I love serving others. I have loved my professional work at BSA, BYU, and Aspen Grove Family Camp for the past 40 years. It was involved in directly serving others, building character and families, and was located in some of the most spectacularly beautiful creations of God - His mountains.
President Uchtdorf taught the following:
Work – no retirement in God’s service.
"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.”
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.
Remember, we are only temporary travelers in this world. Let us not devote our God-given talents and energies solely to setting earthly anchors, but rather let us spend our days growing spiritual wings. For, as sons of the Most High God, we were created to soar unto new horizons.
A few months ago my wife asked me if I could ever see myself retiring from this career I have loved so much. I told her no, as far as I was concerned they could bury me here in the beautiful mountains at Aspen Grove. A week later I was reading in the New Testament in Mathew 4:18-20. Christ is at the Sea of Galilee and calls Simon Peter and Andrew, his brother, to follow him, and he would make them fishers of men. The scripture tells that they straightway left their nets and followed Him. The Holy Ghost bore witness to me through this scripture what the Lord would have me do. I went to my wife and told her yes, I could leave my “nets” as well and serve God. We have since retired from our careers and have received a mission call to Copenhagen, Denmark to work with the young adults there.
President Uchtdorf taught the following:
Work – no retirement in God’s service.
"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.”
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.
Remember, we are only temporary travelers in this world. Let us not devote our God-given talents and energies solely to setting earthly anchors, but rather let us spend our days growing spiritual wings. For, as sons of the Most High God, we were created to soar unto new horizons.
Now, a word to us seasoned brethren. While the phrase “been
there, done that” may work as an excuse to avoid skateboarding, decline the invitation for a motorbike ride, or
bypass the spicy curry at the buffet, it is not an acceptable
excuse for avoiding covenant responsibilities to consecrate our
time, talents, and resources in the work of the kingdom of
God."
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| First day after retirement - trip to Mirror Lake. |
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