God’s work takes time.
As Joseph F. Smith pondered 1 Peter 3:18-20 and 1 Peter 4:6, he was puzzled by the brevity of the Savior’s ministry in the spirit world. Peter spoke of “the longsuffering of God,” yet Jesus was in the spirit world only from His death on Good Friday until His resurrection on Easter morning. How could He meaningfully “[preach] unto the spirits in prison” in such a short time, especially when so few accepted Him during His three-year mortal ministry? (See D&C 138:25–28.)
In response to this question, Joseph saw in a vision the Savior organizing His disciples in the spirit world. He gave them power and authority and commissioned them to carry His gospel to everyone. (See Doctrine and Covenants 138:30-31.) Even though His visit was brief, the work continues today. “The faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption … in the great world of the spirits of the dead” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:57). People who were unresponsive in mortality and are still unresponsive today may yet open their hearts to the gospel message and receive the Savior’s healing power.
The same divine patience Peter saw in Noah’s day and Joseph F. Smith saw in the spirit world appears in Zenos’s allegory of the olive tree. The allegory dramatizes God’s long-suffering in several ways.
- First, by its sheer length. Jacob 5 is the longest chapter in the Book of Mormon, and it consists of multiple scenes in which the Lord of the Vineyard intervenes on behalf of His trees.
- Second, by the frustration expressed by the Lord of the Vineyard, including “What could I have done more for my vineyard?” (And yet He does continue to do more!)
- Third, by the number of breaks in the narrative characterized as “a long time” (v. 15, 20, 22-23, 29, 31). The Lord of the Vineyard was not looking for superficial wins. He wanted His trees to succeed in the long run.
The servants of the Lord of the Vineyard had to labor “with all diligence,” until the Lord’s work was done. (v. 74). Why did it take so long? Because there are a lot of trees and each one takes time to grow and mature.
We love dramatic stories of sudden conversion like Enos, Alma, and Paul, but the reality is that most change happens slowly. Like the Lord of the Vineyard, we need to keep believing in our loved ones on both sides of the veil. God is long-suffering, and He continues to give all of us opportunities to accept His invitations and be changed by His grace.
Today, I will be grateful for the duration of God’s work. I will remember that His servants continue to preach and invite on both sides of the veil, to give all of His children the opportunity to repent and be saved.
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