Work Enough to Do

I was blessed with the opportunity to teach Elders Quorum today.  The lesson was on the Life and Ministry of Joseph Fielding Smith.  I printed out the lesson to make it easier to manage and there were 22 pages of material.  That is a lot of material to fit into a 30 minute lesson and there was so much that was wonderful in the material from Joseph Fielding Smiths life.  I had a few ideas and so we went for it.  Worked a little lesson development into it and focused on being true and faithful.  These were words used to describe Joseph Fielding Smith by Gordon B. Hinkley and Thomas S. Monson.  I should think that if my piers were to use those words in describing my character and the things that were important to me then I would have succeeded in this life.  I don't know that I am at that level and have work enough to do in order to get there.  Speaking of work that was topic of discussion in the lesson and ended up generating a pretty healthy discussion.  I didn't intend for us to get stuck there as there was a lot of other material available but we discussed it and I tried to follow the Spirit.  I tried to make the point towards the end of our time that it is our responsibility as parents, as fathers, as priesthood leaders in our homes to teach our children how to work and the value of hard work.  That is our work.  We cannot rely on the world to do it because the world tells us differently.  Instead of instant gratification or immediate pleasure we need to teach our children and better live ourselves the principle of work.  It is after we work that we get the reward.  Well, we didn't get very far in the material but that is okay.  I think we learned something and I hope that I helped to set the table for the rest of the year as we review the teachings of President Joseph Fielding Smith. 

It is a great joy to have the opportunity to teach.  I am grateful to have learned more about Joseph Fielding Smith and look forward to learning more from his life and teachings.