“I Have a Work for Thee”

Recognize God's Work for You

Elder Pingree emphasizes that God has important work for each of us, regardless of our background or circumstances. He explains that these divine assignments are not reserved for a privileged few but are meant for everyone. By sharing examples of ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things, Elder Pingree encourages us to trust that Heavenly Father has specific and significant tasks for us to fulfill.

God has important work for each of us.

Every one of us has a meaningful role to play in furthering God’s work.

The Lord has more in mind for you than you have in mind for yourself! You have been reserved and preserved for this time and place.

• What does Elder Pingree mean when he says that God has important work for each of us?
• How does the story of Girish Ghimire illustrate the principle that God prepares us for specific tasks?
• Why is it significant that divine assignments are for everyone, regardless of background?
• What specific work do you feel Heavenly Father has prepared you for?
• Can you identify any experiences or skills that God has given you to prepare you for His work?
• How can you better trust in God's plan for you and seek His guidance in your daily life?

Focus on Others

Elder Pingree teaches that focusing on others is a key principle in discovering our divine assignments. By following Christ's example of doing good, we can find purpose and direction in our lives. He shares stories of individuals who made significant impacts by prioritizing the needs of others, demonstrating that our primary purpose in divine assignments is to bless others.

We can follow Christ, "who went about doing good."

The primary purpose of divine assignments is to bless others and to do "much good."

• How does focusing on others help us discover our divine assignments?
• What examples does Elder Pingree provide to illustrate the impact of focusing on others?
• Why is it important to approach decision points in life with the intent to help others?
• In what ways can you focus more on others in your daily life?
• Have you experienced blessings from helping others? How did it impact your sense of purpose?
• What changes can you make to prioritize the needs of others more effectively?

Discover and Develop Spiritual Gifts

Elder Pingree encourages us to discover and develop our spiritual gifts, which Heavenly Father has given to help us perform His work. He explains that everyone has spiritual gifts and offers practical ways to identify them, such as referencing patriarchal blessings, asking loved ones, and seeking God's guidance. Developing these gifts is essential to fulfilling our divine assignments.

To every man [and woman] is given a gift by the Spirit of God … that all may be profited thereby.

As we discover our gifts, we have a responsibility to develop them.

• What are spiritual gifts, and why are they important for performing God's work?
• How can we discover our spiritual gifts according to Elder Pingree?
• What responsibilities do we have once we discover our spiritual gifts?
• What spiritual gifts do you believe you have been given?
• How can you develop your spiritual gifts to better serve others?
• What steps will you take to seek God's guidance in identifying and developing your gifts?

Make Use of Adversity

Elder Pingree highlights the importance of making use of adversity to prepare for the work God has for us. He shares examples of individuals who turned their trials into opportunities to bless others, illustrating that difficult experiences can help us develop empathy and strength. By using adversity constructively, we can become instruments in God's hands.

Our trials help us discover and prepare for the work Heavenly Father has for us.

Like the Savior, whose atoning sacrifice enables Him to succor us, we can use knowledge gained from difficult experiences to lift, strengthen, and bless others.

• How can adversity prepare us for the work Heavenly Father has for us?
• What examples does Elder Pingree provide of individuals who made use of their adversity?
• Why is it important to view trials as opportunities for growth and service?
• What adversities have you faced, and how have they prepared you for future challenges?
• How can you use your experiences with adversity to bless others?
• What mindset changes can you make to better view trials as opportunities for growth?

Rely on God

Elder Pingree stresses the necessity of relying on God to discover and fulfill our divine assignments. He assures that when we ask in faith, God will reveal our assignments and provide the strength needed to accomplish them. By trusting in God's timing and power, we can overcome challenges and fulfill our roles in His plan.

When we ask Him in faith with real intent, He will reveal our divine assignments to us.

He even sent His Son, Jesus Christ, so that we can depend on Him for strength beyond our natural abilities.

• Why is it important to rely on God to discover and fulfill our divine assignments?
• How does Elder Pingree suggest we can seek God's guidance and strength?
• What examples does Elder Pingree provide to illustrate the importance of relying on God?
• In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God?
• How can you strengthen your faith to better trust in God's plan and timing?
• What experiences have you had where relying on God helped you overcome a challenge?

Resist the Adversary's Distractions

Elder Pingree warns against the adversary's efforts to distract and dissuade us from fulfilling our divine assignments. He identifies sin, worldly distractions, feelings of inadequacy, and pride as obstacles that can hinder our progress. By striving to be clean, focusing on our divine work, trusting in God's support, and maintaining humility, we can resist these distractions.

Sin is perhaps our greatest stumbling block, dulling our sensitivity to the Holy Ghost and restricting our access to spiritual power.

Satan also seeks to distract us with less important matters.

Satan discourages us with feelings of inadequacy. He makes our work appear too difficult or intimidating.

• What are some ways the adversary tries to distract and dissuade us from our divine work?
• How can sin impact our ability to perform God's work?
• Why is it important to maintain humility and give credit to God for our accomplishments?
• What distractions are currently hindering you from fulfilling your divine assignments?
• How can you better resist feelings of inadequacy and trust in God's support?
• What steps can you take to maintain humility and avoid pride in your accomplishments?