Recently, President Jeffrey R. Holland has used his social media platforms to share conversational videos about insights from his scripture study.
“I love sharing a precious verse with you from time to time,” he said. “I’m happy if you’ll peek over my shoulder and enjoy a verse or two.”
In a clip posted this month, President Holland spoke about a passage that he often shares with young men and young women: Doctrine and Covenants 64:29, 31–34. “I’ve used [it] really quite a bit with youth groups, but it applies to everyone,” he said. “It applies to you and to me. It applied to those struggling with the Restoration who had such mountains to climb and such rivers to cross.”
Here are three takeaways President Holland gave about these empowering verses.
“Ye Are Agents”
The Apostle first spoke about verses 29 and 31, which can help anyone struggling with uncertainty or worrying about failure:
“Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord’s errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord’s business. …
“And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.”
He explained that in nineteenth-century commerce terms, being an “agent” meant representing a business owner and making decisions about the company: “You’re an agent for the Lord’s business. … The implication is, your words will be sure, and you can’t fail, because you’re representing [Him]. You’re [His] agent. ... But ‘all things must come to pass in their time.’”
“Out of Small Things”
Next, President Holland emphasized the importance of verse 33: “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”
He taught that, even as small as our role may seem, our efforts matter in the work of the Lord. “[You may think], ‘I don’t matter much. What I do is incidental. Give a little, take a little, doesn’t accomplish much.’ Well, it does. That’s how every great work has been built.
“And you’re agents of the Lord’s business, which is the most sure business in the world. It’s the most certain undertaking ever made, really, in this last and greatest of all dispensations.”
Guaranteed Success
Finally, President Holland taught that as we trust in the Lord and give Him our best efforts, we can find confidence and accomplish more than we thought possible. He referenced verse 34, which reads: “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”
“Love it—guaranteed success,” President Holland commented. “Give the Lord your heart. Give the Lord your mind. Study as much in the scriptures or the words of the prophets. Study there as much as you watch TV, or that you study for school. ...
“I love you. I know [these principles are] true. I know that His words are sure and shall not fail.”
Watch the full video in the player below.
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