Week 71: Celebrate the Simple

No photos this week so I will just be sharing a thought.  Elder Hadlock, Jr. (Benjamin) recently shared with us one of his favorite scriptures. It's been on my mind a lot.

"Now we may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. "And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." --Alma 37:6-7

Cross references to that scripture include:

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great." --D&C 64:33

"You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm,  .... Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."-- D&C 122:16-17

When it comes to missionary work, these scriptures certainly apply.  I think Alma must have had a vision of latter-day missionary work. Certainly the Lord brings to pass great things using small and simple means. These young missionaries by many measures of the world would be considered "small and simple." Yet,  they put everything they are and have "on the altar" for 18 months or 2 years.

Because they are young, many are still developing their own testimonies. They are often pushed up against a wall -- a wall of decision. They wisely drop to their knees and learn to rely on the Lord. They have plenty of struggles as they face the potential for failure and rejection every day. But, they find solace and strength in the simple truths of the gospel -- the love of God for His children, the Atonement,  the Plan of Salvation, modern-day prophets and restored truth and authority.

Because they are "simple," they are humble and teachable. They do not weary in well-doing.  They trust in God and are quick to recognize that He is the source of their strength and success.  They are, indeed, instruments in the Lord's hands for laying the foundation of a great work. Missionaries are simply wonderful.

It seems that as we get older it's easy for us to complicate things and make the gospel hard. We especially make missionary work hard (I am speaking for myself). I would be wise to observe and learn from these young, "simple" missionaries. Their focus is simple. They love unconditionally. They learn to listen to the Spirit and teach simple gospel truths that change lives.

I hope to find myself more content with the "simple" things of life and not be weary in well-doing. I'm thinking it would be well for me to follow the example of so many missionaries who are simply concerned about being good rather than seeking to be great. I celebrate their greatness because of their simple goodness.