Gospel Principles in Government

FAITH and WORK

Romans 1 :17 - ...the just shall live by faith.
James 2:14 - What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works? can faith save him?
James 2:22 - Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect.
Moroni 7:42 - Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith ther must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.


From "Two Principles For Any Economy" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"To this day, I am deeply impressed by the way my family worked after having lost everything following World War II! I remember my father--a civil servant by education and experience--taking on several difficult jobs, among which were coal miner, uranium miner, mechanic and truck driver. He left early in the morning and often returned late at night in order to support our family. My mother started a laundry and worked countless hours doing menial labor. She enlisted my sister and me in her business. With my bike I became the pickup and delivery service. It felt good to be able to help the family ina small way, and though I did not know it at the time, the physical labor turned out to be a blessing to my health as well."

"It wasn't easy, but the work kept us from dwelling too much on the difficulties of our circumstances. Although our situation didn't change overnight, it did change. That's the thing about work. If we simply keep at it--steady and constant--things certainly will improve."

"How I admire men, women, and children who know how to work! How the Lord loves the laborer! He said, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread," and "The laborer is worthy of his hire." He also gave a promise: "Thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are firgiven you." Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and loose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church."

"The Lord doesn't expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn't (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father askes only that we do the best we can--that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be."

"Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to posssibility. Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren, let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputaiton for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious oppportunity for work that each new day presents."

"When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer--no matter how eloquent the oration. President Thomas S. Monson put it this way: "It is not enough to want to make the effort and to say we'll make the effort. ...It's in the doing, not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals. If we constantly put our goals off, we will never see them fulfilled."

"Work can be ennobling and fulfilling, but remember Jacob's warning not to "spend...your labor for that which cannot satisfy." If we devote ourselves to the pursuit of worldly wealth and the glitter of public recognition at the expense of our families and our spiritual growth, we will discover soon enough that we have made a fool's bargain. The righteous work we do within the walls of our home is most sacred; its benefits are eternal in nature. It cannot be delegated. It is the foundation of our work..."

"Remember, we are only temporary travelers in this world. Let us not devote our God-given talents and energies solely to setting earthly anchors, but rather let us spend our days growing spiritual wings. For, as [children] of the Most High God, we were created to soar unto new horizons."