Thursday, August 19, 2010

Work and Glory

One of my goals is to memorize both the reference and the text of the scriptures found in the Seminary Scripture Mastery lists.  It may be a bit of a daunting task, but if I can memorize section 121 and Mosiah 14 and the Articles of Faith, I see no reason why I can't memorize 100 scriptures.

As I study and memorize them, I'll post some thoughts, applications and citations about them.

Moses 1:39 is perhaps one of the most widely cited and known scriptures of all chapters and verses.  At the BYU LDS Citation Index, it shows that it has been cited well over 300 times - and that citation index is not exhaustive - compared to 1 Nephi 3:7 which as been cited about 90 times.

Moses 1:39 is one of those bedrock scriptures upon which so much of our theology rests.  It gives our life and purpose much meaning and direction.

One of the aspects of our religion that many other religions take exception to is that of working out our salvation.  We believe in doing.  At least in my mind, I tend to believe that religion is pretty useless if it doesn't have applicability and bear true fruit.  The most important fruit a religion can bear is good works - good actions - service.  We can have all the wonderful doctrine and grace in the world, but if we aren't a people of good works, then what is it all worth?

Specifically speaking about work, Neal A. Maxwell said the following, "Our Heavenly Father has described His vast plan for His children by saying, 'Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man' (Moses 1:39; emphasis added). Consider the significance of the Lord’s use of the word work. What He is doing so lovingly and redemptively is, nevertheless, work—even for Him! We, likewise, speak of “working out our salvation,” of the “law of the harvest,” and of the “sweat of the brow” (see Moses 5:1; see also Inspired Version, Gen. 4:1). These are not idle phrases. Instead, they underscore the importance of work. In fact, brethren, work is always a spiritual necessity even if, for some, work is not an economic necessity. (Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel’,” Ensign, May 1998, 37)