Focal Adjustment

Brian Allred submitted this thought and asked me to publish it. I think it is a very important reminder to us all. 

As a process engineer and one who recognizes the details, I recommend a small but important change of focus. Consider these definitions:

1. THE work is coming to know your Lord. All items listed in the covenant documents are THE work. For the sake of discussion I condensed all the items listed in the documents to: Love one another.

2. A work is a task, an errand of the Lord, a work among us, like translating the Book of Mormon, temple fund, stand independent, etc.

Unfortunately my experience so far has been that often times when I have tried to help and work with people who are fully engaged in A work, that work or task becomes more important than THE work of loving each other. I think in all cases that people involved in A work are not aware that offenses were made to THE work. It simply was not the focus.

I invoke a scripture, I think I now understand it better. Note: I am not qualified to render judgment to how this applies to any other person who is attempting to serve the Lord. 

And many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I say unto them, You never knew me. Depart from me, you that work iniquity. (Matt 3:47 RE)

If we lose focus while doing tasks and fail to see that we are neglecting to learn to love one another—THE work—are we by definition working cross purposes to God’s objectives and thereby “workers of iniquity”? If so, do we run the risk of needing to say, “Lord, Lord have we not done many wonderful works in your name?” Trying to point out how important and hard the tasks were. I always thought that this scripture was kind of harsh but if I am seeing it correctly then it seems justified.

I am a task-oriented person. I always have been. People and dealing with people have always been secondary. I have slowly come to learn I am far more productive and happy when I start with the person first. I don’t have any suggestions on how to realize if we are neglecting THE work at the expense of the tasks at hand. This is a goodly movement, lots of smart folks out there. I leave it right there, lets see what turns up.

Thank you for your consideration. Thank you all for your efforts, both successful and not. Thank you for friendship, whether realized currently or in the future. May we all keep a focused eye on THE work. Are you persuaded?

Regards, Brian Allred