Episode 04: The Why’s of Work
“The frightening disappearance of work as a part of our basic ethic is alarming… Hard work is a blessing from God… I am so grateful for parents who taught me how to work. There was no option in our home. It was an absolute requirement” (Elder F. David Stanley, “The Principle of Work,” Ensign, May 1993).
“I believe that second only to ensuring that every child receives an understanding of the gospel of our Lord and Savior is teaching them the joy of honest labor” (Elder L. Tom Perry, Ensign, November 1986, 66; emphasis added).
Doctrine and Covenants 68:31: The Lord condemns idleness
“If children are raised with a poor attitude about work and do not learn to sustain themselves, they will be weak and dependent as adults.
“They may ultimately become a liability to society instead of making a real contribution” (Elder Gene R. Cook, Raising Up A Family To The Lord, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1993], 226).
“We speak about excellence a great deal … these days, and, by definition, excellence does not come easily or quickly—an excellent education does not, a successful mission does not, a strong, loving marriage does not, rewarding personal relationships do not. It is simply a truism that nothing very valuable can come without significant sacrifice and effort and patience on our part” (President Jeffrey R. Holland, “However Long and Hard the Road,” BYU Speeches, 18 January 1983).
Without work, our children will not learn to govern themselves and to be self-sufficient
Without work, it would be difficult for our children to make good grades and be successful in their schoolwork. Cannot become a good student without a work ethic.
Without work, our children would find it difficult to stay in good, physical condition by exercising, playing sports, or competing by doing something physical. Cannot become a good athlete without a work ethic.
From a spiritual perspective, without a work ethic, how do you gain a testimony of the gospel, become deeply converted, or acquire Christlike attributes. Cannot become a good missionary without a work ethic.
How do you learn to recognize the Spirit, study the gospel, follow living prophets, or become a future mother or father without a work ethic.
The Doctrinal Development of Work:
In 2 Nephi 5:10-27, we learn the value of work from the Book of Mormon. The Nephites began to establish their own society, and the first order of the day was to keep the commandments (verse 10).
As they were obedient to the Lord’s commands, the Lord was with them, and the prospered exceedingly (verse 11).
Under Nephi’s direction, these people also made swords, built buildings, worked with wood, iron, brass, and steel, and lest we forget to mention—they also built a temple in their spare time (verses 14-17).
Because the people were industrious, they were greatly blessed, and they prospered both temporally and spiritually. Likewise, if our youth learn the value or work, they too, will prosper exceedingly.
“Children need to be taught the joy of honest labor and experience the satisfaction which results from seeing a job well done…
“I am shocked as I become aware that in so many homes, many of the children do not know how to make a bed, care for their clothing, squeeze a tube of toothpaste to conserve, turn off lights, set a proper table, mow a lawn, or care for a vegetable garden.
“These simple acts of cleanliness, order, and conservation will bless their lives every day they live and will prepare them to become self-sufficient when they reach an age when they must be out on their own” (Elder L. Tom Perry, “Train Up A Child,” Ensign, November 1988, 74; emphasis added).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained, “A few of our wonderful youth and young adults in the Church are unstretched. They have almost a free pass. Perks are provided, including cars complete with fuel and insurance—all paid for by parents who sometimes listen in vain for a few courteous and appreciative words” (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1975, 101).
“Some young people are amusing themselves to death—spiritual death” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Ensign, November 207).
The Why’s of Work
Story told by President Rand Packer of the Missouri St. Louis Mission:
“I would kneel down in front of the transfer board and just pray and plead that the Lord would just send me some missionaries who knew how to work.”
He then related, “I didn’t even care if they had testimonies. I would rather have a missionary who knew how to work and didn’t have a testimony—we could deal with that– than a missionary who had a testimony but did not know how to work.”
A tremendous commentary on the consequences of the pampered generation.
In Jean Twenge’s Book, Igen, her research showed that the happiest teens in America engage often in sports and exercise, religious services, interacting with others on a personal level, and working.
On the other hand, unhappy adolescents spend their days on the internet, on social media, on their computers, and texting.
The same trends bore out with Depression symptoms. The youth who had less depression were engaged in sports and exercise, religious services, in person social interaction, and working.
Depressed adolescents spent more time on the internet and on social media.
“Work is honorable. It is good therapy for most problems. It is the antidote for worry. It is the equalizer for deficiency of native endowment. Work makes it possible for the average to approach genius. What we may lack in aptitude, we can make up for in performance...In the broader sense, work is the means to achieve happiness, prosperity, and salvation. When work and duty and joy are commingled, then man is at his best” (Elder J. Richard Clarke, Ensign, May 1982, 77-79).
