Difference between revisions of "Mormon Beliefs: Work"
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| − | '''Work''' is a central idea in the beliefs of [http://comeuntochrist.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | + | '''Work''' is a central idea in the beliefs of [http://comeuntochrist.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]. The purpose of life for [[Latter-day Saints]] is not only to achieve [[Exaltation|eternal life]], but to build up the kingdom of God on earth in preparation for the [[Second Coming]] of Christ. Since the Church of Jesus Christ has a [[Calling|lay clergy]], all active members have work to do in their own [[ward]]s and [[stake]]s. Latter-day Saints also have work to do in their communities, in their families, and in the world. It is the Lord's work. |
[[image: Mormon-working3.jpg|350px|right|alt=Mormon Working|Mormon Working]]:I know without question, my brothers and sisters, that God lives. I testify to you that this is His work. I testify as well that our Savior Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church, which bears His name. I know that the sweetest experience in all this life is to feel His promptings as He directs us in the furtherance of His work. I felt those promptings as a young bishop, guided to the homes where there was spiritual—or perhaps temporal—want. I felt them again as a mission president in Toronto, Canada, working with wonderful missionaries who were a living witness and testimony to the world that this work is divine and that we are led by a prophet. I have felt them throughout my service in the Twelve and in the First Presidency and now as President of the Church. I testify that each one of us can feel the Lord’s inspiration as we live worthily and strive to serve Him.<ref>[[Thomas S. Monson]], “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” ''Ensign'', May 2008, 87–90.</ref> | [[image: Mormon-working3.jpg|350px|right|alt=Mormon Working|Mormon Working]]:I know without question, my brothers and sisters, that God lives. I testify to you that this is His work. I testify as well that our Savior Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church, which bears His name. I know that the sweetest experience in all this life is to feel His promptings as He directs us in the furtherance of His work. I felt those promptings as a young bishop, guided to the homes where there was spiritual—or perhaps temporal—want. I felt them again as a mission president in Toronto, Canada, working with wonderful missionaries who were a living witness and testimony to the world that this work is divine and that we are led by a prophet. I have felt them throughout my service in the Twelve and in the First Presidency and now as President of the Church. I testify that each one of us can feel the Lord’s inspiration as we live worthily and strive to serve Him.<ref>[[Thomas S. Monson]], “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” ''Ensign'', May 2008, 87–90.</ref> | ||
==The Four-fold Mission of the Church== | ==The Four-fold Mission of the Church== | ||
| − | The [[Four-fold Mission of the Church]] is perfecting the Saints, preaching the gospel, redeeming the dead, and caring for | + | The [[Four-fold Mission of the Church]] is perfecting the Saints, preaching the gospel, redeeming the dead, and caring for those in need. All four aspects of the Church's mission require a great deal of work on the part of Latter-day Saints. Perfecting the Saints requires diligence at home and in church service, plus the dedicated work of [[Home Teaching||ministering brothers]] and [[Visiting Teaching|ministering sisters]]. Preaching the gospel requires the dedicated effort of called full-time [[missionaries]], as well as the exemplary living of the Saints. Redeeming the dead requires [[Family History|family history]] work and [[Temples|temple work]].Caring for those in need is achieved through the personal service of members of the Church and by the Church's welfare and humanitarian aid programs. |
:'''Perfecting the Saints'''—"I think I have been in most of the places where the Church is organized. I have found wonderful people everywhere. They are Latter-day Saints in the truest sense of the word. They are seeking to live the commandments. . . . This work is possessed of a vitality which has never been evidenced before to such a degree."<ref>[[Gordon B. Hinckley]], “The Work Goes On,” ''Ensign'', May 2001, 4.</ref> | :'''Perfecting the Saints'''—"I think I have been in most of the places where the Church is organized. I have found wonderful people everywhere. They are Latter-day Saints in the truest sense of the word. They are seeking to live the commandments. . . . This work is possessed of a vitality which has never been evidenced before to such a degree."<ref>[[Gordon B. Hinckley]], “The Work Goes On,” ''Ensign'', May 2001, 4.</ref> | ||
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:'''Redeeming the dead'''—"Our family history work goes forward with increasing momentum. There is a tremendous interest in one’s roots everywhere. As the years pass, all of this will lead to the fulfillment of the great purpose for which this work is done. The hearts of the children are being turned to their fathers, that the purposes of the Lord may be fulfilled."<ref>Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Work Moves Forward,” ''Ensign'', May 1999, 4</ref> | :'''Redeeming the dead'''—"Our family history work goes forward with increasing momentum. There is a tremendous interest in one’s roots everywhere. As the years pass, all of this will lead to the fulfillment of the great purpose for which this work is done. The hearts of the children are being turned to their fathers, that the purposes of the Lord may be fulfilled."<ref>Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Work Moves Forward,” ''Ensign'', May 1999, 4</ref> | ||
| − | :'''Caring for | + | :'''Caring for Those in Need'''—"Down through history, poverty has been one of humankind’s greatest and most widespread challenges. Its obvious toll is usually physical, but the spiritual and emotional damage it can bring may be even more debilitating. In any case, the great Redeemer has issued no more persistent call than for us to join Him in lifting this burden from the people."<ref>Jeffrey R. Holland, "Are We Not All Beggars?" ''Ensign'', November 2014</ref> |
