fourteen years, preaching the gospel to their enemies, the Lamanites. Their reward was not monetary success but the joy of seeing the impact of the gospel in the lives of those whom they taught. (See Alma 26:30-31.)
In September 1830, the Lord called Thomas B. Marsh to serve as a missionary. “Lift up your heart and rejoice,” He said, “for the hour of your mission is come” (Doctrine and Covenants 31:3). Then, He added a call to diligence, with promised rewards:
Thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire.
Doctrine and Covenants 31:5
Specifically, the Lord promised Thomas two rewards for his missionary service:
- “Your sins are forgiven you.” When we serve God, our hearts are opened to receive His purifying grace.
- “You shall be laden with sheaves upon your back.” As we serve others, we build deep relationships which will bring us joy forever.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:
How I admire men, women, and children who know how to work! How the Lord loves the laborer! …
Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life…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.
“Two Principles for Any Economy,” General Conference, October 2009
Today, I will work diligently. I will dedicate time and energy to accomplish things of eternal value. I will remember that God loves effort and that “the laborer is worthy of his hire.”