The Importance of Small and Simple and Ordinary Things

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This is a day you graduates have looked forward to with anticipation and excitement for a long time. I hope each of you has a genuine sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Sister Bednar and I extend to you our congratulations and our love.

On this memorable and momentous occasion, I want to talk with you briefly about the importance of small and simple and ordinary things. Let me simply suggest that ordinary people who consistently and diligently do simple things will produce extraordinary results. This inspired and inspiring pattern of work and achievement is described many times in the scriptures.

In the Book of Mormon, Nephi describes the Liahona and how it guided the course of Lehi and his family in the wilderness. In verses 28 and 29 of 1 Nephi 16 we read:

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them. And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things. (emphasis added)

In Alma 37 in the Book of Mormon, Alma explained to his son Helaman the seemingly small and simple ways by which the holy scriptures are preserved from generation to generation. In verses six and seven he summarized:

Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. (emphasis added)

And in Doctrine and Covenants 64:32-33 we are instructed:

But all things must come to pass in their time. Wherefore, be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. (emphasis added).

Brothers and sisters, performance and accomplishment are rarely the result of gigantic and dramatic efforts expended in a relatively short period of time. Rather, incremental, gradual, consistent, and persistent work and improvement lead to effective performance and satisfying accomplishment.

In the Church we often refer to the impact in our lives of a message from a General Authority or the work of an inspired stake president or ward Relief Society president. May I suggest, however, that the great work of the Church is accomplished by humble and ordinary visiting and home teachersC men and women who are hardly ever acknowledged or recognized. I am acquainted with a woman who has been a faithful visiting teacher throughout her life. She is consistent, persistent, and unwavering in her service. On one occasion this good sister was told by a woman she had served for many years as a visiting teacher, A I and my family are active in the Church today because of you. This visiting teacher frankly was shocked to hear such a statement. She had often wondered if she was doing any good or meeting the needs of the women she served. But her steady and consistent and simple and ordinary service provided the necessary spiritual life preserver that helped to save a sister in need. There was nothing flashy, nothing speedy, and nothing overpowering about her visiting teaching. But the accumulation of small and simple and ordinary deeds and expressions of faith and love and testimony indeed produced something that was great.

I believe many of us tend to overlook the importance of small and simple and ordinary things. Perhaps we believe in a A big bang theory of accomplishment that true success grows out of a superhuman effort expended swiftly just before a deadline. And perhaps we A miss the mark and overlook small and simple and ordinary things because we expect our lives to be a continuous stream of exhilarating events and unending progress. I find great comfort in the following citation used by President Gordon B. Hinckley:

I have enjoyed these words of Jenkins Lloyd Jones, which I clipped from the newspaper some years ago. Said he: [The fact is] most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise . . . . Life is like an old-time rail journey delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.^[1]

I know many successful individuals who attribute their career achievement in education, or in the professions, or in the trades to steady, sustained, consistent, and nondazzling work. As we were taught by President Hinckley last October:

There is no end in sight for the good you can do. Do you know it? You are just simple kids. You are not geniuses. I know that. But the work of the world isn't done by geniuses. It is done by ordinary people who have learned to work in an extraordinary way people of your kind who can do these things.^[2]

Let me suggest that many, if not all, of your most satisfying and memorable accomplishments in your home, in the Church, in your work, and in your community will be the result of simple and small and ordinary things.

As we reflect upon our roles and goals and responsibilities and challenges, may we all recall the imagery suggested in section 123 of the Doctrine and Covenants:

You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.^[3]

Now, I would like to conclude on a personal note. Sister Bednar and I love you. We have so much enjoyed visiting with you on campus and in your apartments, participating with you in home evenings, talking about your challenges and opportunities, answering your questions, and becoming better acquainted. We will miss you. And we would love to hear from you please be sure to let us know about the things that are happening in your lives.

Today you graduates become official alumni of BYU-Idaho, and you now have the responsibility to help the world better understand who we are and what we do at Brigham Young University-Idaho. You have been called to assist in fulfilling the prophecies about this remarkable institution. How you live, what you do, and what you become will ultimately define this university. May the Lord bless you as you always remember Him and serve Him with faith and diligence.

As our sons have left our home for college and on missions, Sister Bednar and I have shared with them the following counsel:

Remember that you represent the Savior.
Remember that you represent your family.
Remember that you represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

And as you now are leaving Brigham Young University-Idaho, may I add one more item to the list?

Remember that you represent Brigham Young University-Idaho.

I bear my testimony and declare my witness that God lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ. And I testify that the fullness of the gospel has been restored to the earth in these latter days. I further testify that, as graduates of this institution, you have a responsibility to build the kingdom of God on the earth; I know that you will do so with faith and with diligence. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

[1] A Big Rock Candy Mountains, Deseret News, 12 June 1973, A4 as cited in A A Conversation with Single Adults, Ensign, March 1997, p. 60

[2] Remarks at the dedication of the Gordon B. Hinckley Building, Brigham Young University-Idaho, October 22, 2002

[3] Doctrine and Covenants 123:16-17