A few months ago, a friend asked me some advice about missionary work ethic. In the context of Doctrine and Covenants 4, he asked me what I thought it meant to “serve Him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.”

I gave three points of advice based on my personal experiences…

#1 Leave It All on the Field

My personal philosophy as a missionary was to leave it all on the field. I didn’t want to have any regrets. I didn’t want to be the reason someone didn’t have a chance to find peace, hear the Gospel, or learn of Christ.

Matthew 16:25 reads: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” This can be scary. But it is the only way to give it all you have, be totally immersed in the work, and leave it all out there on the field.  Missionary work is called that for a reason. It IS work. It will be hard. You will be tired. But it also has its reward. 
President Benson taught: “I have often said that one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work” (Ezra Taft Benson, Keys to Successful Member-Missionary Work, Ensign, 9/90).

#2 FIND BALANCE BY TAKING Care of Yourself

In order to do #1, I had to be healthy in mind, body, and spirit. We are human and we are mortal. We cannot ignore that. 

Mosiah 4:27 reads: “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.”

I often think about this anecdote from the life of Joseph Smith:

William Allred, who played ball with Joseph many times, recalled an instance when someone criticized the Prophet for indulging in play. To answer the criticism Joseph told a parable about a prophet and a hunter—clearly explaining his own philosophy about the relationship of play to work. As the story goes, a certain prophet sat under a tree “amusing himself in some way.” Along came a hunter and reproved him. The prophet asked the hunter if he always kept his hunting bow strung up.

“Oh no,” said he.  

“Why not?”  

“Because it would lose its elasticity.”  

“It is just so with my mind,” stated the prophet; “I do not want it strung up all the time.”  

So the balance comes in giving everything you have to the Lord, but knowing when you need to/should stop and recharge so you can continue to give to the Lord. That is the principle behind preparation day as a missionary. That is the principle they train bishops to adhere to so they do not burn out. That is the principle of the Sabbath. 

#3 THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST FILLS IN THE GAPS

There will be times when you will fall short of #1 and/or #2. Sometimes the natural man will cause you to lose your desire to work as hard as you can. Sometimes you will be distracted by other things. Don’t forget—you’re human and sometimes you will fail to take care of yourself. You may become weak and fatigued mentally, physically, and spiritually. But through the grace of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, wherever we may be incomplete in our effort or in our humanity, all can be made whole.

Here is my journal entry from August 28, 2013 when I was a bishop:

The Lord provides for me where I fall short as a bishop. We had a service assignment at the Bishop’s Storehouse and the previous bishopric had assigned a family to fulfill the assignment. They [the family] were to confirm with me, but never did, so I knew they wouldn’t be going. The assignment was for Wednesday, so on Monday night I requested names from the Ward Council of people they thought could fulfill the assignment.

By Tuesday night, still no one. I felt terrible and felt I had failed.

I sent an email of apology to the Director at the Bishop’s Storehouse. Here was his response to me:

“Bishop Taylor: Thanks for your valiant efforts to find volunteer help for us. I served as Bishop many years ago and therefore know of the burdens you carry. Actually, our day went well. Four sisters from Warren Ohio Ward volunteered to come for a day without being on our list of expected help. As so often happens, the Lord provided! This was the day they chose to come . . . Have a great day! Bro Hansen“

The Lord is filling the gaps where I fall short. He will move his work forward with or without us. We need to be in a position to be the instruments he uses.

We cannot, and should not, try to do this without Him. It is His work after all.

So there you have it–three pieces of advice on missionary work ethic. For what it is worth.