Your Father's Business

 According to Merriam-Webster the definition of "rest" is - a period of inactivity, relaxation, or sleep to recover from fatigue.

According to the gospel the definition of "rest" is - the enjoyment of peace and freedom from worry and turmoil. The Lord has promised such rest to His faithful followers during this life. He has also prepared a place of rest for them in the next life. See also Peace; Sabbath Day.

The definition of "complacency" according to Merriam-Webster is - a feeling of quiet, contented self-satisfaction with your current situation. Because you are so satisfied with the status quo, you become uncritical and unaware of potential risks, flaws, or the need to improve. It is often viewed negatively because it leads to a lack of effort or vigilance.

A gospel definition of complacency that I found was in Doctrine and Covenants 58:29-30 which says, "But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepth it with slothfulness, the same is damned. Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments?"

Doctrine and Covenants 58:26 "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward."

I thought the word "slothful" was a synonym for the word "complacency". Other words that go with "slothful" in scripture are - apathy; idleness; laziness; sluggard. There are many, many scriptures that warn against these behaviors. Talking about the damage that comes from them.

I think it is safe to say that there is a difference between "rest" and "complacency". We are commanded to rest. We are given one day a week that is dedicated to resting. There is nothing wrong with resting. However, if we are not doing any work to rest from, then the word complacency comes into play.

The Lord gives warning of this in Amos 6:1-7, it reads, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! ... That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the claves out of the midst of the stall; That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretch themselves shall be removed."

Pres. Henry B. Eyring said in his April 2007 general conference address "This Day", "There is a danger in the word someday when what it means is 'not this day.' 'Someday I will repent.' 'Someday I will forgive him.' 'Someday I will speak to my friend about the Church.' 'Someday I will start to pay tithing.' 'Someday I will return to the temple.' 'Someday...'"

The Lord is telling us those who are lounging and waiting because everything is fine, they are the ones that will be captured first. To already have the mindset that "everything is alright", "I'm not sinning like them", "I don't need to change", or even "I can't change" is evidence that the adversary is already at work in his capture of you.

Pres. Eyring also said, "Complacency is a danger for us all. It can come to naive youth you feel that there will be plenty of time in the future for spiritual things. They might think that they have already done enough, considering the brief time they have lived. ... Complacency can affect even the season adult. The better and the longer you serve, the more likely that the tempter can place this lie in your mind: 'You have earned a rest.'"

No one is immune to the temptation of complacency. The nature of this world and the "natural man" makes it a common temptation. We can look to the example of our Savior of how important it is to resist the temptation to be complacent. Even from a young age the Savior understood this important principle of working. After Mary and Joseph found Jesus teaching in the temple at the age of twelve, Jesus said, "...How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" He kept that attitude, that commandment for the rest of His ministry, to be about His Father's business. 

We to can be about our Father's business, which is stated in Moses 1:39, "For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." We can do the same. How though? There are many ways, but the leading thought is this one taught in Doctrine and Covenants 58:27-28, "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward." 

Our progression on the covenant path is between us and the Lord. For the Lord is the only one who knows how to succor and strengthen us individually. He is the only one who can truly convert us and give us the motivation we need to move forward. I would invite all of us to work on that relationship. As we draw closer to Christ we feel the strength to resist complacency. That is when we have the desire to repent and change of our old ways and old habits, not just sins. The Lord knows what changes you need to make in your life and in yourself so you have the strength to resist complacency and procrastination.

Pres. Erying stated, "On many days, doing what matters most will not be easy. It is not supposed to be. God's purpose in creation was to let us prove ourselves. The plan was explained to us in the spirit world before we were born. We were valiant enough there to qualify for the opportunity to choose against temptation here to prepare for eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God. We rejoiced to know the test would be one of faithful obedience even when it would not be easy: 'And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.'"

I wasted many years believing that "someday" would come. When I would study the scriptures how I wanted. When I would have a stronger relationship with my Savior. When I would be more consistent in attending the temple. Someday. Thankfully, I was open to the Spirit and was taught that someday had come, and it was now. I'm thankful that by going to school and serving in my callings the Lord has taught me how to make those desires a reality. He even is showing me how those desires are growing to bigger and better ones. New goals to aim for. So, now my somedays have changed. Someday I will get to look back and see how far I have come because I chose to not wait to change. 

I love the encouragement Pres. Eyring gives, "It is hard to know when we have done enough for the Atonement to change our natures and so qualify us for eternal life. And we don't know how many days we will have to give the service necessary for that mighty change to come. But we know that we will have days enough if only we don't waste them." Your someday is now. Your time to repent and to change has come. 

When we repent, change, and continue to engage in goodly causes those days of rest will be that much sweeter. 

Matthew 11:28-29 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Alma 12:34 - Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

Alma 40:12 - And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

Six days of the week, work, repent, engage in good causes, be a representative of Christ. Then, on the seventh day, come to Him and rest, be at peace knowing the work you did during the week was you being "about [your] Father's business."