Diligently

In a recent study session, I considered the word “diligently” in D&C 88. I was a bit surprised to notice that there are four different applications of the word within that single revelation:

• v. 63 - “seek me diligently”
• v. 78 - “teach ye diligently”
• v. 84- “labor diligently”
• v. 118 - “seek ye diligently”

I looked up the word “diligent” in an online dictionary via my Treo phone (lookwayup.com) and found this definition:

Quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness

As I applied that interesting definition to each of those four instances, in their context, I was amazed at the breadth of counsel and challenge being provided by the Lord! I’ve learned to appreciate the subtle power of words and how the meanings and definitions of the words chosen by the Lord can truly bless and help.

1. Seek me diligently

88:63 — "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

The first and perhaps most important admonition is to seek the Lord diligently. Our efforts to "find" him should be quiet and steady, continually persevering. They are not flashy or brief or casual. They're not necessarily very visible to others. But they are patient, ongoing, gradual, and consistent efforts. I love that imagery.

2. Teach ye diligently

88:78 — "Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand..."

When we teach diligently, we share steady, reliable doctrine to others. In detail and exactness, we are careful to not deviate from the path or confuse the principles. We persevere to make sure the teaching is understood. The wonderful promise to this kind of diligent teaching is that the Lord's grace will attend our efforts, and divine instruction then can occur. We teach quietly when the Holy Spirit helps to convey the meaning (in a still, small way).

3. Labor diligently

88:84 — "Therefore, tarry ye, and labor diligently, that you may be perfected in your ministry to go forth among the Gentiles for the last time..."

There is much labor in the Lord's work. Ground needs to be plowed, seeds sown, plants tended and nourished, and fields harvested. Lessons and talks are prepared, interviews conducted, visits made; ordinances performed, records kept, blessings given. It's not always easy to labor diligently (quietly and steadily persevering) and to do it well (with detail and exactness). But that's what we're invited to do, and what will lead to us becoming "perfected" in the ministry.

4. Seek ye diligently

88:118 — "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith."

Finally, seek diligently. This needs to be distinguished a little from the first point, which was seek me diligently. In this case, the Lord seems to be inviting us to gain knowledge and faith in order to teach and bless. It's interesting how the invitation is presented, right after the observation that some are lacking in faith, therefore we need to seek and teach. And as before, our study and learning should be quiet and steady, in detail and exactness.

I really appreciate and love the lessons from the Lord, and His kind invitations to us to follow Him. He was surely diligent in all He did, and I can try harder to follow that example in each of these ways.