“Diligence…constant effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything… tireless, unremitting” (dictionary.com). Diligence is an absolutely essential characteristic needed in order to endure to the end. For Nephi and his family, if they started slacking in their diligence, the Liahona would stop working until they could show their diligence again. “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them” (1Ne. 16:28). Unless we remain diligent in our faith and conviction of the gospel, we too will be prone to loss our way. In order to attain eternal life, we must be diligent enthusiastically, steadily, and constantly.
Tasks tend to be accomplished faster and more efficiently when passion is involved. We must be excited and enthusiastic about the Lord’s work. “Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort in doing the Lord's work. The Lord expects you to work diligently – persistently and with great effort and care…” (Preach My Gospel, 121). That energy is necessary for building the kingdom. In order for us to acquire that passion we must also be diligent in seeking to know the Lord’s work.”And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yeah, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). Just like the with the Liahona, diligence is key to understanding the Holy Ghost.
Another important aspect of diligence is steadiness. A classic nonscriptural example of being steadfast is found in Aesop’s fable The Hare and the Tortoise: “A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing 'Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race.' The Hare, believing has assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after his fatigue.” In our every day lives, we must remember the importance of being steady, and continuously moving and changing ourselves to be the best we can be. “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order” (Mosiah 4:27). We cannot attempt to do more than time and strength allows. One person cannot build the kingdom alone. As long as we are prayerful in what we do with our time, the Lord will divvy up all the necessary tasks for everyone, and it will be in His way and in His time, but if we keep doing our best, persistently and with discipline, we will accomplish what he would want for us.
A third, and perhaps the most necessary, aspect of diligence is consistency. One of the best ways in which this message has been given is through the Parable of the Ten Virgins. In this parable, we are warned “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13). “the foolish [virgins]…himself…. In our lives, the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living” ” (Faith Precedes the Miracle, 255-256). Through our lives we have spiritual experiences that have brought us closer to the Lord. Think of some examples in your life. The youth in the church practically have spiritual experience handed to them on silver platters at things life efy and Girls Camp. The key to a diligent and constantly spiritual life is to create those spiritual experiences for ourselves. Adding to our lamps doesn’t mean simply reading the scriptures (although it helps); It’s finding a passage in the scriptures that touches our souls, and feeling the spirit deep inside and all around all at the same time and feeling it frequently. The best way for us to remain diligent is to seek for more and more ways to feel encompassed by the Holy Ghost.
In conclusion, diligence is absolutely key for eternal life. Alma relates, “Then my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you” (Alma 32: 43). This fruit represents eternal life. It is sweeter than anything that is sweet, and most precious above all other fruits. Eternal life is the most important thing we should be striving for in this life, and without diligence we have no chance of receiving that amazing fruit.
The Bible. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of JCLDS, 1979.
The Book of Mormon...., 1981.
Kimball, Spencer W. Faith Precedes the Miracles...
Preach My Gospel.
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11 comments:
The 3-point organization of the topic makes for clarity in the posting. Your meaty paragraphs have great support from quotation. I especially like the application of Aesop's Fable to the principle of diligence. And I love the "silver platter" example of how the youth are fed by EFY, etc. One of your own experiences would be the frosting on the cake for the silver platter of this composition.
This is great! I especially liked the way you include the Tortoise and the Hare--really good insight. The only suggestion I would make is to use your references so that they flow a bit better with your own arguments, and that will lend great support!
I loved how you tied Diligence to steadiness and faith. The stories were wonderful: tortoise and the hare, ten virgins, and the liahona.
I think it is awesome how you pointed out that diligence is key for eternal life, because it really is; we must endure to the end. Great post.
Yeah! The tortoise and the hare. I feel I am a tortoise in learning. It takes forever for me to learn chemistry tables and it never seems to get any easier. All the need to be as diligent as ever to pass the class
This is a really good blog. I never noticed that the word diligence was used in 1 Nephi 16:28 I always focused on faith. Really good insight. Thank you
I like your connection of the use of the Liahona with the diligence of Lehi's family.
I liked how you said that the Lord expects us to be diligent, and how why diligence is the key for enduring to the end!
I really like the part where you said "We must be excited and enthusiastic about the Lord’s work." I also like how you used the story of the tortoise and the hare which shows that diligence isn't just a religious principle.
I loved the Tortoise and the Hare story! This whole talk reminds me of one of my favorite quotes.
"Never quit pushing,
for if you're not oushing you're coasting,
and if you're coasting, you're going downhill"
Jill, i really like your insight on diligence. The blog was a good way for me to view scriptures and wuotes that really helped me see the true mean of the word.
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