Meanwhile, the Church never stands still but works to increase the kingdom of God: | Meanwhile, the Church never stands still but works to increase the kingdom of God: | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
==The Principle of Work== | ==The Principle of Work== | ||
| − | Latter-day Saints have always been known for their industriousness. | + | Latter-day Saints have always been known for their industriousness. Reports regarding the city of [[Nauvoo]] commented on its orderliness, beauty, and remarkable growth. The Latter-day Saints had to drain the swamps, braving disease and persecution, to establish the city, which became the largest in Illinois in a few short years. Latter-day Saints continue to honor the principle of hard work and seek to instill a solid work ethic in their children. |
Elder [[Jeffrey R. Holland]] said this regarding President [[Thomas S. Monson]]: | Elder [[Jeffrey R. Holland]] said this regarding President [[Thomas S. Monson]]: | ||
| − | :Memorable too was the fatherly example of hard work. G. Spencer Monson was known to finish every task he started and to do the job right. He was manager of a printing company, and at an early age, young Tom began learning the business. Printing management would become his career. Following graduation (with honors) in 1948 from the University of Utah with a degree in business management, he became an advertising executive for the Church-owned Deseret News daily newspaper. (A firm believer in lifelong learning, he would later earn a master’s degree in business administration—while serving in the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles|Quorum of the Twelve]]!) He worked in the newspaper and printing industry for 11 years, until he was called in 1959 to preside over the Canadian Mission. After his service as mission president, he returned to a position as general manager of the newspaper company’s Deseret Press. During his career he gave exactly the same care and attention to his printing tasks that he had seen his father demonstrate years before.<ref>Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: In the Footsteps of the Master,” Liahona, | + | :Memorable too was the fatherly example of hard work. G. Spencer Monson was known to finish every task he started and to do the job right. He was manager of a printing company, and at an early age, young Tom began learning the business. Printing management would become his career. Following graduation (with honors) in 1948 from the University of Utah with a degree in business management, he became an advertising executive for the Church-owned Deseret News daily newspaper. (A firm believer in lifelong learning, he would later earn a master’s degree in business administration—while serving in the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles|Quorum of the Twelve]]!) He worked in the newspaper and printing industry for 11 years, until he was called in 1959 to preside over the Canadian Mission. After his service as mission president, he returned to a position as general manager of the newspaper company’s Deseret Press. During his career he gave exactly the same care and attention to his printing tasks that he had seen his father demonstrate years before.<ref>Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: In the Footsteps of the Master,” Liahona, June 2008, 2–16.</ref> |
==God Works== | ==God Works== | ||
:For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). | :For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). | ||
| − | The work of the Lord is to exalt men. For this He established this earth and [[Atonement|sacrificed]] His Only Begotten Son. | + | The work of the Lord is to exalt men. For this He established this earth and [[Atonement|sacrificed]] His Only Begotten Son. He arranged the universe for man's benefit, and He does all things except force men to believe. |
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ have a unique concept of eternal life. While other Christians view heaven as a place of eternal rest, Latter-day Saints see it only as a rest from the cares of the world. Otherwise, they see it as a place to work, to work on their own increase in knowledge and glory, and a place to serve God further. Thus, work goes on eternally, and is a central concept of the true gospel. | Members of the Church of Jesus Christ have a unique concept of eternal life. While other Christians view heaven as a place of eternal rest, Latter-day Saints see it only as a rest from the cares of the world. Otherwise, they see it as a place to work, to work on their own increase in knowledge and glory, and a place to serve God further. Thus, work goes on eternally, and is a central concept of the true gospel. | ||
Latest revision as of 19:34, 19 October 2024
Work is a central idea in the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The purpose of life for Latter-day Saints is not only to achieve eternal life, but to build up the kingdom of God on earth in preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. Since the Church of Jesus Christ has a lay clergy, all active members have work to do in their own wards and stakes. Latter-day Saints also have work to do in their communities, in their families, and in the world. It is the Lord's work.
The Four-fold Mission of the Church
The Four-fold Mission of the Church is perfecting the Saints, preaching the gospel, redeeming the dead, and caring for those in need. All four aspects of the Church's mission require a great deal of work on the part of Latter-day Saints. Perfecting the Saints requires diligence at home and in church service, plus the dedicated work of |ministering brothers and ministering sisters. Preaching the gospel requires the dedicated effort of called full-time missionaries, as well as the exemplary living of the Saints. Redeeming the dead requires family history work and temple work.Caring for those in need is achieved through the personal service of members of the Church and by the Church's welfare and humanitarian aid programs.
