Neal A. Maxwell wrote:. . . The Church is for the perfecting of the Saints, hence new arrivals are entitled to expect instant community but not instant sainthood—either in themselves or in others. It takes time and truth working patiently together “in process of time” to produce the latter in each of us. We are people in the process to whom the Lord has said, “Zion must increase in beauty, and holiness”, (Doctrine and Covenants 82:14)
What we are now as a people is not enough. All is not well in Zion. Now, as in the time of Alma, the bad conduct of a few members slows missionary work (see Alma 39:11.) Indeed, Zion, the Lord has said, will be fully redeemed only after we have been first chastened. (Doctrine and Covenants 100:13.) We must not be too longsuffering with our own shortcomings, however.
Those of us already in the kingdom are to give fresh evidence by the eloquence of our examples that we are committed to the calisthenics of daily improvement and not just the rhetoric of eternal progression. Whether returnees or recruits, all must make that “mighty change” in their hearts and this requires more than a slight change in our schedules.
The Lord has said of His laborers, ” Blessed are they who seek to bring forth my Zion.” (1 Nephi 13:37.) Seemingly ordinary people have been called to do extraordinary chores, and as we work, we notice each other’s weaknesses. Hence all are urged to succor the weak, to lift up the hands that hang down, and to strengthen the feeble knees. (See Doctrine and Covenants 81:5.) As we carry our much lighter crosses, we too stumble—only much more often.
If there are disappointments, let us not turn away from Zion; rather, let us remember Peter’s immortal interrogative of the Savior, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” (John 6:68) There is no other way out of this mortal maze, no other “plan of happiness.” (Alma 42:8) ~Neal A. Maxwell, “Not Withstanding My Weakness” Deseret Book 1981, pgs. 85-6.
(Regarding links above: Something’s new… I’m not able to get the links to go to specific verses… hope this is temporary. Please scroll down to find the specific verse.)
