I have sometimes been frustrated when I wanted to do something good—something that was commanded—but I wasn’t able to do it. Has that ever happened to you? It is a frustrating and discouraging circumstance.
In such a situation, we are prone to say, “What more should I have done?” Even the Lord revealed his frustration three times, with almost identical words: “What could I have done more?” (See Jacob 5:41, 47, 49.)
A just and loving Heavenly Father knew that this would be part of our human condition. He knew that giving all men the freedom to choose what they would do would sometimes produce this result.
Examples of this include offering to share the gospel with a friend who says he or she is not interested. Home teachers and visiting teachers have this experience when visiting those who are less active who fail to respond to loving invitations extended consistently over many visits. Mothers of young children love them teach them and yearn for them to make correct choices only to see them frequently choose to do otherwise. The list of examples is almost limitless.
How has the Lord, in his infinite mercy and justice, provided for this kind of circumstance? The scriptures are filled with comforting counsel.
The Lord said this to the Prophet Joseph Smith: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings” (D&C 124:49).
Oliver Granger was given an assignment to dispose of Church property in the wake of the expulsion of the saints from Nauvoo. He did his very best, but fell short in being able to carry out his assignment fully. In spite of this failure, the Lord had these words of praise for him:
12 And again, I say unto you, I remember my servant Oliver Granger; behold, verily I say unto him that his name shall be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord.
13 Therefore, let him contend earnestly for the redemption of the First Presidency of my Church, saith the Lord; and when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord. (D&C 117:12-13, emphasis added)
In “The Living Christ”, we read this: “He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts (emphasis added).” (See also Mosiah 4:24 and D&C 137:9.)
Now, let me ask a critical question. How do we know when we have done our best and therefore qualify for the Lord’s blessing on our efforts in spite of our seeming failures?
I’m sure there are other scriptures that shed light on this, but I especially appreciate the following words from King Benjamin’s magnificent concluding discourse to his people:
“See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order” (Mosiah 4:27).
Here, for me, is the formula. We shouldn’t “run faster than [we have] strength.” However, we “should be diligent.” How do we know when we are being sufficiently diligent and yet nor running faster than our strength will permit? I only know of one way, to seek the Lord’s counsel through prayerful pondering.
He sent us here to succeed, not to fail. Where our efforts are insufficient, He will cover the deficit. I love these words of Elder Neil L. Andersen, “I testify that as you love Him, trust Him, believe Him, and follow Him, you will feel His love and approval… By His grace He will do for you what you cannot do for yourself” (Neil L. Andersen, "What Thinks Christ of Me?", April 2012 General Conference).
I pray that we will each seek diligently to do His will and then find the peace that He will give even when our very best efforts fall short. (See Matthew 11:28-30.)
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