- Perfecting the Saints—"I think I have been in most of the places where the Church is organized. I have found wonderful people everywhere. They are Latter-day Saints in the truest sense of the word. They are seeking to live the commandments. . . . This work is possessed of a vitality which has never been evidenced before to such a degree."[2]
- Preaching the gospel—"We have reached out across the world, wherever we are permitted to go. We have taught the gospel as revealed in this dispensation of the fulness of times. We are now going into areas whose names were seldom heard back in 1947. Our missionary work has expanded in a miraculous manner."[3]
- We are trying to fulfill the mandate of the Lord when He said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).[4]
- Redeeming the dead—"Our family history work goes forward with increasing momentum. There is a tremendous interest in one’s roots everywhere. As the years pass, all of this will lead to the fulfillment of the great purpose for which this work is done. The hearts of the children are being turned to their fathers, that the purposes of the Lord may be fulfilled."[5]
- Caring for Those in Need—"Down through history, poverty has been one of humankind’s greatest and most widespread challenges. Its obvious toll is usually physical, but the spiritual and emotional damage it can bring may be even more debilitating. In any case, the great Redeemer has issued no more persistent call than for us to join Him in lifting this burden from the people."[6]
Meanwhile, the Church never stands still but works to increase the kingdom of God:
- We are able to carry the gospel to so many nations of the earth and bless the lives of the people wherever it goes.
- We are well on our way to enlarging the educational opportunity for our youth.
- We are constructing new buildings on a scale of which we never have dreamed before. We must do so if we are to accommodate the growth of the Church.
- The welfare program moves forward. We are particularly grateful that we have been able to extend humanitarian aid of a very substantial volume in many parts of the earth. We have distributed food, medicine, clothing, bedding, and other necessities to assist those who have suddenly found themselves victims of catastrophe.
- One of the bellwether marks of the growth and vitality of the Church is the construction of temples. . . . We were able to reach our goal of 100 operating temples by the end of the year 2000; in fact, we exceeded it. . . . I looked the other day at a list of all the temples which are now in operation or have been announced—121 of them. I was amazed at the length of the list and at the incredible diversity of the areas in which they are located. It is wonderful, but we are not satisfied. We will keep on working to bring the temples to the people, making it more convenient for Latter-day Saints everywhere to receive the blessings which can only be had in these holy houses.[7]
- . . . it is true that the sun never sets on this work of the Lord as it is touching the lives of people across the earth.
- And this is only the beginning. We have scarcely scratched the surface. We are engaged in a work for the souls of men and women everywhere. Our work knows no boundaries. Under the providence of the Lord it will continue.
- The little stone which was cut out of the mountain without hands is rolling forth to fill the earth (see Daniel 2:31–45; Doctrine and Covenants 65:2).[8]
The Principle of Work
Latter-day Saints have always been known for their industriousness. Reports regarding the city of Nauvoo commented on its orderliness, beauty, and remarkable growth. The Latter-day Saints had to drain the swamps, braving disease and persecution, to establish the city, which became the largest in Illinois in a few short years. Latter-day Saints continue to honor the principle of hard work and seek to instill a solid work ethic in their children.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said this regarding President Thomas S. Monson:
- Memorable too was the fatherly example of hard work. G. Spencer Monson was known to finish every task he started and to do the job right. He was manager of a printing company, and at an early age, young Tom began learning the business. Printing management would become his career. Following graduation (with honors) in 1948 from the University of Utah with a degree in business management, he became an advertising executive for the Church-owned Deseret News daily newspaper. (A firm believer in lifelong learning, he would later earn a master’s degree in business administration—while serving in the Quorum of the Twelve!) He worked in the newspaper and printing industry for 11 years, until he was called in 1959 to preside over the Canadian Mission. After his service as mission president, he returned to a position as general manager of the newspaper company’s Deseret Press. During his career he gave exactly the same care and attention to his printing tasks that he had seen his father demonstrate years before.[9]
God Works
- For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39).
The work of the Lord is to exalt men. For this He established this earth and sacrificed His Only Begotten Son. He arranged the universe for man's benefit, and He does all things except force men to believe.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ have a unique concept of eternal life. While other Christians view heaven as a place of eternal rest, Latter-day Saints see it only as a rest from the cares of the world. Otherwise, they see it as a place to work, to work on their own increase in knowledge and glory, and a place to serve God further. Thus, work goes on eternally, and is a central concept of the true gospel.
References
- ↑ Thomas S. Monson, “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” Ensign, May 2008, 87–90.
- ↑ Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Work Goes On,” Ensign, May 2001, 4.
- ↑ Gordon B. Hinckley, “This Great Millennial Year,” Liahona, Jan 2001, 80–84.
- ↑ Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Work Moves Forward,” Ensign, May 1999, 4.
- ↑ Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Work Moves Forward,” Ensign, May 1999, 4
- ↑ Jeffrey R. Holland, "Are We Not All Beggars?" Ensign, November 2014
- ↑ Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Work Goes On,” Ensign, May 2001, 4.
- ↑ Gordon B. Hinckley, “The State of the Church,” Liahona, Nov 2003, 4–7.
- ↑ Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: In the Footsteps of the Master,” Liahona, June 2008, 2–16.
