In 1832, the Lord promised a group of missionaries, "I will hasten my work in its time." In recent years, President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly declared that the time of hastening is now. As we see God's work moving at an accelerating pace, we might feel prompted to increase the velocity of our efforts.
Filling the Measure of My Creation
In Doctrine and Covenants 88, the Lord reveals that the earth "filleth the measure of its creation" and will be sanctified. Mormon contrasted the earth's obedience to God with human stubbornness. We fill the measure of our creation by fulfilling our God-given missions and becoming what God created us to become.
“The Harvest Is Past”
Dwelling excessively on missed opportunities can be unproductive, but a sense of regret can spur a sense of urgency. There is a time to harvest crops, and there is a time to hear and repent. You can't delay indefinitely. The window of opportunity is finite.
The Eleventh Hour: Laboring with Urgency
In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, laborers are recruited for the final hour of the day. A similar pattern occurs in the Allegory of the Olive Tree. The Savior combined these two parables in an 1830 revelation to emphasize the urgency of preparing for His Second Coming.
“The Laborer Is Worthy of His Hire”
God loves hard work. Jesus taught that the laborer is worthy of his hire. Missionaries like Alma and the sons of Mosiah received eternal rewards for their service. God promised two rewards to Thomas B. Marsh for his service: forgiveness of sins and joy with those whom he served.
“Therefore Repent”
Mormon lists a number of things he wants the Lamanites to know. Then, he tells them what he wants them to do with that knowledge: repent and be baptized. Many of the most important truths we know can and should be converted into practical action.
“We Are Weary”
The Lamanites who were supposed to guard the prisoners in the city of Gid explained their decision to indulge in drinking by saying, "We are weary." We are expected to fulfill our duty even when we're tired, and when we do God's work, He renews our energy
Awakened
After defeating the Amlicites, the Nephites were devastated and "awakened to a remembrance of their duty." We can easily fall into a spiritual slumber if we are not careful. We need to engage regularly in activities which help us awake unto God.
Be Not Weary
Both Paul and Alma counseled church members to not be weary in doing good, and the Lord renewed this counsel in 1831. It means that we must keep moving forward. The promise is that we will find rest to our souls, now and forever.
Faithful over a Few Things
God cares more about the way we fulfill our responsibilities than the scope of those responsibilities. In the Parable of the Talents, both servants who did well earned the leader's praise, even though one had five talents and the other only had two.