It's a Long, Long Haul; Be Diligent: Doctrine and Covenants 10:4

Will I ever get it done? I think I want to give up.

I don't know if you've ever had those thoughts in the middle of a huge goal or project, but I certainly have. In February 2020 I set a goal. Write a book--my first one ever--and pitch it to an agent. End date: May 15, 2020. 

Having never written a first draft let alone a polished book, I had a naïve belief I could do it all in a little over three months. 

May 15 came and went. June came and went. In July I evaluated my purpose and changed my approach. I started over. August, September, October all came and went. In November I completed the first draft. Wahoo. Look out world, here comes the next best seller.

Then I started the edits. November passed. I took December off for Christmas and forged full steam ahead for the next two months. In the first week of March, I sent a second draft off for beta readers. Over 13 months, I started, stopped, revised, battled discouragement, and floated on spiritual highs. 

In January and February I wanted to quit. It felt like the project would never, ever, ever end. Fortunately for me, Joseph Smith had a similar struggles publishing "his" book.

Book of Mormon Manuscript

Joseph received the Golden Plates from Moroni in September 1827. Two and a half years went by. Joseph faced persecution. He caved to peer pressure and lost the ability to translate. He had to work the land to provide for a family. He started and stopped. He learned. He grew. He accomplished. In March 1830, the Book of Mormon was published. 

During Joseph's long journey, he received several revelations related to translating and publishing the Book of Mormon. Many of them contained the words diligent. "Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end" (D&C 10:4 italics added). 

I received courage to continue on my journey by reading the scriptures that encouraged Joseph Smith. Diligence opens the way for Heavenly Father to bless us. President Russell M. Nelson said, "the Lord loves effort, because effort brings rewards that can’t come without it." Keep working, keep trying, keep enduring. Victory and lory come from "diligence, faithfulness, and prayer of faith" (D&C 103:36).

Now, one year later, my goal is nearing completion. The hard road I traversed to finish it, gives me courage for another long, hard goal in a completely different area. I did it once, and I can do it again. Bit by bit, goal after goal, we will grow to be more like our Heavenly Father. 

Promises Made; Promises Fulfilled: D&C 11:21 and D&C 23:3

Statue of Joseph and Hyrum
at Carthage Jail

Hyrum Smith

 Hyrum Smith. I love this humble servant of God. He wanted to serve the Lord. That's all he wanted to to do. In seeking direction, he asked Joseph for a revelation, and the Lord gave one, which is now Doctrine and Covenants 11. Rather than embarking on the work immediately, God instructed Hyrum to study, to prepare, to read the scripture--both the Bible and the soon-to-be-published Book of Mormon. If Hyrum would first "seek to obtain" the word, the Lord promised "then [his] tongue shall be loosed," D&C 11:21 (italics added). Later in the same section, he showed an intimate loving relationship with Hyrum and called him "my son," (verse 23)

Hyrum obeyed and God fulfilled his promise.

A year later, The Book of Mormon had been published, The Church of Christ had been organized. Hyrum again received a revelation from God through Joseph Smith. The Lord said, "Hyrum, a few words; for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy heart is opened, and thy tongue loosed; and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church continually (D&C 23:3 italics added). 

Notice the words "tongue" and "loosed" appear in both revelations. God fulfilled his promise. Hyrum served the Lord and His church the rest of his life.

My Son Hyrum

These two chapters became very person to me the past few weeks. God is merciful and his timing is perfect. I am about a week behind in my study of Come Follow Me, and I read these two chapters at the right time.

I have son name Hyrum. Like his namesake, Hyrum Smith, my son loves God and all he wants to do it serve Him. My son has looked forward his whole life to serving a mission for the The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints. The last week of January he met with the Bishop to start his paperwork. We anticipated a quick and easy application process. Instead, my son faced complications that delayed his call.

I read Section 11 during this time. Because my son shares the same name, the revelation suddenly became very personal. The Lord asked my son to wait. To study. To prepare. If he did, God would loose his tongue. 

We completed the extra medical appointments and preparations that needed to be done. He studied the Gospel, continued to attend seminary, Church meetings, and mission prep. I saw a mellowing change come over my son as he patiently waited on the Lord. One time he was discouraged, and his father gave him a priesthood blessing. After a long day of school and work, he came home singing. The Spirit strengthened him more abundantly.

Still behind on my Come Follow Me, I read Doctrine and Covenants 23:3 the exact same day my son opened his mission call.  My son Hyrum's tongue will be loosed on his mission, and the service will provide a strong foundation for him to serve God the rest of his life.

Again, God fulfilled his promise. 

This little story is a reminder that we can trust our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Just as He has kept his promises in the past, He will in the future. Elder Deiter F. Uchtdorf said: "[God] knows you. He hears your pleas. He is faithful and dependable. He will fulfill His promises" (God Will Do Something Unimaginable). He always does, in His own way and in His own time.