Last week was Father’s Day. It was nice to be able to speak with our children and grandchildren. In particular, one of adult children sent me a nice note. It was of the sort that makes parents feel they have done a good job. In particular the note was speaking about how the writer had learned the importance of service to others through my example. The note spoke about how I would likely point to God as the driving force to my part of our family’s service to others, but also pointed to the idea that my service was also about my own personal will and drive.
These intertwined ideas settled into my mind for the past week. Thinking, as I often do, in the form of a continuum, if we think about what drives us, one continuum could be bounded by complete inspiration (or God-guided) on one end, and by complete personal will (or agency) on the other. Each of us would fall somewhere along that line depending at some level on inspiration and at some level on agency.
I have often thought of this issue in the past like building a bridge. We are on one side of the intended span with some level of bridge-building supplies. These could be thought of as talents maybe. On the other end is the Savior with His supplies. He will dedicate for our bridge enough of His supplies (the Atonement) that it takes to cover the portion of the span where we will run out of supplies. If we do the work and use our talents as far as we can, then He completes the bridge. If we choose to not use all our talent then there will be a gap left in the end.
A few scriptures to consider:
From Doctrine and Covenants
D&C 58
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
From The Book of Mormon
Alma 60
11 Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain.
Either 12
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me--the fountain of all righteousness.
From The Holy Bible
Hebrews 11
This chapter gives a long list of many famous biblical stories that were accomplished “by faith”.
To me, just as “faith without works is dead,” so too are human efforts fleeting without God.
These intertwined ideas settled into my mind for the past week. Thinking, as I often do, in the form of a continuum, if we think about what drives us, one continuum could be bounded by complete inspiration (or God-guided) on one end, and by complete personal will (or agency) on the other. Each of us would fall somewhere along that line depending at some level on inspiration and at some level on agency.
I have often thought of this issue in the past like building a bridge. We are on one side of the intended span with some level of bridge-building supplies. These could be thought of as talents maybe. On the other end is the Savior with His supplies. He will dedicate for our bridge enough of His supplies (the Atonement) that it takes to cover the portion of the span where we will run out of supplies. If we do the work and use our talents as far as we can, then He completes the bridge. If we choose to not use all our talent then there will be a gap left in the end.
A few scriptures to consider:
From Doctrine and Covenants
D&C 58
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
From The Book of Mormon
Alma 60
11 Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain.
Either 12
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me--the fountain of all righteousness.
From The Holy Bible
Hebrews 11
This chapter gives a long list of many famous biblical stories that were accomplished “by faith”.
To me, just as “faith without works is dead,” so too are human efforts fleeting without God.
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