I was reading an article on Elder David A. Bednar's Women's Conference address at BYU on April 29, 2011. He taught an important spiritual pattern: “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). This has always been a favorite scripture of mine, capturing my attention.In connection with this scripture, Elder Bednar referenced D&C 52:14, emphasizing "a pattern in all things." He taught that by small and simple spiritual patterns great things come to pass.
Contrary to the Lord's pattern, Elder Bednar explained, “Many people in our contemporary world are drawn to promises of big results that occur quickly and all at once .” The adversary made “impressive assertions about big results” in similar ways in premortality, Elder Bednar said, citing Moses 4:1 & 3. In my life, I feel this destructive quick pattern is in Ed's taunts for a "quick recovery" and "instant resolution." My negative mind cycles worries of imperfection and slow movement.
Yet, Elder Bednar reminded me of God's eternal principle of growth and progress comes by small and simple means. In contrast to Satan’s method and the methods of the world, “the Lord typically ministers ‘one by one,’” (3 Nephi 11:15) Elder Bednar taught. “He enables us to learn ‘line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little’ (2 Nephi 28:30). And He accomplishes His work by bringing to pass great things through small and simple means.”
Elder Bednar said, “I believe many, if not all, of the most satisfying and memorable accomplishments in our homes, in the Church, in our jobs and professions, and in our communities will be the product of this important spiritual pattern—of simple and small things . . . Brothers and sisters, we should find great comfort in the fact that ordinary people who faithfully, diligently, and consistently do simple things that are right before God will bring forth extraordinary results.”
In connection with Elder Bednar's Women's Conference talk, I read Elder Ballard’s recent conference talk, “Finding Joy through Loving Service.” In his talk, Elder Ballard shares the rich blessings of service & love through a story:
Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them.
Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit until one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy.”
The young man replied, “There’s no gold here. I’m going back home.”
Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, “Oh, there is gold all right. You just have to know where to find it.” He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight.
Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, the young man said, “I’m looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks.”
The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man, who looked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold.
The old prospector said, “Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you’re missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth.”
This story illustrates the spiritual truth that Alma taught his son Helaman:
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. …
“… And by very small means the Lord … bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6–7).
As we listened to this story again, I was reminded of the great treasures that are acquired through persistent acts of courage and faith. When I work patient after the Lord's pattern of small and simple changes, I find sparks of new growth and twinkling transformations. Peace and happiness surround me with a hope in a brighter path.
Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them.
Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit until one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy.”
The young man replied, “There’s no gold here. I’m going back home.”
Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, “Oh, there is gold all right. You just have to know where to find it.” He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight.
Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, the young man said, “I’m looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks.”
The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man, who looked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold.
The old prospector said, “Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you’re missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth.”
This story illustrates the spiritual truth that Alma taught his son Helaman:
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. …
“… And by very small means the Lord … bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6–7).
As we listened to this story again, I was reminded of the great treasures that are acquired through persistent acts of courage and faith. When I work patient after the Lord's pattern of small and simple changes, I find sparks of new growth and twinkling transformations. Peace and happiness surround me with a hope in a brighter path.
My eyes caught the glimmer of magic that compassion gives. Like Elder Ballard taught in the story of the flecks of gold that compound together into nuggets, so do simple daily acts of persistent effort combine together to ignite a flicker into a fame. With these slight changes, my character brightens with the sparkles of light new changes add to my being. Fleck by fleck my bucket of pixie dust is filled with the new light from acknowledging my own self-worth and love of others.
Sometimes my individual changes occur internally, invisible to my outward eye. In time, the internal process of healing and growing inside bring external blessings. Patiently waiting for those outward manifestations is an active process of faith. I am learning that the Lord's timing is often different from my own. However, His knowledge of the beginning to the end sees the power possibility of patience. In enduring faith, momentous growth is made to continue forward with persistence. There is power in small glimpses and bright shimmers of growth.
On the most difficult days, I understand the importance of acknowledging my powerlessness to God in prayer and faith. His light continually reaches out to strengthen us in times of heartache and difficulty. When praying to Heavenly Father for help, I have learned to not ask Him to remove the mountain. Instead I have found glimmers of growth by asking for His loving hand to guide me to know how to climb the mountain. In doing so, I am learning to follow the spiritual pattern of discovering magnificent treasures: "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."
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