Both the wisdom literature in the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon emphasize the importance of being diligent. Here are some of the principles taught in 34 passages across Proverbs and Ecclesiastes:
1. Slothfulness leads to poverty.
- “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man” (Proverbs 24:30-34; compare Proverbs 6:10-11).
- “He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough” (Proverbs 28:19).
Book of Mormon connection: As Nephi and his people establish a new city, he writes, “I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands” (2 Nephi 2:17). Their labor bore fruit: “We did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance” (2 Nephi 5:11). In contrast, his brothers’ families “did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety” (2 Nephi 5:24).
2. Negligence is not neutral: Things tend to decay without proper care.
- “By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through” (Ecclesiastes 10:18).
- “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?” (Proverbs 27:23-24).
Book of Mormon connection: Alma teaches the Zoramites about building testimony by comparing faith to a seed. When it starts to grow, he says, “if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root. … Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof” (Alma 32:37-39).
3. Do things in their proper time.
- “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8).
- “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: … a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).
- “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
Book of Mormon connection: Amulek warns the Zoramites, “The day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” He urges them not to “procrastinate the day of [their] repentance until the end” (Alma 34:32-33).
4. Diligence invites responsibility.
- “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (Proverbs 22:29).
- “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute” (Proverbs 12:24).
Book of Mormon connection: After Ammon miraculously saved King Lamoni’s flocks, he immediately moved on to the next task: preparing the king’s horses and chariots for a journey. The king said, “Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them” (Alma 18:10). As a result, Ammon became a trusted advisor to the king (Alma 24:5; 27:4-10).
Today I will work hard, knowing that effort is required to achieve goals and to preserve what I already have. I will strive to do each task at the appropriate time and to fulfill responsibilities given me by others.
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