The Small Things

Speaking about the power of the tongue, James spoke of how “ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm” (James 3:4).  It seems that the Prophet Joseph was paraphrasing James as he said this about some commandments he was giving the Saints: “Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.  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” (D&C 123:15-16).  In our day President Monson also made a similar remark recently as he told the story about the great German ship the Bismarck, speaking of “the power provided by the rudder, hidden from view, relatively small in size but absolutely essential in function” (see here).  The message of these three is the same: it’s the small things that make a huge difference in our lives. 

                Several familiar scriptures teach this principle.  Alma said to his son regarding the importance of the scriptural record they kept on metal plates: “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.”  He entreated his son and us saying “Do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way” (Alma 37:6, 46).  In other words, don’t neglect the simple invitations of the gospel, especially when they are so easy to follow.  Nephi wrote how “because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished” (1 Nephi 17:41).  They could not bring themselves to have faith in a very simple act of obedience, and therefore they failed to do it and perished.  This of course reminds us of the experience of Naaman who when he went to be healed by Elisha was told to go wash in the river Jordan. This simple request seemed beneath him and he at first refused.  But his servant reasoned with him, “My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” (2 Kings 5:13)  Naaman consented to perform the “small thing” and was subsequently healed. 

                I think that one of the most important parts of our faith is to believe in the power of the small requirements of the gospel: daily scripture study, daily prayer, partaking of the Sacrament, attending the temple, etc.  All of these activities that we are invited to participate in regularly are “small things” in the eyes of the world.  But these are the kind of activities upon which the great blessings of the Lord are predicated.  As He said in our dispensation, “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” (D&C 64:33).  Many of us would do “some great thing” for the Lord if it were asked of us, but the true test of our discipleship is to faithfully perform the small things the Lord requires.