Because It Needs to Be Done (2 Nephi 33)

by | Jan 25, 2017 | Scripture Study | 4 comments

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In the final chapter of Nephi’s writing, 2 Nephi 33, Nephi points out that writing is actually not his best skill. (He was more of a speaker than a writer.) Considering how much he wrote, one could ask, “Why did he do it?” Didn’t he have enough other things to do? Shouldn’t he have left the writing for someone else?

The simple answer to the question of why he did it is because it needed to be done. The history and prophecies needed to be recorded. Writing may not have been his gift. It may not have been his favorite thing to do, but he was able to do it, and it needed to be done. So he did it. Seeing Nephi’s dedication to doing what had to be done, God blessed his work. As Nephi puts it, “the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong” (2 Nephi 33:4).

Similar choices face us today.

For example, if you’re responsible for managing a household or caring for children, then you know there are many tasks that are neither glamorous nor fun. Yet you do them. Why? Because they need to be done. You could choose to do other things. You could wait for someone else to do them — good luck with that. But, in the end, you do them because they need to be done.

Similar opportunities exist in the church.

One day, a new sister in our branch noticed that the trash in the bathrooms was sometimes forgotten and left until the next week. She made it her personal job at the end of every Sunday meeting to go around and empty every trash pail in the building. Now, I think we can all agree that this sister was not called into the church to empty our trash pails. She misses out on some opportunities for fellowship while she is doing this. Surely, there are other people who could do this. Yet, she does it religiously every Sunday. Why? Because it needs to be done.

It even happens with ministerial duties.

If you’ve ever been a presiding elder, then you’ve probably experienced occasions when you hold out the oil bottle during an anointing and nobody steps forward to take it. You could stand there for 20 minutes waiting. You could try to push the bottle into someone’s hand. Instead, you tip the bottle over the person’s head and pray. Why? Because it needs to be done. The person sitting there needs prayer, and although someone else could do it, it’s not happening, so you do it because it needs to be done.

Jesus Christ came to earth for primarily one purpose — to die on the cross to pay for our sins. Yet, when the time came, the human side of Jesus asked God whether there was any other way to accomplish this. With no other option forthcoming, He went ahead and allowed Himself to be crucified. Why? Because it needed to be done. Imagine if Jesus would’ve walked away, saying He had something else He preferred doing or that someone else should do this instead. Thankfully for all of us, He went ahead and did what needed to be done.

So, when an opportunity to do something for the Lord — for the church, for other people — arises, don’t let your first thought be that you’d rather be doing something else or someone else can do this. If it’s something you can do, especially if nobody else is doing it, do it — even if the only reason is that it just needs to be done.

Writer’s Note

This is the last chapter of 2 Nephi. In case you missed any of the 33 blog articles from 2 Nephi, they are listed and linked below for your reference. Since reader feedback has been favorable regarding this series, I’m planning to continue on to the Book of Jacob, beginning in 2 weeks (February 8). As always, we welcome reader feedback.

Chapter Article Title Date Published
1 Never Give Up on Someone You Love May 18, 2016
2 We Need Opposition May 25, 2016
3 The Choice Seer June 1, 2016
4 Awake My Soul June 8, 2016
5 Follow a Good Example June 15, 2016
6 Ordained of God June 22, 2016
7 Who Moved? July 20, 2016
8 Redeemed of the Lord July 27, 2016
9 The Power of the Resurrection August 3, 2016
10 Land of Our Inheritance August 10, 2016
11 Called as a Witness August 17, 2016
12 The Peaceful Reign  August 24, 2016
13 You Reap What You Sow August 31, 2016 
14 Holy, Holy, Holy  September 7, 2016
15 En La Vina Del Senor September 21, 2016
16 Send Me  September 28, 2016
17 God With Us October 5, 2016
18 Is Christ Offensive? October 12, 2016
19 His Name Is Wonderful October 19, 2016 
20 Do as I Say, Not as I Do October 26, 2016 
21 The Lamb & the Lion  November 2, 2016
22 Sing Unto the Lord November 9, 2016 
23 The Day of the Lord  November 16, 2016
24 Lift Me Up a Little Higher, Self November 23, 2016
25 Second Chances  November 30, 2016
26 Salvation Is for All December 7, 2016 
27 Being Unlearned December 14, 2016 
28 All Is Well in Zion December 21, 2016
29 Why Must God Be One and Done? December 28, 2016
30 God Is No Respecter of Persons January 4, 2017 
31 Why Should I Be Baptized? January 11, 2017 
32 The Holy Ghost  January 18, 2017 
33 Because It Needs to Be Done January 25, 2017 

 

Bio Jerry

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.

4 Comments

  1. Enza Pusillo

    What wonderful counsel and advice!!Thank you so much for making it real to us on an everyday level so we can grow in the Lord!

    Reply
  2. B Cope

    I’ve really enjoyed this series. The commentary on each chapter has been very insightful. Thanks Bro. Jerry!

    Reply
  3. Carolyn

    Looking forward to the book of Jacob!

    Reply
  4. Teri-Lyn Tunno

    Thank you so much for doing this and especially for the links!! I make sure to keep your information around so I can use it as a reference. I, too, look forward to the book of Jacob!! God bless you in all your efforts!! 🙂

    Reply

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