When you have questions or concerns about the gospel—don’t lose hope. Heavenly Father sends his guidance to you while you are doing your best to progress.
photo by Rodion Kutsaev
On a cold, dark night in 1972, more than 100 people died because the crew of their plane was more focused on a light bulb that had burned out than on reaching their destination safely. The preoccupation with this light bulb distracted the pilots from noticing the plane’s changed course. By the time anyone noticed something was wrong, it was too late, and the plane crashed into the Everglades.
In his 2009 general conference address “We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down,” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf warns against allowing distractions to derail you from progress in the gospel. Some concerns you may have with the Church may turn out to be like burnt-out light bulbs that could land you in the swamp below.
The Old Testament tells of someone who did not let concerns stop him from progressing. Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls in 52 days. During that time, his enemies made very real threats against him. When confronted with opposition, though, Nehemiah said, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3). Instead of allowing his concern for the safety of his people as well as his own safety to distract him from the Lord’s command, Nehemiah kept working with faith that the Lord would take care of them.
You may have real and important concerns, but Heavenly Father needs you to trust him and obey his commands: then answers will come. President Uchtdorf says, “He seeks those whose actions conform to their words—those who say with conviction, ‘I am doing a great work and cannot come down.’”
Source: LDS General Conference
—Collin Mathias, Mormon Insights
feature image by dennis jarvis / cc by-sa 2.0
Find more insights
Check out “To Simplicity and Beyond” to learn how to prioritize based on what is truly significant.
For more thoughts about dealing with questions and doubts, read or watch Elder Vern P. Stanfill’s address “Choose the Light.”
Watch “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?” to listen to President Thomas S. Monson bear testimony of the power of serving God.
Watch and listen to Alex Boyé and Carmen Rasmusen Herbert’s cover of “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today” and be inspired to act on your faith.
What a great message! Thank you!
I love this idea of “I am doing a great work, so I cannot come down.” I’ve never thought about the empowerment that comes with living the gospel. It’s really what makes us happy, though, so it makes sense! Thanks.
This made me think of the story of Lehonti in Alma 47. He was convinced to come down because he thought that he would be safe. If we remember the reason why we stand for truth, we will not come down for any reason. This was a really great reminder of staying firm in the faith.