Young Women Lesson 45: The Value of Work

Manual 1; Excerpt from "Two Principles for Any Economy," by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Discussion Questions
• How is work a blessing in our lives? What is the relationship between work and success in various areas of life?
• Why is the principle of work important to successful marriages and families?
• How does working together in a spirit of unity and cooperation build family relationships?
• How could a good work ethic affect other areas of our lives?

Get the full lesson material at LDS.org.

Supplement is an excerpt from "Two Principles for Any Economy" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2009 General Conference:

How I admire men, women, and children who know how to work! How the Lord loves the laborer! He said, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,” 1 and “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” 2 He also gave a promise: “Thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you.” 3 Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and lose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church.

The Lord doesn’t expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn’t (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can—that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be.

Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren, let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious opportunity for work that each new day presents.

When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration. President Thomas S. Monson put it this way: “It is not enough to want to make the effort and to say we’ll make the effort. … It’s in the doing, not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals. If we constantly put our goals off, we will never see them fulfilled.” 4

Work can be ennobling and fulfilling, but remember Jacob’s warning not to “spend … your labor for that which cannot satisfy.” 5 If we devote ourselves to the pursuit of worldly wealth and the glitter of public recognition at the expense of our families and our spiritual growth, we will discover soon enough that we have made a fool’s bargain. The righteous work we do within the walls of our homes is most sacred; its benefits are eternal in nature. It cannot be delegated. It is the foundation of our work as priesthood holders. 

Read the full talk, "Two Principles for Any Economy."

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