Mine Own Work

I Am Able To Do Mine Own Work
(2 Nephi 28:20)

I have taken to reading the Book of Mormon during my lunchtime recently. I have the Scriptures on my Palm Pilot. It’s a comfort knowing that I always have the scriptures available, right in my shirt pocket. It also comes in handy during some of my sleepless nights.

Today while I was reading, I came upon this statement by the Lord, as recorded by Nephi: “I am able to do mine own work”. (2 Nephi 28:20)

The context of this scripture has to do with the translation of the Book of Mormon, and how the Lord would rely upon the unlearned (Joseph Smith) to translate, rather than the learned man (Professor Charles Anthon, in this case.) Through doing this, the Lord would be able to demonstrate that He is able to do His own work, and not rely on the learned and supposed wise men of the earth.

As pondered this scripture, it gave me great comfort. The Lord has all power. There is nothing that man can do to stop His work from proceeding forth. In the end, the Lord will prevail. There is nothing that He cannot do, but that he will do it. With Him on our side, we too will be victorious.

When you look at the condition of the world today, and the wickedness that appears to abound, sometimes we may wonder if we are outnumbered. But then we need to remember in whom we have trusted. His promises are sure. We need not fear. The earth is in His hands, and he has power to do with it as he pleases.

He has the power to change the world. And he has the power to change our hearts.

Christ will overcome all. Our job is to decide whether or not we will follow him. If we choose to follow him, we will join with him in the victory. With his help, we too will be able to overcome all things as well. If we choose not to follow him, then we will be on the losing side. Its really as simple as that.

Joseph Smith once said:

“No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” (HC, 4:540.)