Sunday Report: Doing our Duty

April 11, 2010, Ward RS Presidency Message: Taught by: Sister Kimball

Excerpts and quotes used in today’s lesson: 

Coming to an Understanding with Ourselves:"President David O. McKay counseled: ' "The greatest battle of life is fought within  the silent chambers of your own soul.". . . It is a good thing to  sit down and commune with yourself, to come to an  understanding with yourself and decide in that silent moment what your duty is to your family, to your Church, to your country, and . . . to your fellowmen' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1967, 84-85)." Thomas S. Monson, "Choose You This Day," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 68

What Is This Thing Called Duty?

The duty of which I speak is what we are expected to do and to be. It is a moral imperative summoning forth from individuals and communities that which is right, true, and honorable. Duty does not require perfection, but it does require diligence. It is not simply what is legal; it is what is virtuous. It is not reserved to the mighty or high in station but instead rests on a foundation of personal responsibility, integrity, and courage. Doing one’s duty is a manifestation of one’s faith. President Monson said of it: “I love and cherish the noble word duty.”¹⁰ For members of the Church of Jesus Christ, our path of duty is keeping our covenants in daily life.  Our Path of Duty, Bishop Keith B. McMullin, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric April 2010 General Conference

Duty (from "due," that which is owing) is a term that conveys a sense of moral commitment to someone or something. The moral commitment is the sort that results in action and it is not a matter of passive feeling or mere recognition. When someone recognizes a duty, that person commits himself/herself to the cause involved without considering the self-interested courses of actions that may have been relevant previously. This is not to suggest that living a life of duty precludes one of the best sorts of lives but duty does involve some sacrifice of immediate self-interest. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Our Duty is: Our Priority, Purpose, Worth, Responsibility, Obligation.

To Whom and to What Are We Duty Bound?

First, our path of duty is to God, our Eternal Father. He is the author of the plan of salvation, “the framer of heaven and earth,” the creator of Adam and Eve.¹¹ He is the fountain of truth,¹² the embodiment of love,¹³ and the reason there is redemption through Christ.¹⁴

Said President Joseph F. Smith: “All that we have comes from [God]. . . . In and of ourselves we are but a lifeless lump of clay. Life, intelligence, wisdom, judgment, power to reason, all are the gifts of God to the children of men. He gives us our physical strength as well as our mental powers. . . . We should honor God with our intelligence, with our strength, with our understanding, with our wisdom, and with all the power that we possess. We should seek to do good in the world. This is our duty.”¹⁵

One cannot do his or her duty to God the Father without doing likewise to the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. To revere one requires reverence for the other, for the Father has appointed that it is only in and through the name of Christ that one can completely fulfill this dutiful charge.¹⁶ He is our Exemplar, our Redeemer, and our King.

As men and women and boys and girls do their duty to God, they feel impelled to do their duty to one another, to their family, to their church and nation, to all things entrusted to their care. They are duty bound to magnify their talents and to be a law-abiding, good people. They become humble, submissive, and easily entreated. Temperance conquers indulgence; obedience guides their diligence. Peace distills upon them. Citizens become loyal, communities become benevolent, and neighbors become friends. The God of heaven is pleased, the earth is pacified, and this world becomes a better place.¹⁷  Our Path of Duty, Bishop Keith B. McMullin, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric April 2010 General Conference

Additional Quotes about Our Duties and Responsibilities:

“On occasion, however, the duty to respond is downright overpowering. All of us have a solemn duty to honor the priesthood and labor to bring many precious souls unto the Lord.” Duty Calls Thomas S. Monson Ensign, January 2002

“Duty is never worthily performed until it is performed by one who would gladly do more if only he could.” The Sacred Call of Service Thomas S. Monson Ensign, May 2005

“The performance of one’s duty brings a sense of happiness and peace. I acted, and behold— Duty was joy.” The Sacred Call of Service Thomas S. Monson Ensign, May 2005

“The call of duty can come quietly as we who hold the priesthood respond to the assignments we receive.” The Sacred Call of Service Thomas S. Monson Ensign, May 2005

“Your desire to learn your duty is evident. The old adage is ever true: “Do your duty, that is best; leave unto the Lord the rest.” Most service given by priesthood holders [and Relief Society Sisters] is accomplished quietly, without fanfare.” To Learn, to Do, to Be Thomas S. Monson Ensign, November 2008

“Finally, let us choose the stone of LOVE OF DUTY. Duty is not merely to do the thing we ought to do, but to do it when we should, whether we like it or not.” Meeting Your Goliath Thomas S. Monson New Era, June 2008

“May we learn what we should learn, do what we should do, and be what we should be.” Thomas S. Monson, "To Learn, to Do, to Be," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 61

“I have found through the years and in a series of Church responsibilities that as long as I balance the load, delegate and shift the burden if it becomes too cumbersome, making sure that family, business, and other interests counterbalance my load of duty, it becomes light. I delight in carrying this burden for as long as my duty requires.” Service in the Church Spencer H. Osborn Ensign, November 1984

“Our duty lies in assisting others, through the power of the Spirit, to know and understand the doctrines and principles of the gospel.” Now Is the Time M. Russell Ballard Ensign, November 2000 

“There is no power given to the adversary of men’s souls to destroy us if we are doing our duty.” Chapter 3: Walking in the Path That Leads to Life Eternal Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant

“So far, these organizations have accomplished a most excellent primary work. I pray God to bless all our auxiliary organizations, from the first to the last, that they may do their duty, that they may not sit idly down and neglect to work. We are laboring for the salvation of souls, and we should feel that this is the greatest duty devolving upon us.” Chapter 38: Serving in the Church Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith

“Let us feel, every one of us, … that it is our duty to do something to build up the Church, as the Church’s duty is to build on truth and redeem mankind from sin. It is the duty of a representative of any individual group or organization to strive to represent that individual group or organization in honor.”  Chapter 12: Priesthood, the Responsibility to Represent God Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay

Our Relief Society Duties: “Through Relief Society, women have an official role in the Church with great responsibilities, “including working in the temple and teaching the gospel.”⁹ Further, Relief Society is to help women “plant and make grow . . . a testimony of [Jesus] Christ and of the Gospel,”¹⁰ “strengthen the family and the home,”¹¹ and “attend to all family duties.”¹² It has responsibility to take care of the “necessities of the poor, the sick and the needy,” but President Joseph F. Smith said that the larger part of its work is “to look after the spiritual welfare [and salvation] . . . of all the female members of the Church.”¹³

The purpose of Relief Society, as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life.

To fulfill the purpose of Relief Society, the Lord has commissioned each Relief Society sister and the organization as a whole to:

1. Increase in faith and personal righteousness.
2. Strengthen families and homes.
3. Serve the Lord and His children.

Each one of these responsibilities supports and reinforces the other two. When we increase our faith, the result of that effort strengthens our family. When we serve the Lord and His children, our faith and capacity for righteousness increase. The three responsibilities are inseparably connected. 

The First Presidency has counseled, “However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.”¹⁶ Children being born now are growing up in an increasingly sinful world. Our homes are to be their refuge from the daily encounters they have with evil. Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society, Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President , October 2009