Do the “Do” by Lindsey Beus

“Do” is a very strong action word in the English language, but how often do we really “do” anything? There is an incredible movie entitled Promises. In this documentary, several Israeli and Pakistani children are interviewed on their life and their view of the world. One small girl, who’s name was not clearly expressed to the audience, describes what she has to do on the Sabbath to prepare and to stay within the laws that are so difficult but a major part of the Israeli culture. The girl is interviewed as she prepares by ripping toilet paper and preparing for the big Sabbath meal. She goes on a long story as she attempts to separate two chairs stacked on each other. Despite her diligence, these two chairs will not disconnect and their large size compared to her small body makes the task near impossible for her, but she continues to work and continue her cheerful story for a good five minutes until she is finally able to pull the two chairs apart. The audience went wild over this small accomplishment.

This is so like our lives. We are often asked to do tasks that are difficult for us. Sometimes, we may find ourselves questioning why we must do such a complex, trivial, or odd task. Nephi and his family were commanded to flee the land of Jerusalem. Laman and Lemuel were not happy about the idea and complained. The warning of captivity did not reach them and they did not understand why they had to leave. Later, Nephi records that Lehi said, “And he also spake unto them concerning the land of promise, which they had obtained—how merciful the Lord had been in warning us that we should flee out of the land of Jerusalem.”

The meaning behind the commandments or requests sometimes will be come clear, but not always, so we must learn the lesson that Gordon B Hinckley once learned on his mission: “Forget yourself and go to work.” It is not whether we do the task as well as someone else might have, or as fast as others. “Other men’s failures can never save you,” and so you must get things done yourself (Dare to Do Right).

This is a universal lesson. Shel Silverstein illustrated the idea well in a poem:
All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas

Layin' in the sun,

Talkin' bout the things

They woulda-coulda-shoulda done...

But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas

All ran away and hid

From one little did.
Children are taught to clean up their toys even if they are only going to get them out again the next day. Gun owners pass on the unwritten rule to never leave a firearm loaded. Drivers must stop at a stop sign even when it is obvious that no one else is on the road. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are taught to keep a one to three year food storage. All are seemingly meaningless tasks when danger or unexpected accidents seem impossible, but they are still followed. The dangers that come along with not following the commandments, laws, or common rules are too great to risk.

The laws of the church are especially important to follow because one can risk eternal happiness. We have to remember that “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” This is all the time we have to get things done. If we are not hard at work, then we are wasting our precious time. We have been told countless times by the Lord to “Keep my commandments…yea, cleave unto me with all your heart…be patient until you shall accomplish it. Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.” All we have to really “do” is keep the commandments. Really, that boils down to keeping the two greatest commandments, and then everything else will fall into place.

The problem is not that we have the ability. If we are commanded then we have the ability. Heber J. Grant taught us, “God gives the ability to accomplish that labor; but… while we never make an effort it will never be accomplished.” We just aren’t “doing” what we can. So we must try our hardest in all that we do, so we can accomplish what we set out to accomplish. Otherwise, we have nothing to show for ourselves. There really is no excuse, as Nephi points out in the famous scripture: “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” There is always a way to get thorough trials and tasks, despite how hard they may seem. No task is truly impossible, but no one has set his or her mind to it yet. We just have to “awake, and arise from the dust… that the covenants… may be fulfilled.” Scientists can split an atom. Nephi can build a boat. We can become perfect.

Works Cited (in order they appear in text):
Promises 2001 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0282864/
2 Nephi 1:3
http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,89-1-602-11,00.html < Quote from Gordon B. Hinckley.
Dare to Do Right, Children’s songbook.
Shel Silverstein http://www.qu-i-x.com/woulda.html
Alma 34:27
Doctrine and Covenants 11: 18-20
“Chapter 4: Persistence,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 3
1 Nephi 3:7
Moroni 10:27