During a recent bishops' council meeting, the reality of these troubling and uncertain economic times hit home with intense clarity. The prophetic words of President Gordon B. Hinckley from the October 1998 Priesthood session: "…I am suggesting that the time has come to get our houses in order. So many of our people are living on the very edge of their incomes. In fact, some are living on borrowings. We have witnessed in recent weeks wide and fearsome swings in the markets of the world. The economy is a fragile thing. A stumble in the economy in Jakarta or Moscow can immediately affect the entire world. It can eventually reach down to each of us as individuals. There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed"1 which I had recently re-read echoed in my mind and heart as we discussed the employment needs of families in our wards and stake.
As with many of our stake members to include bishops and two us in the stake presidency, the downward changes in the economy had hit my business and I had begun looking for ways to reduce expenditures and, possibly, for a change in employment. During the weeks that followed, I searched for examples, guidance and counsel in the scriptures about employment that I could use personally and with our stake members, leaders and neighbors in an upcoming stake conference.
One evening as I was reading the account of Nephi and the broken bow in 1st Nephi 16, the words in verse 18, took on new meaning: "And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food." As I read those words over again, the thought struck me that, in essence, Nephi by having his bow break had lost his means of production and became unemployed at that moment as a provider. He wasn't able to provide for some of the temporal needs of his family. I eagerly read, with new interest, the verses that followed to gain insight into what he did to overcome his situation. The lessons we can learn from Nephi and the broken bow are invaluable to anyone seeking new or a change in employment. These lessons include the following principles.
Unemployment can happen to anyone and is not a sign of unworthiness: Nephi was a righteous leader among his people. His bow breaking had nothing to do with unworthiness. Trials come to all of us at various times in our lives. Elder Richard G. Scott said: "Just when all things seem to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain."2
Through the broken bow incident, Lehi's family members were able to experience trials that helped them grow spiritually and temporally for "just as a gem cannot be polished without friction, neither can a man or woman be perfected without trials".3
Trust in the Lord: Nephi trusted in the Lord that if he would put forth effort, the Lord would bless him to become employed again as a provider. He didn't murmur; he didn't complain. He served as an example of faith, hope and love as he persuasively counseled his father, brothers and other family members to increase their faith and trust in the Lord.
As Nephi of old, we need to put our trust in the Lord. The Lord has said: "All flesh is in mine hands, be still and know that I am God."4 We are told in Mosiah that "if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage"5. As we put our trust in the Lord, He will help us in our trials to find suitable employment.
Use your time, skills and talents in your search for employment: Nephi inventoried his skills and capabilities and anxiously became engaged in seeking new "employment" as a provider. Nephi was skilled in metal and wood working. He used his knowledge, skills and talents and "did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow." 6 He didn't idly sit by as did his brothers due to "their bows having lost their springs"7. He proactively "armed himself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones"8.
Today, we need to take inventory of our skills, talents and abilities. To be successful in finding new employment, we need to understand our strengths and weaknesses, our likes and dislikes. We need to spend time every day in developing our talents, skills and abilities. We can "arm ourselves" with "Power" and "Me in 30 seconds" statements. We can network with others through social and professional networks such as LinkedIn, Face Book, MySpace or Twitter. As we put forth effort, the Lord will recognize and bless our efforts.
Utilize the tools and means of support the Lord has provided: Prior to Nephi's bow breaking, the Lord provided Lehi with a "round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass"9. The Liahona "pointed the way whither (they) should go into the wilderness" 10 as well as provided the Lord's counsel and instruction to them. Today, the Lord has provided many resources available through the LDS Employment Resource Centers such as the Career Workshop, networking meetings, resume assistance, and other valuable resources which are also available on providentliving.org and the new website ldsjobs.org. We should utilize all of these resources the Lord has provided in seeking suitable employment.
Be humble and seek guidance and counsel from your priesthood leaders: After arming himself, Nephi approached his father, Lehi the prophet, to ask "whither shall I go to find food."11 Nephi had the blessing and privilege of seeing many of the same visions his father had seen. He was a worthy vessel of the Lord but he understood priesthood line of authority; he understood that with the Lord it "must be done in mine own way."12 He therefore approached his father, which caused his father to approach the Lord in prayer to seek guidance in finding food. Due to his murmuring, Lehi was chastened by the Lord. Once Lehi humbled himself "into the depths of sorrow"13 for his murmuring against the Lord, he received instructions written on the Liahona. Through his actions, Nephi helped his father to repent and re-strengthen his role as the family's patriarch and Lord's prophet.
Today, we need to approach our bishops, branch presidents and quorum leaders for guidance and counsel. Bishops and branch presidents are called of God and are blessed with discernment. They can provide valuable counsel. They hold keys that can be used to provide financial assistance, where needed and appropriate. However, just as Nephi downsized from a bow made of "fine steel" to one made of wood, so must we rein in our lifestyles, if necessary. The fast offering funds of the Church are sacred and are not to be used to sustain a lifestyle. The bishops are blessed with discernment, inspiration and wisdom in regards to providing fast offering assistance and we must be humble and willing to follow their counsel; we will be blessed as we do so.
Help others in need: In Nephi's state of unemployment, he continued to serve others. He helped family members remember their covenants and their God. He helped others regain their hope, strengthen their trust in God, and regain their "employment" in God's service. We, likewise, can serve others by networking and helping others find jobs. We can serve more diligently in our church callings and thereby strengthen one another. We can set better examples of gospel principles in our actions and teachings.
The Lord requires faith, hope and effort: The Liahona worked "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."14 Nephi "did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball…and and it came to pass that (he) did slay wild beasts insomuch that (he) did obtain food for (his) families"15. Nephi had to exert effort. There was no ram in the nearby thicket or on the mountain's hillside. There was no manna from heaven. He had to climb to the "top of the mountain" to slay animals that he might obtain food.
We also may have to climb to the top of the mountain in our job search. It will take effort; it will require that we have hope, faith and trust in God that all things will work out for our benefit. Moroni taught: "I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."16 We must have the faith, hope and trust that we will be successful in our search.
Give thanks and acknowledge the Lord's hand in our lives: When Nephi brought the slain animals to camp, his family members "did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him (the Lord)"17. We likewise must be humble and thank our Heavenly Father daily for all that He does for us and for the gifts and blessings we have received from His hand. We need to also thank those who help us with our job search to include potential employers, networking colleagues and our family members, among others. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude will keep us in the proper frame of mind during our job search and in serving our fellowman.
When facing trials associated with unemployment, under-employment or a change in occupation, we need to follow the example of Nephi when he broke his bow. Nephi knew the importance of trusting in the Lord, being anxiously engaged in finding solutions to his trials; serving and helping others in their time of need; seeking guidance from the Lord's representatives; using the available means the Lord has provided; and the importance of cultivating an attitude of gratitude. As we follow Nephi's example and do these things, the Lord will bless us in our efforts. President Hinckley taught us that the Lord wants us to be successful. As we follow the examples He has given us in the scriptures, we will succeed.
I worry about our young sisters riding their bikes on our streets with no where to get away from cars. They are out until 9 PM when it is double dark. Not only are the streets,even very busy one, dangerously narrow, but we have heat advisories on days like today when they are out on bikes for four hours at a time. Here's today's weather report 97.7 F. and with the heat index 112 F., 98% humidity. The record is 98 F. in 1993. We pray for their safety. The Lord has to protect them. Thankfully He does.
